Our Exotic Veterinary Experience
Exotic pets have specialized needs that differ significantly from traditional pets such as cats and dogs:
Problem Recognition: Unlike cats and dogs, exotic pets (especially prey animals) tend to hide their symptoms. As such, it is important to hire someone with a keen eye for identifying subtle changes in your pet’s behavior, and address them before they become serious. This proactive observation can be crucial for early intervention and better health outcomes for your pet.
Mitigate Stress and Provide Enrichment: Many exotic animals are particularly sensitive to changes in their routine and environment. An exotic pet caretaker knows how to mitigate stress, while providing proper enrichment for your pet’s mental and physical health.
Professional Handling: Incorrect handling can cause injury to your exotic pet. Knowing and being able to assess your pet’s comfort with handling mitigates unnecessary stress, while respecting your pet’s boundaries.
Our Veterinary-Informed Background: Expertise You Can Trust
Place your trust in experienced, professional hands. Ours is a veterinary-informed team with backgrounds spanning wildlife rehabilitation to exotic veterinary hospital work, and every specialist is trained to the same clinical standard.
Our founder, Alexandria, previously volunteered as a Medical Assistant at the House Rabbit Society in Richmond, California, where she administered RHDV (Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus) vaccinations and supported the onsite veterinarian with pre- and post-operation surgeries. She also worked as an Exotic Veterinary Assistant at the local Bay Area Bird and Exotics Hospital in San Francisco, providing care for a wide variety of animals — from reptiles like snakes, bearded dragons and geckos, to birds such as African greys and budgies, and small mammals including rabbits and guinea pigs.
Our team is proficient in essential skills grounded in clinical settings, including:
- Administering medications — oral, topical, and subcutaneous injections for small mammals and reptiles — and treatments as prescribed by veterinarians
- Safe handling and species-specific care routines, along with gentle restraint techniques
- Detailed knowledge of normal vs. abnormal behaviors and subtle signs of illness across a wide range of exotic species
- Post-procedure monitoring and recovery support
This isn’t just pet sitting; it’s specialized care grounded in real-world veterinary experience. You can relax knowing your pet will receive attentive, knowledgeable, and compassionate care, informed by professional standards and a genuine understanding of their specific needs. For species-specific care details, see our Reptile & Amphibian Care Guide and Small Pet Resources. And if your pet ever needs a vet while you’re away, see how our vet visits and emergency care work.
What We Offer – Expert Care for Diverse Exotic Pets
Our primary focus is providing exceptional, personalized care, ensuring your pets are comfortable and their routines are maintained. We offer tailored care plans for a variety of exotic animals, leveraging our team’s clinical experience to focus on their unique requirements for their environment, diet, and well-being:
Reptile Care (e.g., Bearded Dragons, Geckos, Snakes, Turtles, Tortoises)
- Expert management of species-specific temperature, humidity, and UVB/UVA lighting.
- Specialized dietary preparation (including live insects, varied greens, appropriate supplements) and careful monitoring of appetite and digestion.
- Clinical Insight: Vigilant observation for subtle signs of common reptile issues (e.g., MBD, respiratory infections, shedding problems) for early awareness and proactive care.
Avian Care (e.g., Parrots, Cockatiels, Finches, Canaries, Chickens, Ducks)
- Daily provision of fresh, species-appropriate diets (pellets, seeds, fruits, vegetables) and clean water; meticulous cage and food/water dish hygiene.
- Monitoring for behavioral changes, feather condition, stress bars, and other indicators of avian health.
- Clinical Insight: Deep understanding of avian stress signals, enrichment needs, and environmental requirements to ensure a calm, safe, and healthy setting.
Small Mammal Care (e.g., Guinea Pigs, Rabbits, Ferrets, Chinchillas, Hamsters, Rats)
- Tailored diets including unlimited fresh hay, species-specific pellets, and appropriate fresh vegetables/fruits; constant access to clean water.
- Regular enclosure cleaning, bedding changes, and provision of safe environmental enrichment.
- Clinical Insight: Experienced in recognizing early signs of common small mammal ailments (e.g., GI stasis in rabbits/guinea pigs, dental issues, respiratory distress, overgrown nails), crucial for their delicate health.
Ready to create your perfect care plan?