Dr. Peter Gerlach Introduce
For decades, residents of Norfolk and the broader Virginia region have trusted the care of their beloved pets to Dog & Cat Hospital, a staple in the community. At the heart of this practice is a team of dedicated professionals, including Dr. Peter Gerlach. Dr. Gerlach and the entire staff are known for their compassionate, professional, and caring approach to veterinary medicine. This hospital is not just a place for medical treatment; it is a full-service center that addresses a wide range of needs for both dogs and cats, from routine wellness exams to more complex surgical procedures. With a long-standing history of serving the community, Dog & Cat Hospital has built a reputation based on trust, quality, and a genuine love for animals.
The reputation of Dr. Peter Gerlach and Dog & Cat Hospital is solidified by the trust and loyalty of their clients. As one long-time client, Cindy P., states, Dr. Gerlach and the team are "WONDERFUL, PROFESSIONAL, and CARING." She describes her 30-year relationship with the hospital as a testament to their unwavering commitment, noting that they have become like "family." The review highlights a key aspect of their care: a focus on what is "realistically and reasonably available" to the pet, demonstrating a balance of top-notch medical advice and practical consideration for the pet owner. While there may have been some conflicting information regarding their urgent care services, as noted in another review, the consistent praise for the medical staff and veterinarians like Dr. Gerlach for their professionalism and caring nature is a powerful endorsement of their core service. Their ability to manage a high volume of clients while still providing personalized care is a testament to their dedication to the animals that enter their doors.
Dog & Cat Hospital, where Dr. Gerlach practices, is conveniently located at 238 W 21st St, Norfolk, VA 23517, USA. Its central location in the city makes it easily accessible for pet owners throughout Norfolk and the surrounding areas. The hospital is committed to providing a comfortable and accommodating experience for all clients, featuring a wheelchair-accessible entrance, a wheelchair-accessible parking lot, and a wheelchair-accessible restroom. These accessibility features ensure that all pet owners can bring their animals in for care with ease. While the clinic does handle urgent pet care, it is primarily an appointments-recommended practice. This planning helps to ensure that each pet receives the proper time and attention from the veterinary team, minimizing wait times and creating a calmer environment.
Dr. Gerlach and the team at Dog & Cat Hospital offer a comprehensive list of services for dogs and cats, designed to provide a full spectrum of health and wellness care under one roof.
- Veterinary Services: A full range of general medical services, from routine check-ups to comprehensive health assessments.
- Preventative Medicine: A strong focus on proactive health care, including vaccinations, parasite control and prevention, and wellness exams.
- Testing & Diagnostics: The use of various diagnostic tools, including blood work and urine samples, to accurately and quickly diagnose medical conditions.
- Surgical Procedures: Performing essential surgical procedures, including spay and neutering, as well as more complex soft tissue surgery.
- Dental Cleaning: Providing professional dental cleaning services to maintain a pet’s oral health and prevent future problems.
- Urgent Pet Care: While operating on an appointment basis, the clinic does provide urgent care for non-life-threatening medical issues during business hours.
- Internal Medicine: Diagnosing and treating complex internal conditions that require specialized knowledge.
- Pet Boarding: Offering safe and reliable pet boarding services for when pet owners are away.
- Medications and Supplements: A convenient option for requesting prescription refills and obtaining necessary medications and supplements.
There are several key features and highlights that make Dr. Gerlach and Dog & Cat Hospital a trusted choice for pet owners in Virginia.
- Decades of Experience: The hospital has been a part of the Norfolk community for nearly 80 years, showcasing a long history of trusted and quality care.
- Compassionate and Caring Staff: The team is consistently praised by clients for their kindness, empathy, and professional demeanor, especially during difficult times.
- Comprehensive Services: The ability to provide a wide range of services, from routine exams to complex surgery, in one location offers immense convenience.
- Focus on Pet Wellness: The emphasis on preventative medicine and regular check-ups ensures that pets receive proactive care to keep them healthy for years to come.
- Expertise and Professionalism: Clients express deep trust in the veterinarians and medical staff for their knowledge and dedication to what is best for the pet.
For more information or to schedule an appointment for your pet, you can contact Dr. Peter Gerlach's office at Dog & Cat Hospital using the following details:
Address: 238 W 21st St, Norfolk, VA 23517, USA
Phone: (757) 622-1788
Choosing a veterinarian is a deeply personal decision, and for many in the Norfolk area, Dr. Peter Gerlach and Dog & Cat Hospital have proven to be the right choice. The decades of trust and loyalty from clients, with some calling the staff "family," speak volumes about the quality of care and the relationships they build. While the clinic operates primarily on an appointment-based system and may have limitations on true emergency services, their dedication to providing urgent care during business hours and handling a wide range of medical needs is a significant advantage. The balance of expert medical knowledge with a compassionate, gentle approach is what makes them truly stand out. For any pet owner seeking a professional, reliable, and caring team that will be a long-term partner in their pet’s health, Dr. Gerlach and the staff at Dog & Cat Hospital offer an exceptional level of service that is well worth choosing. Their history and reputation in the community are a testament to their commitment to the well-being of all the "fur-babies" they serve.
Dr. Peter Gerlach Services
Veterinarian
- Dental Cleaning
- Dog & Cat
- Emergency Medicine
- Internal Medicine
- Medications And Supplements
- Parasite Control And Prevention
- Parasite Protection
- Pet Boarding
- Pet Insurance
- Preventative Medicine
- Prevention Testing
- Request Prescription Refills
- Soft Tissue Surgery
- Spay And Neutering
- Specialized Services
- Surgical Procedures
- Testing & Diagnostics
- Urgent Pet Care
- Urine Samples
- Veterinary Services
Dr. Peter Gerlach Details
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Amenities
- Restroom
Planning
- Appointments recommended
Dr. Peter Gerlach Photos

Dr. Peter Gerlach Location
Dr. Peter Gerlach Reviews
If you don’t offer urgent care, than please correct your advertisement so the people who have animals with emergencies are not wasting precious time by calling your office because it says you provide urgent care. According to the woman I just spoke to after I called three times, you’re appt only, I guess during regular business hours too?
August 10 · Stacy GarnerDr. Gerlach is WONDERFUL, PROFESSIONAL, and CARING. The entire staff and all vets are top-notch. They truly care about each and every fur-baby who enters their doors with or without their human companion(s). They care about what is best for the fur-baby, while at the same time keeping an eye on what treatments are realistically and reasonably available to the fur-baby. I have been taking my fur-children to Dog & Cat Hospital for 30 years and they have watched me grow from a 20-something fur-parent to an old fur-baby parent. They have my trust. Truly, I can't say enough good things about Dr. Gerlach, the other veterinarians, the front-line, and medical tech staff. They are family. Cindy P.
November 25 · Cynthia PeralesKnowledgeable, thorough, compassionate
December 10 · Deb BrownGreat place
August 15 · Bobby Dixon- May 09 · Jackie Eurice
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