High Street Vets Strathalbyn

09/05/2026

01/05/2026

Starwars Monday - save $20 on Monday, book now as limited appointments available!

High Street Vets is a family owned, independent, Veterinary Practice. We mainly treat dogs and cats, as well as pocket pets. The practice is run by Dr Rachel Howard (Veterinarian) and her husband Steve.

24/04/2026

Just a reminder we are shut on Anzac Day, and reopen 8am Mon 27th April.

22/04/2026

"Happy Veterinary Receptionist Week"
A big shout out to all of our reception staff. Some are qualified Veterinary Nurses, some are in training, and ALL of them work on Reception.
It is an emotionally tiring job, and reception can be one of the most challenging parts. So a big "thank you" to all of them from myself. Please remember to be kind to the front line, our receptionists.
Dr Rachel 🐾🐾

26/03/2026

Use code AFT30 together $30 off consults and vaccinations tomorrow (Fri 27/3), get in quick, spots are limited...

Take advantage of some appointments becoming available this afternoon (mon 23/3), thursday afternoon (26/3) and friday afternoon (27/3)!
use code AFT30 to get $30 off a vaccination or a full price consult. cant be used with other offers.

25/03/2026

Easter is only a couple of weeks away. Please see below our opening times for the Easter long weekend.

Remember to keep all those chocolate Easter goodies away from your pets as they are quite harmful if digested. If your pets do get in to some of the chocolate, call 8536 8701 to be transferred through to SASH Emergency Vet in Kent Town.

23/03/2026

Take advantage of some appointments becoming available this afternoon (mon 23/3), thursday afternoon (26/3) and friday afternoon (27/3)!
use code AFT30 to get $30 off a vaccination or a full price consult. cant be used with other offers.

19/03/2026

We are still battling technology... come and see us this afternoon for $10 off the price off vaccinations and consults for your patience!

11/03/2026

Tomorrow we are implementing a new computer system which 🤞🏻 should go wonderfully smoothly. If you see me eating lots of chocolate or with handfuls of my hair, you will know it threw me a curve ball!! We have been learning the new system over the last few weeks, but please be patient with both Vets and Nurses as we learn how to drive all over again!

09/03/2026

In response to my recent post about someone using my Vets to promote themselves. As a small family business, we aim to try to support our local community. The responses of support have been amazing. For those of you who arent aware about the increased incidence of su***de in the Veterinary Industry I have included my comment to a poster:

30.6% of veterinarians suffer stress
25.6% of veterinarians suffer from depression
26.4% suffer work-related burnout

Veterinarians have almost four times the su***de rate of the Australian population. This equates to a veterinarian taking their own life on average every 12 weeks in Australia.

65% of Vets have left the profession within their first 5 years - this is a shorter time than they had to study for!

I personally have lost colleagues and friends in the Veterinary Industry.

At least 5 times a day I will hear comments about how expensive Vets are, and I personally aim to provide an affordable service to the local community.

I am currently working 5 days a week, averaging 16 hours a day. I have children and grandchildren, and I also am the bookkeeper and practice manager as I cant afford to employ those otherwise I would have to increase my fees.

Government increases in super and minimum wages have the greatest effect on the small businesses. Suppliers increase their prices twice a year, and it can be by up to 20%.

I currently can buy all of my drugs and stock cheaper online than I can from my suppliers. BUT I am not allowed to due to rules and regulations.

Daily, I go from doing routine consults where I work with my clients to do the best job I can within their budget, and helping where I can to minimise expenses. I then go straight into euthanasiing an ill animal, to 15 minutes later trying to be excited about a new puppy or kitten. Then 15 minutes later having to break the news to a loyal client that their only companion has cancer and may only live a few weeks. They then break down to me about how they now have nothing to live for if their pet dies. Then onto doing a routine surgery when someone rushes their pet in who has been bitten by a snake. Then trying to ensure all my staff have their allocated lunch breaks, and back into afternoon consults. Often lunch is rushed between consults as clients are needing to be phoned back to discuss cases and blood results. Often I am working until 11pm doing all of the paperwork involved in actually running a practice. This all takes its toll.

A careless post involving my Vet Practice, with a stranger standing on my property with a sign, writing about the high cost of vet care is, at best, NOT ok. It is keyboard warriors that have caused many Vets to finally loose their grasp on coping with their daily pressures of a highly emotive, high stress job.
I am just trying to protect my business, my staff and my profession.
Thank you Strathalbyn and surrounds for your support.

Dr Rachel

08/03/2026

It has come to my attention that the "Animal Justice Party" have been trespassing on our property to gain votes.
We feel as a small family business we aim to be as fairly priced and have affordable options for everyone.
We are not going to enter into a conversation with them about this, but we will be contacting our professional organisations about their trespassing.
Please bear in mind when voting that this person is personally attacking Vets (myself), and jeopardising animal care. Posts like these can be the tipping point for Vets to commit su***de. Dr Rachel 🐾🐾
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1B8J4ed43s/