Welcome speech: Andy Sparkes, veterinary and scientific advisor to ISFM, sets the tone of the 10th International Society of Feline Medicine European Congress held on June 23–26 with a brilliantly crafted video showing the many facets of the Feline Advisory Bureau, the parent body of ISFM, set to the tune of 80s hit ‘Vienna’ by Ultravox (see www.isfm.net for a shortened version).

Delegates: A record breaking 495 delegates attended from 26 countries - 40% were from the UK. A show of hands revealed that this was the first ISFM Congress for about a third of delegates. Having greatly enjoyed the Vienna ISFM Congress, 94 immediately signed up for the ISFM Congress in Budapest (June 13–17, 2012).

Speakers: David Maggs of the University of California, Davis, gave six lectures on ophthalmology at the ISFM Congress. His wife, Lynelle Johnson was even busier, presenting nine respiratory lectures.

Speakers: Christine Heinrich (right) from Willow Referrals proved to be a popular speaker with delegates. Cécile Clercx’s European perspective on feline asthma provided much for the audience to think about.

Award winner: Winner of the ABCD and Merial Young Scientist of the Year Award Isabelle Dietrich from the Retrovirus Research Laboratory, University of Glasgow with presenters of the award Marian Horzinek (left), representing the ABCD Board, and Jean-Christophe Thibault of Merial. Isabelle gave a presentation on her research ‘Towards a gene therapy for FIV’ during the ISFM Congress.

IFCW symposium: Jenny Stavisky, from the University of Nottingham Veterinary School, gave an update on infectious diseases in shelter situations at the first ever symposium of the International Fund for Cat Welfare (IFCW). This pre-ISFM Congress event was received with much enthusiasm. Other topics covered were early neutering, stress and the rescue cat and feral cats in the practice situation. Free MP3s of this session will be available from www.IFCW.net

Party time: Dressing up at the ISFM congress party held in the Kursalon with the theme ‘Elegance to decadence’.

What the ISFM Congress delegates said: Post Congress evaluation forms revealed that 92% of delegates considered the lectures to be excellent or very good; 96% thought the conference was great value for money.
Last year’s congress got me addicted, now I am hooked!
The speakers were wonderful!
Wonderful knowledge and enthusiasm, great to have world-renowned down-to-earth speakers.
Very good balance between science and practical approach
Good balance - fantastic and informative. Excellent presentations.
Both ophthalmologists were brilliant - very hands on for daily practice, very helpful and good humour

Details of next years ISFM Congress in Budapest can be found on www.isfm.net.

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For further details contact Karen Bessant, FAB/ISFM press officer, on telephone+44(0)1747 87187, email karen@isfm.net