About us
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) sets, upholds and advances veterinary standards to enhance society through improved animal health and welfare.
Uniquely, we are a regulator that derives its purpose from both legislation and a Royal Charter. This gives us the advantage of being able to lead the profession as well as safeguard the public.
Our charitable partner, RCVS Knowledge, seeks to ensure veterinary medicine is founded on a secure evidence base, through the provision of research funding, powerful information that practitioners can use, and an impressive historical collection.
The RCVS was established in 1844 by Royal Charter and we are proud of our history. But we are also a modern, forward-thinking regulator that has made significant changes to the way it operates over the last five years or so.
If the public is confident that, when they take their pets to the vet, they are seeing someone who is properly qualified, keeps their skills and knowledge up to date and abides by a professional code, that is because we are here to ensure that this happens.
