Maidstone Veterinary Clinic is the only independently and locally owned veterinary practice in Upper Hutt, operating since 1978. Located on King Street, the clinic offers a large range of veterinary services, from routine vaccinations and desexing through to more involved procedures such as cranial cruciate ligament surgery.
The clinic's veterinarians carry out medical and pre-surgical assessments for companion animals, and its veterinary nurses run dedicated appointments for suture removals, worming and flea treatments, expressing anal sacs, nail clipping and weight management. Veterinary nurses also groom cats (the clinic does not groom dogs), with grooming typically taking place during the day after an 8am drop-off, usually under sedation.
Maidstone also runs a cattery for vaccinated cats, with advance booking required, particularly over public and school holidays, and deposits required for long-term stays or bookings over Christmas and Easter. The clinic operates a cat and kitten rehoming programme for abandoned cats and kittens, and offers repeat prescriptions by email, with a legal requirement for a veterinary consultation at least every six months for repeat medications. For emergencies outside opening hours, the clinic refers clients to the Wellington After Hours Veterinary Clinic.
On King Street in Upper Hutt, Maidstone Veterinary Clinic holds a distinct place in the local community: it's the only independently and locally owned veterinary practice in the area, and has been operating since 1978.
The clinic describes its service range as running "from routine vaccinations and desexing through to cruciate repair," and that breadth shows in how the practice is structured. Veterinarians carry out medical and pre-surgical assessments for companion animals, while a dedicated veterinary nurse service handles suture removals, worming treatments, flea treatment applications, expressing anal sacs, nail clipping and weight management — all of which need to be booked ahead of time to ensure a nurse is available.
On the surgical side, Maidstone's vets offer routine desexings, wound stitch-ups, biopsies, lump removals, dental procedures, exploratory laparotomies and cranial cruciate ligament surgery, backed by radiograph and basic ultrasound capability in-house.
One detail that stands out is the clinic's approach to grooming: veterinary nurses groom cats, but the clinic does not groom dogs. Cat grooming typically means an 8am admission, with the groom carried out during the day and sedation usually required — a reflection of how differently cats respond to grooming compared to dogs.
The clinic also runs a cattery, boarding vaccinated cats for owners who need it. Bookings are required in advance, especially around public and school holidays, and a deposit is needed for long-term stays or bookings over Christmas and Easter. Drop-off and pick-up times are set for weekdays and weekends, with no pick-ups or drop-offs on public holidays, and anything outside standard hours may incur additional fees or may not be possible at all.
Beyond clinical services, Maidstone runs a cat and kitten rehoming programme, giving abandoned cats and kittens a chance to find a forever home. Anyone looking to adopt a kitten or an older cat is encouraged to call reception directly to see what's currently available.
Maidstone is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 7pm, and Saturday, Sunday and some public holidays from 9am to roughly 4pm. The clinic is upfront that after 5pm on weekdays and throughout the weekend and public holidays, it operates at reduced capacity — the phone may not always be answered, and the building may even be locked while staff focus on patients already being treated. Registered patients are prioritised during these periods; casual clients may be directed to the Wellington After Hours Veterinary Clinic if Maidstone is at capacity. The clinic is closed entirely on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day and Good Friday.
Existing clients can book consultations online, provided they use the email address the clinic has on file; new clients, surgical bookings, and anyone with specific appointment needs are asked to call reception directly. Repeat prescriptions can be requested by email, though they may take 24 hours or longer to prepare, and by law a veterinary consultation is required at least every six months to keep repeat medications current.
On fees, Maidstone is transparent about its costs, publishing a standard consult fee alongside surcharges for evening, weekend, public holiday and casual client appointments, plus a no-show fee. Payment is accepted via EFTPOS, Visa, MasterCard, cash and direct credit, with a small surcharge applied to card and Afterpay transactions, and payment is expected on the day treatment is provided.