RCVS seeks animal owners and keepers to join Public Advisory Group

We're calling upon members of the professions to help recruit new members for our Public Advisory Group (PAG) – a panel of animal owners and keepers - to help inform and guide our activities in our role as the UK regulatory body for veterinary professionals.

Set up in 2023, the PAG supports our activities in setting, upholding and advancing the educational, ethical and clinical standards of veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses, in the interests of animal health and welfare and public health.

RCVS CEO, Lizzie Lockett, said: "Since its inception, our Public Advisory Group has provided us with valuable insight into animal owner and keeper opinion and experience, helping us ensure that the veterinary professions continue to meet the needs of clients and animals alike, both now and in the future.

"Since its inception, our Public Advisory Group has provided us with valuable insight into animal owner and keeper opinion and experience, helping us ensure that the veterinary professions continue to meet the needs of clients and animals alike, both now and in the future."

"The work of the group forms a vital part of our continual push to improve how we work with - and communicate to - those who use veterinary services. It has been particularly useful to us during our work to respond to the Competition and Markets Authority investigation. We are particularly looking to increase the number of those involved in caring for camelids, cattle, and exotics to ensure we have proportionate representation across all animal owning groups.

"As veterinary professionals who work with the animal owning public every day, we would be grateful if you could share this important opportunity within your networks."

Current PAG member, Karren Morgan-Pinn, added: "As someone who listens to public concerns over veterinary care daily, joining the PAG has given me the opportunity to voice those opinions and concerns from lesser-known sectors.

"It has been refreshing to have insight into and be involved with regulatory processes that the general public are rarely consulted on. The RCVS’ passion for veterinary care and welfare is evident by them ensuring communication gaps are bridged by funding these panels."

The new PAG recruits will join a pool of approximately 30 individuals, from which smaller groups will be drawn to support particular tasks. These tasks might include helping the RCVS to understand evolving issues, piloting surveys and consultations, user-testing online services, and being a sounding board for campaigns and messaging.

To find out more about the PAG and how to apply to become a member, visit our dedicated Animal Owners PAG webpage.

Applications close at 5pm on Friday 27 February 2026.