Senior Small Animal Vet Surgeon in Horley

Horley, Surrey. From £50k with a package reflecting your impact. What if your next role gave you real clinical autonomy, the backing of an experienced team, and the chance to shape how a practice evolves. Veterinary medicine should be meaningful, not mechanical. It should challenge you without draining you, and inspire you without burning you out. You belong in a place that stands for clinical excellence and the community you serve. Welcome to Gayton Vets.

Gayton Vets is seeking an experienced lead small animal vet to take clinical lead of their Horley branch, offering the autonomy of clinical ownership while remaining integrated with the wider GVG team and their shared values. This is a sole charge role supported by a brilliant RVN and team, allowing for thorough case work-ups, strong client relationships, and the opportunity to shape the development of the branch. If you ever want a second opinion, a tricky case discussion or just another vet to bounce ideas off, their main practice in Redhill is a short drive away. They are an independent practice that’s been vet-owned for decades. In fact, their recent partnership change was specifically designed to keep it that way. Many of their vets have been with them 10–15+ years. They like to think that says something about the place.

What your week might look like:

• 4 days per week (3 considered for the right person)
• 1 in 4 Saturday mornings (9–1)
• Time off in lieu if Saturdays worked
• No out-of-hours
• Genuine case continuity – follow cases through
• Time to build real client relationships

Your clinic:

The Horley branch is small but very well equipped, including:

• Digital X-ray
• Ultrasound
• Fully equipped theatre
• IDEXX in-house blood machines
• Dentistry equipment
• Two consulting rooms

They also work with visiting specialists across numerous disciplines including imaging, medicine, ophthalmology, soft tissue surgery and orthopaedics. They have access to out-patient CT when needed. So, you’ll have the freedom of a branch practice without feeling professionally isolated.

What’s in it for you?

• Base salary from £50,000 with earnings reflecting your overall contribution
• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays (additional week for long service)
• Generous CPD allowance of up £2500, and support for clinical interests
• Paid professional fees
• Staff pet care scheme
• A genuinely supportive long-standing team

Life outside the clinic:

You’ll be based close to Reigate, a brilliant little Surrey town packed with great cafés, pubs and independent shops. Step outside town and you’re straight into the rolling countryside of the Surrey Hills. Fancy a run, ride or cycle? Box Hill is practically on your doorstep. When city life calls, London is an easy train ride away, and if you’re craving sea air, Brighton is close enough for a spontaneous trip to the coast.

So, what’s next?

If you’re an experienced vet looking to lead a small clinic, whilst still being part of a bigger supportive team, this could be the move that changes everything. Forget the polished application; just reach out with whatever version of your CV you have on hand. We want to know the person, not just the paperwork. Love your patients, trust your team, and thrive here at the Gayton Veterinary Group.