A J Poole – Vets in Harpenden
Clinic Overview
Alistair Poole Veterinary Surgery (A J Poole) describes itself as a long-established, independent small-animal practice set up over 30 years ago by Alistair and Sue Poole. The website highlights same-day appointments for ill pets, a repeat-prescription service (including a postal option), and out-of-hours emergency cover provided by the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals. Reviews most often describe ongoing care for cats and dogs (including dentistry, eye problems, and referral on for a spinal injury), with one review reporting the practice refused to see an unregistered dog that was choking.
Services
- •Small-animal veterinary care for a wide range of pets: dogs, cats, rabbits, gerbils, hamsters, rats, mice, pet fish, tortoises, lizards, snakes, and birds (website).
- •Same-day appointments for ill pets (website).
- •Repeat prescriptions, with a postal option (website).
- •Dentistry mentioned in reviews (tooth extraction for a dog; owners describe being given “so much information” afterward).
- •Grooming/coat trim mentioned for a cat (“trim with lovely Lisa”) (review).
- •Management of eye problems in a bulldog, with options explained (review).
- •Prompt care and referral to a specialist vet after a Labrador spinal injury (review).
- •Out-of-hours emergency cover is provided by the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals (website).
People
- •Gillian: thanked for “talking us through all options” and reassuring an owner while their dog was being treated for eye problems (review).
- •Lisa: mentioned for giving a cat a trim (review).
- •Team feedback is often about clear explanations and thoroughness (e.g., detailed information after a tooth extraction), plus long-term relationships with owners across multiple pets (reviews).
Reviews
Google rating: 4.8 stars from 97 reviews. - Owners describe the team as accommodating and good with cats; several mention long-term care for multiple pets (cats and guinea pigs).
- •Clear communication is a recurring detail: thorough explanations after a dog’s tooth extraction, and being talked through treatment options for eye problems.
- •Several reviews mention handling more serious situations: prompt care and referral to a specialist after a spinal injury.
- •One negative review alleges the practice refused to assess a choking dog because it wasn’t registered; this conflicts with the generally positive accounts of responsiveness and care.
Special Services
Animals Treated at A J Poole
Animals We Treat
Companion Animals
Farm Animals
Pricing at A J Poole
Opening Hours – A J Poole
Opening Hours
Hours
Reviews for A J Poole
Note: Showing the 5 most recent Google reviews out of 97 we track in total. Recent reviews may not be representative of overall sentiment.
Jennifer Bullock
in the last week
Always really accommodating and superb care for our cats
Merissa Paskin
2 months ago
charles irish
2 months ago
cimpoeru oana amelia
3 months ago
Hannah Jones
2 months ago
We’ve trusted the team at Alistair Poole with our beloved pets for many years - first with our two guinea pigs and now with our two Siberian cats. Their kindness, care and veterinary skill is second-to-none, both in good times (run of the mill check-ups) and the sad times too. We’re always met with a smile, and it’s clear that they really do care about every animal who steps through (or is carried through!) their door. Bravo AP Team, and big thanks from the Jones Family (especially Rafferty and Monty the cats - Monty looking very dashing after a trim with lovely Lisa today!).
Hannah Jones
5 months ago
We’ve trusted the team at Alistair Poole with our beloved pets for many years - first with our two guinea pigs and now with our two Siberian cats. Their kindness, care and veterinary skill is second-to-none, both in good times (run of the mill check-ups) and the sad times too. We’re always met with a smile, and it’s clear that they really do care about every animal who steps through (or is carried through!) their door. Bravo AP Team, and big thanks from the Jones Family (especially Rafferty and Monty the cats - Monty looking very dashing after a trim with lovely Lisa today!).
Charlotte Chaston
11 months ago
Have been with them for about a year now but today my French bulldog had her tooth out and they were so thorough and have provided me with so much information! Thank you for making Binky feel safe and for reassuring myself!
The Roxys
a year ago
I am horrified at this practice! I happened to pull over just outside because my dog was choking after a walk we had just been on and thrown up in my car. I was really concerned I wouldn’t make it back to my own vets to get him checked out so out of desperation went into this vets. A receptionist and a vet surgeon were having chat together doing nothing and NO ONE was in there! I explained I was seriously worried about my dogs breathing and kindly asked if they could check my dog over. I was disgusted that both refused to help me due to my dog not being registered to that practice. I’m sorry, if you had any compassion for animals you would have just taken a look at him to put my mind at ease, it takes a few minutes to do so. I might add I was willing to pay! My honest opinion is these so called professionals do not care at all about animals at all and when I managed to get him to my own vet they too were disgusted that they wouldn’t see him. Thank god we made it in time for them to sedate my dog and remove the object.
Pam
a year ago
Fantastic vets and nurses. Our beloved Labrador received excellent care when she suffered a spinal injury recently. She is doing very well thanks to their prompt care and referral to a specialist vet. They are all friendly and provide top quality care. 100% recommend.
Alex
2 years ago
Lovely & compassionate staff. We had to use them recently for our bulldog who’s experiencing some eye problems. The service we received here was amazing and you can tell how much they care for your animal. Special thanks to Gillian for talking us through all options and reassuring us on our efforts to help treat our girl.
