Diversity and Inclusion

A lifelong passion for cats, especially fascinated by highly patterned wild cats, Anthony Hutcherson began a Bengal Cat breeding program to create his ideal “ocelot–looking” cat in high school when no such domestic feline existed in 1992. He currently serves as a Director on the Board of The International Cat Association (TICA), Chair of the Bengal Cat Breed for TICA, Past President of The International Bengal Cat Society while still raising and showing his Bengal Cats. Anthony is breeder and owner of the highest achieving Bengal Cats in the world.

Anthony Hutcherson studied Animal Science at the University of Maryland and is a member of the American Society of Animal Sciences and the International Society for Animal Genetics. In 2018 he collaborated with Katie Lytle, DVM of Wisdom Health/Mars to screen 1000 pedigreed cats for 40+ genetic diseases and continues to work with Chris Kaelin, PhD of Stanford University & Hudson Alpha Institute in the identification of new genetic variants in cats related to pigment and pattern.

Currently, Anthony is a freelance producer, meeting planner and speech writer in Washington, D.C.Anthony has shared his love of cats on NPR, The TODAY Show, The Martha Stewart Show and in the New York Times, Washington Post, the New Yorker as well as other media. He is especially proud of authoring “All Kinds of Purrfect” a coloring book about the beauty of all cats for TICA in 2016.

Drew Weigner is one of the first feline practitioners in the nation, having practiced medicine for more than 35 years. He graduated in 1982 from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. In 1987, he established The Cat Doctor in Atlanta, the first feline practice in the southeastern United States, which became accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association in 1991.

Dr. Weigner served as president of the Academy of Feline Medicine in 2002 and as a board member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners for several terms. He has been a board director of EveryCat Health Foundation (previously the Winn Feline Foundation) since 2014.

Dr. Weigner is the author of numerous scientific and consumer articles and is sought after as an expert in feline medicine by such organizations as CNN, the Chicago Tribune, and USA Today. He is dedicated to educating the public about feline issues and frequently appears in consumer magazines, newspapers, radio, television, Internet publications, and the WebMD® pet health community.

George J. Eigenhauser Jr. is an attorney at law, licensed in the state of California since 1979. He has served on EveryCat Health Foundation (previously the Winn Feline Foundation) Board of Directors and as CFA liaison to EveryCat for more than 17 years. His expertise in the area of wills, trusts and estate planning allows him to assist donors with planned giving decisions. He is also the legislative coordinator for the Cat Fanciers’ Association, Inc. and has served on the CFA board for 22 years.

Mr. Eigenhauser graduated from law school at Western State University and holds an undergraduate degree from Shimer College. He currently practices law in Marysville, CA, with an emphasis on wills, trusts and estate planning.

As a true cat fancier, Mr. Eigenhauser raises and shows Maine Coon cats. While he started in CFA showing household cats, his first Maine Coon cat was acquired in 1992, and his cattery’s name is Telecoons.

Carol A. Ferguson completed studies for a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1988 at Tuskegee University located in Tuskegee, AL. She started her veterinary practice career in California. Her practice days were spent primarily providing surgical and medical care for small companion animals in the states of CA, WA, and GA. She has had the opportunity to work in a variety of practice settings – animal shelters, several cat-exclusive hospitals, and even as the ‘new associate’ in an equine practice. In 2010, she joined Ceva Animal Health as a member of the veterinary technical services department; while supporting the Marketing & Sales team, she served as the technical advisor for “Dear Tabby” for several years. She is a recipient of the 2012 Ceva President’s Award. She is also a Fear FreeSM Certified Professional and Speaker. Dr. Ferguson resides in Georgia. She promotes, enjoys, and values the relationship that comes with pet ownership – “Life just wouldn’t be the same.”

Kathy Calhoun was born and raised in Chicago, where she still lives. A CFA judge since 2007, Kathy founded her cattery, 5800 Dreams, in 1991, with her son. She has achieved national wins with both her Maine Coons and her American Wirehairs. Kathy serves as the treasurer for the Maine Coon Breed Council, the CFA Foundation, and the CFA organization itself. She also served as Midwest Regional Director.
Recently retired from her job as a Product Manager with Pepsico, Kathy has been a CFA judge since 2007. She has judged across the United States, Asia, Europe, Latin America, Canada, Russia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia. When not involved with cats, judging, or her many organizational responsibilities, Kathy has been known to play the bagpipes.

Dr. Hubbard acquired her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Tuskegee University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002.

She is currently a member of the Upsilon Eta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, where she serves as chair of the Step/Stroll Committee. Dr. Hubbard also serves as the president of the Tuskegee Veterinary Medical Association. She is a member of the American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology, the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association, the Jefferson County Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Dr. Hubbard is currently practicing in the state of Alabama. She sees patients at her privately owned, referral-based, veterinary dermatology practice, the Alabama Veterinary Allergy and Dermatology Service in Homewood, AL. She also operates a satellite veterinary dermatology practice in Huntsville, AL, at Animal Emergency and Critical Care. Dr. Hubbard is currently an assistant clinical professor of veterinary dermatology at the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Hubbard enjoys mentoring young adults and encouraging them to pursue a college education, particularly in the veterinary sciences.

Dr. Hernandez is an experienced general practitioner and has always been a passionate advocate for homeless cats and dogs. She is from Bogota- Colombia, where she owned a private practice for 6 years before moving to the US. She joined the Cornell Veterinary Biobank in 2016, where she was in charge of the senior feline screening program, which was designed to identify controls for genetic mapping projects. Currently, she is the clinician responsible for the management of Biobank feline clinical data. Dr. Hernandez also assists with case selection for feline research projects. She shares her Ithaca home with her two beloved pets: Kitkat the cat, and Lola the puppy, both rescued from local shelters.

Serena Juma works in the feline behavior space from Seattle, WA. She received her degree in Psychology with a focus on animal behavior in 2016 from the University of Washington. She has spent the last four years with Nestlé Purina, specializing in feline behavior and welfare, and technology solutions to promote the human-animal bond. She has four cats: Marlowe, Meera, Zeb and Lando, also runs a small business in her free time.

Virginia joined EveryCat Health Foundation in 2019 as the Outreach and Development Assistant. Her responsibilities include promoting EveryCat and its mission at various cat shows and related events, pet and animal industry trade shows and veterinary conferences, managing EveryCat’s monthly Webinar series, social media and newsletter, plus providing administrative support to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director, and the Donor Care Specialist. Without a doubt, her favorite responsibility is talking to people about EveryCat Health Foundation and sharing the significance of EveryCat’s mission to improve the lives of every cat, every day, through EveryCat-funded health studies.

Virginia studied English at the University of Minnesota, and, after many years in Emergency Communications, she followed her passion into Veterinary Technology. She received her Vet Tech degree in 2001, and has practiced in rural and urban veterinary hospitals, with both large and small animal patients. Prior to joining EveryCat, she worked for the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, taught in several Veterinary Technology Programs and served as Veterinary Technology Program Director at a community college in eastern Iowa.

Virginia considers herself an introverted extrovert, and when she isn’t working, she likes to read, write (yes, she plans to someday write the great American novel), and travel. She shares her home with her partner Jim but alas, currently no feline companions.

“To know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. That is to have succeeded.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson