Our story

More than a vets, for over 50 years.

For over 50 years, we’ve redefined what exceptional local vet care feels like – combining traditional values, cutting-edge expertise and our compassion for people and pets to build lasting connections. We’re here for the long term, protecting what matters for you, your pets and the generations to come.

where it began

Our roots reach back to 1920 and a small veterinary partnership in Petworth. In 1972, Francis Hunter moved the practice to Pulborough and, from a single clinic in the heart of the village, Arun Veterinary Group was born.

Francis and his practice partner, John Cattell, shared a rare devotion to their work and their patients. It was their example that inspired Matt Gittings, our current owner, to take over the practice in 2006. From that one village clinic, we have grown into a network of community practices across West Sussex, supported by our own state-of-the-art hospitals in Storrington and Chichester, all united by the same ethos.

francis hunter and the origin of AVG

where we come from

When AVG began, every town and village had a local vet like ours, woven into the community. These were family-run practices built on personal, long-standing relationships with pets and their owners. They were more than vets. They were places where people felt they belonged, where team members often spent their whole careers, valued as part of the family rather than part of a machine.

No two practices were alike. Each had its own character and identity, with owners who worked alongside their teams and knew their clients by name. It is a way of caring we have never wanted to lose.

Why we have stayed independent

We could have sold to a larger group, as most local practices eventually have. We chose not to. Staying independent means the decisions about your pet’s care are made here, by people who know you, with the freedom to do what is right and the long-term view to keep investing in the people and facilities our community relies on.

Why our independence matters for you and your pet

Here for the generations to come

We are a modern practice, with cutting-edge facilities and forward-thinking expertise, but we have carried forward the traditional values of our heritage and we remain what we have always been: a community-based, independent practice, striving to protect what matters for you, your pets and the generations to come.

meet our team

IN MEMORY OF FRANCIS HUNTER
1929 – 2013

Our founder, Francis Hunter, touched countless lives through his devotion to animals and his warmth and wisdom. The values he built AVG on still guide us today.

The importance of heritage

Trusted by the West Sussex community

“I have trusted Arun Veterinary Group with my pets for many years, and they are consistently outstanding. The entire team — vets, physiotherapists, nurses, and reception — works seamlessly together and always go above and beyond. Their dedication, expertise, and teamwork have made a real and lasting difference to my pets’ wellbeing.”

SARAH

“Having a terminally ill dog, I have used the out of hours service on several occasions and have found the whole team to be kind, compassionate and caring. I would not hesitate to recommend Arun Vet Group”

Michelle Simmonds

“Matt has been vet to my Border Terrier Louis for the last 10 years. He is caring, dedicated and an accomplished practitioner – who always gets right to the core of the problem. Louis was in a road traffic accident before he was a year old and without Matt caring for him I doubt he would have survived – so thank you Matt for being a true super vet”

Di Williams

“I switched over to Arun Veterinary Group recently and can’t praise them enough! It’s a very friendly but professional practice and you just instantly know that your pet will be given the very best attention – even dogs seem happy to be there! What I like is that medical conditions are explained to you in depth using words you can understand and there is never any pressure in trying any procedure or medication. If they don’t think it will really work they tell you there and then and that is something I really appreciate as with other veterinary groups I have been with it’s been a case of try first then admit it was ineffective afterwards but still charge you. I like Arun’s honesty.”

Di H

“You remind me of an old style GP- approachable, dedicated, nothing too much trouble with extremely good interpersonal skills and clinical excellence that spreads across a very broad diagnostic and therapeutic spectrum. Maybe it takes a Doctor to appreciate a good Doctor!”

Dr. Price