The Royal Veterinary College undertakes a wide variety of research, some of which involves animals. Research involving animals is well regulated in the UK and the RVC has a long-standing commitment to the welfare of animals in both research and clinical environments. The RVC shares society’s desire to minimise the use of animal experimentation, improve the welfare of animals in research and increase the use of scientifically validated alternative methods that reduce, refine or replace the use of animal models.

The RVC conducts research within its clinical hospitals using client-owned animals. These types of projects include the following:

• Studies using retrospective data from hospital records, in which information is collated from patients treated in the past and the patients/owner data is anonymised
  
  
• Retrospective and prospective studies using data collected during routine veterinary care and residual samples, in which left-over samples (e.g. of blood, urine or tissue) that were obtained during routine veterinary practice and placed in storage are subsequently used for research projects. No residual samples are used unless consent was given by the owner at the time of hospitalisation for this to occur and all data is anonymised.
  
  
• Prospective studies involving an intervention (e.g. administration of a medication or performance of a particular procedure or technique). Enrolment in these studies always requires owners to review an information sheet, have the opportunity to discuss the study with their clinician and to provide informed consent for their pet to take part.

If a prospective interventional study is not considered part of routine veterinary practice, the study requires a license under the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act.  Studies that are considered part of routine veterinary practice are subject to ethical approval by the RVC’s Clinical Research Ethical Review Board (CRERB), overseen by the Ethics and Welfare Committee (EWC) and may require an Animal Test Certificate from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.  Studies that involve questionnaires to be completed by owners and/or veterinarians are subject to ethical approval by the RVC's Social Science Research Ethical Review Board (SSRERB), overseen by the EWC.

The RVC also conducts research using purpose bred research animals housed in our experimental facilities. We are of the opinion that animal experimentation is still a necessary part of the scientific discovery process and development of new medicines for veterinary and human use that will ultimately benefit animals and people worldwide. All of our work with animals is subjected to rigorous and independent ethical and welfare review processes.

The Royal Veterinary College fully supports and endorses the ARRIVE guidelines developed by the NC3Rs, to improve the design and reporting of studies involving animals.  Our researchers are actively encouraged to use the guidelines when reporting the results of any research that uses experimental animals.

As a leading provider of both first opinion and referral veterinary treatment, the RVC can deliver the best of care to those animals participating in research programmes. Appropriate socialisation is provided throughout research processes and animals are often rehomed after participation if the Named Veterinary Surgeon thinks this is in the best interests of the animal.