WSAVA postpones World Congress amid ongoing pandemic concerns

Amid the continuing uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) announced this week that it is postponing its 2020 annual World Congress.

The conference, planned in partnership with the Federation of Companion Animal Veterinary Associations (FECAVA) and Polish Small Animal Veterinary Association (PSAVA), was scheduled for September 23 to 26, 2020 in Warsaw. It will now convene in the same location from March 21 to 24, 2021.

WSAVA made the decision to reschedule after detailed discussions with FECAVA, PSAVA and its industry partners, sponsors and member associations, according to a press release. WSAVA President Shane Ryan, BVSc (Hons), MVS, CVA, GradDipAnimChiro, MChiroSc, MRCVS, says that the safety of attendees and speakers was a key deciding factor.

“While we are extremely disappointed to have to postpone WSAVA World Congress, the safety and well-being of our delegates, speakers and exhibitors are our absolute priorities," Dr. Ryan said. "The continuing uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to protect our colleagues ultimately made the decision a simple one.”

The new March dates were the only ones available for the Warsaw venue, and just happen to be immediately prior to the scheduled 2021 British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) Congress. To encourage veterinary professionals to attend the back-to-back international events, WSAVA and BSAVA are discussing the possibility of offering a combined registration fee.

“We are very appreciative that our friends and colleagues at FECAVA, PSAVA and BSAVA have worked together with us in a spirit of friendship and cooperation to help resolve this unprecedented problem. We are now looking forward to March 2021 and to hosting the world-class global congress for companion animal veterinarians that our Scientific Committee, FECAVA, and PSAVA have been working so hard to create,” Dr. Ryan said.

The 2021 WSAVA World Congress, set to run from November 13-16 next year in Hyderabad, India, will go ahead as scheduled.