Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

Veterinary Surgeon

Salary up to £65,000 DOE, relocation allowance up to £4,000 and a welcome bonus up to £3,000.

About the Practice

Ark House Vets, based in the beautiful market town of Leighton Buzzard, is looking for a confident and friendly Veterinary Surgeon to join our supportive team. If you enjoy a varied caseload, a close‑knit practice culture and a role where your skills are genuinely valued, this could be the perfect next step.

A Caseload with Plenty of Variety

Our patients include cats, dogs, rabbits, small furries and the occasional exotic or wildlife case brought in by our community‑minded clients.

We offer a great balance between consults and surgeries, with procedures typically including routine spays, castrates, lumpectomies, dentals and ECC work when required. We benefit from a wealth of in‑house experience but also maintain excellent relationships with local practices to refer cases when appropriate.

The Equipment You Need to Do Your Best Work

You’ll have access to everything you’d expect from a modern first‑opinion practice, including X‑ray, dental X‑ray, ultrasound and a flexible endoscope. We’re looking for a vet who is confident in surgery and comfortable working sole charge when needed, supported by a capable, experienced nursing team.

A Practice Full of Character and Modern Comforts

Our single‑site practice sits within a converted house right in the town centre and is currently undergoing a renovation to give it a fresh new feel. Inside, you’ll find a spacious reception area, four consult rooms including a dedicated RVN room and another with a moveable wall for added flexibility.

The practice benefits from a well‑organised dispensary behind reception, prep area, theatre, separate cat and dog wards, a dedicated dental suite with dental X‑ray, an X‑ray room, and a lab equipped with a full IDEXX suite and a new microscope. There are also quiet office spaces for admin and a comfortable staff area with kitchen facilities, tea and coffee, weekly fruit deliveries and a good supply of snacks.

On‑site parking makes life that little bit easier too.

A Working Week That Works for You

Our full‑time rota consists of four nine‑hour days from Monday to Friday, with a 1 in 4 Saturday morning which runs from 8:30 until 1 and is sole charge. There is no out‑of‑hours work, allowing you to enjoy a predictable and healthy work‑life balance.

A Skilled Team with Plenty of Support

You’ll be joining a friendly team of two vets, seven RVNs and a client care team of five including our Practice Manager. We also have visiting specialists in cardiology, diagnostics, soft tissue surgery and orthopaedics, with opportunities for mentoring and learning new techniques. If you're considering working towards a certificate, we’re more than happy to discuss how we can support you.

We’re also proud to give back by supporting charities such as Cats Protection and Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Why Leighton Buzzard Could Be Your Next Home

Leighton Buzzard offers the best of both worlds, a peaceful Bedfordshire market town with beautiful countryside, riverside walks and a strong community spirit, while also boasting excellent transport links into London, Milton Keynes and beyond. The town centre is full of shops, cosy cafés and local markets, and the surrounding area offers stunning green spaces including Rushmere Country Park and the Chilterns.

Whether you love exploring the outdoors, want easy connections for commuting or just enjoy a friendly, welcoming place to settle, Leighton Buzzard has plenty to offer for anyone considering relocation.

Because our people matter

We recognise that our people are fundamental to the success of our business. Investing in our people, premises and processes is at the heart of what we do. In addition to a competitive base salary, you will benefit from the following:

• Work‑life balance: 6.6 weeks annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays
• Additional holiday entitlement for your birthday
• Wellbeing:
  Private Medical Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 confidential helpline
• Enhanced family‑friendly policies, including maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay
• Initiatives focused on…