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

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

Sam Taylor

Communicated and were responsive, not used their services with a visit yet...

S Evers

They are amazing and really care about our pets!

Dana Sousa Machado

Can not put into words our thanks for saving kayaks (our Siberian husky) life, removed a 5kg tumour.Giles and team were fantastic all of you! Thanks

Steve Welch

Got an appointment fairly easily for my pet, but only annoyance is that you can't go in with your pet due to Covid! Could if owner went in instead of staff. Their excuse is not enough room to social distance. But they're very good with animals and explain everything. I'd be happy to wear gloves, etc to be able to stay with them

Helen Kibbey

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

lynne white

My 16 yr old cat became suddenly very ill, I rang Castle vets and I saw us the same day. They were incredibly caring and reassuring towards my pets needs. Reception staff are also amazing and very friendly. I will never take any of my pets any where else. Thank you Castle vets.

Gillian May

I cannot possibly explain with words how amazing this veterinary clinic is, it was our first time going there and its also the first time I've ever felt just purly listened too and not pushed to do anything I wouldnt be comfortable with for my dog. I feel they genuinely want the best your your animals, to the point where they want to make sure there is an infection before just giving antibiotics, which other vets I've been too would have just prescribed them regardless. I cant express how much this helped me relax, and my dog also enjoyed the experience and got lots of lovely hellos and treats.Truly I feel over the moon that this is our vets!I am feeling so indescribably happy with my experience and I couldnt recommend them enough.

GoodMorningSunrise with Mary-Louise

Wonderful vets and staff, kind and professional.

Bill Laxton

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

Highly recommend Castle Vets . Had to call them out sadly to put my 13 yr old dog to sleep, it was done with the most loving care & respect for Bracken . They never fail in there treatment of my animals ,

Pat Goddard

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

Top quality vets with top-notch staff. They really care about running a good and ethical business. I trust them.

Henry Dodds

Castle Vets took care of our dog for many years, and were incredibly kind and helpful when she reached the end of her life.

Trinitys Treat

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

Lovely people friendly service

Ian Thorneway

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

sharon Price

Excellent service. Vets obviously love the animals and deliver the best care.

Ian Springer

Fast and efficient service, friendly.

Nanny McCphea

Always friendly and try to ensure you and your pet are looked after.

Ian Barrow

Just wanted to say thank you ALL for looking after Frankie (our dachshund) over the past few days. Glad you quickly diagnosed her bladder stone and operated to sort the problem. Sincerely appreciate everything.

Neil Barbour

Fantastic vets who really do care for your pets.They've always been more than happy to help and give advice; and the prices for visits are very good too.

Dave Humphries

The team have always been excellent with our late cat Sammy over the 18 years of his life, thank you for everything

Holly Mercer2

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.

Christine Pierce

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