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The Cat Practice
Categories: Pets Veterinarians Pets Pet Services Pet Boarding/Pet Sitting Veterinarians, Pet Boarding/Pet Sitting [Edit]
137 5th AveFl 2
(between 20th St & 21st St)
New York, NY 10010
Neighborhood: Flatiron
(212) 677-1401
- Nearest Transit:
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23 St (N, R)
23 St (4, 6, 6X)
23 St (F, M)
- Hours:
Mon, Sat 8 am - 5 pm
Tue-Fri 8 am - 6 pm
Sun 9 am - 5 pm
25 reviews for The Cat Practice
25 reviews in English
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Review from Laura H.
Woodside, NY
3/3/2011
We have two cats and have taken them to several vets in the City, all of which were either overpriced or, frankly, didn't seem to like cats all that much (I suspect a lot of vets prefer dogs). When we heard about a vet who treated only cats, we decided to give them a try, and boy are we glad we did.
Everyone who works here is great, from the receptionist to the vet techs to the vets themselves. Our cats have gotten great care here, and have generally been healthier since they starting being treated by Dr. Sullivan. The practice also gives out flyers on various topics, such as feeding, grooming, and so forth, which have been very helpful.
As for the one reviewer who said that Dr. Sullivan is unprofessional and uncaring, the only thing I can think of is that she's talking about another Dr. Sullivan. We've always found him very professional, and he obviously loves cats; even when Dr. Lee, his associate, was treating our younger cat, he came over to say hello to her and pet her. We also found a tiny kitten (300 grams, or 10 ounces) on the street one night, and brought her in the next morning; Dr. Sullivan was not only great with her, but also called us of his own accord a couple of days later to ask how she was doing.
I love this place, and would hate to take my cats anywhere else. -
Review from Jaclyn S.
New York, NY
12/14/2011
Rude receptionist!!! Great doctor, he should consider a new receptionist.
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Review from jessica b.
New York, NY
4/22/2011
I have taken my younger cat to this vet for grooming three times. He's a feisty guy that has to be sedated and I felt this would be a good choice. I was told he needed an exam each time I took him in and it ended up being between $250-$350 each time. The cuts were great, but I was disappointed to never had the opportunity to even speak to the doctor.
The last time he got a cut (a few weeks ago) he came down with a respiratory infection a few days later which he has now passed to my 14 year old cat. The young guy healed quickly, but the older cat is in horrible shape. Another vet is watching him closely and it's not looking good.
I feel that things weren't properly sterilized there or my kitty was allowed to interact with another sick cat.
I paid a premium price to have him groomed here because I was concerned for his well-being and it ended up worse for everyone in the long run. -
Review from Michelle K.
New York, NY
9/12/2011
The first Dr. that I saw, Dr. Acime, was fantastic!!! She was very gentle and sweet with my cat and although my cat had a skin infection, didn't mind being poked and prodded at.
On my follow up, I didn't realize that I'd be seeing someone else. There was a slight mix up with the appt time (a simple miscommunication on both mine and the vet's part) so when the Dr. came in he was very obviously annoyed that I was there waiting for him. He was very rough with my cat and did not give her a full exam to check and see if she had gotten better.
All in all, this isn't a terrible place. The facilities are clean, nice, and I like that there is only 1 appt at a time because it's an open concept location, so you really get full attention. The Drs. rotate because, from what I understand, they come in to work there from other practices when they are available. I called to make another appt because I'd definitely go back to see Dr. Acime but she's not there anymore so I told them I'll be going elsewhere. -
Review from Donna H.
Brooklyn, NY
8/28/2006
As the name suggests, The Cat Practice solely specializes in cats: vet care, boarding, grooming. I took little Julio in for boarding during our vacation. While we were gone, he was let out every day for a little while to roam free in the office, petted, snuggled and fed twice a day. He also got his claws trimmed.
When I picked him up, he was calm and happy, snuggling up to one of the employees. When I signed him out, they gave me a complete "progress report" with results of his physical and how he behaved while we were away. The staff was very nice and knowledgeable.
Although this establishment charges a little more than your average place for boarding ($20 a day), it is worth the extra money knowing your kitty cat is in good hands. -
Review from Irm M.
7/18/2010
This is a great alternative to boarding your cat at a veterinarians office where they keep the animals locked away the entire time or leaving your pet at home. I'm sure some cats would be fine with that, but I don't have a normal cat. She likes to play and is very social. It's a little more pricey but not unaffordable. They charge $25 a day. The only thing that can get expensive are the medical requirements such as exams and shots. I would rather have my pet medically up-to-date though and surrounded by animals who are healthy as well.
I brought my cat here for a four day stay. I was a little paranoid about leaving her alone at first, but they were very friendly and welcoming. When I picked her up after the stay she seemed fine and they gave me a little description of her stay. They also charged me for one less day since I picked her up early. The only thing I was unsure about was when they said she didn't want to come out of her cage. She is VERY outgoing and curious, and I find it hard to believe that she wouldn't want to explore. I guess I will never know what goes on when I'm not around. I would bring her back here, but only if there was no alternative. -
Review from Sean K.
3/29/2008
Ok so we're still early into our experience with the Cat Practice as we just took our little train wreck there earlier today but first signs are super positive. You might consider opting out of some of the more thorough efforts of the doctor. She's doing the right thing but this place is appropriately expensive (high quality and in NYC) but you can rack up a serious bill super fast so you might consider if you really need blood work done. This IS NOT an attempt to over-charge you, that's really not their schtick but just something to think about.
The whole vibe of the place is absolutely fantastic and they take in abandoned cats and support them without help from others - I really can't overemphasize how cool they are. Very professional and helpful staff and you'll practically want to spend the whole day there hanging out with all the fun cats who seem to pretty much run the place. And even with that, its super clean and overall just great from top to bottom. I guess that's why I went with the 5 stars. We're believers. -
Review from Enia T.
Brooklyn, NY
5/3/2010
We came to the Cat Practice after a very frustrating and disappointing experience at our local vet (Paws and Claws in Williamsburg) who failed to diagnose a very dangerous auto-immune condition in our cat that the Cat Practice diagnosed and treated immediately. Our lovely tabby is a changed cat: we thought she was just lazy, turns out she was in pain.
We've been going for over 2 years, at least twice a year and are always treated with courtesy. I appreciate their relationship with C.O Bigelow where they formulate cat-flavored liquid medication. I really love Yolanda, the receptionist, who knows me and my cats and is such a pleasure to deal with. Not only do they have lots of lovely kitties being boaded, they also have some permanent residents (hi Miss Kitty!)
My one complaint and why I take off is a star is that we've seen Dr. Sullivan only once while the other vet who sees the majority of appointments is always changing. It makes me worried that there is something going on here that I'm not aware of. It's always a young woman recently out of school and I'm not sure why they keep leaving.
My neighbor also has had some negative experiences there, so I'm starting to get cautious in my enthusiasm. -
Review from Sarah P.
New York, NY
9/22/2009
I love this place. My cat loves this place. I have never been turned down for boarding, which runs around $25 per day for non-medical.
Moreover, they know my cat by name and more often than not, he is hanging out outside of his cage when I arrive to pick him up. If your cat is high maintenance about being left on his own, as mine is, look no further. They really care about the animals at The Cat Practice and are pretty great to people, too. -
Review from megan w.
Astoria, NY
6/10/2009
These guys are as good as it gets. I brought my Venus to The Cat Practice after having been told by another vet that there was nothing wrong with her and that her unusual behavior was not derived from a medical problem. Dr. Sullivan asked lots of questions and took the time to understand my cat, getting to the medical root of Venus' bad behavior without all the expensive tests that the previous vet required (in the end, to no avail). He seemed incredibly knowledgeable and took the time to share that knowledge with me and answer all my questions.
The staff are also amazing. After getting a diagnosis that required medication, I was nervous about how to administer pills and liquid antibiotics. One of the assistants gave me a demonstration and let me practice until i felt comfortable with the process. And his tips really worked!
I'd happily recommend this place to anybody whose cat needs a little extra attention. It's worth every penny. -
Review from Adam M.
New York, NY
8/19/2009
Dr Sullivan and his staff are great! Hes taken 'do one thing and do it right' to new heights; Cats!
Dr Sullivan knows cats. He's very experienced, provides great care, doesn't up-sell tests or services, and the prices are reasonable. They also do boarding at reasonable rates and let the cats play and walk around, not just locking them up like inmates like some kennels do.
The only negative, if there is one, is hes a general practitioner. If you need emergency service or specialists you'll have to go elsewhere. But that's not such a burden in a city full of specialists. -
Review from Elizabeth S.
Manhattan, NY
3/26/2011
The staff at the Cat Practice is very good and caring. A few years ago, when I had to have my 18 year old cat put down, you couldn't find a more compassionate group of people. I've been taking my cats to this veterninary practice for over 15 years and have had only a positive experience. Like the fact that many other clients, are "nutty cat" people like me, and have met some nice people in the waiting area.
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Review from sarah F.
New York, NY
7/18/2009
This place is one of the reasons I love NY. They saved our cat who fell into a diabetic coma - one week and much care later we got a bill that didn't break us. We moved to LA, came back and ran to Cat Practice to board our cat Leroy. They care for our cats, are great vets and prices are so incredibly sane you find you want to give em more.
Cannot recommend highly enough. -
Review from Humphrey B.
New York, NY
1/26/2009
Definitely know their stuff, good diagnosticians, excellent with really sick cats (I know from sad experience). BUT they can be expensive, particularly if the cat needs extensive treatment. I've found over the years that once a cat gets sick, there's not much that can be done and prolonging the kitty's life doesn't do him or her much good. Here it can cost into the five figures easily. Still, I'll probably do it next time, so what can you do?
One other thing I need to mention: very good hours, seven days a week, and a courteous support staff. Negative: Parking is a bit dicey in the area, even on Sunday, and the location is a bit out of the way unless you live in Flatiron. -
Review from gail q.
7/25/2010
I've had some horrible experiences with vets in this city - unnecessarily expensive vets, rude vets, unprofessional vets, vets who seem to know less about veterinary medicine than I do... I came here after growing tired of my cats getting freaked the fuck out by the dog-packed prison that is the Humane Society waiting room (and then getting subpar, inattentive, yet still pricey medical care). First off, not only do they make you and your cat feel totally welcome and comfortable here, but they don't pull the usual bullshit of rushing you in and out while simultaneously acting like you're somehow responsible for your cat being sick/overweight/old because you're clearly a negligent, cruel, pet-abusing idiot. They're nice, they're friendly, and they listen. This is the one of the few (as in 2, and the other's in Nebraska) vet offices in which my super-skittish cat doesn't pee and hiss and generally flip out the minute her carrier is opened.
Blah blah blah whatever, Dr. Lee seems very knowledgeable and her demeanor seemed to actually calm our cat down, which is truly shocking because this cat is like a fuzzy Satan to most strangers. Dr. Lee listened and took a full history and explained all the tests they wanted to do - AND THE RESULTS WERE AVAILABLE THE NEXT DAY! They offered us options and didn't pressure us to do other procedures or basically drop a ton of cash for unnecessary things like super pricey speciality foods or extra blood tests or whatever. They even clipped our cat's nails for free! Hooray! And the techs seems really genuinely decent, sweet, and into cats - if you've ever had your darling pet manhandled by the pissy brutes at some clinics you know what a big deal this is.
I basically couldn't possibly be happier here (unless they randomly decided to treat my cats for free, just sayin'). The entire staff is friendly and patient (and they greet me with "Hey, it's Optimus Prime's mom!" which is adorable) and, while not exactly dirt cheap, their prices are in line with other (far less awesome) practices in the city. I've yet to board our cats with them but this is the only place I've been where I'd be comfortable leaving my girls. I can't imagine bringing them to another clinic after seeing how great it is here. -
Review from Jeanne E.
Brooklyn, NY
1/23/2008
According to its website, The Cat Practice was the first feline-only veterinary practice in the world. I've been taking my cat to the Cat Practice for two and a half years and I wouldn't go elsewhere. Everyone here, from Dr. Sullivan to the receptionists, loves cats and treats them accordingly. The facilities are impeccably clean and cheerful. I've boarded my cat at the Cat Practice several times and I always have peace of mind knowing she's in good hands, as the cats are monitored carefully and given play time with the staff. Prices are more expensive than I've encountered at other clinics but the attention and love that the "patients" get here is worth every penny.
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Review from Cathy R.
New York, NY
3/3/2010
"The Cat Mal-Practice" Horrible Vets! They killed my cat.
I brought my cat Chelsea to the Cat Practice last year. She had diarrhea and a possible fever. When I arrived they seemed totally disorganized and kept me waiting forever, which was unusual because in the past they had seemed to have it together. When they finally saw me I asked where Dr. Sullivan was, the owner of the practice, and they told me he was on vacation. No-one had bothered to tell me that when I made the appointment. He was my regular vet, the only person I had ever seen at The Cat Practice.
Chelsea was finally examined by Dr. Sheheri (very young and seemingly inexperienced). Sheheri told me Chelsea was dehydrated and told me to leave her there for further observation.
When I called late in the afternoon to find out how Chelsea was doing they told me she had died. I was shocked devastated confused and yes suspicious, my cat didn't seem that sick. I couldn't get a straight answer as to what her cause of death was.
A few days later I spoke to someone on the phone at The Cat Practice. They told me how sorry they were about Chelsea who had been a patient for routine stuff since she was a kitten. She was seven years old when she passed away. The staff person confided in me that Dr. Sullivan was not there as much as he used to be. Furthermore I found out that the office was in disarray that day and that Sheheri had been completely overwhelmed. When I did some more probing I found out that Sheheri had left Chelsea in her carrier for many hours without even looking at her. When I tried to speak to Sullivan about my cat's cause of death he brushed me off, very uncharacteristic of his past interactions with me. I new something was wrong. Their defensiveness compelled me to do an autopsy, which showed that Chelsea had no underlying condition that would have caused her death. As far as the autopsy revealed, there was nothing acutely wrong with her. Her cause of death was from dehydration brought on by an infection and a fever that should have been treatable. She was not an old cat and if she had been administered proper fluids and given antibiotics in a timely fashion she should have been treatable. I guess I'll never know exactly what happened.
I did confirm sometime later that Sheheri had in fact only graduated from veterinary school and been board certified a short time before joining The Cat Practice. This is quite uncommon as I discovered most young vets intern at places like the Animal Medical Center to learn their skills before taking on solo responsibility at a busy vet practice. I can't believe Sullivan left her in charge of his entire practice-an inexperienced vet dealing with 20 or 30 sick cats, some of which were being boarded.
Please! please! please!----- stay away from this place if you don't want heartbreak, especially if your cat is seriously ill. My cat had been a patient at this practice many times before this tragic incident. I thought Sullivan knew what he was doing. Only now do I realize how wrong I was. Chelsea was never really sick before this so I guess I was ignorant about what a good vet really is. I feel very guilty for leaving her there out of my sight.
I wish I had known about Yelp a year ago. If I had been able to post this earlier who knows how many people I might have helped avoid this place. At least now I can warn others instead of just feeling helpless and angry at what these incompetents did to my cat and me. I hope I can get over the sadness of losing Chelsea the way I did. I miss her a lot. Let my story be a warning to anyone who goes to this vet and never leave your cat without seeing exactly where they take her and what treatment they actually provide. -
Review from Chrissy S.
McLean, VA
6/3/2011
Took wonderful care of my cat for over two months after I relocated.
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Review from Amanda H.
New York, NY
8/2/2009
The Cat Practice has been my cat's vet for a little over a year now and in that time he's had a couple checkups, shots, a dental cleaning, and has boarded overnight 3-4 times (I've lost count!). I've continued to take him there even though I've moved out of the area and it can be a pain to take him as he howls in a taxi.
The doctors and staff are extremely friend and truly care about cats. They were gentle and caring. After my cat had bloodwork done, one of the doctors called me to discuss his results.
The boarding services are excellent too. When I boarded my cat, it was $25/day, which I think includes cat food, and the cats are let out of their kennels to get exercise every day. They also had a projection screen in the backroom where they show the cats movies of birds!
I think my cat is more comfortable staying at home when I travel, but this is a good choice when I can't get a sitter. I think you'll have to pay for an exam ($95 the last time I went) if your cat hasn't been there before or a 'half-exam' ($45) if your cat hasn't had a checkup there w/in 6 months, which adds to the cost but I guess I'd rather do that than risk my cat walking around with a bunch of mangy sick cats.
I also took my cat here for his first dental cleaning ($400). I was nervous about it b/c it involves anesthesia, but he came back fine with gleaming white teeth :)
They're not cheap, but I think their prices seem okay for Manhattan. Thankfully my cat hasn't been sick since we started going to The Cat Practice, but I can't imagine taking him anywhere else. -
Review from JENNY C.
New York, NY
7/28/2010
I brought my cat here after doing some research online (this was a couple of years ago). At first I was so thrilled to find a practice that specialized in cats. After a routine bath and shave (I have a long hair), my cat came back with scratches and missing a nipple. When I called and asked what happened (because of course I was not told about it when I paid), they didn't believe me and refused to even apologize, let alone remedy the situation in any way. I understand that accidents happen during procedures, but after this experience I had no confidence that they were responsible enough to tell the client when they did happen.
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Review from Lisa P.
New York, NY
11/12/2009
Yikes... brought our cat in for boarding and they ran hundreds of dollars in tests over a couple of days without calling us first! This was NOT an emergency situation, they should have called first to let us know they suspected a problem. I would have had my regular vet check her out. This is a big no-no in my book and makes me think they are out to rip people off.
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Review from Patricia C.
New York, NY
7/17/2010
Love, love, triple love The Cat Practice. Dr. Sullivan, the techs and especially the front desk personnel are a blessing. My girls, Lovey and Sheba, have been patients for several years after I adopted them from Animal Care and Control. Prior to that, my beloved big boy, Nelson, was attended to with truly personal care during his long bout with diabetes and a heart condition. Dr. Sullivan has written a witty and informative book, which was placed under many Christmas trees last year. I cannot recommend this care center highly enough. They are simply the best.
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Review from Paula C.
New York, NY
8/27/2010
The entire staff is dedicated to providing calm, comfortable care for your beloved cat. I adore my cat, but I realize he can be quite unmanageable to others. The receptionist, the technicians, and the vet were very flexible and compassionate. I would definitely recommend The Cat Practice.
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Review from Henry S.
New York, NY
4/4/2009
Yes! It is a wonderful place to bring your cats!
We have been taking our cats for check-ups and boarding to The Cat Practice since 1982. Dr. Skip Sullivan is a dedicated and caring vet whose expertise in feline diagnosis and treatment is superb. He and his first-rate staff excel in sensitivity and have been treating cats of ours since 1982. The office and waiting area are neat and clean as is their well kept boarding facility. We often board our cats there when we go on vacation. While boarding, the cats get lots of attention and individualized care regarding diet, medication (if prescribed), daily brushing, and exercise. We also get updates on their stay. They even amuse the cats with videos of chirping birds!
In times of illness we have been welcomed to visit our cats daily.
The expertise and dedication of Dr. Sullivan and his staff have helped our cats live long healthy lives. We recommend the Cat Practice enthusiastically.
Morrie and Henry Silvert -
Review from Bonnie M.
New York, NY
11/13/2009
I took my cat to them for many years -- she was extremely difficult to treat as she couldn't tolerate handling by strangers and where other vets further traumatized her, the Cat Practice was patient and gentle. However, when we suddenly became aware that she was in kidney failure, and very ill, the picture changed. She had been treated incompetently by a new vet, went back to CP when she was obviously terminal for a second opinion. They urged me to let her stay overnight for hydration, though I could see she was in acute pain and probably dying, and assured me she would be fine; then when we called after hours to find out how she was doing, we were told that she probably wouldn't make it through the night. When I rushed in a 9am to get her out of her kennel cage, where she was lonely and terrified, they didn't even want to hand her over to me at all. I waited with her in my arms till the vet came in, demanding that she be put down, they finally agreed but tried to tell me I couldn't be present. I had to insist. Sure, a traumatic experience, but better than letting her suffer alone in a cage for no reason or die alone with strangers. Many vets have trouble managing death compassionately; the Cat Practice certainly did in our case!
