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.

Our Practices:

We're a gold standard Cat Friendly Clinic

We make an extra special effort with all our feline patients, as we know how upsetting a trip to the vets can be for them. We're proud to have attained the Gold Standard Cat Friendly Clinic award, which means your cat is in safe hands.

Find out more

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!

So lovely and helpful. Couldn't recommend them more!

Joe Allen

Most caring vets I have ever known...my boy was seriously ill and I couldnt have asked for better care for him...unfortunately he lost the fight but not without vets pulling out all the stops to save him....they let me visit and stay with him for hours while he was still here and after

Mrs Price

Castle Vet's lovely. Welcoming! Organized! Knowledgable! And friendly!

Lainey Ross

Kind friendly staff. Clean and well equipped. Good vets who care for their patients!

Jenny Webster

They saved my boys life when he broke his leg the other day. And now I can hold onto my purring best friend for hopefully much longer. Amazing team. Thank you so much.

Freyja O'rourke

I wanted to thank you for your incredibly responsive out-of-hours service yesterday. It very likely saved my dog's life. Your quick action prevented a serious and potentially life-threatening deterioration in his condition. Casper has been a patient since he was a puppy, and we've always received outstanding care. Thank you so much.

Mehrdad Bordbar

Good care of our animals

Kim Pugh

We are new to the area and have had nothing but kindness and professionalism from the vets

Sue Glover

All our cats are registered here. Compared to two other veterinarians in Dorchester, we find these the best. A little bit more expensive, but they do have our full confidence.

Dave White

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.

Babs Kirby

Highly recommend, We've used this clinic for over 10 years and wouldn't go anywhere else.

lynne white

Very friendly team who always make sure that your furry bestie is happy and healthy

Steph Thommen

Special thanks to the vet and nurses for looking after Molly my beloved border collie in her final hours , being with her as she past on was so important , very caring and professional team .

Mike Bluck

Great service for our fur babies. Only charged for necessary treatments. Recommended

Martin Alway

I can safely say this is the best vets ive taken my dog too, and ive tried them all. Fantastic staff, the vet doesn't make you feel rushed and explains things in detail to make sure you know what choices of treatment your pet has. 100% recommend this vets for your fur babies.

Sharon Young

Brilliant quick service

kim critchell

Had to say goodbye to our friend and the service we received from all staff , from reception to Giles was amazing.Thank you

Tony Porter

Always amazing service. Quick & swift action removed a 2.5 cm piece of hawthorn from my dogs foot! 😬😬😬 Great vets, highly recommend. 🐕😻🐕😻

Claire Fowler

Nice friendly staff and good service, but cost of drugs high

Heretwo ThereCars

Good cat friendly service. Able to go in with my cats. Would recommend on my experience so far.

Louisa Bavington

Helped us recapture cat when basket broke open outside!