How one mobile vet is transforming pet care across Wantage and the Ridgeway

We chat to mobile vet Dr Laura Sells MRCVS , helping pets thrive across Wantage and the Ridgeway.

In a 450-year-old thatched cottage just outside Wantage, animals joyfully rule the roost at the Sells household.

There’s Zip the lurcher – the inspiration for the name of mummy Laura’s  business ZipVet and resident sofa-stealer – Reggie the rescue cat, and five gloriously named chickens: Unicorn, Hoppy, Rose and the three “Raptors” (creative direction courtesy of two small children aged three and seven).

It’s a lively household, shared with a husband who is also a vet (equine, in his case), and anchored firmly in the Oxfordshire countryside.

After relocating from Surrey in summer 2025, the family quickly fell for the Ridgeway’s wide skies and the magic of Uffington White Horse. Walks here are a regular adventure, with Zip bounding ahead and the children scanning the skyline.

At home, living near a chalk stream means kingfishers flash past like jewels, tawny owls call at dusk, and hedgehogs shuffle through the garden after dark.

Animals aren’t just part of family life – they’re the heart of her work too.

With more than 15 years’ experience as a vet, she now runs a mobile veterinary service, bringing calm, compassionate care directly into pets’ homes.

For many dogs and cats, the trip to a clinic can be stressful – particularly for older pets or those in pain. Being treated in familiar surroundings makes all the difference.

Consultations last a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing time for gentle handling, careful observation and thorough conversations with owners. There’s no rush, no clinical waiting room – just reassurance, understanding and a health plan tailored to each individual animal.

She has a special interest in elderly pet care and chronic pain management, helping beloved companions stay comfortable and content in their golden years. Regular home visits mean subtle changes are spotted early and small adjustments can have a big impact on quality of life.

“There’s something incredibly special about supporting pets as they age,” she says. “They’ve given so much love – they deserve thoughtful, individual care in return.”

As renovation dust settles and village life begins to feel like home – with coffee from Childrey Stores and dog-friendly evenings at The Greyhound in Letcombe Regis — she’s looking forward to building lasting bonds with local families and their four-legged friends.

Because for this vet, it’s always been about the animals first — happy paws, wagging tails and peaceful golden years.

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