Probably so! Indeed, this celebrity contributed to the enthusiastic decision of five associations to assemble in Lille, the capital of the “ch'tis”, for their 2009 European companion animal veterinary rendez-vous. Why not ?

1994 ? The veterans may remember, but more recent participants didn't see the first image of a cat attempting to climb the Eiffel Tower. A lovely logo symbolizing the place, Paris, and the theme, the cat. The CNVSPA (French Small Animal Vetrinary Association, now AFVAC) became the pioneer of the FECAVA Congress. The first meeting was a grand success, the idea gained momentum, and fourteen more annual meetings followed.

2009? The FECAVA Congress has evolved over the years. It has become a major opportunity for European veterinarians to appreciate and compare one another's techniques, methods, and visions—creating a true sense of cooperation among colleagues.

Great timing: five Associations from three different countries had the same idea to regroup and co-organize themselves in Lille, where the FECAVA Congress will enjoy a new look: the Eurocongress.

SAVAB (Small Animal Veterinary Association of Belgium), LAK (Letzebuerger Associatioun vun der Klengdeirepraktiker), and AFVAC (Association Française des Vétérinaires pour Animaux de Compagnie), all associated through FAFVAC (Federation of French-speaking Associations for Small Animal Veterinarians or Fédération des Associations Francophones des Vétérinaires pour Animaux de Compagnie) are preparing this exciting meeting during which the attendees can experience a harmonious programme of continuing education offerings, symposiums, and fruitful debates regarding the current situation and the future of veterinary science here on the “old continent”.

A look back at the 1994 Congress brought back memories: this year, the cat returns as the main theme of the general programme. In addition, care for exotic pets (NAC or Nouveaux Animaux de Compagnie) was quite a rare field in 1994. During the past 15 years, exotic pets have become so common that it seemed judicious to include them in the 2009 theme as well.

This explains the slogan chosen for this year's Congress: “Anything but dogs”, loosely translated into French as “Chat, souris, et cie” or “Cat, mouse, and company”.

- A General Programme focusing on feline and exotic pets diseases: the scientific committee has planned several different levels of meetings (state of the art, advanced, refresher,) that will allow the attendees to choose the conferences which will be the most beneficial to them, also giving each attendee the chance to be in contact with renowned speakers from all over Europe or from Francophone countries;

- Short sessions, or brand-new sources of information and discoveries from talented speakers. Subjects for these short sessions are not limited to cats or exotic pets;

- The Residents' forum where attendees will have the chance to meet those young colleagues who advance scientific knowledge;

- Interactive workshops/seminars, which have been a part of the AFVAC Congress since its 2003 meeting in Nantes. These contribute to better use and interpretation of examinations;

- Symposiums, organized either by FECAVA (chosen theme: pain), or by the scientific committee (a variety of topics including specialization, animal protection, hygiene...) , or by the main partners of the Congress;

- Finally, a bit of innovation with poster presentations, which have returned after an unfortunate long absence. This new form of presentation promises to be quite attractive.

Since 1990, FECAVA (Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations) coordinates the activities of many continuing education Associations for “Companion Animal Veterinarians” at the European level.

Every year, thirty-six European associations take the time to re-evaluate their methods, results, successes, and weaknesses. This type of self-reflection and examination helps each Association to improve its know-how and re-work its policies in order to adapt to changes in the profession.

FECAVA now organizes an Annual Congress, originally recognized in the form of a national meeting.

Since 1994 (year of the first FECAVA Congress), European nations have been fortunate to discover and appreciate this major event.

The Scientific Committee is made up of representatives from five Associations.

President : Jean-François Rousselot

Members : Colette Arpaillange, Patrick Bergeaud, André Berthier, Eric Bomassi, Didier-Noël Carlotti, Laurent Cauzinille, Gilles Chaudieu, Maxime Coquet, Karin De Beul (B), Françoise Delisle, Jack-Yves Deschamps, Christine Haelewyn, Christian Dumon, Didier Fontaine, Jacques Fontaine (B), Valérie Freiche, Luc Hazotte, Christophe Hugnet, Marc Giry, François Gonneau, Janine Guaguère, Eric Guaguère, Philippe Hennet, Michel Lammertyn, Joëlle Leteneur, François Madin, Catherine Mège, Jean-Marie Péricard, Delphine Rault, Emmanuel Risi, Dan Rosenberg, Maurice Roze, Marc Simon, Marc Vangheluwe (B), Johan Van Tilburg (B), Anne-Marie Verbruggen (B).

Eurocongress website: www.fecavalille2009.com

AFVAC, 40 rue de Berri, F-75008 PARIS-France

By phone: +33(0)1 53 83 91 60

By fax: +33(0)1 53 83 91 69

By email: fecavalille2009@afvac.com

A specific internet site presents all practical information regarding the Congress, outlining the main events to be included. Week after week, the site will be updated with additional information and “briefings” describing all the upcoming scientific and social events.

On average, the AFVAC Congress's veterinary nursing day has welcomed 350 veterinary nurses.

This desire to provide continuing education for veterinary nurses has also been of ongoing concern for FECAVA.

Therefore, two programmes, one in French and the other in English, will be offered at the 15th Eurocongress.

The expected success of the programmes is a result of European veterinary nurses' motivation and enthusiasm for meeting together, making progress, and exchanging ideas.

A uniquely French programme which could become a European model.

These exchanges of opinions and ideas foster cooperation between veterinarians and breeders.

The Lille 2009 Eurocongress is an opportunity to broaden these types of exchanges within the context of European canine and feline breeding. In addition, the Congress will promote meetings between French and/or Benelux breeders and veterinarians.

-10 conference rooms operating each day

-120 modules, each lasting 1.5 hours

60 modules for the general programme (48 for cats and 12 for exotic pets)

20 for short sessions

10 for the Residents' forum

20 for interactive workshops/seminars

10 for symposiums

6 “state of the art” lectures, of which 50% are “refresher” and 50% are “advanced”