Royal Veterinary College Animal Care Trust

14/06/2026

🩸 Meet Anna and Harriet, our 2026 Blood Donors of the Year!

This , we’re proud to celebrate two incredible pets whose lifesaving donations are helping animals in need through the RVC Blood Donor Programme.

Our Canine Blood Donor of the Year is Anna, a gentle and laid-back greyhound. When she arrives for a session, she heads straight inside, hops onto the table, and looks up as if to say, “what are we waiting for?”

Our Feline Blood Donor of the Year is Harriet, a quiet and affectionate domestic shorthair. One of Harriet’s favourite quirks is hiding under vetbeds and popping her head out for a fuss – and while she may be reserved at home, she thrives in the calm, relaxed atmosphere of the donor centre.

Thank you, Anna and Harriet, for your inspiring contributions, and to all our incredible blood donor family. Your generosity helps ensure that life-saving blood is there when it’s needed most.

Read more about Anna and Harriet's story and how you can support the Blood Donor Programme here: rvcact.com/BDOTY26

09/06/2026

On , we’re celebrating our beautiful Memory Tree, which takes pride of place in the RVC Small Animal Referrals Hospital. This unique sculpture stands as a place to remember and celebrate the lives of beloved pets.

One leaf is dedicated to Mia, who was referred to the RVC where an MRI scan revealed a brain tumour. Thanks to expert care, Mia underwent surgery and made an incredible recovery, going on to enjoy five more happy years of life.

Every leaf on the Memory Tree helps fund life-saving equipment for the RVC’s hospitals, supporting the care of thousands of pets each year. Learn more about our Memory Tree and how you can dedicate a leaf here: rvcact.com/memorytree

07/06/2026

Colin is here to remind you today is your last chance to enter our Spring Raffle!

Win up to £1,000 while helping animals like him receive life-changing treatment at the RVC’s hospitals. Enter now: rvcact.com/raffle

04/06/2026

This , we're celebrating our wonderful volunteers, Linda and Helen. Each week, they generously give their time to support the Animal Care Trust team, helping with essential office tasks that keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes.

Their dedication, enthusiasm and willingness to help make a real difference to our work. We are incredibly grateful for their continued support and commitment.

Thank you, Linda and Helen, for everything you do!

03/06/2026

When a dog suffers a stroke, the effects can be life-changing, causing long-term disability, yet the treatment options for canine stroke remain very limited. That’s why we’re proud to be funding an innovative new study at the RVC, led by Dr Claire Thornton, exploring a treatment that could transform how we care for dogs with brain injuries.

This study, which is the first of its kind in dogs, focuses on mitochondria transplantation – a cutting-edge approach already being trialled in human medicine. Using heritage canine cells, the team will investigate how brain cells respond to stroke-like conditions and whether healthy mitochondria can be successfully introduced to aid recovery before lasting damage occurs.

Thanks to your support, together we’re helping to drive forward new treatments that could improve outcomes for dogs, with potential benefits for other animals, and even human medicine in the future. Learn more about this research in the latest edition of Paws & Hooves: rvcact.com/PawsAndHoovesSpring2026

02/06/2026

🌟 We’re proud to celebrate Professor Christianne Glossop OBE, Chair of the RVC Animal Care Trust (ACT) - a remarkable leader whose career has spanned clinical practice, government service, and national veterinary leadership.

An RVC alumna who went on to complete her PhD, Christianne became Wales’ first Chief Veterinary Officer, serving for almost two decades and helping to shape animal health and welfare policy at the highest level.

As Chair of the ACT, she continues to make a lasting impact by supporting animal welfare initiatives, enhancing student opportunities, and advancing veterinary education across the RVC community.

We are delighted to see Christianne recognised for her achievements and grateful for the leadership, expertise, and dedication she brings to the ACT.

Veterinary Woman Role Model: Christianne Glossop 🌟

From studying at the RVC and going on to earn her PHD to spending nearly two decades as Wales' first Chief Veterinary Officer, Christianne's career has been anything but conventional.

In her Role Model Profile, she walks us through the 'three halves' of her career and shares how mentoring made a real difference to her.

You can read the article here 🔗 https://www.veterinarywoman.co.uk/2026/05/christianne-glossop/

01/06/2026

⏰ 1 week to go until our Spring Raffle closes!

For just £1 a ticket, you could be in with a chance of winning our top prize of £1,000, plus:
- 2nd prize: £500
- 3rd prize: £250
- 3 x runners-up prizes of £100 each

Don’t miss your chance to win big while supporting animals who need it most. Enter now: rvcact.com/raffle

29/05/2026

Meet Zia, a much-loved German shepherd who inspired a remarkable legacy! Thanks to a generous gift left in her owner Audrey’s will, researchers at the RVC are now working to better understand chronic digestive conditions that commonly affect this breed.

Led by Dr Aarti Kathrani, the team is exploring how a key immune protein may influence gut health and why some dogs struggle to respond to treatment. By studying tissue samples and gut bacteria, this research could lead to more targeted and effective therapies for German shepherds in the future.

Learn more about this research in the latest edition of Paws & Hooves: rvcact.com/PawsAndHoovesSpring2026

28/05/2026

The sun is out and so is this month's Paws & Hooves Bitesize!

This month, we’re celebrating Audrey, whose generous legacy gift is helping to advance vital research into chronic digestive conditions in dogs. We’re also sharing news of our pioneering new Oncobiome Bank and shining a spotlight on wonderful fundraisers Paul and Joan.

Don’t forget to enter our Spring Raffle! For just £1, you could win £1,000 while helping fund life-saving treatment, research and equipment. Enter here: rvcact.com/raffle

Missed out? Sign up to our mailing list here:
rvcact.com/mailinglist

21/05/2026

🌻 Buy a £1 ticket in our Spring Raffle and you could be our lucky £1,000 winner!

Every ticket helps support animals in our care, funding life-saving treatment and specialist veterinary care.

Don’t miss out, entries close 8th June 2026! Enter now: rvcact.com/raffle

Full T&Cs can be found here: rvcact.com/termsandconditions