Collar Call the practice
Two dogs trotting along a path in early light.

Two rooms, four vets, and the same person on the phone every time

A small practice on the edge of town. We see about thirty animals a day and we would rather see twenty-five of them well than forty of them quickly.

How we work

Twenty minutes is our standard appointment, not ten. That is the whole difference between this practice and a cheaper one, and it is the reason we can usually tell you what is wrong at the first visit instead of the third.

What a first visit costs
A young dog sitting still and looking at the camera.

We will tell you when to wait

About a third of the animals that come through the door do not need anything from us that week. We say so, we write down what to watch for, and we do not charge for the second visit if it turns out we were wrong.

And when not to

The other side of the same rule. If something needs doing today we will make room today, even if that means the afternoon runs late — which it does, about twice a week, and that is why the last appointment sometimes starts twenty minutes behind.

A dog with its tongue out, close up in the sun.

What we do

Consulting

Twenty minutes, by appointment, six days a week.

Teeth

Scale and polish under anaesthetic, on Tuesdays only.

Surgery

Neutering and soft tissue, every morning before ten.

House calls

For animals that should not travel, and for last days.

What each of these costs

Who you will see

A member of the practice team.

The morning list

Consults from 08:30

A member of the practice team.

The surgery list

Operating before ten

A member of the practice team.

The afternoon list

Consults until 18:00

A member of the practice team.

The road

House calls, Wednesdays

A cat and a dog asleep against each other in the grass.

We would rather lose an appointment than sell you a treatment we would not give our own animal.

Written on the wall behind the desk

Four things worth knowing

A dog waiting on a pavement.

Lameness

Three days of resting it first. If it is no better by the fourth, that is when we can actually tell what it is.

A beagle looking up with its mouth open.

Weight

The scales by the door are free and always on. Come and use them without an appointment; most of what we treat is easier at a kilo less.

A young dog carrying a flower in its mouth.

Puppies

First visit at eight weeks, second at twelve. Bring the paperwork you were given, even if you think it is wrong — especially then.

A dog on a beach with its ears up.

Older animals

A check twice a year instead of once. It is the single thing that changes how the last two years go, and it costs less than one emergency.

Before you come

Appointments
By phone, between eight and six. We keep four slots a day free until nine in the morning for whatever the day brings, so ring early if it is urgent.
What it costs
A twenty-minute consult is £46. Vaccination £38. A dental with anaesthetic starts at £210 and we will phone you from the theatre if it is going to be more.
Out of hours
We do not run our own night service and we will not pretend otherwise. After six you get the number of the emergency hospital eleven miles away, on the answerphone and on the door.
Paying
At the desk, on the day, card or cash. We do not run accounts; we would rather be honest about that than send letters later.
Insurance
We will fill in any form you bring and we will not take payment directly from an insurer. It sounds inconvenient and it keeps the bill between you and us.
Waiting room
Cats in a box, dogs on a short lead, and if your animal cannot bear the room, phone from the car park and we will come out to you.