Hitchin Veterinary Surgery

Hitchin Veterinary Surgery presents itself as an independent, small-animal, employee-owned practice, operating as an Employee Owned Trust since May 2023. It appears set up for routine care and procedures as well as short-notice urgent cases, with reviews regularly highlighting prompt replies, clear explanations and a friendly front desk. Recent feedback is strongly positive overall, especially around surgical care, support with more complex cases and thoughtful follow-up, alongside one notable complaint about a microchipping appointment and the way concerns were handled afterwards.

Services

•Small-animal veterinary care: general care for common household pets, with clients describing regular visits for dogs, cats and kittens.
•Urgent and routine appointments: the practice says it may be able to fit in emergencies at short notice, and reviews suggest owners value quick responses to queries and prescription requests.
•Procedures and surgery: reviews mention kitten neutering, microchipping, a chihuahua’s surgery, and a dog’s cruciate surgery.
•Ongoing and more complex case support: owners describe calm, supportive help for an epileptic dog and accommodating handling for a reactive dog, including meeting outside rather than using the waiting room.
•Travel and paperwork support: Jonathan is specifically praised for helping with the process of emigrating two dogs to Australia, including explaining the steps clearly and following up afterwards.
•Bereavement and difficult events: reviewers mention compassionate handling after a road traffic accident and a condolence card sent after a pet’s death.

Pricing

No published pricing information is currently available for this clinic.

People

•Jonathan (vet): praised for helping owners through pet emigration paperwork for Australia, with clear explanations and a thoughtful follow-up email.
•Tom (vet): specifically thanked for support during a dog’s cruciate surgery.
•Reception team: frequently described as friendly, welcoming and efficient, with quick responses to queries.
•Wider vet and nursing team: reviews commonly mention clear explanations, gentle handling and calm support for nervous, reactive or medically complex pets.

Reviews

Hitchin Veterinary Surgery has a 4.9-star Google rating from 452 reviews. Recent feedback is very positive overall, with a strong emphasis on kindness, communication and calm handling.

•Many reviewers describe the team as warm, welcoming and genuinely caring, with friendly reception staff and a pleasant atmosphere in the practice.
•Communication is a recurring strength: owners mention quick responses to questions and prescriptions, and clear explanations during treatment and travel paperwork.
•Clinical care is praised across routine and more involved cases, including neutering, cruciate surgery, support for an epileptic dog, and practical handling for a reactive dog by meeting outside.
•One negative review stands out, describing concern over an expired microchip kit and a vet’s manner being dismissive and patronising; that same reviewer said earlier visits and other staff had been positive.

Reviews for Hitchin Veterinary Surgery

Note: Showing the 10 most recent Google reviews out of 452 we track in total. Recent reviews may not be representative of overall sentiment.

Rosemary Stowers

3 months ago

Amazing, caring independent veterinary surgery. I've been with them since Stuart deWolf opened HVS some seven years or so ago and previously when Stuart owned another veterinary surgery in Hitchin. Would highly recommend them.

Sally W

4 months ago

Best vets around! I have three dogs so have visited many times, we’ve probably seen every vet there, and each one is fantastic! The receptionists are so lovely and friendly too. Our most recent visit was for Missy’s cruciate surgery and the vet Tom was amazing throughout!

jon Shelbourne

5 months ago

Leanne Crowdy

Lauren McEvaddy

6 months ago

A big shout out to all staff members, they are warm and welcoming, very quick to respond to queries and highly knowledgeable and professional I cant recommend vet Jonathan enough he's helped the process emergrating our 2 dogs over to Australia. He went above and beyond to help us understand the process and even a little warming email to see how they are doing which is next level commitment and dedication to both animals and there owners 👏

vicky parker

Highly recommended friendly reception staff and amazing vets they genuinely care!

Sian Davis

7 months ago

5 stars isn’t enough. You won’t find a better more caring veterinary practice. My 12 year old chihuahua Louie had surgery and I can’t thank everyone at HVS enough for their efforts and compassion. If you are considering using this practice, don’t think twice 🙏🏻

Vercin

Following microchip implantation of my kitten I noticed that the chip kit had expired 4 months prior when performing the registration a week later. The response I received from the vet was not apologetic, but actually patronising, suggesting there was confusion on my behalf. The vet attempted to reassure me that this conduct was totally acceptable, as it was 'just the packaging' that was expired. Expirations are calculated for assurance of product sterility, therefore in a medical capacity this is a significant faux pas. I also found the vet's demeanor unsatisfactory during the initial consultation. He was dismissive of my valid concerns & appeared judgemental when I said my cat was allowed outside on a lead only ('oh, she's one of those!' in a patronising tone). Is it too much to expect professionalism & impartiality when frequenting a vet practice!? It's a shame, as my 3 previous experiences at the practice were positive & the other vets & receptionists were extremely pleasant. I assumed because all the positive reviews & the fact the practice is independently owned my pet would experience outstanding care? I have now had an experience that completely opposes this theory. I always attempt to resolve issues, in the first instance, with effective communication instead of leaving negative reviews allowing the other party an opportunity for redemption. Sadly, on this occasion I was subjected to additional condescension!

Paula Marsden-Robbins

10 months ago

I go regularly to the Hitchin veterinary surgery with all my pets. The receptionists are friendly and efficient and there is a nice atmosphere in the waiting room. The vets are helpful and explain things very clearly. The vets and nurse are very kind and gentle with the pets, so it is less stressful for them. I would highly recommend this veterinary surgery for your pet care.

Tally Hall

I can't speak highly enough of HVS, the whole team are fantastic. Our Jasper is an epileptic dog and they have been wonderful as we have navigated looking after him, and cool, calm and supportive during some of his more dramatic moments (and he is a touch dramatic as shown below)! He wouldn't be here without their care and professionalism, and we are so grateful!