VetThing
Our Independence
You may have heard that we’ve joined a new veterinary group — so we’d like to explain what that really means for you and your pets.
We’re proud to share that our practice is the founding and currently only practice in VetThing, a unique, vet-led group that’s part of Vetopia, based in Denmark.
Vetopia is majority owned by the people who work within it, with some external finance to support future growth. That means it’s run by vets and veterinary professionals who truly understand the work we do and the care our patients need.
For our clients, nothing has changed. We remain independently run and completely free to make all our own decisions here at Arvonia, about prices, services, our team, and how we care for your pets. You’ll still see the same familiar faces and receive the same personal, locally focused care you’ve always known and trusted. The team will continue to be led by our much loved principal vet, Richard.
Being part of VetThing simply gives us extra support and opportunities to grow while staying true to our values. We’re proud to lead the way in shaping a new kind of veterinary group — one that puts independent decision-making, integrity, excellent clinical care, and customer service first.
The Arvonia Team
Client FAQ: Independence & VetThing
Are you still independent?
We’ve joined a new vet-led group called VetThing, but we remain independently managed and locally run. We still control our prices, services, staff decisions, and how we care for your pets.
Have you been bought by a big corporate?
No — VetThing is part of Vetopia, which is majority owned by the people who work within it. There is some corporate investment, but control stays with veterinary professionals, not big financial groups.
Why did you join a group?
It helps us access shared resources, training, and support behind the scenes, while keeping all our clinical and business decisions entirely our own.
Are your prices going up now?
Prices are still fully under our control. Being independently run means we decide what’s fair and sustainable for our clients and our patients.
Will the level of care change?
Nothing about our day-to-day care has changed. We control our clinical standards, protocols, treatments, and time spent with each patient.
Are the vets or nurses leaving?
Our team is of utmost importance to us and is staying, we’re excited about this next chapter. We made this change so we can keep offering a great place to work and grow.
Will you still choose your own medicines and treatments?
We stay in full control of all clinical decisions. Nothing is dictated by a head office.
Will you still run your own appointments and services?
Appointment lengths, services, new equipment, and our overall approach remain entirely under our control as an independently run practice.
Are you becoming like the big corporate chains?
No, traditional corporates are controlled by external investors. VetThing/Vetopia is majority owned by the people who work within it, and we keep full decision-making at practice level.
Will this make the practice bigger?
Any changes to our building, staff, or services are entirely our decision. Joining VetThing simply gives us more support if we want to grow. This year we plan to expand the services offered at Churchdown and make improvements at the Gloucester road site (Crickmore).
So who owns you now?
VetThing is a new vet-led group, and we are its founding and only practice so far. VetThing sits within Vetopia, which is majority owned by veterinary professionals, with some external investment to support future growth. Both of our veterinary directors still have a significant investment/ownership in the company.
Will your opening hours change?
Nothing about our availability or opening times needs to change unless we choose to. All opening hours are decided here, by us.
Can we still see the same vet as before?
Continuity of care remains a priority for us. You’ll still see the same people who know your pets well.
Will your values or ethos change?
Being independently run means our ethos stays in our hands. We still believe in personal, ethical, community-focused care.
Does this affect ongoing treatment for my pet?
Treatment plans, medicines, and follow-up care are all fully under our control. Nothing changes for your pet’s care or continuity.
Will insurance claims or prescriptions change?
Prescription policies, insurance processing, and clinical choices are all decided locally, so nothing changes for clients.
