Rata's origins
Our founding vet first began to recognise the need for a visiting surgical veterinary service over a decade ago. Andrew, a highly accomplished vet from New Zealand, decided to offer his orthopaedic surgical expertise to the general practices. At the time, this was a new concept and there were a limited number of first opinion vets performing complex procedures, and not all owners were able to travel to distant referral practices for treatment. We’re proud to continue growing the legacy – still registered as Rata Karahehe Ltd, meaning animal vet in Te Reo Māori.
Rata Today
We work in partnership with your veterinary team, helping you provide advanced care for your patients directly within your practice while maintaining continuity of care for both your patients and clients.
We offer a comprehensive range of orthopaedic, soft tissue, ophthalmology and ultrasonography services, from consultations through to complex surgical procedures. Visit our Services page to explore the full range of procedures and diagnostic services we provide.
Our experienced and approachable veterinary surgeons bring their own equipment and expertise directly to your practice, allowing patients to receive advanced care without the need to travel to a referral hospital. For practices in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire and South Wales, we can also provide one of our experienced Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) to assist with procedures, ensuring a seamless and efficient service alongside your team. Where required, we can also help arrange a locum RVN to provide additional support.
With a large team of experienced veterinary surgeons, we are able to support practices across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire, South Wales, the Midlands and the wider South of England. Our experienced administrative team is available by phone and email from 8:00am to 7.30pm, seven days a week, providing responsive support throughout the referral process.
Our surgeons understand the realities and demands of first opinion practice and are committed to delivering a professional, approachable and collective service. With a reputation built over more than a decade, our aim is to make referral care accessible, convenient and supportive for both veterinary teams and their clients.
How our referrals work
We are always happy to discuss cases and review radiographs, offering advice free of charge to help you determine the most appropriate course of action.
To refer a case, click here Refer a new Case and complete the online referral form. Our experienced administrative team will process your referral and allocate it to the most appropriate veterinary surgeon for your area.
For non-urgent referrals, you can expect a clinical report within 2-3 working days. Urgent referrals are prioritised, with a report provided within 24 hours where possible. The report includes our assessment, diagnosis or recommendations, suggested treatment options and, where appropriate, an estimated cost for the proposed procedure.
Following the report, our administrative team will contact your practice with a provisional date and time for a consultation or surgical procedure, if required. This appointment will be held in our diary until it is confirmed or declined by your practice or client. Your practice remains responsible for discussing the report with your client and arranging their appointment. If required, a telephone consultation can also be arranged between one of our veterinary surgeons and your client.
Once an appointment has been confirmed, we will email confirmation along with pre-operative guidance, information sheets and details of the requirements for the day of the procedure.
For any surgical procedures, a pre-operative check must be carried out at your practice 2-3 days before the appointment. Our pre-operative checklist can be found here: Pre-surgery Checklist
On the day of surgery, our veterinary surgeon will admit the patient, discuss the planned procedure and any relevant risks with the owner, and perform the surgery at your practice. Once the patient has recovered from anaesthesia, the surgeon will contact the owner with an update and provide your practice with the clinical notes, discharge instructions, prescribed post-operative medications and recommendations for follow up appointments. Your practice will then discharge the patient and continue with any post-operative checks as required.
What makes Rata different?
Unlike traditional referral centres, Rata brings advanced veterinary referral care directly to your practice. By operating within your own clinic, we help minimise disruption for patients and clients while allowing your veterinary team to remain actively involved throughout their patient’s care.
Our collaborative approach means we work alongside first opinion practices rather than replacing them. From complimentary case discussions and radiograph reviews through to consultations, surgery and post-operative support, we aim to make the referral process as straightforward and seamless as possible.
Our experienced veterinary surgeons travel with their own equipment, and in many areas we can also provide one of our Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) to assist with procedures, helping to reduce the demands on your team.
We are proud to offer an independent, professional and approachable referral service, making advanced surgical procedures and diagnostic services more accessible for veterinary practices and their clients.
Our Symbol
Our logo has always been the image of an unferling fern frond (known as a Koru in Maroi tradition), chosen by our founder Andrew, and symbolises; new life, growth, strength and inner peace. The old logo was ‘re-branded’ but staying true to the Koru was key because it echoes our values as well as aligning with what patients need to recover from surgery.
