From domestic pets to zoo animals, the opportunities and variety involved in working as a vet are endless. The versatility of this sector sees many veterinary professionals not only working in permanent positions, but also as locums filling in for absent employees or providing additional manpower in areas where it is needed most.

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The last 50 years have seen two major outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in the UK. At the peak of Britain’s 2001 epidemic, 10,000 workers both from the UK and abroad were employed to fight the virus. With emerging animal diseases being reported across the globe from swine flu to influenza, when the next outbreak occurs we will once again look to veterinary professionals to keep our animals safe.

This easy to read guide gives you a comprehensive breakdown of the advantages of becoming a locum vet and provides advice on finding work, opportunities overseas and tips on starting out as a locum.

Finding work as a locum vet

To find work as a locum vet, your first point of call may be to contact some recruitment agencies that specialise in placing veterinary surgeons in locum positions. Some locum vet recruitment agencies that operate in the UK are listed below.

• Carlton Professional – A specialist recruitment agency that places veterinary professionals in permanent and locum positions throughout the UK and internationally.
• Gardner Llewelyn – Recruiting for permanent and locum vacancies solely in the veterinary sector, Gardner Llewelyn have over ten years of experience working in this industry.
• Recruit4vets – Working solely in the veterinary sector, Recruit4vets place locum and permanent veterinary surgeons and nurses in positions across the UK.
• Vet Seekers - A specialist vet recruitment agency, placing both locum and permanent veterinary surgeons and nurses in roles throughout the UK.
• Synergy Vets – A UK based agency that recruit veterinary professionals for locum and permanent roles.