The Cat Doctor & Friends: A Cat-Only Veterinary Clinic in Santa Clarita, CA

The Cat Doctor & Friends Introduce

For California residents who share their lives with a feline companion, finding a veterinary clinic that is tailored to the unique needs of cats can make all the difference. The Cat Doctor & Friends in Santa Clarita is a specialist practice dedicated exclusively to the health and well-being of felines. As a cat-only hospital, they have meticulously designed their environment and services to minimize the stress that can often accompany a vet visit for these sensitive creatures. From a dog-free waiting room to a staff trained in feline-friendly handling techniques, every aspect of the clinic is aimed at providing a calm and comforting experience. This specialized approach allows them to focus solely on the nuances of feline medicine, from subtle behavioral cues to specific health concerns.

The clinic is run by a team of professionals who are passionate about cats and committed to providing compassionate, comprehensive care. As a women-owned business, they have cultivated a culture that values empathy, a key element in handling the complexities of veterinary medicine. They offer a full range of services, including urgent veterinary care for unexpected illnesses or injuries, as well as routine preventative services like vaccinations and parasite prevention. They understand that a cat's health is a journey, and they strive to be a long-term partner with their clients, offering resources and support from a complete pharmacy and supplies store to a cat boarding facility for when owners are away.

A critical part of their service model is their dedication to creating a safe and inclusive space for all. The clinic proudly identifies as LGBTQ+ friendly and a transgender safe space, ensuring that every client feels welcome and respected. This commitment to inclusivity extends to their physical space as well, which is designed to be fully accessible. This combination of specialized feline care and a welcoming environment makes The Cat Doctor & Friends a distinctive and appealing choice for cat lovers in the Santa Clarita community and beyond.

The Cat Doctor & Friends is conveniently located at 26055 Bouquet Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91350, USA. This location is easily accessible for residents across Santa Clarita and the surrounding areas. The clinic's position on a main road simplifies the journey, which is particularly helpful for stressed cats. The facility is designed with accessibility in mind, offering a wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance, seating, and toilet. This demonstrates a thoughtful approach to serving all members of the community, ensuring that everyone can comfortably bring their feline family member in for care. Additionally, the clinic provides gender-neutral toilets, further reinforcing their commitment to being an inclusive and welcoming space.

For a smooth and efficient visit, the clinic operates on a policy where appointments are required or at least highly recommended. This allows the staff to prepare for each patient, allocate the necessary time for a thorough examination, and reduce wait times, which can be a significant source of stress for both cats and their owners. While their primary focus is on scheduled appointments, they do offer urgent care services for medical emergencies, and pet owners are advised to call ahead to inquire about availability during a crisis.

Services Offered:

Specialized veterinary care for cats only.
Urgent medical and emergency veterinary care.
Cat boarding.
Comprehensive services, including dental exams, cleanings, and surgery.
Spay & neuter surgery.
Laser therapy.
On-site pharmacy and supplies.
Cat ultrasound for diagnostic imaging.
Nail trimming.

Features / Highlights:

A women-owned business.
A dedicated cat-only hospital with a cat-only waiting room to minimize stress.
Identified as an LGBTQ+ friendly and transgender safe space.
Full accessibility, including wheelchair-accessible seating and gender-neutral toilets.
Provides a comprehensive range of veterinary and related services.

Contact Information:

Address: 26055 Bouquet Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91350, USA

Phone: (661) 259-5288

What is worth choosing?

For Californians who are passionate about their cats, the choice of a veterinarian is about more than just medical expertise; it's about finding a place that understands and respects the unique nature of felines. The Cat Doctor & Friends is specifically designed to meet this need, making it a compelling choice for many. The clinic’s cat-only environment is a significant benefit, as it removes the anxiety-inducing presence of dogs, creating a calmer atmosphere for a cat's visit. This specialization, combined with a staff trained in feline-specific care, means that the veterinarians and technicians are highly attuned to the subtle signs of illness or distress in cats, a skill that a general practice may not possess. One reviewer notes that this is the "ONLY vet" they will take their cats to, praising the staff's gentleness and care, and highlighting the unique practice of taking a cat's temperature by ear, which is less invasive and stressful.

However, it is crucial for potential clients to be aware of the range of experiences at this clinic. One review details a deeply frustrating and potentially dangerous experience, citing a medication mix-up where a cat was given a steroid instead of their prescribed Prozac. The client also describes a "painfully uncoordinated" visit where they waited for two hours, felt that the staff was "begrudgingly" present, and received a less-than-thorough exam. This account, while possibly related to specific circumstances like pandemic protocols, points to a potential for organizational issues and lapses in attention to detail, which could have serious consequences for a pet's health. The client's feeling that they were "dumped" with a "horrified cat" and received no support for pain management after an urgent visit is a significant red flag that prospective clients must consider.

In conclusion, the decision to choose The Cat Doctor & Friends is a balance between its clear strengths and potential weaknesses. The clinic's specialization in feline care, its compassionate and inclusive environment, and its wide range of services make it an attractive option for cat owners in Santa Clarita. For clients who have had a positive experience, the clinic is "amazing" and the only place they trust. However, the serious concerns raised in the negative review, particularly the medication error and lack of communication, highlight the importance of careful consideration. The Cat Doctor & Friends can provide excellent, species-specific care, but it is wise for clients to be proactive in communicating their needs and ensuring they feel confident in the care plan before leaving the clinic.

The Cat Doctor & Friends Details

From the business
Identifies as women-owned

Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet

Amenities
Gender-neutral toilets
Toilet

Crowd
LGBTQ+ friendly
Transgender safe space

Planning
Appointment required
Appointments recommended

The Cat Doctor & Friends Photos

The Cat Doctor & Friends Location

The Cat Doctor & Friends

California Los Angeles County Santa Clarita Saugus Bouquet Canyon Road

26055 Bouquet Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91350, USA

The Cat Doctor & Friends Reviews

An average rating of ★4.5 from 149 user reviews.

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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Initially I wasn’t interested in leaving a review as I decided I was simply going to not return to this vet and wash my hands of the poor experience I had. Based on a recent issue I observed, I decided that people should be aware of my story. It’s been about two and half months since this occurred so I’m stating these details to the best of my recollection.This all changed when I was preparing to give my cat her meds and I noticed one of the pills in the prescription I was given was shaped differently. I looked up the pill through a pill identifier and realized this erroneous pill was actually a steroid instead of my cats prescribed Prozac (fluoxetine). If an error like this had been made by a pharmacy for humans, I would be strongly considering reporting this to the pharmacy board. This error is egregious and could have harmed my cat.Since the gates are now open, my original experience with the cat doctor and friends was awful. I dropped my cat off at the front door on time (they were currently operating under covid protocols). I had been rescheduled by the office twice at this point as well. I waited nearby to make sure someone would retrieve her as it was hot out. After a number of other pets were picked up and dropped off, I approached (from a distance and while wearing a mask) one of the staff members to ask if they were ready for my cat since the appointment time had now passed. She responded, “I hope so”, begrudgingly.After my cat was retrieved, I waited in the car for what ended up taking approximately two hours. At around the 1 hour 15 minute mark, I called to ask for a status update. A staff member said they would check with the vet and call back. They never did call back. I played phone tag with the staff until about the 1 hour 30 min mark. I finally got ahold of the vet (who sounded very flustered on the phone). My cat was very agitated at this point (she and I both). I’m not entirely sure that a thorough exam even occurred. I asked about my cats ears (she is prone to ear infections) and the vet said she wasn’t really able to look in them.The vet said they were almost done and after filling the prescription they said we would be on our way. I waited for approximately 30 more minutes while my horrified cat sat in her crate on the floor of the busy clinic front desk. At about the two hour mark I was handed the prescription and my cat. I was told I could pay over the phone due to my long wait.This might normally be a great clinic when not dealing with covid issues but in my experience they were painfully uncoordinated. I was really looking forward to a nice cat-only clinic but I’d recommend others look elsewhere if you value your time! I hope this helps anyone looking for a vet. I’ve never left a review like this before but I felt the pharmacy mixup was inexcusable and the public needs to know.
August 19 · John Stader
They are amazing. The ONLY vet I will take my 1 1/2 yr old cats since they were little bitty sick shelter fur babies while trying to find a decent place when 3 others were awful to them. And the only one I know of around here that actually takes temp by ear! Only cats here and always a sweet one up for adoption BTW!
December 27 · Meredith Marcus
Immensely expensive and will charge you for tests and X-rays for even the most obvious problems because they can. Unfortunately fooled once already. Will never take my cat here again.
August 19 · Neo T
I have been going to The Cat Doctor and Friends for many many years. Dr. Linger is a fantastic vet and gave compassionate thoughtful and caring counsel for me and my elderly cats. She was there for me and texted me very quickly when I was in dire need of a response. She also was there for me when I had to make the very hard decision to say goodbye to my 17-year-old cat. Because of the The Cat Doctor my kitty got a few extra comfortable quality years with me. The front desk staff are all helpful and kind. They focus on cats alone which is also great, and always the quality of life of the kitty comes first with stellar veterinary expertise and advice. It’s also really nice that they have their own hospital care available if you need it! If you have cats in your home and your heart, please seek out the care of The Cat Doctor and Friends.
June 08 · Joanne
The Cat Doctor and Friends is by far the only place that you want to bring your cat. The entire staff are friendly, courteous and professional. When we moved out of California we wanted to take them with us, if we only could. Thank you for years of excellent care for our "kids". We miss you! We haven't been able to find a vet that comes close to The Cat Doctor and Friends.
November 01 · Dennis Brandis