The Animal Health Trust has improved the health of millions of animals for the past 75 years.

And to mark that anniversary, the charity was at Crufts 2017 to launch a special fundraising campaign to raise £75,000 towards new medical equipment as they look to save the lives of so many more.

The Trust is hoping to spread the word to the owners of the 22,000 happy, healthy dogs that will descend on the NEC in Birmingham for the world's largest dog show, now in its 126th year, over the weekend.

Founded in 1942 by Dr Reginald Wooldridge, the Animal Health Trust specialises in preventing illness and injury in dogs, cats and horses.

According to chief executive Mark Vaudin, the charity has improved the health of millions of animals simply by its pioneering work in preventing illness and injury among the animals.

The Trust also works with Crufts organisers the Kennel Club, on its genetics centre, launched in 2009, and cancer centre, in operation since 2013.

And the Newmarket-based charity, which receives no government funding, has its own royal approval, with the Queen as patron and Princess Anne as its president.

“We come to Crufts every year, but this year we’re celebrating our 75th anniversary, so that’s 75 years of leading care and science for animals, not just contributing to the health and welfare for dogs, but also cats and horses,” said Dr Vaudin, who has been chief executive since 2013.

“The ideology of Dr Wooldridge was that so many great things are happening for humans, so why couldn’t we do it for animals?

“With the help of the Kennel Club, we founded the genetics centre, and are looking at various diseases that affect our dogs, and the cancer centre. We’re able to cure cancer in dogs, horses and cats, which is amazing."

Dr Vaudin said the trust will be jetting around various upcoming shows and events to try and increase awareness and get the charity towards that magic figure of £75,000, the bulk of which will go towards a new MRI scanner.

He also hailed the importance of Crufts in getting the word out and about to dog owners about their role in preserving and improving the health of the UK’s animals.

“Many years ago, we pioneered the use of MRI for animals, but now our MRU scanner is pretty old and needs replacing, and they cost several hundred thousand pounds," said Dr Vaudin.

“Part of this is making people aware of that and replacing funds towards that scanner.

“We want more and more people to know who we are, as well as knowing that it is our 75th year, and the good things we do.

“Crufts is very, very important, and it’s even more important because of our collaboration with the Kennel Club, so it is great to be part of it.

“Thousands of dog owners come every day to this event and talk to us about what we do and actually understand us better.

“Even if your animals haven’t been treated at the Animal Health Trust, they will benefit from the pioneering research that we do.

“We’ve help save millions of animals, and we’re proud of that fact. And hopefully over the next 75 years, we can save millions more.”