The Irish Veterinary Benevolent Fund was established under the auspices of the Irish Veterinary Association, one of the precursors of Veterinary Ireland, in 1982 by five prominent veterinary practitioners as a charitable trust with the purpose of providing financial or other assistance to veterinary practitioners and the families of veterinary practitioners who had encountered difficulties. Recently IVBF has converted into a company limited by guarantee which is now the preferred format for registered charities. IVBF has also extended its remit to include veterinary nurses and the families of veterinary nurses as beneficiaries in its new constitution.