We’re hiring!

Key details

Location: Kent/Surrey/Sussex Borders

Position: Full-time or Part-time (1–2 FTE available)

Salary: Starting from £40,000 per annum (pro rata for part-time), negotiable depending on experience

Start Date: Q1 2027

Working Pattern: No OOH; 1 in 3 Saturday mornings on rota

Not just another vet role

If you’ve ever felt constrained by protocols, targets, short consultation times, or the pressure to practise medicine a certain way, we should talk.

We are a genuinely independent veterinary practice doing things differently.

Our approach is centred on clinical freedom, whole-patient care, and providing the time and tools needed to achieve the best outcomes for every animal we treat. We believe veterinary medicine should be thoughtful, compassionate and tailored to the individual, not driven by corporate policies or sales targets.

As we continue to grow, we’re looking for experienced Veterinary Surgeons to join our close-knit team and help shape the future of an ambitious, independent practice serving both companion animals and a wide range of exotic species.

About us

We are a first-opinion practice built on honesty, integrity and genuine compassion.

Rather than rushing from appointment to appointment, every consultation includes a comprehensive physical examination, allowing us to fully understand each patient’s needs. Alongside conventional veterinary treatment, we take an integrative approach to care, incorporating nutraceuticals, acupuncture, physiotherapy and other supportive therapies where appropriate to improve patient wellbeing and quality of life.

Our purpose-built environment has been designed around fear-free principles, with separate wards for dogs, cats, reptiles and other exotic species to minimise stress and create a calmer experience for patients, owners and staff alike.

Just as importantly, we’ve built a culture where people genuinely enjoy coming to work.

There are no layers of hierarchy, no politics and no egos. Every member of the team is respected and valued, regardless of position. Open communication, mutual trust and collaboration underpin everything we do, helping us build lasting relationships with both our colleagues and our clients.

The opportunity

This is a role for people who enjoy variety, autonomy and the freedom to practise medicine based on their professional judgement.

You’ll see a diverse first-opinion caseload including dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, rabbits, small mammals and a wide range of exotic species. No two days are the same, and you’ll have the opportunity to develop your interests across medicine, surgery and dentistry.

We’re particularly interested in vets who enjoy thinking beyond the obvious, building strong client relationships and taking ownership of their cases from start to finish.

You should be comfortable with sole charge and confident managing both medical and surgical cases.

Another interesting aspect of the role is the opportunity to work in our mobile veterinary service, bringing high-quality veterinary care directly to patients in their own homes. This service allows us to provide a level of flexibility and accessibility rarely seen in first-opinion practice.

Our facilities

Both our static clinic and mobile veterinary ambulance are comprehensively equipped to support a varied and rewarding caseload, including:

• Full digital radiography and ultrasound imaging
• Dedicated surgical theatres
• Modern anaesthetic monitoring equipment
• Specialist exotic animal surgical and dental equipment
• Dedicated dental suite
• Species-specific inpatient and recovery wards
• Fear-free clinical environment designed around animal welfare

What we’re looking for

Essential

• MRCVS with a full right to work in the UK
• Confident in first-opinion small animal medicine and soft tissue surgery
• Comfortable working sole charge when required
• Excellent communication skills and a client-focused approach
• A collaborative team player who values mutual respect, kindness and patient welfare above hierarchy

Desirable

• Experience managing avian, reptile and small mammal cases
• An active interest in developing exotic animal skills
• Experience in small animal dentistry
• Full UK driving licence (helpful for mobile clinic work, but not essential)

Whether you already have extensive exotic experience or are keen to further develop your knowledge in this area, we’d love to hear from you.

What we offer

• Competitive salary starting from £40,000 (FTE), scaled up for advanced clinical or exotic experience
• Genuine clinical autonomy within the practice policies and ethos: no corporate restrictions or targets
• Balanced working hours with no out-of-hours (OOH) commitments
• 1 in 3 Saturday mornings on a fair rota basis
• Generous CPD allowance, actively supported and encouraged
• RCVS and VDS fees paid
• Staff pet discount scheme for up to 3 pets
• Auto-enrolment into company pension scheme
• Opportunity to influence and help shape a growing independent practice
• Supportive, non-hierarchical team culture

Why join us?

This position would suit Veterinary Surgeons looking for more than simply their next job.

It’s an opportunity to join a genuinely independent practice where your opinion matters, your professional judgement is trusted, and your patients receive the time and care they deserve.

Whether your passion lies in companion animals, exotics, integrative medicine, surgery, dentistry, or building long-term client relationships, you’ll find the freedom and support to develop your career in the direction that interests you.

How to apply

To apply, please submit your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your clinical interests and approach to patient care to business@skylarkvets.co.uk.

Please note that we are recruiting for up to 2 FTE vets, so applications will be considered both from those with exotics experience and from those without.

Please also note that the earliest we will be able to reply to applicants will be 13 November. Interviews will be scheduled from 17 November.

As part of our commitment to building a harmonious, long-term team, shortlisted candidates will be invited to complete a brief personality profile questionnaire prior to the second-stage interview.