Abstract
CATalyst
cool cities to be a cat
Q: What do Boston, Atlanta, Tampa, Minneapolis, Denver, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, Portland (Oregon) and Seattle have in common?
A: They were recently announced the ‘2009 top 10 feline-friendly US cities’ by the CATalyst Council.
A variety of criteria were considered for ‘feline-friendly city’, as highlighted below. Overall, the aim of the initiative is to draw immediate focus on the issues that CATalyst is addressing — that of declining health care and waning welfare for cats. By creating positive media attention, the Council intends to reverse this current trend.
The CATalyst Council was formed as a not-for-profit corporation following a summit held after the 2008 AAFP Conference in Palm Springs, California. It is comprised of a representative from the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Society of Animal Welfare Administrators (SAWA). Joining these representatives are several other ‘at-large’ board members, including commercial partners. This makes the CATalyst Council unique among veterinary coalitions in that its industry partners — as stakeholders in the welfare and health of cats — have been invited on as equal board members.
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Number of cats Number of AAFP members Number of AAHA hospitals Number of AVMA veterinarians Number of diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists Number of cats microchipped Number of SAWA member shelters Favorable ordinances for licensing where cats are defined as companion animals
The Council extends grateful thanks to all those working together in the name of the cat. In particular, immediate past president Valerie Creighton for representing the AAFP on the CATalyst Council Board of Directors; her participation and input have ensured that AAFP continues to have a pivotal role in the future health and welfare of cats. AAFP past president Diane Eigner will follow the same tradition. Also to friends at ESFM and FAB — Claire Bessant, Andy Sparkes, Sarah Caney, and all other ‘CATalysts’ from across the pond.
CATalyst's goals
To improve health care for cats, increase responsible cat ownership, enhance the stature of cats, and enrich lives.
CPD support
Hill's symposia library
As part of a programme of training to support veterinary practices during tough times, Hill's Pet Nutrition is opening up its library of proceedings from the European veterinary symposia that it has been running over the past 13 years. These contain definitive texts on conditions that are seen in practice, described at an advanced level but in an easy to assimilate format.
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The proceedings are free of charge, and individuals may order one copy of any, or a combination, of the following titles:
Chronic renal disease Hill's European Symposium 2004 Canine joint health — advances in clinical management and nutrigenomics Hill's European speaker tour 2005 Advances in feline medicine Hill's European symposium 2006 Dermatology Hill's Palm Springs symposium 2006 Moving on with mobility Hill's European symposium 2007
Orders can be placed by calling +44 (0) 1923 814454.