Since then, the organization has grown and changed, but not lost sight of these concerns. Ken Hatfield was president of the organization for many years and was instrumental in many of the early success in breeding of exotic felines.

To remember him, and to also help in the improved care of exotic (non-domestic) animals being maintained in the United States, the LIOC-ESCF decided to establish a scholarship foundation to promote the study of exotic animal medicine by student seeking to become veterinarians.

The scholarship fund is independent of the LIOC-ESCF excepting for the appointment of trustees and reporting of financial activities. The scholarships are intended for study of any aspect of exotic animal medicine, not just felines.

Criteria for Selection of Awardees
The awardee shall be enrolled in and making satisfactory progress toward a degree in veterinary medicine in an accredited school of veterinary medicine in the United States of America. Application may be made for any semester in which the applicant is studying exotic animal medicine.

The award shall be specifically toward the expenses associated with the study of exotic animal medicine (i.e. books, tuition, or lab fees.)

The following may be considered by the Trustee's in evaluation of applicants:

• Financial need.



• Evidence of interest in exotic animal care, including letters of reference.



• Academic accomplishment to date, particularly including results from any course for which the applicant has received a grant from the scholarship fund.



• Geographic needs for veterinarians involved in exotic animal medicine.



• Such other criteria that shall be determined and published by the Trustees to better accomplish the objective of the scholarship.

Administration of the fund and selection of scholarship Awardees shall be made without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, citizenship status, or status with regard to public assistance or other classes protected by sate or local regulations.

Awards
All decisions regarding amount and recipients of the awards shall be exclusively the trustees. The decisions shall be by majority vote.

Awardees shall be promptly notified and the award made to them as promptly as possible. Typically awards will be made in late August and late January, although they may be made more frequently at the discretion of the trustees.

Awardees shall be requested to provide a statement at the end of the coarse of study relating the benefit of the coarse to the student.

The Application
The application shall be in letter form (or other such form as may be published by the trustees) and shall contain (but not be limited to) the following information:

• Evidence of enrollment in a program leading to a degree in veterinary medicine.
  
  
• Evidence that satisfactory progress is being made toward that degree.
  
  
• Evidence of enrollment in a coarse of study in exotic animal medicine.
  
  
• The name, address and phone number of applicant.
  
  
• A discussion of the applicant's interest in exotic animal medicine and any plans for future practice in exotic animal area.