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Methodology

How Vet Verified builds its directory data.

Vet Verified is a UK veterinary practice directory built from public register checks, practice data, directory signals and human review. This page explains what we use, what we do not claim, and how the data should be interpreted.

Last updated 20 May 2026

The short version.

Vet Verified is designed to help pet owners compare practices, not to replace a direct conversation with a veterinary professional.

Vet Verified builds practice listings from public register information, practice websites, practice-submitted updates, and structured directory data such as location, opening hours, species coverage, services, facilities, accreditations and group ownership.

A listing can help you shortlist a practice, but it is not medical advice and it is not a guarantee that a service is available today. Always call the practice before travelling, especially for urgent care, out-of-hours care, uncommon species, pricing questions or appointment availability.

How we build a practice listing.

  1. 01

    We identify the practice.

    We start with practice-level identity signals such as name, address, postcode, public website, contact details and known group ownership. Duplicate or ambiguous records are reviewed before being treated as distinct public listings.

  2. 02

    We check against public registers.

    Verification signals are built around checks against the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons public register and relevant accreditation sources. The verification mark is not sold as an advert or ranking upgrade.

  3. 03

    We structure the useful comparison data.

    Listings are normalised into fields that pet owners can compare: town, county, opening-hour signals, species coverage, services, facilities, accreditations, contact details and profile ownership.

  4. 04

    We let practices improve their own data.

    Claimed and verified practices can update their listing directly.

How Vet Verified compares data sources.

Different sources answer different questions. Vet Verified is useful because it brings those sources into one comparison layer.

Source Best for Main limitation How Vet Verified uses it
RCVS public register Confirming registered veterinary practice status. It is not a consumer comparison interface. Used as a verification and eligibility signal.
Practice website Current brand, contact and service information. Information can be hard to compare across practices. Used to cross-check public profile details.
Vet Verified profile Structured comparison by place, species, services and hours. Users should still confirm availability directly. Used as the public comparison surface.
Google Maps and reviews Local discovery and public feedback. Ranking and review surfaces are not veterinary credentials. Treated as separate from verification and directory checks.

What our labels mean.

These terms appear across practice, location, service, species, group and directory pages.

Verified.
The practice has met Vet Verified's verification criteria. Verification is based on public register checks, credential review and profile ownership; it is not bought as paid placement.
Opening-hour signal.
We have structured opening-hour data for the listing. Opening arrangements can change, so users should call before travelling.
Species coverage.
The listing indicates that the practice works with that animal type. It does not guarantee that a specific clinician is available at a specific time.
Service listed.
The listing indicates that the practice has a relevant service signal. Users should contact the practice to confirm suitability, pricing and booking requirements.
Group ownership.
The practice is mapped to a known veterinary group in the directory. Group mapping is a directory signal, not a statement about clinical quality.

Updates and corrections.

Directory data changes constantly. This is how we keep the public surface useful.

Practice data is updated through direct practice edits, public source checks, directory maintenance work and user corrections.

If a listing is wrong, use the contact page to send the correction. Include the practice name, address, the field that looks wrong, and the source we should check. A real person reviews correction requests before material changes are made.

Need to check a practice?

Use the directory to compare current listings, then contact the practice directly before booking or travelling.

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