The Forge Veterinary Centre – Vets in Halstead
Clinic Overview
The Forge Veterinary Centre is a long-established practice (the website mentions a 150-year history) focused on companion animals. Reviews describe a clinic that can move quickly when an animal deteriorates (including seeing a cat immediately without an appointment and providing same-day in-patient treatment), and that carries out practical procedures like X-rays, pressure bandage changes, and dental work (teeth burring). Reception/service experiences are mixed: several reviews describe compassionate, respectful care, while one reviewer reports being turned away for a second ID scan for pet travel because only one vet could do it and the clinic was too busy.
Services
- •Companion-animal veterinary care (website statement).
- •Urgent/same-day assessment described in a review: a cat was seen straight away without an appointment after rapidly deteriorating.
- •In-patient treatment (cat treated during the day and collected later).
- •Diagnostic imaging: X-rays mentioned for a cat with multiple toe fractures.
- •Injury management: pressure bandage changes over several weeks for a fractured paw; discussion of whether bone pinning surgery was necessary.
- •Dental procedure: teeth burring performed and booked quickly (species not specified in the review).
- •Microchip/ID scanning for pet travel: one reviewer sought a “second ID scan” for migration paperwork and was told the clinic did not want to do it due to capacity and only one vet being able to complete it.
- •Emergency veterinary services are listed in the provided clinic data (no further detail given on the website summary or in the reviews we have).
People
- •Beate (vet): named in a review as the vet who saw a cat immediately on arrival without an appointment and arranged in-patient treatment the same day.
- •Amy (vet): named in a review as “a brilliant vet,” associated with arranging teeth burring quickly.
- •Reception team and assistants: one review describes the vet, assistant, and reception team as “thoughtful, compassionate and respectful.” Another review describes speaking to an “uninterested” staff member on the phone when requesting a travel-related ID scan, ending with the caller being advised it was “for the best” to go elsewhere.
Reviews
Google rating: 4.8 stars from 88 reviews.
- •Rapid help for sick pets: immediate assessment without an appointment and same-day in-patient care for a cat who deteriorated overnight.
- •Clear ongoing case management: owners mention being kept informed during repeated visits, including updates around X-ray findings and timing of collection.
- •Conservative decision-making noted in one case: a vet reviewed X-rays (even coming in on a day off, per the owner) and decided surgery to pin fractured toe bones wasn’t needed at that point.
- •Specific procedures mentioned: X-rays, repeated bandage changes, and teeth burring.
- •Service inconsistency around travel admin: one reviewer reports being refused a second ID scan for pet migration due to limited qualified vet availability and workload, and felt dismissed on the phone, while other reviewers describe respectful, compassionate interactions.
Special Services
Animals Treated at The Forge Veterinary Centre
Animals We Treat
Companion Animals
Farm Animals
Opening Hours – The Forge Veterinary Centre
Opening Hours
Hours
Reviews for The Forge Veterinary Centre
Note: Showing the 5 most recent Google reviews out of 88 we track in total. Recent reviews may not be representative of overall sentiment.
Anthony Yeomans
2 months ago
Gemma Artus
9 months ago
Called in to get my second ID scan done for my dog who is migrating to Australia, I spoke to a very uninterested lady who told me is not something they want to do as they only have 1 vet who is able to complete this and they are very busy. She told me that I need to get in touch with the shipping company to discuss the steps, I advised I have already done this but if they are not interested in helping then I will go elsewhere, she said it was for the best. I would avoid using this vets at any costs as they really do not seem bothered to help with even the simplest requests.
Gemma Artus
7 months ago
Called in to get my second ID scan done for my dog who is migrating to Australia, I spoke to a very uninterested lady who told me is not something they want to do as they only have 1 vet who is able to complete this and they are very busy. She told me that I need to get in touch with the shipping company to discuss the steps, I advised I have already done this but if they are not interested in helping then I will go elsewhere, she said it was for the best. I would avoid using this vets at any costs as they really do not seem bothered to help with even the simplest requests.
Lisette Skeet
a year ago
The most thoughtful, compassionate and respectful vet - and her assistant and reception team - I have ever met.
Mary harnwell
a year ago
Very good excellence very friendly Clean tidy plenty parking
Samantha McCall
2 years ago
Amazing staff all round
Paul Smith
3 years ago
My cat had been unwell for a couple of days, but deteriorated very rapidly overnight. I tried to call first thing but lines were busy so I decided to take him in without any appointment. A brief explanation to the receptionists and Big Bob was immediately seen by vet Beate. Bob needed in patient treatment and I collected him later that day. The support Bob received was superb. Straight to consultation; no question about not having an appointment. Wonderful help from all the staff. I have absolutely no qualms about taking any pet to this wonderful practice. My thanks to all. Paul Smith.
Jenny Wakefield
3 years ago
Brilliant vets! Always been very helpful and reliable. Incredibly grateful to them for booking Mr Morph Mole in for teeth burring so quickly. Amy a brilliant vet!
edd herring
4 years ago
EDIT: One of our cats, Buster somehow broke three toe bones in one paw. He has been well looked after having had several trips to the vet recently. Unfortunately due to Covid we are unable to attend his appointments with him and reassure him. He has made a good impression on the vets who now know him well. He has had X-rays and several pressure bandage changes over the last four weeks. We always want him back as soon as possible as we love and miss him and he is very clingy probably even more so with the injury. We are kept well informed and told as soon as we can collect him. One of the vets even travelled in on his day off to examine Buster's X-ray to see how his paw was healing and to decide whether an operation to pin the bones was necessary, he said that he was healing well and an operation was unnecessary at that time. Excellent care and attention to our four cats, they don't like travelling to our previous vets. The Forge is local and we have every confidence that our cats' wellbeing is their first priority
Custom Build Torches
5 years ago
My son did work experience at this practice, working with Emily. He was totally blown away by the experience and the staff he worked along side. It gave him a slightly different insight into the practice, and it was certainly positive. In particular the passion the staff had towards caring for each and every animal, the professionalism in their work and interestingly, the consideration given towards the pet owners feelings. He came away with nothing but positives. As a parent I was also impressed with how they treated and looked after my son. Great experience all round and judging from my sons experience and observations I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the practice. A definite 5 star!
Nearby Vets
Explore more trusted veterinary clinics near The Forge Veterinary Centre
Linkswood Veterinary Centre
(3.3 miles)Catley Cross, Halstead CO9 2PE, UK
Linkswood Equine Vets Ltd
(3.3 miles)Linkswood Stud Catley Cross, Halstead CO9 2PE, UK
