The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has announced that its 2020 World Congress, held in in collaboration with the Federation of Companion Animal Veterinary Associations (FECAVA) and the Polish Small Animal Veterinary Association (PSAVA), now scheduled to take place in Warsaw, Poland from 21-24 March 2021, is to be a hybrid event.

The Congress will go ahead for face-to-face delegates with the state-of-the-art scientific program also available online for those for whom travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic make getting to Poland difficult.

The WSAVA, which represents more than 200,000 companion animal veterinarians globally, is making this move in order to ensure that as many of its members as possible can benefit from the unique learning opportunity on offer.

Commenting, Outgoing WSAVA President Dr Shane Ryan, said: “The quality and breadth of our scientific programs sets our Congresses apart and, as usual, for 2020, we are privileged to have many of the world’s leading veterinary experts joining us to speak in more than 50 streams.

“We have been working hard to create a hybrid model which will offer an engaging and exciting experience, both for delegates who join us in Warsaw and those who attend online. In addition to watching lectures, our online delegates will be able to review the successful poster submissions, enjoy networking opportunities, browse the virtual exhibition and attend key WSAVA sessions, including our 2020 Shaping the Future lecture.”

He added: “The WSAVA is all about community and we believe that offering a hybrid model is the best way to ensure that our community can still get together and that as many delegates as possible can benefit from our speakers’ experience and expertise. We’re looking forward to welcoming both our face-to-face and online delegates to WSAVA/FECAVA Congress 2020.”

WSAVA World Congress 2021 will go ahead in Hyderabad, India, from 3-16 November 2021 as planned.

The WSAVA represents more than 200,000 veterinarians worldwide through its 113 member associations and works to enhance standards of clinical care for companion animals. In addition to its flagship annual World Congress, its core activities include the development of WSAVA Global Guidelines in key areas of veterinary practice, including pain management, nutrition and vaccination, together with lobbying on important issues affecting companion animal care worldwide.

The Federation of Companion Animal Veterinary Associations (FECAVA) represents more than 25,000 companion animal veterinarians in 39 European countries. FECAVA strives to improve the veterinary care of pets through professional development. It also provides a voice for companion animal issues at European level and works closely with other European veterinary organisations and stakeholders.