The CATalyst Council Announces VCA as 2009 Sponsor

The CATalyst Council, Inc. is pleased to announce VCA Animal Hospitals have pledged their 2009 support for the CATalyst Council initiative. VCA Animal Hospitals have been a participant in the CATalyst initiative since the beginning, at the CATalyst Summit in February 2008. CATalyst Summit attendees responded to the reported decline in veterinary visits and increase in cat population with an action plan to continue to collaborate across all channels, develop feline life-stage guidelines (for veterinarians and pet owners), create cat-friendly veterinary practices, brand the cat and produce a consumer awareness campaign. A strategy session was held in August in Kansas City during the Central Veterinary Conference to further develop the action plan. The CATalyst Council plans to announce the CATalyst Top Ten Cat Friendly Cities at the North American Veterinary Conference.

"VCA Animal Hospitals have played an influential role in the development of the CATalyst initiative. We are thrilled to have them as a continued supporter and look forward to collaborating with them and other industry leaders to engage the many organizations that are equally ready to collectively improve feline health, welfare and stature,” said Jane Brunt, CATalyst Council Executive Director.

The 2009 CATalyst Council board of directors includes: Dr. Brunt as Executive Director; Dan Kramer, senior marketing manager, Pfizer Animal Health as chair; Robert Rohde, president, Denver Dumb Friends League as vice chair; Dr. Alexis Nahama, vice president of marketing, VCA Animal Hospitals, as secretary; and Dr. Karen Felsted, Chief Executive Officer, NCVEI as appointed treasurer. Other board members include: Dr. Diane Eigner, American Association of Feline Practitioners; Dr. Anna Worth, American Animal Hospital Association; Dr. Christine Jenkins, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc.; Jim Flanigan, American Veterinary Medical Association; Celine Rolland, Bayer Animal Health; Dr. Jan McHugh-Smith, Society of Animal Welfare Administrators; and Steve Dale, nationally syndicated pet columnist and radio show host. Growing enthusiasm about, and participation in, the CATalyst initiative throughout the veterinary industry has increased the number of CATalyst board members from eight to 12.

"VCA is committed to the CATalyst initiative and believes in the necessity to champion this effort to benefit cats. We have witnessed the increased attention by industry professionals and the media to improve the stature of felines and welcome the opportunity to continue participating in the growth and expansion of this important program,” said Alexis Nahama, Vice President of Marketing, VCA Antech.

About VCA Antech, Inc.

VCA Antech, Inc. owns, operates and manages the largest network of freestanding veterinary hospitals and veterinary-exclusive clinical laboratories in the country, and supplies diagnostic imaging equipment to the veterinary industry. With more than 470 animal hospitals in 39 states across the nation in the VCA network, hospitals are staffed by more than 1,800 fully qualified, dedicated and compassionate veterinarians who provide a full range of general medical and surgical services. The VCA network also includes 200 board-certified specialists who offer a wide range of specialized treatments.

About the CATalyst Council

CATalyst is a national initiative comprised of animal health and welfare organizations and corporations to champion the cat in light of troubling statistics released by the American Veterinary Medical Association that show an increase in the cat population coupled with a decline in veterinary visits for cats. The association address is P.O. Box 22773, Kansas City, Mo 64113. The association telephone number is 877-4CATalyst (877-422-8259). More information about the CATalyst Council is available at www.catalystcouncil.org.