Our History
The Animal Care Trust was founded in 1982 when senior staff at the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø realised that the way in which care for small animals was delivered in the UK had to change.
It was recognised that whilst in human medicine complex cases were handled in referral hospitals, no similar structure existed for veterinary care. Moreover the pace at which specialist veterinary clinical skills were being developed meant that there was an opportunity to bring together a range of disciplines so that more complex cases could benefit from the cross-disciplinary expertise that could be brought together in hospital surroundings.
Early years of the RVC
1791 - The 51³Ô¹ÏÍø is established at the current site of the RVC’s Camden campus.
1875 - The College received its first Charter of Incorporation from HM Queen Victoria.
1937 - HM Queen Elizabeth and HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother accompany HM King George VI to open the new College building in Camden.
1949 - The RVC becomes a full part of the .
The Animal Care Trust is born.....
1982 - is founded and registered as a UK charity. HM Queen Elizabeth and HM the Queen Mother agree to be the charities’ patrons.
1986 - The RVC’s is opened at the RVC’s Hawkshead campus by HM the Queen Mother.
2005 - HM The Queen Consort takes over as Patron of The 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Animal Care Trust.
2008 - HM The Queen Consort returns to open the completed £8m extension and redevelopment project that upgraded the Queen Mother Hospital’s facilities to make it the largest veterinary teaching hospital in Europe. 
2011 - The Beaumont Animal Hospital in Camden is officially reopened as the after an extensive refurbishment generously supported by the .
2016 - The celebrates its 30th birthday.