OUR MISSION
Leading the Way in Pet Advocacy and Veterinary Excellence
FECAVA is dedicated to advancing animal welfare and public health ("One Health") through initiatives in antimicrobial resistance, availability of veterinary medicines, promotion of the human–animal bond, mental health among veterinarians, sustainability, and fighting the illegal pet trade.
FECAVA HISTORICAL TIMELINE
2025
2025 (September)
30th EuroCongress in Antwerp marks a milestone
FECAVA continued its longstanding EuroCongress tradition with the 30th event in Antwerp, combining scientific exchange with expanded policy engagement and professional development.
2025 (July)
First Digital Sustainability Congress launched
FECAVA held its first Digital Sustainability Congress, highlighting environmental responsibility and sustainable practice management within the veterinary profession.
2024
EuroCongress Athens reinforces clinical education excellence
FECAVA’s 29th EuroCongress in Athens reinforced its commitment to quality clinical education and crossborder professional engagement.
2023
Record-breaking WSAVA/FECAVA Congress and guideline release
The joint WSAVA/FECAVA Congress in Lisbon achieved record attendance and served as a platform for FECAVA to release parts of its endocrinology guideline series, expanding guidance in internal medicine practice.
2022
EuroCongress returns after the pandemic
After pandemic disruptions, FECAVA resumed live EuroCongresses with Prague hosting the 27th FECAVA EuroCongress, reenergising European scientific dialogue.
2021–2022
Integrating mental health and wellbeing into clinician support
FECAVA integrated mental health and wellbeing support into its clinician resources, offering webinars, articles and awareness initiatives to support veterinary professionals.
2020–2021
Launch of Anaesthesia and Analgesia best-practice campaign
FECAVA launched the FECAVA Basic Practices in Anaesthesia and Analgesia campaign, providing flowcharts and guidance notes on anaesthetic planning, monitoring and local blocks to improve safety and pain management across Europe.
2018–present
Expansion of authoritative clinical and welfare resources
FECAVA’s publications portfolio of authoritative resources expanded to include zoonoses factsheets on key humananimal disease risks, dental factsheets to raise oral health awareness, guidelines on antimicrobial resistance, Basic Practices in Anaesthesia and Analgesia, Healthy Breeding and Welfare of Pets resources, and position papers on key professional and welfare topics.
2018–2020
Vectorborne disease factsheets for evidence-based care
FECAVA published vectorborne disease factsheets for practitioners—including canine heartworm disease (June 2018), angiostrongylosis and other vectorborne conditions—to support evidencebased veterinary care.
2017
Transition of EJCAP to digital professional resources
The European Journal of Companion Animal Practice (EJCAP), FECAVA’s official journal, was discontinued after Spring 2017, marking a shift to alternative digital professional resources.
2010–2017
EuroCongress expansion across major European cities
FECAVA’s EuroCongress series in Geneva, Istanbul, Birmingham, Dublin, Munich, Barcelona, Vienna and Copenhagen expanded professional development and clinical networking for European practitioners.
2009
EuroCongress strengthens European scientific collaboration
FECAVA continued hosting its annual EuroCongress, strengthening scientific exchange and European collaboration among companion animal veterinarians.
2009
Establishment of VetCEE
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, FECAVA organised numerous continuing education courses across Europe. It was instrumental in setting up VetCEE (Veterinary Continuous Education in Europe) to develop standards for structured CPD and its recognition throughout Europe. FECAVA also contributed to defining competencies for VetCEE accreditation for providers of companion animal programmes.
2007
Establishment of ACOVENE
In 1992, FECAVA created a working group on the training of veterinary nurses in Europe. This initiative led to the establishment of ACOVENE (Accreditation Committee for Veterinary Nurse Education).
1990s–2000s
Continuing Education in Europe
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, FECAVA organised numerous continuing education courses across Europe. It was instrumental in setting up VetCEE (Veterinary Continuous Education in Europe) to develop standards for structured CPD and its recognition throughout Europe. FECAVA also contributed to defining competencies for VetCEE accreditation for providers of companion animal programmes.
1994
First FECAVA EuroCongress
FECAVA members decided to host an annual EuroCongress to connect veterinary professionals across Europe. The inaugural FECAVA Congress was held in 1994 in Paris, marking the start of a long-standing tradition of collaboration and knowledge exchange.
1992
Veterinary Nurse Training Initiative
In 1992, FECAVA created a working group on the training of veterinary nurses in Europe. This initiative led to the establishment of ACOVENE (Accreditation Committee for Veterinary Nurse Education) in 2007.
1990
FECAVA introduced first EU veterinary publication
The group members decided to publish an English-language veterinary publication with reprints of CE articles from national European journals. The first European Journal of Companion Animal Practice (EJCAP) was printed in 1990, and 17,000 copies were distributed to members throughout Europe. EJCAP was published twice yearly and became an online-only quarterly publication in 2012.
1990
FECAVA officially founded
FECAVA originated at the companion animal veterinarian practitioner meeting in Bienne (Biel), Switzerland. The group was initially called the European Harmonisation Committee, and FECAVA was officially founded on 12th of May 1990.
OUR statutes
Defining Who We Are
and What We Stand For
The FECAVA Statutes define our structure, governance, and purpose as a non-profit organisation representing companion animal veterinarians across Europe. They outline our mission to advance veterinary care, support professional development, and advocate for companion animal welfare at a European level. First adopted in Paris in 1990 and updated when our headquarters moved to Brussels in 2011, the statutes ensure that our activities remain transparent, democratic, and aligned with the needs of our growing community.