Who we are and what we fund
The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has been supporting small animal clinical research since 1974 initially through the Clinical Studies Trust Fund, which was later brought “in-house” and renamed PetSavers. This was set up to improve the health of pets by funding vital clinical research designed to advance our knowledge of conditions affecting small animals and with potential to relieve illness and suffering.
Our funding provides a lifeline for clinicians and researchers, as grant funding for small animal clinical research is notoriously difficult to access. Our priority is to support clinical research designed to improve our knowledge and understanding of conditions affecting small animals. The research projects are selected in the hope that study results will have a rapid and positive impact on the way diseases are diagnosed, managed and treated in general practice as well as at a specialist level.
The use of experimental animals is not permitted in any work funded by BSAVA PetSavers. This includes work on tissues derived from experimental animals.
A project will only be considered by BSAVA PetSavers to constitute ‘small animal clinical research’ if it meets the following criteria:
- The study involves only naturally occurring disease in small animals; there must be no experimental or artificial induction of disease.
- Any interventions on animals (including obtaining samples) would be considered part of Recognised Veterinary Practice
- The anticipated results of the study will result in a change in diagnosis or management of small animal disease.
- The study is supervised by people with appropriate veterinary clinical skills and knowledge.