BSAVA is a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 02837793 and is also a registered Charity No. 1024811.

BSAVA was founded in 1957 as a professional body to serve veterinary surgeons who treat companion animals and now has over 10,000 members. The majority of our members work in practice as veterinary surgeons or veterinary nurses. On behalf of our members, BSAVA:

  • Encourages veterinary surgeons and nurses to develop their professional skills
  • Runs an extensive programme of continuing education courses and seminars throughout the UK
  • Hosts one of the biggest annual small animal conferences in Europe, attracting over 7,000 delegates
  • Publishes books, online resources and videos on a diversity of small animal topics
  • Publishes the monthly Journal of Small Animal Practice and Companion, exclusive to members
  • Maintains contacts with small animal practitioners through the Regions, who organise local CPD and events
  • Provides access to discounts and services through identified third party providers
  • Through its associated charity, BSAVA-PetSavers, funds clinical investigations into the diseases of companion animals
  • Provides a forum for the discussion of issues of importance to veterinary surgeons and nurses in small animal practice and submits evidence on their behalf to the British Veterinary Association and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons as well as to government departments
  • Liaises with other veterinary professional bodies through regular meetings
  • Informs and keeps members up to date with the latest issues and events impacting the small animal veterinary profession
  • Represents member interests internationally through various European and world small animal organisations

Membership packages may vary according to the grade of membership held.

We reserve the right to change the benefits that apply to the various grades of BSAVA membership at any time and without prior notice.

Services supplied from an external provider will be subject to the provider¡¦s own terms and conditions, and BSAVA does not accept any liability for loss or damage suffered as a result of any fault, error or omission in the provision of these services.

BSAVA reserves the right to change external providers without prior notice and its decision on the nature and extent of services provided is final.

BACKGROUND

BSAVA’s main charitable object is as follows:

“The promotion for the public benefit of high standards of education and practice in the veterinary care and treatment of small animals and the dissemination of related information to both veterinary practitioners and the public.”

The Members of BSAVA are those individuals or organisations who have applied to become members and have been approved as such by the Council Members. Membership is not transferable.

As a Limited Company the liability of members is limited. Also as the company is limited by guarantee it means that that every member (by guarantee) of BSAVA promises, if BSAVA is dissolved while they are a member or within twelve months after they cease to be a member, to contribute such sum (not exceeding £1) as may be demanded of them towards the payment of the debts and liabilities of BSAVA incurred before they cease to be a member, and of the costs charges and expenses of winding up.

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

Membership application forms will be provided in hard copy or online. All applicants who are accepted as members will be recorded in the list of current members.

Board may only refuse an application for membership from a suitably qualified applicant if, acting reasonably and properly, it considers it to be in the best interests of BSAVA to refuse the application. Board must inform the applicant in writing of the reasons for refusal within twenty-one days of the decision. Board must consider any written representations the applicant may make about the decision. Board’s decision following any written representations must be notified to the applicant in writing but shall be final.

Membership Contract

When you submit your application on line, or by post, or e-mail us with the details of your application, you are making an offer to become a member which if accepted by Board will result in a legally binding contract.

At the point of renewal of your membership, your renewal payment is confirmation of your continued acceptance of membership which shall remain ongoing until it lapses.

Member’s rights & obligations

The types, categories, eligibility criteria, general rights and obligations of each category of membership will be determined by Board from time to time, and may be varied and amended by Board as it sees fit. Irrespective of the class of membership, an overriding obligation of all members of BSAVA is to behave and act in a manner that promotes and supports BSAVA and its charitable objects. High professional standards are considered mandatory and membership may be terminated if members act in a manner which could damage the activities or reputation of BSAVA. Removal for this reason, for non-payment of membership fees, or any other reason will be at the sole discretion of Board and follow the removal process outlined below.

Removal of membership

Members may be removed from the list of active members for non-payment of dues, by virtue of resignation, or as a consequence of a decision by Board to remove either an individual member or an entire class of membership. Prior to removal from the list of members for non-payment of membership fees, a defaulting member receives a minimum of two requests for payment to be made.

A member may resign at any time although any obligations including the obligation to pay outstanding fees for the remainder of the relevant membership period will remain.

In the event that Board removes an entire category of membership, all those affected members will be informed in advance in writing before any changes become effective. If possible, another relevant class of membership will be offered to the affected members but, if this is not possible, BSAVA will either offer the entitlements of membership until the end of their current membership period or repayment of any fees relating to that period, on a pro-rata basis.

Board, may remove any member at its sole discretion. In the event that Board intends to consider removal of a member, that member will be informed in writing at least 21 days before the Board meeting. The member will be invited to submit a statement which will be circulated with any other paperwork to all Board members in advance of the meeting. The decision (and reasoning behind it) will be reported back to the member in writing. The decision is final and unless decided otherwise, membership cessation will take immediate effect.

Data Protection and use of Personal data

Both parties will comply with all applicable requirements of the Data Protection Legislation (as defined in Schedule 1). This clause is in addition to, and does not relieve, remove or replace, a party’s obligations under the Data Protection Legislation. Capitalised terms used in this clause will have the meaning ascribed to them in the Data Protection Legislation.

The parties acknowledge that the purposes of the Data Protection Legislation, BSAVA is the Data Controller for in respect of all Personal Data processed or collected in connection with BSAVA membership. The clause sets out the scope, nature and purpose of processing by us. The duration of the processing and the types of personal data and categories of Data Subject.

We shall collect, process and use your personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy available at https://www.bsava.com/About-us/Privacy-Policy

We shall use your Personal Data that we collect of you for the primary purposes of:

  1. carrying out our general business operations;
  2. communicating with you;
  3. responding to your enquiries and complaints;
  4. meeting our legal and regulatory obligations;
  5. conducting, improving and developing our relationship with you;
  6. carrying out direct marketing, i.e. to provide you with product and promotional information and details of offers;
  7. improving our website;
  8. keeping our website secure and preventing fraud; and
  9. verifying compliance with the terms and conditions governing the use of our website.

We will not disclose your personal information to another party except for in accordance with our Privacy Policy available at https://www.bsava.com/About-us/Privacy-Policy

We will retain your Personal Data for a period of 7 years following the date of our last contact with you at which such time we will delete your personal information from our systems.

You will ensure that you have all necessary appropriate consents and notices in place to enable lawful transfer of the Personal data to us for the duration and purposes of this agreement.

We shall, in relation to any Personal Data processed in connection with the performance by us of our obligations under this agreement:

  1. process that Personal Data only on the written instructions of you unless we are required by the laws of any member of the European Union or by the laws of the European Union applicable to BSAVA to process Personal Data (Applicable Laws). Where we are relying on laws of a member of the European Union or European Union law as the basis for processing Personal Data, we shall promptly notify you of this before performing the processing required by the Applicable Laws unless those Applicable Laws prohibit us from, so you;
  2. ensure that we have in place appropriate technical and organisational measures, to protect you against unauthorised or unlawful processing of Personal Data and against accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, Personal Data, appropriate to the harm that might result from the unauthorised or unlawful processing or accidental loss, destruction or damage and the nature of the data to be protected, having regard to the state of technological development and the cost of implementing any measures (those measures may include, where appropriate, pseudonymising and encrypting Personal Data, ensuring confidentiality, integrity, availability and resilience of its systems and services, ensuring that availability of and access to Personal Data can be restored in a timely manner after an incident, and regularly assessing and evaluating the effectiveness of the technical and organisational measures adopted by it);
  3. ensure that all personnel who have access to and/or process Personal Data are obliged to keep the Personal Data confidential; and
  4. not transfer any Personal Data outside of the European Economic Area, such as the USA, unless the following conditions are fulfilled:
    1. You or we have provided appropriate safeguards in relation to the transfer;
    2. The data subject has enforceable rights and effective legal remedies;
    3. We comply with its obligations under the Data Protection Legislation by providing an adequate level of protection to any Personal Data that is transferred; and
    4. We comply with reasonable instructions notified to it in advance by you with respect to the processing of the Personal Data;
  5. notify you without undue delay on becoming aware of a Personal Data breach;
  6. at your written direction, delete or return Personal Data and copies thereof to you on termination of the agreement unless required by Applicable Law to store the Personal Data; and
  7. maintain complete and accurate records and information to demonstrate its compliance with this clause.

You consent to BSAVA appointing Dotmailer, Alpha Response, Wiley, SilverBear, ITN International, LogMeInInc.com and Vend, or any other such third-party processor that BSAVA may appoint from time to time, as a third-party processor of Personal Data under this agreement. BSAVA confirms that it has entered or (as the case may be) will enter with the third-party processor into a written agreement incorporating terms which are substantially similar to those set out in this clause. Please see BSAVA’S Privacy Policy, available at https://www.bsava.com/About-us/Privacy-Policy for further details of the policy we apply to any third-party organisations in order to keep your Personal Data safe and protect your privacy.

As between the member and BSAVA, BSAVA shall remain fully liable for all acts or omissions of any third-party processor appointed by it pursuant to this clause.

Either party may, at any time on not less than 30 days’ notice, revise this Data Protection clause by replacing it with any applicable controller to processor standard clauses or similar terms forming part of an applicable certification scheme (which shall apply when replaced by attachment to this agreement).

We warrant that we will process your Personal Data in compliance with all applicable laws, enactments, regulations, orders, standards and other similar instruments.

We warrant that, having regard to the state of technological development and the cost of implementing any measures, we will:

  1. take appropriate technical and organisational measures against the unauthorised or unlawful processing of your Data and against the accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, your Data to ensure a level of security appropriate to:
    1. the harm that might result from such unauthorised or unlawful processing or accidental loss, destruction or damage;
    2. the nature of the data to be protected; and
  2. take reasonable steps to ensure compliance with those measures.

You warrant that you have all necessary permissions and consents to transfer your Data to us and agree that we may store your Data on servers outside of the EEA. You hereby agree to indemnify and hold us harmless from and against any losses, liabilities, damages, costs and expenses suffered or incurred by BSAVA as a result of or in connection with any breach by you of the warranty in this clause.

Information Services

We will use our best endeavours to ensure that all information provided by us is as up to date as possible. However, you should not rely on the information provided as the sole basis for making business, legal or other decisions. You should seek appropriate independent advice before making any such decisions.

You will receive membership communications and from time to time we will let you know about promotions. If you provide us with your e-mail address or SMS number, then we may send information which may be of interest.

If you believe that any of the information we hold concerning you is incorrect or out of date, please provide us with the accurate information at the address below.

Our events and courses are subject to separate terms and conditions. Please check these at the time of booking

Communications and Marketing

BSAVA will ensure your rights are protected under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations in relation to the marketing communications you wish to receive and the manner in which you wish to receive them.

However, there are certain communications that need to be sent to you regardless of your marketing preferences. These are what BSAVA describes as essential communications to fulfill our obligations to you as a member of BSAVA.

Examples of these types of communication are:

  • Electronic transaction notification messaging, such as Direct Debit confirmation;
  • Membership related E-mailings such as your renewal reminder;
  • Financial Statement;
  • BSAVA-Petsavers;
  • Our regular magazines and AGM congress E mail notices; and
  • Member news and information via email relating to the services which form part of your membership package.

We use email as the primary method for contacting our Members. If we do not have a valid email address we will contact you via post.

By becoming a member of BSAVA you confirm that you also accept the terms of our privacy policy as set out below.

Subscribed Journal and magazine Delivery

We will deliver all publications and journals subscribed to as part of your chosen membership categories to the address you notify to us when you become a member of BSAVA.

You agree that we will not be responsible for failure to deliver these publications if you have supplied us with an incorrect address or have failed to notify us of a subsequent address change.

Force majeure

BSAVA shall not be liable for any delay or non-performance of its obligations by reason of matters beyond its control including, but not limited to, any act of terrorism, war, riot, civil commotion, compliance with any law or government order, fire, flood or storm, strikes, or any other industrial dispute, delay in transit, power failure, postal delay, or any event that cannot be reasonably planned for or avoided.

In those circumstances BSAVA will recommence delivery of services as soon as is reasonably possible.

Cancellation and Refunds

BSAVA Membership is a rolling annual agreement which will (subject to the provisions set out below) automatically renew upon the anniversary of your application. You will receive a renewal notice in advance of the anniversary of your application date, any changes to your categories of membership and informing you of any changes to the amount of your Direct Debit payment. Any payment arrangements that have been made by Direct Debit will automatically continue, unless you notify your bank/building society that you wish to cancel it.

If you wish to cancel your membership, you must inform us of your intention to cancel a minimum of ten working days prior to the anniversary of your application. This notice should be provided directly to us, in writing by letter or email.

No refund of any fees will be given unless the notice requirements set out above are complied with.

Once your membership has been renewed, it will still be possible to cancel your membership, however other than in the circumstances set out below we are not obliged to offer any refund if notice has not been given.

Full or partial refunds for membership will be given on request only under the following circumstances:-

  • If membership is cancelled within a 14 day cooling off period in line with the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
  • If there is an overpayment of any membership fee
  • If the member changes category, i.e. Full Member to Post Graduate member, following the provision of the required evidence to Membership Services.
  • Death of the Member
  • If an error has been made by BSAVA in processing a membership application

Refunds process

BSAVA will endeavour to process any refund within 5 working days. The refund will be made to the original payer. All card refunds will be made back to the original card used. Payments made by cheque can be refunded using a BACS transfer.

Price Information

The fees displayed on the application section of the website in relation to orders placed on-line and the fees shown on a current application form, or quoted by a member of BSAVA Staff are those which will apply.

A one-off payment may be made for your initial membership subscription or renewal, by cheque, credit/debit card or by an annual direct debit payment. A monthly Direct Debit arrangement is also available.

We reserve the right to increase the price of the membership subscription on an annual basis. You will be informed of any fee increase with your renewal correspondence. If we discover an error in the cost of your membership subscription, we will inform you as soon as is reasonably possible.

Credit Card Payments

When you to apply to BSAVA either on-line, by post or by email you confirm that you have obtained the express prior permission of the credit/debit card holder. If you are not using your own credit/debit card to pay for the membership subscription, you must ask the permission of the credit/debit card holder before entering the payment details.

Direct debits

Payment by direct debit is the most straightforward and convenient way to pay your BSAVA membership.

If you have a direct debit agreement with BSAVA then payment is made automatically through your bank or building society, beginning on the payment date shown on your renewal notice. If you are setting up your direct debit, then the first payment will be taken from your account on the 15th day of the month or first working day thereafter.

Liability

Our liability to you will not extend to any membership related benefits, goods or services provided by an external provider. We specifically exclude liability for any loss or damage suffered by you as a result of your involvement in whatever manner with an external provider.

Our liability to you in the event of publications being lost in dispatch shall be limited to replacement of the missing issues.

These Terms and Conditions do not and shall not affect your statutory rights as a consumer.

Variation

We may change these terms and conditions at any time upon giving you 14 days notice in advance. The most recent edition of these terms and conditions will be binding upon you.

Prize Draw and competition rules

All prize draws and competitions which are associated with our offers are subject to separate terms and conditions, as written at the time of the prize draw, competition or offer. Prize draws are not open to employees or Board Members of BSAVA.

Governing law and jurisdiction

These terms and conditions are governed by English law. You hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts notwithstanding the jurisdiction where you are based.

If any court or competent authority decides that any of the provisions of these Terms are invalid, unlawful or unenforceable to any extent, the term will, to that extent only, be severed from the remaining terms, which will continue to be valid to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Third Parties

A person who is not party to these Terms shall not have any rights under or in connection with them under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999

Entire Agreement

These Terms and Conditions constitute the entire agreement between the parties and supersede and extinguish all previous editions of the Terms and Conditions, promises, assurances, warranties, representations and understandings between them, whether written or oral, relating to its subject matter.

BSAVA Brand

Use of our logo by members is not permitted unless granted express permission has been granted. All requests should be directed to the BSAVA Marketing department.

Queries, comments and complaints

If you have any queries, comments or complaints about your subscription please contact our membership services team:

Telephone: 01452 726700

Email: Administration@bsava.com

Post: Woodrow House, 1 Telford Way, Quedgeley, Gloucester, GL2 2AB

Schedule 1

Defintions:

Data Protection Legislation: (i) unless and until the GDPR is no longer directly applicable in the UK, the General Data Protection Regulation ((EU) 2016/679) and any national implementing laws, regulations and secondary legislation, as amended or updated from time to time, in the UK and then (ii) any successor legislation to the GDPR or the Data Protection Act 1998.

Intellectual Property Rights: patents, rights to inventions, copyright and related rights, trade marks, business names and domain names, rights in get-up, goodwill and the right to sue for passing off, rights in designs, database rights, rights to use, and protect the confidentiality of, confidential information (including know-how), and all other intellectual property rights, in each case whether registered or unregistered and including all applications and rights to apply for and be granted, renewals or extensions of, and rights to claim priority from, such rights and all similar or equivalent rights or forms of protection which subsist or will subsist now or in the future in any part of the world.