River Veterinary Care is an independent small-animal practice in Bell Villas, Ponteland. Modern facilities, gold-standard medicine, and the kind of personal care your pet deserves — from the team who'd want it for their own.
From routine check-ups and vaccinations through to keyhole surgery and emergency care — modern medicine, delivered personally, by a team that treats every pet as an individual.
Routine check-ups, puppy and kitten courses, annual boosters and senior health screens — thorough appointments with vets who get to know your pet.
Learn moreMinimally invasive laparoscopic procedures — smaller wounds, less pain and faster recovery. Alex is one of the few vets in the North East offering this in-house.
Learn moreFrom cruciate repairs to fracture work, advanced orthopaedic surgery led by a clinician with a GP certificate in small animal surgery.
Learn moreSpread the cost of preventative care across the year. Vaccinations, parasite control, health checks and member discounts — one simple monthly fee.
Join the clubAnimal Health Certificates, microchipping, rabies vaccinations and tapeworm treatment — everything you need to take your pet abroad, sorted in-house.
Travel infoYou'll always reach one of our regular vets — with full access to your pet's medical history. We never delegate out-of-hours to an external provider.
Emergency lineA glimpse into the day-to-day at River Vets — the cases we love, the team behind them, and the families we've come to know.
Smaller wounds, less pain, faster recovery. Procedures like laparoscopic spays are performed through tiny incisions — a far gentler experience for your pet, especially the larger breeds.
Our hospital ward is staffed around the clock by registered veterinary nurses, monitoring recovery, pain relief and comfort. No transfers, no unfamiliar faces.
Cruciate repairs, fracture work and complex joint surgery, all carried out in-house by a clinician with an advanced GP certificate in small animal surgery.
From the first phone call to the post-op check, the same small team will know you and your pet by name — the way an independent practice should.
River Vets was founded by Alex Hirst — the revolutionary force behind an independent small-animal practice in Bell Villas. After years in the veterinary industry, Alex set out to build a modern hospital with a gold-standard level of care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
As animal lovers ourselves, your pets are treated with the same care and affection we give our own. We believe in seeing each pet as an individual, tailoring everything we do to their needs.
Locally owned and run — no corporate scripts, no rotating clinicians.
You'll always reach one of our own vets, with full access to your pet's records.
Keyhole and orthopaedic procedures led by a GP-certificate clinician.
A small, dedicated team of vets, nurses and care assistants — led by founder Alex Hirst.
A small selection from the reviews we've collected since opening.
New patients welcome. Drop us a line, give us a ring, or use the online booker — whichever feels easiest.