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Find a vet in the UK

Start with our verified directory — 5595 verified practices across 1963 towns in 104 UK counties, with more counties being added nationwide — then save the three numbers every owner needs before they need them: your own practice, its out-of-hours clinic, and Animal PoisonLine. Charity options are below if cost is a worry. To browse listings by county without searching, use the directory; to compare published fees, use Compare fees.

Find the nearest vet to you

Search 5,595 practices by postcode for the closest first. Listings use only details the practices publish themselves.

Quick answer

Use the PETHEALTH+ directory — 5595 verified practices across 1963 towns in 104 UK counties, expanding to more counties nationwide — or check the official RCVS register for any UK practice. In an emergency, phone your own vet first; the answerphone gives the out-of-hours number. Charities may help if cost is a worry.

In an emergency

If your pet is collapsed, struggling to breathe, bleeding heavily, fitting, or has eaten something toxic, do not wait — call a vet now. Phone your own practice (the answerphone gives the emergency line) or find your nearest emergency vet. For poisoning, call Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 (a paid service).

Browse by county

Browse by need

Own a veterinary practice?

Every listing is free. Claim your practice to keep its details accurate, or read how the directory works for vets.

Which vet service do you need?

UK vet service options, reviewed 2026-09-25
SituationWhere to goNotes
Routine care, vaccinations, check-upsYour registered local practiceBook ahead; ask about monthly health plans.
Urgent but not life-threateningYour own practice — same-day slotsPhone first thing in the morning for the best chance.
Emergency, nights & weekendsOut-of-hours clinic via your practice's answerphone, or the emergency clinic finderAlways phone before you set off.
Can't afford treatmentPDSA, Blue Cross, RSPCA or Cats ProtectionEligibility depends on postcode and benefits.
Suspected poisoningYour vet, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000A paid service — do not wait for symptoms.

Low-cost & charity vet care

If you're struggling to afford treatment, these UK charities may be able to help — eligibility usually depends on where you live and whether you receive certain benefits.

  • PDSA

    Free and low-cost treatment for eligible owners on certain benefits, in areas with a Pet Hospital.

  • Blue Cross

    Subsidised veterinary care at Blue Cross hospitals and clinics for owners who qualify.

  • RSPCA

    May help with vet costs in cases of hardship — availability varies by branch and region.

  • Cats Protection

    Help towards neutering and some veterinary costs for cats, subject to eligibility.

Wondering what treatment costs? See our guide to UK vet costs.

Register before you need one

The best time to choose a vet is while your pet is healthy. Register with a local practice when you first bring a pet home — a new puppy or kitten will need their first vaccination course within weeks, and registered clients are first in line when appointments are tight.

When comparing practices, ask three questions: what are the consultation fees, what happens out of hours (do they cover nights themselves or refer to a dedicated emergency clinic?), and will they give a written estimate before treatment? Good practices answer all three happily — it is how they build trust with new clients.

If you are moving house, transfer your pet's records to the new practice promptly, and update your microchip details at the same time so a lost pet can always be traced back to you.

Worried about the cost of care?

You are not alone — vet fees are the biggest ongoing cost of pet ownership, and practices understand that budgets are real. Ask about the practice's health plan: most UK surgeries offer a monthly scheme that spreads routine preventive care such as vaccinations, flea and worm treatments and check-ups across the year, often with discounts on other treatments. Pair that with pet insurance for the unexpected — lifetime policies cover ongoing conditions year after year, while annual policies stop paying for a condition after the policy year ends.

If a bill still looks unmanageable, say so before treatment starts, not after. Vets can often stage treatment, prioritise the urgent work, or point you towards the charity clinics listed above. The worst option is delaying care because you are afraid to ask — early treatment is almost always the cheaper treatment.

Our vet costs page keeps indicative UK price tables for consultations, vaccinations, neutering, dental work and emergencies, so you can sanity-check any estimate you are given.

Guides to help you prepare

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find an emergency vet at night in the UK?
Call your own vet practice first — their answerphone message gives the out-of-hours number they use, which may be the practice itself or a dedicated emergency clinic. Keep the number saved before you need it. You can also browse our out-of-hours directory.
Which vets are listed in the PETHEALTH+ directory?
Our directory currently lists 5595 verified practices across 1963 towns in 104 UK counties, with more counties being added nationwide. Every listing is built only from details the practice publishes on its own website; if we could not verify a field, we leave it blank rather than guessing. For anywhere else, the official RCVS register lists every UK practice.
Can I get free or low-cost vet treatment in the UK?
Possibly. Charities such as PDSA, Blue Cross and the RSPCA offer free or reduced-cost treatment to owners who meet their eligibility criteria — usually based on where you live and whether you receive certain benefits. Check each charity's website to see if you qualify.
What should I do if my pet has been poisoned?
Phone your vet immediately, or call Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 (a paid service). Do not wait for symptoms and do not make your pet sick unless a vet tells you to.

PETHEALTH+ is independent and not affiliated with the organisations listed. Links are provided to help you reach the right service. Information only — not a substitute for veterinary advice.

When it can’t wait, call your vet. Breathing difficulty, collapse or suspected poisoning need urgent advice.

Find emergency care