Companion Care vet center in Farnborough, Hants - Opinions?

Hey everyone,
So it's rapidly approaching the time I need to get my girls spayed. I have two vouchers to get them done for free at Companion Care (I'm in Farnborough, so would be using that one if I went with them - just on the off chance anyone else has used them). What are your opinions? I was a little put off by the fact that they're in P@H and worried they might have a get-them-in-and-out-asap attitude (with that now said, for all the mixed feelings I know people have towards P@H I have to admit I've always been impressed with our local one. I've never seen an ill animal and when I adopted mine they were really thorough with me and made sure I was going to look after them).
But thinking about it they must surely do a lot of rabbits? Especially as this center is literally at the back of P@H (at least I think it is!) Plus as I understand it they are independent of P@H?
I have a very kind vet locally (Nine Mile Veterinary Center) who I took Willow to. I was initially thinking of having them done there.
What do you think?
Has anyone ever used a Companion Care center before?
What sort of questions do I ask to determine whether or not they're rabbit-savvy? I was thinking of things like when they are released (if they wait for them to eat, drink, poop ect), how long they give painkillers for after the op (iirc this should be a week?), how many do they do and what is the mortality rate, and what should I do before taking them in (to see if they want me to starve them from a cetain time, as I know this is dangerous for rabbits - so if they suggest it, I know not to use them). Are they the right sort of questions? Also any tips on how to do it without offending them?
Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Obviously it would be better financially to use Companion Care as it means I can put the money a spay would have cost away in a fund for if they should get ill/need urgent veterinary care later. But I want to make this decision based on what is better for my girls, not what is better financially.

All the Companion Care/Vets4Pets branches are different. Like any practice, there are good and bad in terms of the skills of the vets there. They are independent of Pets at Home, as you say.

One thing I will say is that at ours I have seen a lot of rabbits there recently, due to the vouchers given by Pets at Home. When I was in the waiting room recently I saw more rabbits than cats and dogs, which is definitely a first.

I agree with the questions you were thinking of. Giving painkiller to take home with you would be the main thing for me.

edit: forgot to say a couple of things!

When you speak to them, you could just ask them what the routine is for spaying and neutering rabbits, and check whether they say not to starve etc. Then, if they don't mention it, ask whether they need painkiller bringing home with them. It needn't sound like a test, I don't think.

Also, one thing that is good about them is that they offer a 7 day a week service, so you are often able to avoid an emergency vet that way. Not that I'm recommending your practice specifically - obviously it's no good having a 7 day a week service if the vets aren't much good!

Thank you so much, SarahP - that was really helpful


One thing I will say is that at ours I have seen a lot of rabbits there recently, due to the vouchers given by Pets at Home. When I was in the waiting room recently I saw more rabbits than cats and dogs, which is definitely a first.
That's what I suddenly thought of last night. Since P@H are offering those vouchers to anyone who buys or adopts a rabbit at the moment, it seems to me the vets must have a degree of experience at this point. I managed to get the names of the vets at my local one, and I know the head vet has been there since it opened a couple of years ago as I remember seeing his picture on a card that we were given when they first opened.


When you speak to them, you could just ask them what the routine is for spaying and neutering rabbits, and check whether they say not to starve etc. Then, if they don't mention it, ask whether they need painkiller bringing home with them. It needn't sound like a test, I don't think.
That's a brilliant idea, and I think it could be worded to sound polite and without sounding too judgemental, while still telling me what I need to know.
Am I right to think a week is the amount of time they should be on painkillers? I seem to recall reading that recently (I think it was a member on here, but might be wrong)

Also, one thing that is good about them is that they offer a 7 day a week service, so you are often able to avoid an emergency vet that way. Not that I'm recommending your practice specifically - obviously it's no good having a 7 day a week service if the vets aren't much good!
I know! I wish I had known that a few weeks ago when Willow desperately needed a vet on a Sunday night/early Monday morning. While I'm sure it wouldn't have changed the outcome, she at least wouldn't have had to struggle for as long.
That said, I did my best to keep her comfortable and she really put up a strong fight. And, while it probably sounds selfish, I at least got the chance to spend a little time with her.
Goodness I miss her so much

Im afraid I cant offer much advice, however if you do decide to go with them I would be interested to hear of your experience as I am near Farnham only around 15mins from Farnborough! :wave: I will be using the Windlesham vets when I get buns again as I have heard good things about Gill, the Rabbit Savvy vet there. x

Also I just an after thought, rather than putting money away in a fund, have you looked at / considered getting rabbit insurance? This can cost as little as £6 a month and it saved me hundreds of pounds when one of my bunnies was ill (the vets charged over £600 for one illness).. xx

I had Doughnut spayed at Companion care in Crayford. They were good, gave me 5 days worth of metacam and an antibiotic and also fibreplex. So ask what medication you will be given after the op and how long for. Also how many spays a week they do.

Doughnut was booked in for a week later to have her stitches out, they glued the inside and stitched the out. They shouldn't let your bunny out before she has pooped, drunk or eaten.

I no longer go there now, I go to my specialist in Maidstone. Doughnut once had GA 3 times in one week but I trust him totally. He just puts rabbits under the bare minimum so that they don't feel anything but wake up quickly. I wouldn't go anywhere else now but my experience of the spay at Companion Care was good.

Don't forget to get lots of fresh herbs in or grass as rabbits aren't interested in pellets when they get out and you need to tempt them. I also got the expensive alfrafa king timothy hay from there or something like that. It's green and tempting apparently!

I got my boys neutered at the Vets4Pets in Hartlepool, they were very nice and explained everything to me, they told me not to starve them etc so they seemed quite knowledgeable. They seemed to be waiting for them to pee and poop after the op too and gave good aftercare advice and I had to take them back the day after the op and a few days later for another check. Those aftercare visits were free too. They seem fair in terms of rabbit knowledge. I often have the debate over whether I would take them there in an emergency though. x

Just for those who have already commented - I also use Gill who owns Windlesham Village Vets. She does all of my rabbit work and I can't recommend her enough