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What is Rowan Vets?
Rowan Vets is an independent veterinary practice in Lancashire, England, with two locations: a main surgery on Hillock Lane near Preston and a branch, The Old Bank, on Whitegate Drive in Blackpool. It treats cats, dogs, rabbits and small mammals, and describes itself as putting pets' health and comfort first rather than following a corporate chain's standard script.
What it offers
- General practice care – preventative advice and treatment, plus a Pet Health Plan for regular costs.
- Referrals – specialist veterinary care, including an orthopaedic referral form, for cases beyond routine practice.
- Cat Friendly Clinic status – relevant if you have a cat that finds vet visits stressful.
- Fear Free advocacy – the team promotes low-stress handling, which matters for anxious or older animals.
- Two sites – Preston for the main practice and meadow setting; Blackpool for a more central branch.
Who it suits
Pet owners in or around Preston and Blackpool who want an independent practice, a named team and continuity of care. It is a reasonable fit if you value a quieter, less corporate experience and want a practice that advertises cat-friendly and fear-free approaches. It is less convenient if you live outside Lancashire or need 24-hour on-site emergency cover, since the site lists an emergencies route but does not present itself as a full hospital.
Practical next step
Check which surgery covers your postcode and register your pet before you need an appointment, so your records are ready. If your animal needs specialist work, ask whether the referral is handled in-house or through a partner. For costs, the practice publishes a prices page: Rowan Vets. You can also compare local provision through RCVS for finding accredited practices.
How do I register my pet at Rowan Vets?
Registration at Rowan Vets is done through the practice's own Register Your Pet page, which is linked from the main navigation and from the contact section of the site. It covers both surgeries — Hillock Lane near Preston and The Old Bank in Blackpool — so you choose the branch you want your pet registered with. Expect to give your details, your pet's details (species, age, and whether it is insured), and your previous practice if you are transferring.
What to have ready
- Your name, address, phone number and email.
- Your pet's species, breed, date of birth (or approximate age) and whether it is neutered.
- Microchip number if you have it.
- Vaccination history or your previous vet's name, so records can be requested.
- Insurance details, if you plan to claim.
Which branch to pick
| Hillock Lane (Preston) | The Old Bank (Blackpool) | |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Main practice | Branch surgery |
| Setting | Rural, surrounded by meadow | Town-centre style branch on Whitegate Drive |
| Best for | Full range of services and facilities | Routine care closer to home in Blackpool |
If your pet needs referral-level or orthopaedic work, the Preston site is the natural choice; the site also hosts an orthopaedic referral form. Otherwise pick by travel time and parking, since that is what you will live with for repeat visits.
After you register
Ring the relevant surgery to book a first appointment — 01772 639 800 for Hillock Lane, 01253 766 352 for The Old Bank — rather than waiting for the form to be processed. Ask them to request your pet's history from your old practice before the visit, and check whether the Pet Health Plan or Pet Health Club suits your pet's routine needs. Note that registration is not the same as an emergency: the site lists a separate emergencies route, so if your pet is unwell now, phone the practice directly instead of registering online.
What is included in the Rowan Vets Pet Health Club?
The Pet Health Club is Rowan Vets' preventive-care plan, listed among its services alongside preventative pet care advice and treatment. It is designed to spread the cost of routine care rather than to cover illness or accidents.
What the page confirms
- The club exists and is open to pet owners at both Rowan Vets sites: the main surgery on Hillock Lane near Preston and the branch at The Old Bank on Whitegate Drive in Blackpool.
- It sits within a practice that describes itself as independent, with a dedicated client care team, experienced vets and nurses, and Fear Free pet care advocates.
- Species covered by the practice include cats, dogs, rabbits and small mammals, and it is a Cat Friendly Clinic. The plan is likely structured by species, though the exact inclusions are not set out on the page.
- A separate "Our Prices" page is linked from the site navigation, which is the natural place to find current plan costs and what each tier contains.
What is not stated
The page does not list the specific treatments bundled into the club, such as vaccinations, flea and worm treatment, health checks, microchipping, dentistry or discounts on other care. It also gives no monthly cost, no minimum term, and no detail on how the plan handles existing conditions or whether it includes out-of-hours emergency cover.
Practical next step
If you are weighing up the club, ask the practice directly which items are included for your pet's species and age, what happens if you miss a payment or want to cancel, and how the plan interacts with the separate fees charged for consultations, procedures and emergency care. Comparing the annual cost of the plan against what you would otherwise pay for the same routine treatments is the quickest way to judge whether it suits a young, healthy pet or an older one needing more frequent checks.
For independent context on preventive care plans generally, the Royal Veterinary College and British Small Animal Veterinary Association publish owner-facing guidance on vaccinations, parasite control and routine health checks that can help you ask better questions at the counter.
What should I do in a pet emergency at Rowan Vets?
Call the practice straight away using the number for the location nearest you, rather than travelling in without warning. Rowan Vets lists a dedicated Emergencies link alongside its contact details, which suggests emergencies are handled as a distinct route rather than through the normal appointment booking flow.
Contact numbers from the site
| Location | Phone |
|---|---|
| Hillock Lane (Preston) | 01772 639 800 |
| The Old Bank, Whitegate Drive (Blackpool) | 01253 766 352 |
Both sites also share the email [email protected], but email is a poor choice in an emergency — use the phone.
What to have ready when you call
- Which pet, species and approximate age or weight
- What happened and roughly when it started
- Any known conditions, current medication, or recent treatment
- Whether the pet is conscious, breathing normally, bleeding, fitting, or unable to pass urine
- Your postcode and how far you are from each branch, so the team can direct you to the right site
Practical points worth knowing before you need them
Rowan Vets describes itself as an independent practice with a main surgery near Preston and a branch in Blackpool. The two sites may not offer identical out-of-hours cover, so confirm which location is open when you ring rather than assuming either one. If you are already registered, your pet's history sits with the practice, which speeds up triage; if you are not registered, the site has a Register Your Pet option, and doing this in advance avoids form-filling while you are worried.
The practice also mentions Fear Free care and cat-friendly facilities. In an emergency this matters most for cats and small mammals, who deteriorate quickly under stress — mention your pet's temperament on the call so the team can prepare a quieter room.
A sensible next step
Save both numbers in your phone now, labelled by branch, and note the nearest one to your home. Then check the Emergencies page on Rowan Vets for any stated out-of-hours arrangement, since that detail decides whether you drive to Preston, Blackpool, or an alternative provider. If you are unsure whether something counts as an emergency — a single episode of vomiting versus repeated vomiting with lethargy, for example — ring anyway and describe what you are seeing; the team can advise whether to come in or monitor at home.
Does Rowan Vets offer orthopaedic referrals for pets?
Yes. Rowan Vets lists orthopaedic referrals among its services and provides a dedicated orthopaedic referral form on its website, so a pet with a suspected or confirmed orthopaedic problem can be referred through the practice rather than only being seen for routine care.
What this means in practice
- Referral route: The practice offers "referrals for specialist vet care," with orthopaedics named separately via its referral form. That suggests a structured process rather than an informal second opinion.
- Two locations: The main surgery is on Hillock Lane near Preston, with a branch surgery, The Old Bank, on Whitegate Drive in Blackpool. If you are choosing between them, ask which site handles referral cases and where the orthopaedic assessment would take place.
- Independent practice: Rowan Vets describes itself as independent, which means referral decisions are not tied to a corporate group's internal network. In practice, this often makes it easier to discuss whether referral is worthwhile, but it does not by itself tell you which specialist centre a pet would be sent to.
Who this suits
This is most relevant if your pet has a limp, suspected cruciate ligament injury, fracture, hip or elbow problem, or a condition your usual vet thinks needs specialist imaging or surgery. It is less about emergency triage: if your pet is in sudden severe pain or cannot bear weight, phone the practice directly rather than relying on a form.
A useful next step
Download or complete the orthopaedic referral form from the practice website, then ring the relevant surgery to confirm the process. Ask three concrete questions: who performs the orthopaedic assessment, whether imaging is done on site or at a referral centre, and what the expected costs are before you commit. Rowan Vets publishes an "Our Prices" page, so check that alongside any written referral estimate.
For comparison, other UK practices with formal referral pathways include Royal Veterinary College and Willows Veterinary Centre.
How are Rowan Vets' Preston and Blackpool surgeries different?
Rowan Vets runs two Lancashire sites with different roles. The Preston-area practice (Hillock Lane, PR4 1TP) is described as the main surgery and sits next to a large meadow, so it is the site more likely to host the broader facilities and referral work. Blackpool (The Old Bank, Whitegate Drive, FY3 9PH) is described as a branch surgery, making it the more convenient choice for routine appointments and day-to-day care if you live or work in Blackpool.
What that means in practice
- Preston (Hillock Lane): main practice, rural setting, surrounded by meadow. Best suited to clients who want the fuller site, including specialist referral services, and who don't mind travelling.
- Blackpool (The Old Bank): branch surgery on Whitegate Drive. Best for routine consultations, vaccinations, health-plan checks and quick visits close to home.
- Both sites: share the same independent practice, team ethos and services such as preventative care, a Pet Health Club and cat-friendly status. Each has its own phone number and email, so contact the site you plan to visit.
How to choose
Pick Blackpool if convenience for routine care matters most. Pick Preston if your pet needs referral-level or more complex care, or if you prefer the main site's facilities. If you're unsure which branch handles a specific service, ring the relevant surgery before booking.
For opening hours, service availability at each branch and current fees, check the practice's own pages: Rowan Vets and Our Prices.
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