The future of feline medicine changed when Dr. Alvan Kaplan, at the 1970 AVMA meeting in Las Vegas, held an organizational meeting for a new group, the American Association of Feline Practitioners. People have emerged since then who love cats and want to find, share, and be the leaders on all things related to feline medicine. Please enjoy the following highlights of what this “Band of Cat Lovers” have accomplished over the years.

Cornell early 1990's

Miami 2006

 

The first formal and scientific meeting occurred at the 1971 AVMA meeting in Detroit. Four scientific papers were presented and Dr. Kaplan was re-elected as chairperson for another year. 25 people were present for this session. When 1974 arrived, Dr. Barb Stein single-handedly promoted and led AAFP re-organization because she recognized the need to promote the health and welfare of cats along with the enhancement and promotion of feline practice. She contacted Dr. Fred Scott and Dr. Bill Hardy for help with the task. The 200 members present authorized the re-organization and elected Dr. Julius Fischler as President, Dr. Fred Scott as Vice President, and Dr. Barb Stein as Secretary-Treasurer. The American Association of Feline Practitioners was incorporated on January 3, 1974.


During the 1970’s, AAFP saw the establishment of an information page for AAFP members in Feline Practice, Bylaws produced, 11 District Representative appointed to an Executive Board, a $1000 Research grant awarded, Student Chapter awards begun, and a newsletter edited by Jim Harvey. (See the linked page for more detail on our 1970’s history.)

 

As AAFP moved in to the 1980’s, the first extended Continuing Education meeting was held in 1982 at Incline Village, NV. The organization started holding two Continuing Education meetings a year, one in the Fall and a Winter/Spring Meeting, with an approximate membership of 750. The Research Award Grant went from $1500 in 1984 to $2500 in 1986.

 

Late 1980’s to early 1990’s

1988 AAFP hired its first employee, Ms. Kristi Thomsen, and established the headquarters office and all its records in Albuquerque,NM. Drs. Ilona Rodan is elected President, Eliza Sundahl -- President-Elect, and Philip Shanker -- Secretary-Treasurer AAFP elects its first delegates to the AVMA with Joan Arnoldi as Delegate and Michael Klingler as Alternate Delegate. Student Chapters are formed at different veterinary schools The first CE dry lab was held on dentistry in 1988 in Boston, MA. AAFP has a single corporate sponsor of Smith-Kline Beecham for $25,000. Tom Elston developed the first budgets of approximately $100,000. Dr. Robert Kritsberg of Glendale, AZ is editor of a semi-annual newsletter. AAFP publishes organization news in Feline Practice magazine. The first Cornell Feline Health Center meeting with AAFP members attending.

 

1990

The Academy of Feline Medicine was formed. The goals were to promote development of a Feline Specialty in ABVP and assist interested members in achieving certification Additional goals were to recognize interested veterinarians with extensive CE in feline medicine plus a commitment to contribute to scientific literature pertaining to felines.

 

1991

Injection Site Recommendations were first developed by AAFP. Fall Conference held in New Orleans

 

 

1994

Dr. Margie Scherk is established as the new editor of the AAFP  newsletter with the early assistance of Dr. Cathy Eastman. The first Fall Meeting held outside the United States in Puerto Vallarta first Strategic Planning session held by

 

1995

First ABVP certification exam in Feline Practice held in Las Vegas, NV. Twenty-two people passed the examination with 21 of those being AAFP members. AAFP/Academy of Feline Medicine Task Force works to merge the Academy back into AAFP as a division of AAFP. The AAFP starts providing Practice Tips and Journal Abstracts in the newsletter. The Fall meeting in Washington DC is the first theme meeting about Feline Infectious Diseases. It was considered a breakthrough meeting and also the first major meeting to have larger numbers of exhibitor/vendors on site.

First panel on Retrovirus Testing Guidelines held in Sante Fe, NM with Drs. Andy Loar, Jim Richards, David Rosen, Ilona Rodan, Deb Edwards, Eliza Sundahl, Tom Elston, and Vicki Thayer.

 

1996

Breckinridge Winter Meeting	AAFP celebrates its 25th Anniversary at the Fall meeting in San Diego, CA. This is the first major meeting with multiple corporate sponsors. Cynthia Wutchiett gave first practice management lecture.
The Fellows hold their first dry lab workshop at the Breckinridge Winter meeting. The Program Committee evolves. AAFP joins AVMA, AAHA, and the Veterinary Cancer Society in the first Fibrosarcoma Task Force meeting and develops recommendations for practitioners.

 

1997

The Fall Meeting on Geriatrics in Atlanta, GA becomes the first meeting with a single large sponsor by Rhone Merieux for $50,000. AAFP members participate in a study by the CDC on potential member exposure to FIV and FSV. The controversial but visionary Feline Vaccine Guidelines panel meets and the guidelines are published in early 1998 by the AVMA journal. AAFP meets with representatives of the American Heartworm Society to develop guidelines on Feline Heartworm disease. First AAFP website page developed within the AVMA website.

 

1998

Second Strategic Planning session held at the Fall meeting in Sante Fe, NM. Goals are to grow CE meetings to 500-600 attendees and alternate Winter meetings between Skiing and Warm Weather sites. Feline Senior Care Guidelines developed. The Fellows hold their first round table discussions at their meeting. An alliance develops with the Compendium magazine to have an AAFP news page.

 

1999

AAFP loses one of its founders, Dr. Barb Stein. Feline Practitioner's History continued