Certified Exotic Pet Vets in Los Angeles — Verified Specialists by Species

Verified Exotic Pet Veterinarians

Show 28 more clinics

VCA Wilshire Animal Hospital (Dr. Frank Lavac)

🦜 Birds 🐹 Small Mammals Cert. Lapsed 2014

Certification
Dr. Frank Lavac — DABVP-Avian LAPSED (held 1994–2014, not renewed). Medical Director. 40+ years of avian experience. Still actively practicing and seeing birds/exotics.

Species
Birds, Small Mammals

Address
2421 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403

Phone
(310) 828-4587

Website
vcahospitals.com/wilshire

Emergency
Not available

Hours
Open 7 days/week including Sundays

First Visit
~$100+ (exam only)

40 years of avian experience, open seven days a week including Sundays — but the board certification lapsed in 2014.

⚠️ VCA Wilshire's website still claims "a board-certified avian specialist on staff" — this claim is outdated and misleading. Dr. Lavac's DABVP-Avian expired in 2014 per his own VCA biography. No other board-certified avian vet is on the team. He retains genuine deep expertise but the marketing claim is inaccurate.

Studio City Animal Hospital

🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals 🐸 Amphibians ★ 4.5

Certification
Dr. Clyde Pitts (owner, 50+ years, strong reptile reputation), Dr. Geoffrey Stein (chameleon specialist, endorsed by Chameleon Forums), Dr. Seema Singeetham (UC Davis, 4 years at California Raptor Center, exotic rotations).

Species
Birds, Reptiles, Rabbits, Small Mammals, Amphibians

Address
11800 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

Phone
(818) 769-1338

Website
studiocityanimalhospital.com

Emergency
Not available

Hours
Mon–Sat 7:30 AM–7 PM; Sun 9 AM–5 PM

First Visit
"Very reasonable" for exotic care per reviews

Dr. Geoffrey Stein is the LA chameleon community's preferred vet. Open 7 days including Sunday. 4.5★ from 411+ Google reviews.

⚠️ California Veterinary Board issued Citation #2658-C against Dr. Pitts — details not public but disclosed. Mixed reviews on communication and consistency. Dr. Stein is the preferred vet for reptile cases.

Eagle Rock Pet Care ("Exotic Vet Hospital")

🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐹 Small Mammals Branding Overstated

Certification
Dr. Morgan Cornelius (sole vet). Zoo volunteer experience at Oakland Zoo, wildlife work in South Africa. No formal exotic medicine training, residency, or board certification.

Species
Birds, Reptiles, Small Mammals

Address
4000 Eagle Rock Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90065

Phone
(323) 794-0566

Website
eaglerockpetcare.com

Emergency
Not disclosed

Hours
Not disclosed

First Visit
Not disclosed

May handle basic exotic wellness exams, but complex exotic cases should be referred to a dedicated exotic practice. Also operates Covina Pet Care at 602 N Azusa Ave, Covina, CA 91722.

⚠️ "Exotic Vet Hospital" branding is grossly disproportionate to actual capability. Surgery page mentions only dogs and cats. Reviews are ~95% dogs. Previously named "Affordable Animal Hospital-Eagle Rock." Basic exotic exams only — refer complex cases elsewhere.

All Creatures Care Cottage

🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals 🐸 Amphibians

Certification
Current team: Dr. Janet Behm, Dr. Fred Brewer (DACVIM, mobile cardiologist), Dr. Alie Sheble, Dr. Kathleen Gudiel. Exotics since 1985. Nextdoor Neighborhood Favorite 2017–2021, 2023.

Species
Birds, Reptiles, Rabbits, Small Mammals, Amphibians

Address
601 W 19th St, Suite 200, Costa Mesa, CA 92627 (~40 miles from DTLA)

Phone
(949) 642-7151

Website
Not disclosed

Emergency
Not available

Hours
Mon–Fri 7:30 AM–6 PM; closed weekends

First Visit
Not disclosed

A nearly 40-year-old exotic practice with a loyal community following. 352+ Yelp reviews.

⚠️ Former key exotic vet Dr. Spongberg appears semi-retired or in an ownership-only role — absent from current active vet roster. Exotic cases now handled by remaining team. Clinic continues to actively advertise exotic care.

Conejo Valley Veterinary Hospital

🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals Ferrets

Certification
Largest practice in Ventura County. Founded 1958 by legendary vet Dr. Robert Miller. AAHA-accredited. Exotic appointments with "Dr. Antin" on Wednesdays only.

Species
Birds, Reptiles, Rabbits, Small Mammals, Ferrets

Address
3580 Willow Lane, Thousand Oaks, CA 91361 (~40 miles from DTLA)

Phone
(805) 495-4671

Website
Not disclosed

Emergency
Limited — Emergency availability 7 days until 5 PM, Fri–Sun 12 PM–9:30 PM. NOT 24/7 despite cached directory listings.

Hours
Mon–Thu 7 AM–6 PM; Fri–Sun 7 AM–9:30 PM

First Visit
Not disclosed

Ventura County's largest practice — but exotic appointments are limited to "Exotic Wednesdays with Dr. Antin!" only. 1,446+ reviews across platforms.

⚠️ Hours have been significantly reduced after corporate acquisition by NVA. Multiple third-party sites still say "24/7" — these are outdated. Exotic appointments limited to Wednesdays only.

VEG (Veterinary Emergency Group) — Santa Monica

🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals 24/7 Emergency

Certification
Corporate exotic policy covers chinchillas, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, hedgehogs, rabbits, rats, sugar gliders, extensive bird species, all common reptiles, and chelonians. ER vets handle exotic emergencies with remote expert consultation available.

Species
Birds, Reptiles, Rabbits, Small Mammals (emergency only)

Address
2700 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA

Phone
Not disclosed — see veterinaryemergencygroup.com

Website
veterinaryemergencygroup.com

Emergency
24/7 emergency

Hours
24/7

First Visit
$225 exam fee (VEG standard)

24/7 exotic emergency care, but no dedicated exotic specialists on staff. Multiple dedicated exotic practices nationally endorse VEG as after-hours backup.

⚠️ VEG does NOT have dedicated exotic specialists at most locations. Capability is "variable" depending on which vet is on shift. Call ahead to confirm exotic capability on the current shift. Can provide basic stabilization; complex cases may require transfer.

VEG (Veterinary Emergency Group) — Torrance

🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals 24/7 Emergency Opened March 2026

Certification
Same corporate exotic policy as VEG Santa Monica. Medical Director: Dr. Jennifer Hall. 24 staff, 5 full-time vets.

Species
Birds, Reptiles, Rabbits, Small Mammals (emergency only)

Address
25210 Crenshaw Blvd, Suite 105, Torrance, CA

Phone
Not disclosed — see veterinaryemergencygroup.com

Website
veterinaryemergencygroup.com

Emergency
24/7 emergency

Hours
24/7

First Visit
$225 exam fee (VEG standard)

Torrance's first 24-hour emergency pet hospital, opened March 4, 2026. Same exotic policies as VEG Santa Monica.

⚠️ Brand new facility (opened March 4, 2026). Same caveats as VEG Santa Monica — no dedicated exotic specialists. Call ahead. Worth monitoring as it establishes a track record.

ACCESS Los Angeles

🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals 24/7 Emergency

Certification
Has a "Department of Avian and Exotic Pets." Known exotic specialist Dr. Olivia Petritz (DACZM) has departed to NC State faculty. Current exotic specialist staffing uncertain.

Species
Birds, Reptiles, Rabbits, Small Mammals

Address
9599 Jefferson Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

Phone
Not disclosed — call the hospital directly

Website
Not disclosed

Emergency
24/7 emergency; exotic department business hours only; overnight ER vets are dog/cat-trained

Hours
24/7

First Visit
$195 exam fee per community reports

LA's only 24/7 specialty hospital with a dedicated avian & exotic department — though overnight coverage defaults to generalist ER vets.

⚠️ Highly recommended for rabbits but mixed reviews for reptiles. Overnight emergency vets "may know very little about rabbits" per community warnings. Exotic department may have shifted after Dr. Petritz's departure. Call ahead to confirm exotic vet availability on current shift.

How to Verify Your Exotic Vet

How to Tell If Your Exotic Vet Is Actually Qualified

Understanding the credential hierarchy is the most important thing you can do for your exotic pet. In the U.S., only two organizations grant AVMA-recognized board certification for exotic animal veterinarians: the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) and the American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM). A vet who holds DABVP (Diplomate of the ABVP) or DACZM has completed years of focused clinical training — including a multi-year residency or equivalent — submitted detailed case documentation, and passed a grueling multi-hour board exam. Only these veterinarians can legally call themselves "specialists." ABVP offers four exotic-relevant specialties: Avian Practice (~80–120 diplomates nationwide), Exotic Companion Mammal Practice (~40–70), Reptile & Amphibian Practice (~25–40 — one of the rarest veterinary specialties), and Fish Practice (fewer than 10). ACZM covers all non-domestic species with approximately 300–350 diplomates worldwide, though many work in zoos and academia rather than private practice. In all of Los Angeles, only one DACZM and zero DABVP-ECM or DABVP-Reptile diplomates are in active private practice.

Below board certification, professional association memberships signal genuine interest — but not verified expertise. The Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV, 1,700+ members), the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians (AEMV, 1,200+ members), and the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) are open to any veterinarian who pays annual dues of $50–200. No exam, residency, or case volume is required. A vet holding memberships in multiple associations (like AAV + AEMV + ARAV simultaneously) shows stronger commitment, and combined with documented exotic caseload, conference attendance, or rescue organization endorsements, membership becomes a meaningful trust signal. But a single membership alone confirms interest, not competence.

You can verify credentials yourself. Check board certification status at: ABVP Find a Diplomate, ACZM Diplomate Roster, AAV Find a Vet, AEMV Find an Exotic Vet, and ARAV Find a Vet. Be aware that certifications expire — ABVP requires re-certification every 10 years, and at least two LA-area avian vets let their DABVP lapse in 2014. If a clinic claims a "board-certified specialist on staff," verify the specific vet's name against these directories.

Five Questions to Ask Before Your First Exotic Vet Visit

Before booking, ask these five questions: (1) "What percentage of your patients are exotic animals?" A vet seeing exotics daily is very different from one who sees a hamster monthly. (2) "What species-specific training have you completed?" Look for residencies, specialty internships, or regular exotic conference attendance (ExoticsCon, AAV/AEMV annual meetings). (3) "Do you have horizontal beam radiography?" This is essential equipment for birds and reptiles that most dog/cat clinics lack. (4) "What happens if my pet needs care outside your office hours?" Know the after-hours plan before you need it — in LA, overnight exotic emergency options are extremely limited. (5) "At what point would you refer my pet to a specialist?" Good general exotic vets know their limits and proactively refer complex cases. A vet who never refers is a red flag.

What Exotic Vet Care Costs in Los Angeles

Pricing varies enormously and transparency is poor. Based on verified community reports: initial exotic exams range from $85 at affordable practices like Capri Plaza Pet Clinic to $225 at emergency hospitals like VEG. Rabbit spay/neuter ranges from $200 at Amazing Small Animal Practice (Gardena) to $600+ at VCA facilities — and can reach $1,400+ at Avalon Animal Hospital. Bird wellness visits range from $100 (VCA Wilshire exam only) to $420 (Dr. Rosskopf including diagnostics). Emergency exotic visits at ACCESS or VCA typically start at $300 and regularly exceed $1,000–2,000 for initial hospitalization. Specialty exotic surgery can range from $500 to $8,000+ depending on species, procedure, and facility. Most clinics do not post exotic-specific pricing online — calling ahead for estimates is essential.

How We Verified This Directory

Every practice in this directory was verified through multiple independent sources: direct website review, veterinary association directories (ABVP, ACZM, AAV, AEMV, ARAV), review platforms (Yelp, Google Reviews), community forums (r/LosAngeles, Southern California Herpetology Association), and species-specific databases (ReptiFiles, Anapsid.org). Board certifications were cross-referenced against ABVP and ACZM official directories. Practices appearing only in SEO-generated results were excluded. This directory is reviewed quarterly. Report errors or suggest additions: hello@getlocalverified.com

Frequently Asked Questions

How many board-certified exotic pet veterinarians are there in Los Angeles?

As of March 2026, there is only one confirmed active board-certified exotic specialist in private practice in the LA metro area: Dr. Jessica Robertson (DACZM) at VCA West Los Angeles. Dr. Attila Molnar (DABVP-Avian) is board-certified but his former clinic is marked "CLOSED" on Yelp and his current practice status requires phone verification. Two formerly board-certified avian vets (Dr. Frank Lavac and Dr. Walter Rosskopf) still practice but their DABVP certifications lapsed in 2014. There are zero board-certified Exotic Companion Mammal or Reptile & Amphibian specialists within 50 miles.

Where can I find an emergency exotic vet in LA at night?

After-midnight specialist-level exotic emergency care is essentially nonexistent in LA County. Your best options: VCA West Los Angeles is 24/7 but the zoological medicine specialist is only available during business hours — the overnight ER can stabilize your pet but may not provide definitive exotic treatment. ACCESS Los Angeles (Culver City) is 24/7 with an exotic department, but overnight vets are dog/cat-trained. VEG Santa Monica is 24/7 but has no dedicated exotic specialists on staff — call ahead to check. The strongest 24/7 exotic ER within driving distance is Irvine Valley Veterinary Hospital in Orange County (~42 miles from downtown LA). For non-midnight emergencies, Long Beach Animal Hospital stays open until 10 PM daily with overnight staff on-site.

How much does an exotic pet vet visit cost in LA?

Exotic exam fees range from about $85 at affordable practices (Capri Plaza Pet Clinic) to $225 at emergency hospitals (VEG). Rabbit spay/neuter costs $200–600+ depending on the clinic. Bird wellness visits run $100–420. Emergency exotic hospitalization at specialty hospitals (ACCESS, VCA) regularly exceeds $1,000–2,000. Most LA exotic vets do not publish pricing online. CareCredit is accepted at several clinics including Long Beach Animal Hospital. For budget rabbit procedures, Amazing Small Animal Practice in Gardena offers neuters at approximately $200–225.

Where can I find a reptile vet in Los Angeles?

Reptile care is one of the most underserved specialties in LA — there are zero board-certified Reptile & Amphibian diplomates within 50 miles. Your best verified options: Dr. Silpa at Exotic Animal Veterinary Center (Pasadena) specializes in reptile surgery; Dr. Geoffrey Stein at Studio City Animal Hospital is the chameleon community's go-to vet; Long Beach Animal Hospital has an exceptional documented library of reptile surgical cases (iguana, snake, tegu, tortoise, gecko procedures); and Westminster Veterinary Group (OC) offers reptile endoscopy. For Tier 1-level care, Dr. Jessica Robertson (DACZM, VCA West LA) is formally trained across all reptile species.

How can I verify if my vet is actually certified for exotic pets?

Check three sources. For board certification (highest credential): search the ABVP Find a Diplomate directory at abvp.connect.prolydian.com and the ACZM Diplomate Roster at aczm.org. For association memberships: use AAV's Find a Vet (aav.org), AEMV's Find an Exotic Vet (aemv.org), and ARAV's Find a Vet (arav.org). Important: board certification expires — ABVP requires renewal every 10 years. At least one LA clinic currently claims a "board-certified avian specialist on staff" when the vet's certification actually lapsed over a decade ago. Always verify the specific veterinarian's name, not just the clinic's marketing claims.

What's the best exotic-only vet clinic in Los Angeles?

Exotic Animal Veterinary Center (EAVC) in Pasadena is widely considered the functional gold standard for exotic care in LA. It is the only fully exotics-only practice in the metro area (no dogs or cats), with 6 exotic-trained veterinarians, advanced equipment including a CT scanner and endoscopy, and deep ties to rescue organizations (Medical Director for Zooh Corner Rabbits Rescue and Bunny Bunch). It has a 4.6-star rating from 648+ Google reviews and is the #1 community recommendation across all species. The main limitation is no after-hours or emergency service, and no board-certified vets on staff — though its clinical depth compensates for the credential gap.

My bird is sick — should I take it to any vet that says "we see birds" or find a specialist?

Find a specialist or at minimum a vet with documented avian experience. Birds hide illness instinctively, so by the time symptoms are visible, the situation is often urgent. In LA, your top options for birds are: Dr. Jessica Robertson (DACZM, VCA West LA — the only board-certified option), EAVC Pasadena (Dr. Mikoni for avian nutrition, Dr. Labrecque for budgies), Dr. Yoko Tamura at Capri Plaza Pet Clinic (AAV member, affordable), and Dr. Larry Nemetz at The BIRD Clinic in Orange (30+ years avian-exclusive, but expect 1+ week wait). Be cautious with general practices that claim avian services — our research found clinics ranking at the top of Google for "avian vet LA" whose own veterinarians privately admit they lack bird experience.