Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon

Are you an experienced small animal vet looking for a place that truly feels like home — with clinical freedom, a supportive team, and countryside views that make you smile every morning?

Welcome to Friars Moor Vets – proudly independent, proudly Dorset, and proud of the close-knit team we’ve built since 1957.

Here, you’ll be part of a team that values people as much as patients, independence as much as innovation, and teamwork as much as talent. We combine the best of traditional, personal veterinary care with the freedom and flexibility that only true independence allows.

Here’s why our team love working at Friars Moor:

• Clinical development and career growth opportunities
• A friendly, down-to‑earth team who genuinely enjoy what they do
• Freedom to pursue your clinical interests and leadership roles
• Outstanding work‑life balance in a stunning countryside setting
• Stability and security in a proudly independent practice that’s here for the long haul

If you’re looking for a place where you can grow, laugh, learn, and truly belong — this might just be it.

We’re a well‑established small animal practice with three branches in the stunning Blackmore Vale –
Sturminster Newton, Shaftesbury, and Blandford – serving a loyal client base across Dorset, Wiltshire, and Somerset. We combine exceptional care with a personal touch, building lasting relationships with both clients and their beloved pets.

As a proudly independent practice
, we’re run by vets who still work on the ground. That means we understand the realities of practice life and are committed to giving our team genuine clinical freedom, collaborative support, and opportunities for growth.

We’re also active members of XLVets and part of the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme
, blending modern clinical excellence with the warmth and continuity of a true community practice.

Our fantastic nine‑vet team brings together years of experience and a wide range of interests – from medicine and surgery to ophthalmology and beyond. There’s always someone ready to lend a hand or share advice, and we enjoy a varied, stimulating caseload with plenty of opportunities to learn from one another.

We hold weekly clinical meetings for case discussions (and the occasional guest talk), encouraging collaboration and continual learning. Our Whats App group keeps everyone connected day‑to‑day, making it easy to bounce ideas off each other or get a quick second opinion.

You’ll be supported by an exceptional group of experienced RVNs and support staff who are as passionate about patient care as you are. Many rotate across branches to maintain consistency and connection, ensuring you always feel part of one cohesive team.

Everyone here is approachable — there are no egos, just a genuine, friendly culture where people share cases, ideas, and even snacks in equal measure.

Each of our branches is modern, welcoming, and well‑equipped, with digital X‑ray, ultrasound, K‑laser, in‑house lab
, and all the usual toys you’d expect. We also work closely with visiting orthopaedic surgeons from Rata and have excellent relationships with local referral practices, including Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists
.

Our full‑time vets work a four‑day week (8:30 am–6:30 pm), with a set day off that actually stays your day off. You’ll usually work across two of our three branches
, enjoying a mix of consulting and operating shifts to keep each day varied and interesting.

We understand the demands of veterinary life and truly welcome flexible working – whether that means adjusting your schedule to fit family commitments or choosing the branch that best suits your commute.

Yes, we still do our own out‑of‑hours – but before you scroll on, it’s genuinely manageable and an opportunity for growth and discovery
. We share our OOH rota with a neighbouring practice, meaning you’ll be on call roughly one weeknight every fortnight and one full weekend in ten (and in reality, it’s usually less). The Saturday rota is just 1 in 12
, which includes Friday night on‑call and Saturday morning consults (8:30 am–1:00 pm).

Our dedicated OOH nurses handle…