Frequently asked questions
Common questions about how Petfair works and what the data covers.
About Petfair
- What is Petfair?
- Petfair is a free price comparison service for UK pet owners. We collect publicly listed prices from veterinary practice websites and present them in one place so you can compare costs before booking. We currently track 6,857 UK vet practices, 1,160 of which have publicly published at least one procedure price.
- Is Petfair free to use?
- Yes, completely free. We do not charge pet owners to search or compare prices. We do not take referral fees from clinics. We do not require registration or an account.
- Do you recommend specific vets?
- No. Petfair displays prices without ranking or recommending clinics beyond sorting by listed price. Choosing a vet involves many factors beyond cost — location, quality of care, species expertise, and opening hours — which we encourage you to consider alongside price.
Prices and data
- Where do the prices come from?
- Every price on Petfair comes directly from a UK veterinary practice's own published fee schedule or website. We never estimate, interpolate, or use averages from third-party sources. If a clinic does not publish its prices online, we show "Not listed" — we never guess.
- How often are prices updated?
- We re-check clinic pricing pages on a rolling basis. Our data was last rebuilt on 2026-04-15. Vet fees can change without notice, so always confirm the current price directly with your chosen clinic before booking.
- Does the price include everything?
- Not necessarily. Prices shown are the fee as published by the clinic for the named procedure. They may or may not include the consultation fee, pre-operative blood tests, anaesthesia monitoring, or medication. We recommend calling the clinic to confirm the total cost.
- Why do vet prices vary so much?
- Veterinary fees in the UK are not regulated — each practice sets its own prices. Costs vary based on location (London is typically the most expensive), practice type (corporate chains, independent practices, and 24-hour hospitals price differently), the equipment and expertise available, and what is included in the fee.
- Are vet prices regulated in the UK?
- No. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) regulates professional standards but not pricing. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has investigated vet pricing transparency, but there is no legal cap on what vets can charge.
- I found a price that looks wrong. What should I do?
- Check the clinic's own website first — they are always the authoritative source. If there is a significant discrepancy and the clinic's website still shows a different price, the data may be out of date. We welcome corrections so we can update our records.
Using Petfair
- How do I search for prices?
- Use the search bar on the homepage or the Compare Prices page. Enter the procedure (e.g. "consultation", "cat spay") and your town, city, or postcode. Results are sorted by price, cheapest first.
- Can I search by postcode?
- Yes. Enter your full or partial postcode in the area field. Results will include clinics that match your postcode area.
- Why does my local clinic not appear?
- We track 6,857 UK practices. If a clinic is not listed, it may not yet be in our dataset, or it may exist but not have publicly published prices. Our coverage is growing — check back or search by the clinic name directly.
- Why is a clinic shown without a price?
- Some clinics do not publish their prices online. We still include them in search results so you know they exist, but no price is displayed. You will need to contact them directly for a quote.
Procedures and costs
- How much does a vet consultation cost in the UK?
- A standard vet consultation typically costs between £30 and £80 at most UK practices, though some London clinics charge more. Out-of-hours and emergency appointments can cost significantly more — sometimes £100–£200 or higher.
- How much does it cost to spay or neuter a cat in the UK?
- Cat spay (female) prices typically range from £80 to £350 in the UK, depending on location and practice type. Cat castration (male) is generally cheaper, ranging from £30 to £250. These prices may or may not include the consultation fee and post-operative medication.
- How much does a dog vaccination cost in the UK?
- An annual dog vaccination booster typically costs £47 to £120 at most UK practices. A full puppy primary course (two or three vaccinations) costs more. Some practices include kennel cough vaccination; others charge separately.
- How much does microchipping cost in the UK?
- Microchipping typically costs between £10 and £60 at UK vet practices. The wide range reflects whether it is done as a standalone appointment or during a consultation, and whether database registration is included.