A South Leeds veterinary practice is celebrating its second anniversary after treating more than 6,000 pets, hosting dozens of ‘cuddle clinics’ for nervous dogs and seeing all eight members of its team embark on prestigious Fear Free professional accreditations.
Harrison Family Vets became the only independent veterinary practice in the Middleton area when it opened its doors at St George’s Retail Park in October 2024.
The clinic was the Yorkshire-based, family-run business’s seventh practice, following the opening of its first clinic in Reading in 2021. Since then, Harrison Family Vets has opened three further practices and will launch its eleventh in Darlington this autumn.
The Leeds clinic was an immediate success, with more than 200 local pet owners registering before it opened. That number has continued to grow, with the team treating 3,445 dogs, 2,238 cats, 168 rabbits and 93 guinea pigs over the past two years.
The practice also has a diverse range of other animals registered with it including rats, chinchillas, ducks and birds, squirrels and hedgehogs.
Data from Harrison Family Vets reveals that the French Bulldog is the most popular dog breed in South Leeds, closely followed by the Cocker Spaniel and Cockapoo. Bella is the most popular name for dogs in the area and Luna for cats.
The practice was designed around Harrison Family Vets’ “Fear Free” approach, which aims to reduce fear, anxiety and stress for pets and their owners during veterinary visits. Its features include calming ambient lighting, dedicated pet waiting pods, separate dog and cat wards and consultation spaces designed to provide a more relaxed experience.
All eight members of the Leeds team are now working towards Fear Free professional certification, which gives veterinary professionals the tools and knowledge to address different levels of fear, anxiety and stress in pets, while also improving communication with clients.
Francisco Botet Gomez, clinic director at Harrison Family Vets in Leeds, said: “Our ethos is about providing exceptional pet care in a stress-free environment at an affordable price, and
this has made us very popular in the local community. We’re also very accessible, within a small retail park with lots of parking right outside.
“In addition to caring for an ever-growing number of local cats, dogs and other small animals, we also regularly see exotic pets, including reptiles and parrots, and even ducks and chickens, which makes it a fun and fascinating environment to work in.”
Kristie Faulkner, Operations Director of Harrison Family Vets, added: “This was the first practice we opened in our home county of Yorkshire and, from day one, it was a success. We have built a great team in Leeds who are all experienced and very good at what they do, and this translates into the standard of service our clients enjoy. It’s been a great two years and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for us in Leeds.”
The clinic offers a range of veterinary services, from routine consultations and preventative healthcare to surgery, dental procedures and diagnostics. Harrison Family Vets’ Total Wellness Plan is also available, providing preventative care and helping to make veterinary bills more affordable. It includes unlimited vet consultations, routine vaccinations, flea and worm treatments, annual health checks, unlimited nail trims, access to out-of-hours vets through VidiVet, and 25% off lifetime medication.
In addition to Leeds, Harrison Family Vets has practices in Reading, Kingswinford, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Doncaster, Wigan, Stoke, Sheffield and Newcastle, with its eleventh practice opening in Darlington this autumn
