Mission and History

Mission

The Feline Veterinary Medical Association (FelineVMA) supports its members in improving the health and wellbeing of cats through high standards of practice, continuing education, and evidence-based medicine.


Vision Statement

We are the trusted leaders in feline health and wellbeing for the veterinary community and cat caregivers.


Core Values


History

In 1970, at the American Veterinary Medical Association meeting in Las Vegas, an informational meeting was held for a new interest group, the American Association of Feline Practitioners. Dr. Alvin Kaplan brought together a group of veterinarians who had a strong interest in feline medicine for one single goal: To improve the field of feline medicine.

The 25-member Association was convened in 1971. By 1974, with the assistance of Dr. Barbara Stein, Dr. Fred Scott, and Dr. Bill Hardy, the Association grew to more than 200 members and was officially incorporated. Throughout the years, the Association continues to grow as a respected institution in the field of feline medicine. It has partnered with other well-respected veterinary associations and organizations to advance its mission.

The Association changed its name at the 2024 Annual Conference to the Feline Veterinary Medical Association. The FelineVMA works to improve the standards of feline health, in part by providing its members with progressive research and valuable resources which include, but are not limited to, peer-reviewed scientific research in the open access Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, breakthrough continuing education at the FelineVMA Conferences and feline tracks at other conferences, and the well-respected and highly utilized Practice Guidelines and Position Statements compiled by the FelineVMA.

The FelineVMA continues to build on its reputation as a leader in the field of feline medicine, launching initiatives to improve and standardize the delivery of feline veterinary care. Explore this website to learn more about the award-winning Cat Friendly Certificate Program, the Cat Friendly Practice® Program, The Feline Practitioner Magazine, and so much more.