Along Dalston Lane there’s a row of the most disreputable shop fronts you’ve ever seen. Mostly boarded up, several burnt out. If the road wasn’t so busy you’d avoid it at all costs. Stuck in this row of unfortunates, the front of Abbey Vets is so small you’d easily miss it. But if you do notice it, you’ll see a difference. The tiny windows are bright with green plants. Inside the tiny waiting room is bright and clean. There’s only room for four or five chairs, a couple of stands of foods and accessories and a big notice board. In back they only have one small consulting room.

To be honest I haven’t used them as a vets for a few years: as my cats have become older and their health issues more complex I’ve not been able to afford a private vets and so go to the local RSPCA hospital. I remember them as being efficient: generally you’d be able to get an appointment quickly, wait only a few minutes and have results of blood tests the next day. My cats were also neutered there (on a voucher scheme for low income folks which they take part in) and later had dentals, all of which went well. I still drop in occasionally for something I can’t get elsewhere. Recently I’ve been going to get prescription diet. It was nice to find they still had my cats on the computer, and I haven’t been able to find the foods I’m buying cheaper, even on the internet. Going in is always a pleasure: the receptionist is nice (though you may have to wait while she takes a call or sorts out another customer: this place is busy!) and there’s a nice atmosphere.