The first organizational meeting for a state veterinary association took place in 1891. Dr. A. H. French served as president of that organization. The organization was founded to influence state legislation dealing with veterinary medicine. No records are known to exist for the period between 1891 and 1907. In 1907, a reorganizational meeting was held on December 20, 1907 in Auburn, Alabama. Association officers and charter members included many prominent Auburn alumni and faculty members, including Dr. C. A. Cary, Dr. A. H. French and Dr. I. S. McAdory. Goals of the association have included the setting of ethical standards for veterinarians, establishing education standards, helping practitioners solve problems, influencing policy regarding veterinary medicine, and educating the public on issues and new techniques pertaining to veterinary medicine. All members of the organization must be graduates of veterinary colleges. From its inception, the organization has sought to regulate, standardize and improve the education requirements of Alabama's veterinary schools -- The Auburn University School of Veterinary Medicine and The Tuskegee Institute School of Veterinary Medicine. Annual meetings of the association are attended by members, students and occasionally farmers. The meetings have traditionally served as an educational forum for the profession. Leading state veterinarians have presented papers on a variety of relevant topics, discussions of interested cases by those in attendance have been encouraged, and demonstrations of techniques and procedures have been given. The association has been active in monitoring state laws and regulations relating to veterinary practice and the control of animal disease. Of special interest for the association have been laws pertaining to the licensing of meat inspectors, funding for veterinary colleges, and laws related to the prevention of animal borne diseases. SEE: "Diamond Jubilee" publication in Collection File for other historical data.