Initiative hopes to unite vets, researchers and dog owners

The Kennel Club has launched a new online research exchange facility, which hopes to revolutionise the way information about canine research is shared between researchers, vets and dog owners.

The Bio-Acquisition Research Collaboration (BARC) has been developed by the Kennel Club to support canine science. Thought to be the first of its kind, this online hub will allow for the exchange of knowledge and resources between clinicians and researchers, as well as the dog-owning public.

BARC will help simplify the process for researchers looking for samples to aid their work. It will enable them to post requests for samples with specific requirements, such as the sex or age of the dog, the health status and how the sample should be preserved.

Kennel Club Health Information Manager, Aimee Llewellyn, said: “BARC will be a unique online platform which will facilitate bringing together researchers and clinicians with the aim to promote dog health and unite those interested in canine health research.

“The research exchange facility will also be a great way for vets to go over and above what they do in their day to day work, and we hope to see a real collaboration of those dedicated to improving dog health across the board.”

Dr David Sargan, senior lecturer from the University of Cambridge's Department of Veterinary Medicine, commented: “BARC is an exciting venture. There is currently nothing like it in the UK to facilitate the sharing of canine research and I have no doubt that it will truly support canine science by creating a network of research and sample sharing.”

Click here to visit the BARC research exchange.