Difference between revisions of "Save WikiVet!"

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Latest revision as of 15:01, 11 October 2018

Introduction

After nearly 12 years of operating, WikiVet is now facing a financial crisis. We have a hugely committed board and editorial team, as well as a very active membership, but unfortunately our limited pot of money has now run out.

Not many people realise that WikiVet is a registered UK Charity (WikiVet Educational Foundation - Registered Charity number 1160546), and our charitable aims include delivering quality, reliable, veterinary educational resources to vets, students and vet nurses all over the world, including those in less resourced and developing countries. In its early days, WikiVet was initially set up, funded and coordinated by the founding vet schools; Royal Veterinary College, London, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Edinburgh and Cambridge Vet School. Throughout WikIVet's history, we have been able to maintain the site, and create fantastic new content as a result of generous sponsorship from companies such as Mars Petcare, Royal Canin, Ceva, and Pfizer as well as receiving educational grants from RCVS Trust, JISC, Cabi and many more. We no longer received any funding from the vet schools, and corporate and commercial sponsorship is becoming more and more difficult to secure.

Whilst WikIVet has always relied on the goodwill of students, academics and technologies alike, to help curate, create and review content, there are costs which can't be avoided. After over a decade since the inception of the site, there are some major technological outlays required - including a platform upgrade, server fees, automating registrations to name just a few. The likely costs to keep WikiVet online for the next 12 months are in the region of £60,000, with further annual costs of around £40,000.

The sad reality of this is that unless we are able to raise some significant funds, 2018 will be WikiVet's last year online.

Why Save WikiVet?

Whilst we don't have any money, we have an extremely experienced, committed and enthusiastic board, who are overspilling with

In September 2018 alone, nearly 80,000 people visited WikiVet's pages. If everyone that uses the site gave just £5, that would be enough to secure WikiVet's future.