RCVS teams up with International Cat Care to offer a day of people, cats and vets through history

To celebrate his love of cats, this year Dr Bradley Viner (pictured), our President and Vice-President of International Cat Care, has got together a unique group of organisations and speakers to discuss the historical relationship between humans and cats. 

The day, titled ‘People, cats and vets through history’, will be held in our Council Chamber on Friday 10 June and will bring together us, RCVS Knowledge, International Cat Care, the Veterinary History Society and the Central Veterinary Society.

Joyce Filer from the British Museum will begin the day by looking at humanity’s early interactions with cats in ancient Egypt; Pippa Elliot will look at the changing relationship between people and cats through history; and Andrew Gardiner and Julie Hipperson will examine the historical links between cats and vets.

Nicolette Joosting, a feline-only vet from Vancouver, Canada, has been piecing together the history of feline medicine and will show how the cat has gone from curiosity to mainstream in veterinary practice.

The benefits of virus research for feline welfare will be covered by Professor Os Jarrett, and John Bradshaw will look at the development and future of the cat-human bond. The day will also touch on the human relationship with pedigree cats and big cats in the zoo. Andy Sparkes from International Cat Care will conclude the day with a look at the future of veterinary care for cats.

Bradley Viner said: “With this joint event I wanted to bring together a mix of historical and medical perspectives, and generate new insights into how an evolving veterinary profession has strengthened a longstanding bond between people and cats, an animal that was once worshipped by the ancient Egyptians and is now one of the most popular pets in the UK.

"We have a wide range of speakers lined up, with one flying in from Canada specifically for the event, and we hope they will attract an equally broad set of attendees.”

Claire Bessant, Chief Executive of International Cat Care noted: “It is unlikely that this combination of organisations, speakers and subjects will come together again, so we are very excited to bring it all together. The day will finish with a glass of wine (courtesy of Le Petit Chat wine!) and time to chat about the unique occasion.”

Tickets are £45, including coffee/tea, lunch and a drink after the event, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.