Collins Hospital for Animals

Introduction / Overview

For pet owners living in the heart of Washington, D.C., entrusting their beloved companions to a veterinary clinic requires more than just medical proficiency; it demands a practice with a long-standing reputation for compassionate, comprehensive, and adaptable care. Collins Hospital for Animals, located in the historic Georgetown area, embodies this enduring commitment, having proudly served the Washington D.C. metropolitan area since 1917. With over a century of experience, this institution has become a cornerstone of animal health in the District, evolving with advancements in veterinary medicine while maintaining its core values of dedicated patient care and client education.

Collins Hospital for Animals operates with a clear and unwavering desire to provide the best quality of veterinary care to their patients, their loved ones, and the community. They achieve this through a dedicated staff that truly cares, combined with access to the latest technology both in-house and through an extensive referral network. What truly sets them apart, beyond their impressive longevity, is their comprehensive approach to various animal species. While they excel in dog and cat care, they are also recognized specialists in a wide array of exotic pets, including rabbits, guinea pigs, small rodents, birds, and reptiles. This breadth of expertise makes them an invaluable resource for the diverse pet-owning population of D.C., ensuring that a wide range of furry, feathered, and scaled family members can receive expert attention under one trusted roof.

Location and Accessibility

Collins Hospital for Animals is conveniently located at 1808 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA. This prime address places the clinic squarely within the vibrant and historic Georgetown neighborhood, making it highly accessible for residents across Washington, D.C., and even parts of the surrounding metropolitan area. Wisconsin Avenue NW is a major thoroughfare, ensuring straightforward navigation whether you are driving or utilizing public transportation. While parking in Georgetown can be a consideration, the clinic's well-known presence means it is a familiar landmark, and surrounding streets or commercial garages may offer options.

Its strategic location makes it a practical choice for pet owners from various D.C. neighborhoods, including Georgetown, Glover Park, Burleith, Dupont Circle, and even those commuting from nearby Virginia and Maryland suburbs. The long-standing history of the hospital at this address also means it is a recognized and trusted institution within the local fabric, simplifying the process of seeking reliable and established veterinary care for their pets in the nation's capital.

Services Offered

• Comprehensive Wellness & Diagnostic Exams: Offering full-service appointments for both healthy and ill pets, designed to diagnose any ailments and keep pets in peak health throughout all stages of life. This includes routine check-ups and preventative care.
• Vaccination Programs: Providing essential vaccinations for dogs, cats, and exotic pets, tailored to individual needs and lifestyle, and also offering vaccinations required for boarding and travel.
• General Medicine: A wide variety of medical services, including heartworm treatment and prevention, laboratory testing (in-house and external for non-routine analyses), and nutritional counseling.
• In-House Laboratory Services: Equipped for quick turnarounds on most lab tests, including bloodwork, fecal analysis, urinalysis, and cytology, enabling rapid diagnosis and treatment.
• Digital Radiography (Imaging): State-of-the-art digital X-ray services for quick, precise readings, with digital copies available upon request.
• Surgery: Performing elective surgeries such as spays, neuters, and lump removals, as well as non-elective surgeries on a case-by-case basis. Close monitoring by anesthesia technicians and equipment that monitors heart rate and oxygen levels are available for most procedures.
• Dentistry: Routine dental cleaning and polishing, minor extractions, and retained baby teeth extractions. Specialized dental procedures requiring advanced equipment are referred to specialists. Rabbit and rodent dentistry are also available.
• Exotic Pet Exams & Services: Specializing in the care of a wide range of exotic animals, including rabbits, guinea pigs, small rodents, birds, and reptiles. The vet and staff are noted for their experience with small animals.
• Microchipping: Providing ISO compatible microchip implantation for permanent identification, a valuable tool for reuniting lost pets with their families.
• International and Domestic Health Certificates: Facilitating pet travel with USDA accredited veterinarians to issue necessary health certificates.
• Boarding and Day Care: Offering short and long-term stays with in-house veterinary services, specializing in boarding exotic pets (rabbits, rodents, ferrets, birds, and reptiles). Includes outside walks for dogs and inside exercise for willing felines.
• Urgent Care: While appointments are generally scheduled, the clinic endeavors to accommodate urgent care needs when the condition is not life-threatening, working to "squeeze" pets in between scheduled appointments. Patients are advised to call first for appropriate direction.
• Emergency Care Referrals: For life-threatening emergencies where they may not be properly staffed, they provide appropriate referrals to the closest emergency hospital.
• Technician Appointments: Available for routine services not requiring a doctor, such as nail trims, anal gland expressions, and subcutaneous fluids.

Features / Highlights

• Over a Century of Service: Established in 1917, Collins Hospital for Animals boasts an unparalleled history of serving the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, signifying deep community roots and enduring trust.
• Expertise in Exotic Animals: A significant highlight is their specialized knowledge and experience in treating a wide variety of exotic pets, including guinea pigs, rabbits, small rodents, birds, and reptiles. This is a crucial differentiator for D.C. pet owners with non-traditional companions, as one customer specifically sought them out because their "guinea pig wasn't feeling well, and I wanted her to see someone with experience with small animals."
• Highly Professional and Communicative Team: Customers consistently praise the team for being "very nice," "very professional and communicative," and deeply caring about pet health. This focus on clear communication and genuine concern builds strong client relationships.
• Compassionate Care: The emphasis on great care, especially for sensitive situations like a sick guinea pig, reflects a compassionate approach that prioritizes the pet's comfort and well-being.
• Comprehensive Capabilities: From routine check-ups and preventative care to in-house diagnostics, various surgeries, dental care, and even boarding, they offer a wide spectrum of services, making them a one-stop-shop for many pet needs.
• Client Education: Their ongoing desire includes educating clients, empowering pet owners to make informed decisions for their animal's health.
• Affordable Care: While acknowledging that quality care can be an investment, reviews suggest that their services are considered "well worth it" despite being "pricey," indicating a good value proposition for the level of expertise and care provided. They also aim to provide "high quality affordable pet health care" as per their mission statement.
• Dedicated to Patient Safety in Surgery: Their detailed approach to surgical procedures, including pre-anesthetic screens and close monitoring, showcases a strong commitment to patient safety.
• AAFP Certified "Cat Friendly": While not explicitly stated in the provided reviews, public information indicates they are certified "Cat Friendly" by the American Association of Feline Practitioners, suggesting an effort to create a less stressful environment specifically for feline patients.

Contact Information

Address: 1808 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA

Phone: (202) 659-8830

Mobile Phone: +1 202-659-8830

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For pet owners living in Washington, D.C., particularly those in the Georgetown area and beyond, Collins Hospital for Animals is an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended choice for their beloved companions' veterinary care. The clinic's most compelling attribute is its remarkable legacy, having served the D.C. metropolitan area since 1917. This century-plus of experience is a testament to their enduring reliability, adaptability, and deep integration into the fabric of the community, offering a level of trust that few other practices can match.

A significant highlight that makes Collins Hospital for Animals particularly well-suited for D.C. locals is their extensive expertise in caring for a diverse range of animals. While they provide excellent care for dogs and cats, their specialization in exotic pets—including guinea pigs, rabbits, small rodents, birds, and reptiles—is a crucial advantage in an urban environment where diverse pet ownership is common. As one satisfied customer noted, seeking out a vet with "experience with small animals" for their guinea pig led them directly to Collins, affirming their specialized capabilities.

Furthermore, the consistent feedback from local clients underscores the hospital's commitment to compassionate and professional service. The team is repeatedly praised for being "very nice," "very professional and communicative," and deeply caring about pet health. This empathetic approach, combined with their comprehensive suite of services—from routine wellness and advanced diagnostics to surgery, dentistry, and even specialized boarding—ensures that pets receive holistic care under one reliable roof. While quality care is an investment, clients consistently affirm that the service provided is "well worth it," highlighting the value they receive.

Located conveniently on Wisconsin Ave NW in Georgetown, Collins Hospital for Animals is easily accessible for D.C. residents. Its blend of historical reliability, cutting-edge services, specialized exotic pet care, and genuinely caring staff makes it an ideal and indispensable resource for the health and well-being of the District's diverse pet population.

Collins Hospital for Animals

1808 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA