Hollow Park Veterinary Surgery

Hollow Park Veterinary Surgery offers 15‑minute consultations (appointment-only) alongside in-house surgery, dental work, and diagnostics (including digital X‑ray, ultrasound and in-house blood testing). The practice also states it provides 24‑hour out-of-hours emergency cover for existing clients, aiming for continuity by having pets seen by their own vets with access to clinical history.

Recent reviews contain both strong loyalty and a few sharp negatives. Owners describe long-term cat care and specific vets/staff by name (for example, Dr Crawford), and one reviewer describes the practice treating a dog the same day after an attack even though the dog wasn’t registered. In contrast, two reviews describe problems that sound like capacity/short-staffing, including not being able to do requested blood tests at the appointment and turning away someone attempting to register animals, with no waiting list offered.

Services

From the clinic website

•15-minute consultations (by appointment only)
•In-house surgery
•Diagnostic imaging: digital X‑ray and ultrasound
•In-house dental
•In-house blood testing (blood analyser listed)
•Endoscopic kit (listed as a facility)
•Orthopaedic surgery equipment (listed as a facility)
•Rabbit consultations
•Puppy and kitten checks
•Pre-mating tests (bloods and swabs)
•Out-of-hours 24-hour emergency cover for clients, with the clinic stating pets are seen by “their vets” with access to clinical history

From reviews (examples of what owners say they came in for / received)

•Treatment after a dog attack on the same day (reviewer says the dog was not registered)
•Assessment of a cat with prolonged vomiting, with options discussed including anti-nausea medication, blood tests (e.g., for pancreatitis/diabetes), and scans; reviewer reports blood collection and analyser issues on that visit

People

Named in reviews

•Dr Crawford (role described as “Dr”; praised by a long-term client for contributing to their cats’ “happiness and health” over many years)
•Scott (not given a job title; described as greeting clients with a smile)

Unnamed staff referenced

•A new vet (first day) is described by one reviewer as struggling to obtain and run bloods on an in-house machine, then suggesting the tests weren’t needed; the reviewer felt this was dismissive and linked it to short-staffing.
•A veterinary nurse and receptionist are described in one review as unwelcoming when the reviewer tried to register animals, saying they weren’t taking registrations and that they post on Facebook when they are.

Reviews

Google rating: 4.8 stars from 224 reviews. “”

•Long-term loyalty for cat care: one owner reports using the practice for “near on 30 years” and credits Dr Crawford and his staff with improved wellbeing for their cats.
•Help in urgent situations: one reviewer says the practice took in and treated a dog the same day after an attack, despite the dog not being registered.
•Capacity/short-staffing concerns: one detailed account describes being unable to get blood tests completed during an appointment (after two attempts to draw blood and analyser errors), being told they were too short-staffed for someone else to help, and being asked to return another day or leave the cat.
•Access/registration issues: one reviewer reports being told the practice wasn’t taking registrations/referrals, with no waiting list, and being told they post on Facebook when they are taking referrals.
•Minor hygiene critique: one reviewer suggests the exam table should be wiped between pets (presented as their personal opinion).

Reviews for Hollow Park Veterinary Surgery

Note: Showing the 5 most recent Google reviews out of 224 we track in total. Recent reviews may not be representative of overall sentiment.

Alec

3 weeks ago

We have been taking our cats to Hollow Park Vets for near on 30 years now. (It's end of 2025, at time of writing). They are some of the best people you could hope to meet; certainly the happiness and health of all our cats were better for being in the care of Dr Crawford and his staff. My only regret would be taking this long to leave a review. I would highly recommend this practice to anyone seeking a vet.

Willow Wallace

a month ago

Very compassionate

Lucy

3 months ago

The best Vets in Ayr! All staff are extremely helpful and kind, they have always taken amazing care of my cats! Trust them 100% to give my cats the best care. Would recommend to anyone 😊

2 weeks ago

Sherri S

We had been with Hollow Park for several years, but the practice has changed. My cat had been vomiting profusely for a week, and I called for an appointment. They weren't able to see him on the day so we waited over the weekend for his appt on Tues morning. The young vet who saw him had pink hair. I didn't catch her name. She admitted it was her first day and she was still working everything out. She examined our cat and said she didn't feel he had a blockage. She advised we had 3 options: 1. Anti-nausea medication that would help stop the vomiting but wouldn't tell us what was causing it 2. Bloods to see if it was pancreatitis/diabetes so we would have a better idea of how to treat him. 3. Scans I asked if we could do 1 and 2. Medicine to help and then bloods to identify the issue. She agreed this was the best way to proceed. She attempted to get blood twice. Once in his neck and one in his leg. She got a small sample. She commented that it looked clotted. She tried to run it through their blood machine but was struggling to figure it out. It kept giving an error and she again apologised for being new and not knowing how everything worked. The machine rejected the blood and she then said "He probably doesn't need bloods. The medicine will help with the vomiting. " A few minutes ago, she had explained how bloods will diagnose pancreatitis or other illnesses but after she was unsuccessful drawing his blood, he no longer needs these tests? I'm a nurse. If I can't get a blood sample, I ask another nurse. I don't tell my patient they must not need it since I can't do it. 😡 I asked if someone else could do it but was told they were too short-staffed. They asked if I could come back another day. It felt really dismissive. It only takes 5 minutes to draw a blood sample, but you want us to go home and come back another day? She then said we could leave the cat and pick him up that afternoon/ evening. Normally, this would be fine. Inconvenient, but fine. But today, my foster son was starting school. He was to attend from 1-3 and then his social worker was coming from 3-5. I wouldn't be able to come back. There were no other options. No one could do it now. Come back another day. I felt really dismissed. When a vet tells you your animal needs bloods, you believe them. When that vet changes their mind because they are not able to do it, that doesn't give you a lot of faith in their practice. When you stand your ground and that vet agrees, yes, they do need bloods, but not today. Some other time when someone else can do it. It makes you leave the practice. I can't understand why someone else couldn't have taken a few minutes to help our cat while we were there. They used to be such a caring veterinary practice. I've recommended them often. I'm not sure what has changed, but I'm saddened by the way we were treated.

We had been with Hollow Park for several years, but the practice has changed. My cat had been vomiting profusely for a week, and I called for an appointment. They weren't able to see him on the day so we waited over the weekend for his appt on Tues morning. The young vet who saw him had pink hair. I didn't catch her name. She admitted it was her first day and she was still working everything out. She examined our cat and said she didn't feel he had a blockage. She advised we had 3 options: 1. Anti-nausea medication that would help stop the vomiting but wouldn't tell us what was causing it 2. Bloods to see if it was pancreatitis/diabetes so we would have a better idea of how to treat him. 3. Scans I asked if we could do 1 and 2. Medicine to help and then bloods to identify the issue. She agreed this was the best way to proceed. She attempted to get blood twice. Once in his neck and one in his leg. She got a small sample. She commented that it looked clotted. She tried to run it through their blood machine but was struggling to figure it out. It kept giving an error and she again apologised for being new and not knowing how everything worked. The machine rejected the blood and she then said He probably doesn't need bloods. The medicine will help with the vomiting. A few minutes ago, she had explained how bloods will diagnose pancreatitis or other illnesses but after she was unsuccessful drawing his blood, he no longer needs these tests? I'm a nurse. If I can't get a blood sample, I ask another nurse. I don't tell my patient they must not need it since I can't do it. 😡 I asked if someone else could do it but was told they were too short-staffed. They asked if I could come back another day. It felt really dismissive. It only takes 5 minutes to draw a blood sample, but you want us to go home and come back another day? She then said we could leave the cat and pick him up that afternoon/ evening. Normally, this would be fine. Inconvenient, but fine. But today, my foster son was starting school. He was to attend from 1-3 and then his social worker was coming from 3-5. I wouldn't be able to come back. There were no other options. No one could do it now. Come back another day. I felt really dismissed. When a vet tells you your animal needs bloods, you believe them. When that vet changes their mind because they are not able to do it, that doesn't give you a lot of faith in their practice. When you stand your ground and that vet agrees, yes, they do need bloods, but not today. Some other time when someone else can do it. It makes you leave the practice. I can't understand why someone else couldn't have taken a few minutes to help our cat while we were there. They used to be such a caring veterinary practice. I've recommended them often. I'm not sure what has changed, but I'm saddened by the way we were treated.

stuart cowan

My wee dog was attacked by a dog today and even although Bobby was no regersterd, they took him in today and treated him, I'm at a loss for words, Bobby means the whole world to me And to think,, I don't know how to put in words Thank you so so much for treating my best pal

Anatomy Park Fan

4 months ago

Great veterinary practice. Always have time for my dog. All staff usually happy to see clients, owners too. Scott is a very pleasant young man. Always greeted with a smile. All animals i see at vet are always relaxed not upset being there. Only criticism I'd say is there is a need to wipe table after the previous pet has been seen. But that's just my opinion!

Anne Gold

5 months ago

I visited the Hollow Park veterinary surgery this morning. I explained I had recently moved into the area and would like to register my animals with the surgery. I was greeted by a veterinary nurse who turned to the receptionist and said I don't think we are taking referrals now, are we? The receptionist agreed. No explanation was given. Both staff were unwelcoming and offhand. When I asked if they had a waiting list that I could leave my name on I was told no, they do not have a waiting list. The receptionist finally added they post on Facebook when they are taking referrals. I was very disappointed with their unfriendly attitude. Given that this practice came highly recommended by local residents, I was quite disappointed by the lack of warmth and professionalism displayed. Unfortunately, this experience did not reflect the welcoming atmosphere I had anticipated in the town of Ayr and its surrounding community.