VETERINARY INDEPENDENCE

Proudly independent.

Most local vets are now owned by large national companies. We remain proudly independent. Staying independent is a deliberate choice, and it shapes everything about the care your pet receives.

WHAT THAT MEANS FOR YOUR PET

When a practice answers to a distant head office, care can begin to follow company policy rather than your pet’s needs.
Independence lets us do the opposite:

Decisions are made here, locally, by the people who actually care for your pet, not set by a corporate office elsewhere.

Your vet has the time and autonomy to give unhurried, personal care and to recommend what is genuinely right for your pet.

You see the same trusted faces year after year, because our people put down roots and stay.

We invest for the long term, in our people, our facilities and our community, rather than for short-term shareholder returns.

CARE LED BY YOUR PET, NOT BY POLICY

Because no one outside our practice sets our priorities, the question that guides us is what is best for your pet. That means honest advice, clear choices and recommendations you can trust, delivered with the compassion and personal touch that has always been ours. Of course, we have policies and procedures, but we will always discuss these with a “common sense” approach, and if they need adjusting for your situation, the people with the authority to do that are right here.

THE PEOPLE WHO CARE FOR YOUR PET, HERE FOR THE LONG TERM

Independence also lets us look after our team properly, with genuine support, open communication and the freedom to practise the medicine they love. Vets and nurses who feel valued stay, and that continuity is one of the quiet ways independence works in your favour: familiar faces who know you and your pet, and who are still here next year and the year after.

BUILT FOR THE COMMUNITY, INVESTED FOR THE FUTURE

We have no intention of standing still or being absorbed by a larger name. We grow not to sell, but to preserve, so that personal, community-rooted care has a secure future here in Sussex. We see it as our responsibility to protect this practice, and its heritage, for the generations of pets and families still to come.

WHAT BEING INDEPENDENT REALLY MEANS

Across the country, the majority of veterinary practices have been bought by large corporate groups, often without their clients ever realising. AVG is different. We have been locally owned for over 50 years, founded by Francis Hunter and passed through generations of Sussex vets who have each safeguarded what makes this practice special.

For us, independence is not just a badge. It is the freedom to keep you and your pet at the centre of every decision we make.

Find out more about our heritage

Our promise

We will always put the needs of our clients and their pets first, and grow AVG for the good of everyone who depends on it. That is the difference independence makes, and it is a difference you can feel at every visit.

read our story

What makes us different

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