Royal Veterinary College Animal Care Trust

The Royal Veterinary College Animal Care Trust (ACT), established in 1982 as the charitable arm of the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), advances animal health and welfare through clinical excellence, pioneering research, and professional education. Founded by RVC senior staff to emulate human medicine's referral hospital model, ACT has royal patronage—historically from Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mother, now the Queen Consort—and emphasizes innovation, compassion, and leadership. Its distinctive approach integrates fundraising directly with RVC's missions, funding transformative upgrades at hospitals in London and Hertfordshire, such as imaging technology, cardiac and exotic animal units, and the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals.

ACT supports three core areas: enhancing RVC facilities and equipment for complex cases; translational research bridging animal and human health, including breed-related diseases, transfusion medicine via dog/cat blood donor programs, chronic canine conditions, shelter welfare, and human-animal welfare interfaces; and educating future vets, nurses, and scientists through resources, projects, and student hardship aid. Beneficiaries encompass companion animals (especially dogs and cats), RVC staff/students, and UK-wide patients via referral services, with impacts extending internationally.

Exclusively for RVC-led initiatives, ACT accepts no unsolicited applications from external entities, charities, or individuals—eligibility is limited to RVC academic projects in London/Hertfordshire with national reach. No income/size rules apply externally, as funding is internal. Grants are ad hoc, aligned with RVC priorities via unpublished trustee decisions, ranging from thousands to millions of pounds for equipment, research, and education. It excludes all external organizations, core/unrestricted grants, or competitive rounds, differentiating ACT as a tightly bound institutional supporter driving veterinary innovation and One Health priorities.