Calder Vets

Calder Vets was first established in Dewsbury over 60 years ago. The original farm animal practice was based in Bottoms house, the large building that now overlooks the main hospital. In the 1970’s, new purpose-built premises were opened where the car park is now situated. As the local population expanded, so the vets workload started to include an increasing number of dogs and cats and by the 1980’s, Calder Vets was a true mixed practice employing 5 full-time vets. The first branch surgery to open was on Doctor Lane in Mirfield and in 1992, a second branch surgery was opened in Horbury. By 1994 we had outgrown the original building so a new veterinary hospital was built at the current site. A third branch surgery was opened in Heckmondwike in 1998.

The new millennium brought some major changes to Calder Vets. The veterinary profession had become far more specialized and individual vets were now choosing to enter either large animal practice (farm animals and horses) or small animal practice (dogs, cats and rabbits). At that time, the main body of our work was with dogs and cats so the decision was taken to become a small animal practice. It was difficult for some of us to say goodbye to the large animal part of our work but it allowed us to concentrate our efforts on improving our standards and expertise in a rapidly developing part of the veterinary profession.

In 2001 we opened a branch surgery in Huddersfield. That same year, we became computerized and attained the coveted RCVS Hospital status for our main premises in Dewsbury. The continual investment in facilities and equipment allowed us to recruit vets with specialist qualifications and experience. Between 2002 and 2009 we opened surgeries in Wakefield, Brighouse, Sandal and Tingley as well as relocating to newer premises in Huddersfield and Mirfield.

We have the highest available standard of accreditation from the RCVS, as well as affiliation to the BVHA and BSAVA.

We are one of only a handful of private practices in the UK with CT and MRI facilities and our main hospital is open 365 days every year. Our inpatient care is second to none, no animal is left on their own as there are vets and nurses on-site 24 hours a day. Our team of vets includes specialists in all the disciplines and much of our workload is referred from other vets in the North of England.

Our biggest strength is the group of people that make up our practice; there are over 25 vets and 30 nurses and our administrative team of receptionists, managers and insurance advisers allow the vets and nurses to concentrate on that part of veterinary practice which is most important, the care of your pet.

When I qualified as a vet in 1983, the demands and expectations made of vets were very different to those of today. In human medicine, treatments and procedures are changing all the time and the veterinary profession is no different. We make sure the care we offer is the best and most up-to-date possible and our clinical team makes sure they are always at the cutting edge of the profession. We care about you but we are not ashamed to say that we care more about your pet.

Finally, we are, of course, all pet owners and animal lovers. In dealing with our patients we never forget that they are a very important part of your family.

Like you, we know and appreciate how much animals can enrich our lives and we never lose sight of the fact that our pets are all individuals worthy of compassion as well as the highest standards of our care. 

This website is a new venture for us and we hope you find it useful.  Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

Steve Dixon

 

Managing partner