Working Environment

Practice-based vets work on a rota system to provide 24-hour cover, seven days a week.

Much of the work is carried out in a surgery, although treatment of large animals requires travel to sometimes remote establishments – a driving licence is generally required. Vets could work at any time of day or night, and in all weathers – often in unpleasant conditions. Protective clothing is necessary.

Veterinary Surgeon Related Skills

To be a veterinary surgeon you should:

• have a high level of scientific ability and the commitment to undertake lengthy and continual training
• be prepared to work long and irregular hours
• care about the welfare of animals without being overly sentimental
• be physically fit, manually dexterous and have good powers of observation
• be comfortable making difficult or unpopular decisions
• have an assertive nature to enforce public health and hygiene laws
• communicate with animal owners in a patient, sensitive and sympathetic way
• have the management and business skills to run a practice
• be IT literate.

Veterinary Surgeon Career Opportunities

There are about 9,000 practising vets registered in the UK. Over half work in general practice and are usually self-employed. Most start as assistants in private practices, are promoted to senior assistants in two to three years and later buy a share in the practice or set up on their own.

Outside general practice, opportunities exist in: local or central government; industry or research establishments; education; animal welfare organisations; pet food and drug companies; the armed forces; zoos and wildlife parks; organisations connected with agriculture. There are increasing opportunities for work in public health.

RCVS-registered vets have the right to practise elsewhere in the European Union. There may be opportunities in other countries, but professional requirements vary. Some work in developing countries with charities such as the International Development Administration (IDA) or the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).