American Association of Feline Practitioners announces new name

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The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) announced that it is now officially the Feline Veterinary Medical Association (FelineVMA). The FelineVMA announced its name change during the 2024 AAFP Annual Conference on Friday September 27, 2024, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

“This Association has always been a welcoming place for all veterinary professionals who work with cats. Our membership is comprised of veterinarians, veterinary technicians, practice managers, assistants, support staff, students, and more,” said Tammy Sadek, DVM, DABVP (Feline), 2023-2024 AAFP president, in an organizational release.¹

“The majority of our members work in mixed/companion animal practices, with others in feline-only practices, academia, specialty practices, relief work, shelters, and more. All veterinary team members from every practice or organization are valued Members of our feline veterinary community. It is important that this new name is recognizable and associated with excellence in veterinary medicine, and which puts ‘feline’ first and foremost,” she continued.

In 1970, the American Veterinary Medical Association met in Las Vegas, Nevada, and an informational meeting was held for a new interest group, AAFP.² Then in 1971, AAFP was convened with 25 members and would then rise to more than 200 by 1974. In the past 50 years, the group has become a respected institution within feline and veterinary medicine and works closely with other groups to advance its goal, improving the field of feline medicine.

According to the release, with this change, the FelineVMA hopes to align the associations direction to include everyone in the feline veterinary professional community.¹ The brand update also comes with a revamped website to provide a new technology ecosystem to enhance the experience for users.

“Rebranding as the Feline Veterinary Medical Association marks an exciting evolution for our organization,” expressed Ashlie Saffire, DVM, DABVP (Feline), FelineVMA president-elect. “This change not only honors our rich history but also positions us to better serve the current and future diverse needs of the veterinary community. We’re excited to continue to provide top-tier education and resources that empower professionals dedicated to feline health.”

References

1. Introducing the Feline Veterinary Medical Association (FelineVMA). News release. Feline Veterinary Medical Association. September 27, 2024. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://catvets.com/news/introducing-the-feline-veterinary-medical-association/
2. Mission and History. Feline Veterinary Medical Association. Published September 3, 2024. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://catvets.com/about/mission-and-history