Many vet surgeries also retail medical supplies such as worming tablets and flea treatments, along with pet food and accessories. Some surgeries specialise in small animals, farm animals or equines, while others treat all three. Typical commercial and business customers include farmers, boarding kennels, animal charities, animal breeders, riding stables, racehorse trainers, police and army dog handlers, and zoos.

Veterinary surgeries are usually owned and run either by a single qualified veterinary surgeon or by two or more vets working in partnership, typically trading as a limited liability partnership (LLP) or limited company. However, it is not necessary for the surgery owner to be a qualified vet.

Smaller independent veterinary surgeries are facing increasing competition from larger ‘corporate’ surgery chains and major pet care retailers that also provide in-store veterinary care.

This profile provides information about starting up and running an independent veterinary surgery. It describes the skills required, the training available, the current market trends and the key trading issues. It also explains the legislation that must be complied with and provides sources of further information and support.