The College of Veterinary & Animal Science was started in 1954, at Bikaner, the heart of the Great Thar Desert, keeping in view the importance of livestock in the rural economy of the state in general and this area in particular. It was started as the government college and named as the Rajasthan Veterinary College. Later on, it became a part of the faculty of Medicine and Veterinary of the Rajasthan University, Jaipur. Soon, in 1962, a separate Rajasthan Agriculture University was started and the college became the part of the faculty of this university. Soon, in 1964, the University of Udaipur was established and the college along with the wing of Agriculture and allied sciences became affiliated with it. This university was renamed as Mohan Lai Sukhadia University and then Sukhadia University. The Rajasthan Agricultural University (RAU), formerly a part of the Sukhadia University, Udaipur, became a separate entity on Ist of August 1987 because of promulgation of an Ordinance (Ordinance No. 13 of 1987) by the Government of Rajasthan, which was later enacted by an Act of Rajasthan State Legislation (Act No. 39 of 1987). RAU has been renamed as Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner (SKRAU, Bikaner) vide Gazette notification No. F. 4 (2) vidhi/2/2009 dated June 09, 2009. In May 2010, it becomes the part of The Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (RAJUVAS), Bikaner which was established under subsection (3) of section 1 of the Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Act, 2010 under the Vice-Chancellorship of Prof. A.K.Gahlot.
The College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Bikaner is housed in the sprawling lush green campus spread in an area of about 200 acres under erstwhile Ganga Avenue consisting Bijey Bhawan, the then State Museum and State Library’. After its inception in 1954, it has expanded horizontally in terms of 17 departments having laboratories equipped with sophisticated instruments and gadgets; well developed library with >30,000 books and journals; a workshop with 2 tube wells and 6 vehicles; examination hall of the capacity of >200 students; clinical complex having indoors, outdoors, dormitory and outpatient departments of major clinical departments; apex center for animal disease diagnosis, monitoring & surveillance etc. The facilities for students are excellent in terms of 5 boys’ hostels, 2 girls’ hostels; spacious canteen and an elegant auditorium. The college is having ample student and faculty amenities. Staff colonies of the college have 92 quarters for all cadres. Ample playgrounds like football, hockey, basketball, tennis, volleyball, kabaddi, badminton, TT, pavilion etc. are there within the campus. Moreover, One Indoor hall for TT and badminton and Dr. Karani Singh Stadium are also located across the road. Heritage buildings amalgamate very well with the latest ones on the campus. The campus is having a Bank located within and a post-office, located just attached to the campus. The college is offering PG programme in 15 disciplines and doctoral programmes in 11disciplines. At present, 19 research schemes are running in various disciplines of the faculty of veterinary and animal science. Apart from this, the college is also having a farmland of around 7500 acres at Kodamdesar (25 km away) with well-built infrastructure for sheep and goat. This land is likely to be utilized for fodder and agricultural production in near future after lying of IGNP tributaries through the farmland. The Directorate of Research (Veterinary and Animal Science) is also located within the campus.
The first and founder Principal was Lt. Col. A.C. Aggarwala, a renowned veterinarian and administrator. Then Dr. Mohan Singh shaped and strengthened the college as Principal from 1960-62 and as Dean from 1962-84. Many laurels were added to college during his tenure of 24 years and the college got recognition as premier institute of veterinary education. World-renowned professionals, like Dr. Barner, Greys etc. came to this college and stayed for months and years to promote the faculty as well as veterinary & animal science. The faculty and graduates from this college graced national as well as international positions, to name a few-Drs. B.K. Soni, N.R. Bhasin (IAS), A.L. Chaudhary, O.N. Kunjuru, J.S. Bhatia, Khare, P.K. Mathur, Bhanu P. Chaudhary, V.D. Purohit, S.S. Rathore, R.S. Rathore, P. K. Dwarkanathan, etc.