Room for plenty more paws.

We are accepting new clients.

Canterbury Sturry Rd Vets4Pets

Inside Pets at Home
Marshwood Close
Sturry Road
Canterbury
Kent
CT1 1DX
01227 477 990 Chat on WhatsApp

Closed Now

Need emergency care? See out of hours information.

Opening Hours

  • Monday  - 
  • Tuesday  - 
  • Wednesday  - 
  • Thursday  - 
  • Friday  - 
  • Saturday  - 
  • Sunday Closed

Advanced services

We have invested considerably in our team and kit to make a number of advanced services available to our clients, including using Phovia light therapy to promote wound healing. We also accept referrals from other practices.

Orthopaedics

Our veterinary team have undertaken advanced training to allow us to perform orthopaedic surgery in our practice. If your pet develops an abnormality involving their skeleton or joints, such as elbow dysplasia, a patella (kneecap) that gets stuck, or a torn cruciate ligament, an orthopaedic procedure may help them.

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Ultrasound

We are pleased to be able to offer ultrasound scanning in practice, which is a painless way to look inside your pet’s body to find out what’s going on. 

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Meet the team

craig alfie

Craig Mitchell

Practice Owner & Veterinary Surgeon

BVSc MRCVS

Read Craig Mitchell bio

Vet and owner working together for a common goal - giving your pet the longest, happiest and healthiest life possible.” I graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2009 where I achieved a pass with distinction in small animal, large animal and equine studies.

I was originally born in Essex (but don’t let that put you off!) and moved to the beautiful county of Kent with my partner Amy after graduating from vet school.

I have worked locally around Canterbury for many years. My team is well established and we have worked well as a close group of friends and colleagues for the last 2 1/2 years before setting up the practice.

As a pet owner I understand that every pet is a much loved member of the family and I treat every patient as such. In my spare time I enjoy country walks and putting my feet up in front of the TV with a takeaway!

Natalia

Natalia Dargacz

Veterinary Surgeon

DrVetMed MRCVS

Read Natalia Dargacz bio

Natalia qualified from Wroclaw University in Poland. She completed an internship & worked as a general practitioner in a small animal clinic in Poland until 2023 when she moved to the UK with her partner , little dog Pchelek & rabbit Pretzel to come & work with us here at Sturry Rd.

Natalia is highly motivated to improve her knowledge & skills to provide the best care for your pets.

In her free time she enjoys dancing, walking with her dog & exploring new places.

shelly puppy

Shelly Thorne

Practice Owner & Registered Veterinary Nurse

RVN

Read Shelly Thorne bio

We are a small family feel team so you’ll be sure to see the same faces each time – not only is this good for continuity of care but we really get to know you and your pets!

I qualified as an Veterinary Nurse in 1995 & have been dreaming of owning my own Veterinary practice  so that I can use my experience to provide the best & most compassionate care for my patients.

I have worked in several practices including a referral hospital as head nurse and more recently at Companion Care in Wincheap.I am now looking forward to a new challenge as joint partner at the Vets4Pets Canterbury Sturry Road surgery.

Many of our existing clients are people we have known for years and appreciate the core values we stand for – compassion, integrity and transparency.

We are looking to extend our “family” of clients and reach out to the local community as a whole! I have a bouncy Labrador at home that keeps me busy whenever I am not working.

felicity

Felicity West

Registered Veterinary Nurse

RVN

Read Felicity West bio

“Providing high standards of care for you and your pet is my number one priority”

Hi I'm Felicity. I have worked with Shelly for over 25 years so I am thrilled to be part of this exciting new practice!

Since qualifying in 1998 I have worked within various referral disciplines giving me vast experience in all aspects of veterinary care – medical nursing is my passion! I also work closely with “pets as therapy” charity. I am a mum to two children and enjoy seaside walks in my spare time.

jade

Jade Arlott

Student Veterinary Nurse

Read Jade Arlott bio

I have always wanted to work with animals since I was a child, I initially started working at Vets4pets as a volunteer enabling me to complete my Veterinary Care Assistant qualification in my spare time.

I was over the moon when I was offered a permanent postion at the practice, as I love being part of the Sturry Road Team, who have made me feel really welcome and helped me start the journey of my Veterinary career, and now in 2023 I have enrolled on the Veterinary Nursing course to become a registered Veterinary Nurse.

My caring, friendly nature means I find it really rewarding helping to take care of the animals at Vets4Pets and forming professional relationships with their owners In my spare time I enjoy walking my black labrador CJ who has helped save lives on several occasions as he is a blood donor dog for the practice.

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Ellie Matanle

Registered Veterinary Nurse

RVN

Read Ellie Matanle bio

Working with animals has always been my passion, but I have a special place in my heart for our feline friends. I have been working in a Veterinary Surgery since 1998 where I initially met & worked with Shelly & Felicity . Shelly helped with my Vet Nurse training and to qualify in 2002. I absolutely love all animals but I have a special interest in cats & am known as the cat whisperer here at Sturry Road, meow! I enjoy training student nurses and am currently mentoring Jade as she trains for her qualification as a Veterinary Nursing Assistant. I love working with all the team here and providing a fantastic service for all the lovely pets that visit us.
LUCY

Miss Lucy James

Registered Veterinary Nurse

RVN N Cert ( Anaes)

Read Miss Lucy James bio

 

Lucy qualified as a Vet Nurse in 2015 and has worked in first opinion practice and also at a specialist referral centre, where she gained a special interest in anaesthesia. Following on from this Lucy undertook an advanced qualification & is now the proud holder of the Nursing certificate in Anaesthesia.

Lucy recently became a Mum, and enjoys family time with her husband, daughter & their dog Millie.

rosie S

Mrs Rosie Spampinato

Registered Veterinary Nurse

RVN

Read Mrs Rosie Spampinato bio

I first started my veterinary nursing career in 2005 at a practice in Folkestone & enrolled as a student nurse,I really  enjoyed it but unfortunately due to personal circumstances I l paused  my training.

I then stayed home with two small children and decided to use my time helping new families adjust to parenthood and all that may bring.

In 2010 I returned to veterinary nursing for just over a year working at the Barton Veterinary Hospital where I gained a lot of experience in nursing more complex cases. From there I went on to work for Vets Now on reception in the evenings, this gave me great experience in communication and triaging of patients.

My family then moved across the world to Zimbabwe where we spent 5 years, during that time I continued to work with animals alongside the SPCA and ended up with 4 dogs having only left the UK with 1!

On my return to the UK, now with three children, I went back to the practice I first started at in 2005 to cover reception on a Saturday whilst my children were still small. Once my youngest started at primary school and a visit to Vets Now with my elderly cat, relighting a fire and determination in me to go back to veterinary nursing and to complete my training to join the register.

In 2019 I started work at a practice in Dover where I managed to complete my training during the pandemic, with three children, a husband and a home to take care of as well as being one of the eldest in my class!

I qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in April 2023 and joined Vets4Pets Sturry Road. My interests at the moment include running nurse clinics, behaviour of animals in clinic and upholding high standards of patient care. I feel very supported at Sturry Road and glad to have joined such a wonderful team. I am looking forward to many years here and getting to know the clients and their pets. 

lauren g

Miss Lauren Godden

Registered Veterinary Nurse

RVN

Read Miss Lauren Godden bio

I qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2015, having  previously worked in first opinion, exotic & orthopaedic referral. 

I have recently studied the ISFM Feline Nursing Diploma because I love cats!

I am a mum of two, and I have a sassy one-eyed cat called April! 

 

amanda

Amanda Prescott

Receptionist

Read Amanda Prescott bio

“A friendly face connecting you to the highest standards of veterinary care ” I have been a veterinary receptionist for the last 4 years and an employee of Pets at Home for 5 year prior. I love getting to know owners and their pets and helping in any way I can. Recently I have been nominated for the prestigious award of Petplans “Receptionist of the year”. My partner and I own a cute little Yorkshire terrier who we rescued called Lily. In my spare time I enjoy keeping fit and making Victoria sponges for cake sales!
jules

Juliet Bondzio

Receptionist

Read Juliet Bondzio bio

Juliet (aka Jules) came to V4P's from 12 years in HR, having previously worked in a bookshop, a gym, a golf club and as a holiday rep in Kos.

She has 1 dog and 3 cats and is long term fostering her Aunt's 2 dogs so she's a bit of a soft touch! Don't ask her how she ended up with 29 guinea pigs!!

In her spare time she can be found at her cousin's fields lending a hand with the horses, ponies and chickens and in any left over time she's also very creative , knitting, crocheting and sewing. She is sporting one of her own hats in her picture.

 

Jules is very happy to be working for us and cannot wait until restrictions ease and she can actually make a fuss of all of your pets.

Abigale J

Abigale Johns

Kennel Assistant

eva

Miss Eva Piplica

VCA/Receptionist

Read Miss Eva Piplica bio

Since joining the Sturry Rd team last year, I have gained so much animal care experience as well as creating long lasting memories with this amazing team. 
 
Not only do I love working with animals, I rescued my dog Maggie from the practice who now joins me at home with Lenny her new brother! 
 
I enjoy providing patient care and ensure they have a comfortable experience because there is nothing nicer than seeing our regular patients for cuddles.

Vets4Pets Canterbury Sturry Rd is owned and run by Vet Craig Mitchell & Registered Veterinary Nurse Shelly Thorne who are committed to bringing you a family feel practice with high quality veterinary care via a modern, well equipped surgery.

We aim treat your pet like one of our own with our amazing team here at Sturry Rd.

Our team are devoted to their work and passionate about pets! We believe a good working environment is important and offer many benefits. Interested in coming to work for us? Click here to see our latest vacancies.

Reviews

Services

  • Emergency cover
    Even if we are closed, we have your pet covered.
  • Anaesthesia
    General anaesthetic enables us to perform many procedures kindly and safely for your pet.
  • Biochemistry
    Allows an assessment of the functionality of a patients organs.
  • Blood Pressure Monitor
    Used to measure the range of blood pressure as a preventative treatment to identify early signs of systemic hypertension.

Show more services

  • Blood Transfusion
    Treats many critically ill cats and dogs and our pioneering blood donor programme helps keep them alive.
  • Chemotherapy & Cancer Treatment
    Dogs and cats that receive chemotherapy feel normal the day they are given the drug.
  • Dentistry
    The treatment and prevention of dental disease
  • Digital X-Ray
    Digital X ray equipment is available.
  • Ear Surgery
    Ear Surgery service is available to keep your pet free from any infections.
  • Electrolyte
    Enables the assessment of critical blood chemicals such as sodium and potassium.
  • Endoscopy
    Enables us to capture real-time images of internal organs and structures using an endoscope.
  • Haematology – Blood testing
    Allows the assessment of a patient's blood and blood cells.
  • Health Plans
    Designed to cover all the regular pet care essentials such as vaccinations and flea and worm prevention, whilst saving you money.
  • Hospital Ward
    Suite of custom-built kennels for the housing and monitoring of in-patients.
  • In house blood transfusions
    In house blood transfusions
  • In-house Laboratory
    A range of analytical tests and equipment to assist in the rapid diagnosis of illness.
  • Isolation Unit
    A special ward to care for animals with contagious diseases.
  • Locally Owned
    This practice is locally owned.
  • Medication
    Medication
  • Microchipping
    A microchip can help retrieve lost pets
  • Nurse Clinic
    Appointments with a highly qualified nurse which can cover anything from nutrition and fitness advice, grooming techniques, to pet socialisation classes.
  • Nutritional Advice
    Advice and support for your pet's diet.
  • Operating Theatre
    An operating theatre with gaseous anaesthetic facility for surgical procedures.
  • Pet Passport / Animal Health Certificate
    Trained Official Veterinarian vets to issue Pet Passports, Fit to Fly letters and rabies serology tests.
  • Prescriptions
    We can provide written prescriptions upon request.
  • Rabbit Medicine and Testing
    Rabbit Medicine and Testing
  • Separated Dog & Cat Wards and Isolation Units
    Separate cat and dog hospital wards, designed to ensure your pet is kept in a comfortably stress free environment.
  • Small Mammal Medicine and Surgery
    Small Mammal Medicine and Surgery
  • Soft Tissue
    Surgical procedures involving the soft tissues such as ears and skin.
  • Ultrasound
    Generates 2-D moving images of your pet’s internal organs at work.
  • Weight Clinic
    Monitoring clinic to help dogs and cats achieve optimal weights – both if they have been under or overweight
  • X-Ray
    Generates digital 2D images of bones and internal organs.
  • X-Ray & Ultrasound
    X-Ray & Ultrasound

Health Plans

Health Plan

Complete Care

From £9.99* per month
Save over £300† on routine healthcare
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Health Plan

Complete Care Plus

From £19.99* per month
Our most comprehensive plan for dogs and cats
complete-care-plus-lozenge

Health Plans

Flea & Worm Pack

Protect your pet and your pocket!
dog in field

Out of hours

Vets Now Herne Bay
c/o Broadway Veterinary Centre
Unit 1, The Links
Herne
Kent
CT6 7FE

Telephone: 01227 470 033

Standard consultation fees start from £309