RCVS Practice Standards

Animates has been an RCVS accredited practice since 2009 under the category “General Practice Small Animal”. The RCVS Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) is a voluntary initiative to accredit veterinary practices in the UK. Through setting standards and carrying out regular assessments, the Scheme aims to promote and maintain the highest standards of veterinary care. It offers peace of mind to clients of accredited practices and a more informed choice to the animal-owning public.

To become accredited, practices volunteer for rigorous assessment every four years and will have met a range of minimum standards. These include having certain equipment and suitably qualified staff, maintaining set hygiene standards, having appropriate staff training and providing 24-hour emergency cover (at Animates this is provided by our own staff at our Thurlby practice, other practices may use alternative out of hours providers).

Practice Standards Awards

In 2016 the RCVS launched additional optional “awards” which provide greater differentiation between accredited practices and recognise excellence. The assessment for these awards is even more meticulous. An assessor visited Animates for several days looking at every area within the practice. They checked we had policies and procedures written and in use, and talked in depth to team members about what they do. They assessed if we achieved the required level of care and service that warrants being an award holder in each category. Awards can be rated either 'good' or 'outstanding'. Animates was the first practice in Lincolnshire and the third in the UK to achieve outstanding in all the 5 categories we are eligible for.