Royal Veterinary College Animal Care Trust

🌸 Our Spring Raffle winners have been drawn! Congratulations to our lucky winners, we’ll be reaching out to you this week.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part and supported our work caring for critically ill animals! This raffle has been a great success, and it’s all thanks to your incredible support. Together, we’re making a real difference for the future of veterinary care.

Take on the London Landmarks Half Marathon in 2026 with us and help change the future of animal health!

This iconic race takes you through some of London’s most iconic sights, with every mile you run supporting world-class veterinary care, pioneering research, and the next generation of vet professionals.

Sign up today at: https://rvcact.com/llhm

In memory of her wonderful dog, Max, Ellie is taking on the 3 Peaks Challenge this September to raise funds for vital research into canine lymphoma.

Max was just five years old when he was diagnosed with large granular lymphoma, a rare and aggressive cancer. Despite the prognosis, Ellie set out to make every day count and to help improve the outlook for other dogs facing this disease.

Ellie and Max had already climbed all 3 peaks together, making this challenge an especially meaningful tribute!

You can support Ellie’s fundraiser and help fund RVC research that could transform the future for dogs like Max here: https://rvcact.com/ma1

⏰ Last chance! Today’s your final day to enter our Spring Raffle and be in with a chance at winning up to £1,000 - all while supporting critically ill animals.

Tickets are just £1 and entries close tonight! Don't miss out: rvcact.com/raffle

Your June edition of Paws & Hooves Bitesize has landed!

This month we celebrated World Blood Donor Day by recognising Axel and Theo, our 2025 Canine and Feline Blood Donors of the Year. We also welcomed the local community for Open Farm Sunday, shared the story of Jodie Cooper, who ran the St Albans Half Marathon in memory of her beloved cat, and marked World Pet Memorial Day by reflecting on the stories behind our Memory Tree.

Don’t forget there’s still time to enter our Spring Raffle, with every ticket helping to support critically ill animals!

Join our mailing list and never miss a moment: rvcact.com/mailinglist

We were delighted to honour our Canine Blood Donor of the Year in memory of Axel, a much-loved German shepherd!

Through his donations, Axel has helped save the lives of countless pets, including Freddie, who received a lifesaving blood transfusion.

His legacy lives on through his 2-year-old son Bracken, who’s already completed his very first donation, along with the family’s other dog, Winter, a 4-year-old golden retriever, and their two Siamese cats, Ascari and Imola, who are all part of the programme.

Read Axel’s story and how he helped save Freddie: https://rvcact.com/sf0

⏰ Just 1 week to go! Don’t miss your chance to win up to £1,000 in our Spring Raffle, all while helping support critically ill animals. Tickets are just £1 each, and every one helps make a difference.

Be part of something meaningful (and maybe win big): rvcact.com/raffle

We’re delighted to report that former Chairman of the RVC Animal Care Trust, Professor Stephen May, has been awarded an OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours!

Our congratulations to Stephen, read the full article below.

🎖️ Professor Stephen May, former Senior Vice Principal at the RVC, has been appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours

➡️ Read more at: https://rvc.uk.com/stephen-may-obe

☀️ As the temperatures across the UK continue rise - health risks for our pets - particularly dogs can rise too. Please contact your vet if you are concerned
👀 Watch out for these canine heat stroke signs:
Heavy panting and/or excessive drooling
Lethargy, drowsiness or poor co-ordination
Vomiting or collapse

ℹ️ https://rvc.uk.com/heatstroke-pets
🎞️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1xewycBjzU

Introducing Theo, our feline Blood Donor of the Year!

His owner, Kat, said:
“We were delighted to hear Theo had won this award. He’s always taken donating in his stride, and we’re so proud of the difference he’s made.”

Thanks to a blood donation from Theo, Pebble, a 2-year-old British Short Hair, was able to make a full recovery following emergency treatment for a dangerously low red blood cell count.

Layla and Ciaran, Pebble’s owners, told us:

“Pebble is precious to us beyond words, and seeing her healthy again brings us incredible joy. We would very much like for Theo’s family to know of the enormous impact they have made in our lives.”

Thank you, Theo, for being a blood donor superhero!
Read Pebble’s story and the impact Theo has made at: https://rvcact.com/0u9

Meet Theo and Axel, our Blood Donor of the Year Winners!

To celebrate World Blood Donor Day tomorrow, we’re proud to award these two pets whose lifesaving donations have made a lasting impact through the RVC Blood Donor Programme.

This year’s Feline Blood Donor of the Year is Theo, a laid-back, gentle giant who has become a vital part of the blood donor family, having completed 11 donations.

Our Canine Blood Donor of the Year has been given in memory to Axel, a much-loved German Shepherd who made an impressive 17 donations, with his legacy now continuing through his son Bracken.

Thank you, Theo and Axel, for your inspiring contribution, and to all our incredible blood donor family – your generosity ensures that the RVC’s animal hospitals have access to vital blood supplies when needed most.

Read Theo and Axel’s stories and find out more about our Blood Donor Programme at: https://rvcact.com/sdx