Practice Philosophy
“Helping Pet owners of Mersea Island and surroundings to maintain the well being of their beloved family pet, through provision of veterinary care and education on responsible ownership.”
Blackwater Vets is an independent veterinary practice located on the sailing island of West Mersea.
A cat friendly clinic, a dog friendly registered practice and accredited with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), our aim is to meet the holistic needs of your pet at every moment of their stay.
As soon as you walk through the door, you and your pet will be welcomed and cared for by our friendly staff.
No question is silly and you will never be rushed. We want to build a great relationship with you and your pet.
Please call the practice or click on the fine print tab at the bottom of this page if you have any questions such as the care of in-patients, the practice’s complaints handling policy, normal consulting hours, operating times, fee or charging structures, procedures for second opinions and referrals and/or access to or ownership of records.
Care of patients overnight:
If any of your patients need care overnight our out of hours service Vets Now will provide fully staffed overnight care and out of hours provision with a qualified veterinary surgeon and a qualified veterinary nurse staying with your pet throuhout their time at Vets Now.
Animals will need to be moved between Vets Now and Blackwater Vets by their owners between the hours of closing and opening of these respective clinics.
The Blackwater Team
Ola
Ola graduated from Warmia university in Poland in 2000. After a couple of years in practice she decided to visit Australia and travel the world. Arriving in the UK in 2006, Ola completed an internship at VRCC, now Southfields, in oncology and critical care. Ola then worked in various veterinary practices across England before settling in Kent where she managed a small independent practice. Following a lifetime’s dream to live by the sea, Ola bought Blackwater Vets and moved to Mersea Island. Ola’s professional interests are in oncology, cytology and feline medicine. Ola is the cat advocate for Blackwater Vets and also has post graduate qualifications in business and management. In her spare moments Ola tends to her flower gardens which exist both at the practice and at her home on the island. Ola is an ISFM Cat Friendly Advocate.
Holly
Holly is our receptionist/vet nurse assistant and comes from a marketing background, but has always had an interest in animal care. She is our bunny girl having looked after many pairs of rabbits over the years. Her current rabbit is a Netherland Dwarf named Huey. In her spare time she enjoys walking in the countryside and geocaching. Holly is an ISFM Cat Friendly Advocate.
Wendy
Wendy is our receptionist. She is a huge animal lover and a mother of many. Wendy’s inventory includes 2 cats, 2 dogs, 2 horses and 6 children.
Amanda
Amanda is our receptionist/vet nurse assistant and has a background in procurement. A newly arrived islander, Amanda is settling into Mersea life with her husband, their French Bulldog Major and rabbit Skye (who are the best of friends!) In her spare time, Amanda enjoys baking, takeaways and YouTube quizzes.
Ashleigh
Ashleigh is our veterinary nurse and recently qualified this year. Ashleigh is the queen of organisation here at Blackwater vets and ensures everything runs smoothly throughout the day. Whilst Ashleigh’s pretty cats called Puddle and Peanut are the lights of her life, she also has another grumpy cat called Crumpet and a gorgeous cockerpoo called Bertie.
Friends of the practice
Lana
Lana is our veterinary physiotherapist and canine hydrotherapist at Recharge Physiotherapy. She obtained her Master’s degree at Writtle Univeristy with additional qualifications in canine massage therapy. Lana has 2 rescue dogs from Cyprus, who train and compete in local obedience competitions and also enjoys horse riding.
2 Mill Road, West Mersea
Colchester, Essex
CO5 8RH
Did you know? ..Blackwater Vets is one of only just a few veterinary practices in the Colchester region that hold cat friendly clinic status?