Your local, independent, trusted vet - Castle Vets (Dorchester) Skip to content

About us

Your local independent and trusted vet

Our practice was founded by Rip Kirby in 1992 with the ethos of being a friendly and approachable place to bring your pet. We are still committed to this, whilst providing the best possible care and treatment for all your pets. The practice remains independently owned by the vets who work in it, the only one in the area now. Being independent ensures the practice employees are motivated only by making pets better, not by keeping shareholders happy.

We have highly trained and experienced staff who will work with you to keep your pet in the best of health. We offer a full range of veterinary services, preventative health care, consultations, in-house diagnostic testing, imaging, and surgery. We have also partnered with Virtual Veterinary Specialists to ensure almost every problem imaginable can be dealt with right here at Castle Vets. We also offer a monthly budgeting plan and provide our own out of hours care to all our registered patients.

Many clients have been with us years and we consider them old friends, but we are always happy to welcome new faces, paws, tails and whiskers! Please do not hesitate to contact us about any matter big or small.

Reviews

Meet just a few of our happy owners and their pets!

We are Very Happy with the Service, Care and Treatment given to Sydney by Kirsty, Giles and the support team.Highly recommended.
I would recommend this veterinary practice to anyone . They genuinely care about the animals (our babies) over charging extortionate amounts for treatments and extra services that you don't need ! From the lovely receptionist to all of the other amazing staff the care you and your animals are given is five star absolutely !! The vets actually get down on the floor with your pets and are so friendly and minimally clinical.
Great service
1st class. Friendly understanding staff, who are genuinely concerned for welfare of all the animals they see.
Very friendly, kept everything safe with distancing but still had that personal touch.
Amazing care of my guinea pigs can't fault them Giles the vet was fab two weeks ago and explained everything in minute detail regarding my very small Piggie put me at ease
The team have always been excellent with our late cat Sammy over the 18 years of his life, thank you for everything
Would not take my pets anywhere else. They really care for the animals and are extremely knowledgeable.
My dog mojo had to have some teeth taken out yesterday. The staff and vets are an incredible caring dedicated animal lovingteam .. with all animals whole health being the whole heart of all their work and passion . Thankyou for making mojo pain free and happy again . And putting his worried mums mind at rest when I had to leave him . He is doing incredibly well the morning after . Thankyou so much .
Excellent service. Vets obviously love the animals and deliver the best care.
An excellent vets in Poundbury that we bring our cat too. The vets and staff are brilliant always a smile and a greeting whenever you visit. We now know why there is a queue waiting to register their pets.
Every time we've had to use Castle everyone you come in contact with is helpful and friendly. Thank you
Exceptional Veterinary Practice.Although I have been a client for many years, my dog Jack seldom needs care. Recently however he was suffering a gland problem.. Jack is an imported rescue and the BVA recommend a safeguarding procedure (blood test) prior to any surgery in such cases due to possible Brucellosis infection. I was uncertain of the benefits, but was able to have a practical and sensible discussion with Giles, beforehand Jack had the procedure under sedation & Giles whipped out a loose back tooth too. Jack is not insured, but I was given an estimate of cost at our initial consultation which matched our final invoice. Thank you Giles, it seems to have done the trick and Jack has forgiven you (almost!)
Friendly knowledgeable staff, very caring and efficient. Highly recommend
Lovely people friendly service
Castle Vet's lovely. Welcoming! Organized! Knowledgable! And friendly!
I stopped to pick up a wounded hedgehog this morning from the road in Charminster and drove it strait to Castle Vets being the nearest and near where I work.Having never been there before and walking in with this little hedgehog in a bad state the lady I dealt with, Amanda, was so kind, friendly and empathetic.She immediately took him to a nurse to be looked at and took my details to keep me informed as to his condition which she did later that morning.I am so grateful and impressed.Thank you Amanda and Castle Vets team!
We've had multiple pets here over 17 years. They've always been amazing with the animals, even through covid. The way they handle animals and also customers is amazing. Reception team are always on it and the veterinarians have always made the animals feel comfortable.
Caring, reliable veterinary practice. Very pleasant staff, well equipped surgery, cat- friendly waiting area. Recommended.
Thank you Castle Vets. My dog had a half-yearly checkup today. The vet has just called me with the results of a blood test for a potential issue identified in the routine assessment. I'm impressed at the scrutiny, turnaround in the labwork, and the follow-up.
Covid safe procedures in place and all clean and bright.
Castle Vets took care of our dog for many years, and were incredibly kind and helpful when she reached the end of her life.
We couldn't have asked for a more professional and caring service from castle vets staff over the last 6 years, looking after our beloved paddy until the very end x thankyou x
Just picking up flea treatment for our 7 month old kittens. But very friendly and willing to chat and show interest in what happened to our cat who died, which I appreciated.
Always pleasant. No trouble getting an appointment.