About Us
The RFVS is a group of motivated vets, vet nurses and other paraprofessionals with a common interest in raw feeding and SPECIES APPROPRIATE NUTRITION for cats and dogs.
Our Mission
To promote the principles and practical aspects of species-appropriate nutrition, through education of veterinary and other professionals and the pet-owning public.
As practising veterinary surgeons it is important we give clients clear, practical feeding strategies they can follow in their busy lives. In a biologically – ideal world – every hunting carnivore would be fed on live prey. Clearly this is socially un-acceptable, morally questionable and impractical. A spectrum of ‘lesser’ alternatives are available, and there will always be a trade-off between convenience, ideology, cost and practicalities. What is right for one pet owner may not work for another.
So let’s not talk in ‘definites’ – there is no right or wrong, simply different ways of improving our pets nutrition to greater or lesser degrees.
It is UK based, but we welcome all pet professionals from around the world. Formed in 2014, it represents another step in the evolution of the recognition of feeding pet animals food they would, logically, have adapted to over millennia in the wild.
We are committed to professional, responsible communication, education and research on all areas of nutrition in dogs and cats.
Our Team
Directors
Brendan Clarke
Morag Sutherland
President
Amaya Espíndola
Operations Manager
Laura Jones
Clinical Board
The purpose of the Clinical Board is to more closely connect us to both our Affiliate members’ vets in non-specialist practices, and professionals from around the world and to ensure that we have ideas which meet the needs of both.
The board is made up of Professional members willing to get involved in the strategic planning, events and content are welcome to submit application to join our the clinical board.
Business Board
The intention of this board is to help guide and support us from a business/financial perspective, which will be working alongside our Clinical Advisory Board, which is made up of veterinary professionals.
The Business Board is made up of selected marketing and business experts who are dedicated to helping us grow and reach more events and people.
Founder
Nick Thompson
Nick runs Holisticvet Ltd. in Wiltshire and he passionately advocates for responsible, species-appropriate raw food feeding for pets and has done for the last 25 years. His pet topics are gastroenterology and the microbiome and the misuse of pharmaceuticals in medicine. He loves researching all aspects of human and animal nutrition.
Honorary Members
Dr Richard Malik, Sydney University
Cat/Medicine Specialist
Dr Ian Billinghurst
BVSc (Hons), BScAgr Dip Ed
Dr Lyn Thomson
Catherine O'Driscoll
On November 12th 2020, we lost one of our own, Catherine O’Driscoll, founder of CHC (Canine Health Concern). An inspirational, brave and unique human being who we at the RFVS have decided to make an honorary associate member posthumously.
Catherine was a passionate advocate for raw food feeding ahead of her time in her relentless and selfless pursuit of wanting the best for our dogs. In Catherine’s own words; “Use your voice, your intelligence, your love, and speak the truth for those who will benefit from listening.”
As we gain momentum in striving to educate on the importance of species-appropriate nutrition, let’s do so in Catherine’s memory carrying forward the crucial foundations of her work for which she so selflessly gave of her time and of herself.
We miss your presence, Catherine, you deserve to rest easy with all your beloved dogs who went ahead of you. Neither your work nor your courage will ever be forgotten.
Dr Karen Becker
DVM, NMD
Dr Barbara Royal
DVC, CVA, CIAC
Anna Hielm-Björkman
Adjunct Professor (Docent), PI, DVM, PhD, CVA
University of Helsinki | HY · Equine and Small Animal Medicine
Dr Thomas Lonsdale
BVetMed MRCVS
Past Honorary Members
Dr Lyn Thomson
