An independent, community-centred practice offering excellent and affordable veterinary care for pets and their owners in and around Tunbridge Wells.

Established over 30 years ago, our aims remain the same - to provide clinical excellence in a caring, compassionate environment and to keep our prices as fair as possible. As an independent practice we do not have shareholders to answer to or growth targets to meet.

We are an independent practice

In the light of recent media coverage regarding corporate veterinary practices please be assured that Dacre House Veterinary Clinic is (and always has been) independently owned.

Set up in 1986 by husband and wife Chris and Sue Murray, Bradley Curtis joined them as a partner in 2010. Chris retired from the clinic in 2013 and Sue in 2016. Since then Bradley and his wife Liz have had full ownership.

We do not have shareholders to answer to and our vets are not subject to any growth targets or incentivised to promote any particular diagnostics or treatments but are free to use their clinical judgement to act in the best interests of our patients and their owners.

Like many organisations we are experiencing dramatic increases in our running costs at the moment but are working hard to try to keep our prices fair and reasonable.

Rabbit vaccinations - an update

You may be aware that earlier in the year there was talk about a new highly virulent strain of RHD2 (Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease). Whilst RHD2 is included in the vaccine that we recommend annually for our rabbits already, there has been some concern that this vaccine may not provide the best protection for the newer highly virulent strains.

There is a new vaccine available now which has been shown effective against some of the most recent RHD2 strains and the Rabbit Association and Welfare Fund (RWAF) is recommending using this vaccine to ensure the best RHD protection. Unfortunately the new vaccine does not include myxomatosis so the current advice is that it is best to use both vaccines each year, although sadly they cannot be given at the same time.

If you would like more information, please get in touch with the reception team by calling 01892 546000 or emailing reception@dacrehouse.co.uk.

Improvements at the Pembury clinic

As many of you will be aware, work is underway at the Pembury branch to significantly improve the provision there.

We've put together a short YouTube video to explain what changes are taking place.

We moved into our new rear building on 6th May, please excuse our appearance while we work on the original front building.

PetPlan Awards

We are proud to have been nominated for the PetPlan Practice of the Year award for the last eight years running - a big thanks to those who voted. We will continue to strive to provide the best care for our patients. A number of our staff members have also received nominations in their individual categories!

Nominations are open now for next year's awards - click here for more information.

Pet travel to the EU and Northern Ireland

To travel to the EU with a dog, cat or ferret you will need an Animal Health Certificate (or a valid EU passport). More information can be found by clicking here, or by visiting the APHA pages at gov.uk.

We are able to help you meet the requirements - but make sure you allow enough time to get this sorted before you travel.

Animal health and welfare

Dacre House is committed to improving animal health and welfare. We carry out work for a number of national and local charities including Cats Protection and the RSPCA. As a member of Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund we are supporting advances in our understanding of rabbit welfare.

Education and training

We are keen to promote learning. Our vets are regularly attending meetings and undertaking courses; a number of our support staff have completed diplomas with us or are currently studying in partnership with various colleges. We offer training placements for veterinary students and work experience for school pupils.

A big thank you from the 3 of us for your great support in a challenging time. Your knowledge, competency and compassion has enabled us to get through this. Samson is up and walking again and couldn't be more pleased with himself.

We just wanted to say a huge thank you for all the care and love you showed not only to Nermal, but also to us as a family during Nermal's illnesses. The care given to the animals at Dacre House is above and beyond...

Just a note to say a huge big thank you for all the care and attention you gave to Molly...

To all, thank you for your help, very much appreciated.

Thank you so much for all of your support over the past couple of years. It was nice to see how much you all cared for our 'little monster' Kasper and did everything you could for him. He was certainly a character and loved coming for his visits with you… You are all amazing, caring people and we are so grateful for all that you did.