Certified Exotic Pet Vets in New York City & the NYC/NJ Metro — Verified Specialists by Species

📋 31 verified practices ✅ 13 board-certified specialists 🕐 Updated March 2026

The New York–New Jersey metro is home to one of the nation's deepest ecosystems for exotic animal medicine — anchored by the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center's 40-year-old exotic service, the Wildlife Conservation Society's Bronx Zoo veterinary operation, and a handful of exclusive exotic-only practices that together host at least 13 board-certified exotic specialists within approximately 30 miles of Midtown. That number includes six DABVP (Avian) diplomates, two DABVP (Reptile & Amphibian) diplomates, one DECZM holder, and at least two DACZM diplomates in active clinical practice — a concentration no other U.S. metro can match when zoo medicine is included. AMC's Avian & Exotic Pet Service alone employs three board-certified specialists and sees approximately 2,600 exotic patients per year, while Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey houses one of only three DACZM diplomates in private practice anywhere in the United States.

Yet this world-class expertise coexists with acute urban barriers found nowhere else. New York City has banned ferrets since 1999, classifying them alongside wolves and crocodiles — forcing owners across state lines for care. NYC's Health Code bans all marsupials, all mustelids, all non-domesticated canids and felids, iguanas, and a long list of other species that are perfectly legal in New Jersey suburbs. The five boroughs outside Manhattan have zero dedicated exotic-only practices, meaning a bird owner in the Bronx at midnight faces a 30–45 minute transit journey with a critically ill animal. For a city with an estimated 58,000+ reptile-owning and 51,000+ bird-owning households, the access gap between the Upper East Side and the rest of the metro is striking.

We verified every listing against primary credentialing sources — the ABVP diplomate directory, ACZM diplomate roster, AAV/AEMV/ARAV membership records, rescue organization referral lists (NYC House Rabbit Society, Bunnies & Beyond, Long Island Parrot Society), and community review platforms. Each practice is assigned a transparent trust tier. Species tags reflect documented capability, not marketing copy. Emergency hours, geographic coverage, and ferret/NJ cross-border notes are included because knowing AMC is excellent doesn't help a Queens rabbit owner who can't reach the Upper East Side after hours.

Verified Exotic Pet Veterinarians in New York City & the NYC/NJ Metro

🏆 BOARD-CERTIFIED SPECIALISTS (TIER 1)

Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC) — Avian & Exotic Pet Medicine

DABVP (Avian) ×2 DABVP (Reptile & Amphibian) DECZM AAV Member 🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals 🐸 Amphibians 🐠 Fish 24/7 Emergency
Certification
Dr. Katherine Quesenberry, DVM, MPH, DABVP (Avian) — Service Head & Chief Medical Officer. Dr. La'Toya Latney, DVM, DECZM (Zoo Health Mgmt), DABVP (Reptile & Amphibian), CertAqV — triple-certified; also handles fish/aquatic cases. Dr. Robert Moore, DVM, DABVP (Avian) — part-time; simultaneously WCS Senior Veterinarian for the Bronx Zoo. First exotic specialty service established in the NYC metro (1984).
Species
Birds of all species, rabbits, rodents (rats, mice, chinchillas, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, degus, prairie dogs), ferrets, reptiles (non-venomous), amphibians, sugar gliders, hedgehogs, miniature pigs, fish, aquatic invertebrates
Address
510 East 62nd Street, New York, NY 10065 (Upper East Side — near Lexington Ave/63rd St subway)
Website
amcny.org
Emergency
24/7/365. NYC's only Level 1 Veterinary Trauma Center. Exotic emergencies triaged through general ER overnight; dedicated Avian & Exotic team assumes care in the morning. Sees ~100 emergency patients/day including exotics.
Hours
7 days/week for appointments; 24/7 for emergency. No referral required — functions as both primary and referral exotic practice.
NYC's anchor institution for exotic animal medicine and the only facility in the five boroughs where board-certified exotic specialists are available around the clock. Completed an $125 million, 83,000 sq ft renovation in December 2025. Exotic patients have access to AMC's full 20+ specialty departments — orthopedic surgery, cardiology, oncology, neurology, interventional radiology — described as "unavailable anywhere else in the NYC metro." The sole pathway to zoo-veterinary expertise for private exotic pets: Dr. Robert Moore simultaneously oversees care for 16,000+ animals across all five NYC zoo facilities and sees AMC private patients. Treats ferrets (permitted under NYC Health Code §161.01's veterinary exemption). Appeared in 7+ independent community recommendation sources.

Center for Avian & Exotic Medicine

DABVP (Avian) ×2 AAV Member AEMV Member 🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals 🐸 Amphibians 🐠 Fish ★ 4.4
Certification
Dr. Anthony Pilny, DVM, DABVP (Avian). Dr. Jessica Grodio, DVM, PhD, DABVP (Avian) — also operates Avian Home Veterinary Care PLLC for house calls. Dr. Alexandra Wilson, Dr. Cindy Liu also on staff. Note: some sources suggest Dr. Pilny may have relocated to Arizona — verify current staff before booking specialty avian cases.
Species
Birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, small mammals, small ruminants, exotic wildlife (squirrels, pigeons). No dogs or cats.
Address
562 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10024 (Upper West Side — near B/C 86th St subway)
Emergency
No 24/7 on-site. Refers overnight emergencies to AMC.
Hours
7 days/week, 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Initial exam approximately $120.
NYC's only exclusively avian/exotic veterinary hospital — no dogs or cats. The single most community-endorsed exotic practice in the city, appearing in 8+ independent sources including NYC HRS rabbit rescue lists, Long Island Parrot Society recommendations, and Yelp with 186 reviews at ~4 stars. Subway-accessible on the Upper West Side. Dr. Grodio also offers board-certified bird specialist house calls via Avian Home Veterinary Care PLLC — exceptionally rare. Now affiliated with Thrive Pet Care network. Treats ferrets within NYC under the veterinary exemption.
⚠️ Verify current staff before booking specialist-level avian cases — some sources suggest Dr. Anthony Pilny (DABVP Avian) may have relocated to Arizona. Dr. Grodio's DABVP status has been confirmed. Not 24/7 — overnight emergencies must go to AMC.

Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics

DABVP (Avian) AAV Member AEMV Member ARAV Member AAHA Accredited 🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals ★ 4.4
Certification
Dr. Laurie Hess, DVM, DABVP (Avian) — former AAV President (2009–2010), Editor-in-Chief of the Merck Veterinary Manual, Yale/Tufts graduate, 20+ years experience. One of ~130 board-certified avian specialists worldwide. Dr. Jonah Marion — completed reptile/amphibian residency training. Active ABVP avian residency program on-site.
Species
Birds, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, chinchillas, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, mini-pigs, reptiles, amphibians, wallabies, kinkajous, fennec foxes, opossums. No dogs or cats.
Address
709 Bedford Road, Bedford Hills, NY 10507 (Westchester County — ~35 miles north of Midtown)
Emergency
24-hour phone consultation at (914) 864-1414; $75 after-hours fee. Can direct emergency care remotely. Not a 24/7 walk-in ER.
Hours
Mon–Thu 9–6, Fri 9–5, Sat 9–1. Google/Birdeye: 4.4 stars, 313 reviews.
The premier exotic-only practice in Westchester and arguably one of the strongest in the entire metro. The only AAHA-accredited avian specialty practice in New York State — one of three such practices in the entire United States. Members of all four major associations: AAV, AEMV, ARAV, and AAHA. CT scans, endoscopy, laser therapy, acupuncture, boarding. Appeared in 7+ independent community sources. Serves clients from NY, CT, NJ, and PA including many NYC residents who make the trip for Dr. Hess's level of expertise. Advises on cross-jurisdictional species regulations.
⚠️ Located ~35 miles from Manhattan — requires car or Metro-North (Mount Kisco station, 1.5 miles from clinic). No walk-in 24/7 emergency capability; after-hours phone consultation available for $75.

Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic

DABVP (Avian) Dipl. ACEPM AAV Member 🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals ★ 4.3
Certification
Dr. Shachar Malka, BVSc, DABVP (Avian), Dipl. ACEPM — co-founded the American College of Exotic Pet Medicine; 15+ years, published researcher. Staff also includes Dr. Nicole Sands (Cornell DVM), Dr. Margaret Lee (Cornell DVM), Dr. Sarah Lambert. No dogs or cats.
Species
All avian species, reptiles, rabbits, small mammals, exotic pets. In-house HD-CT scanner (unique for an exotic-only clinic), endoscopy, ultrasound.
Address
333 Great Neck Road, Great Neck, NY 11021 (Nassau County — reachable from Manhattan via LIRR Port Washington line, ~30 min)
Emergency
On-call doctor via (516) 441-2726, 9 p.m.–midnight. After midnight: refers to VEG Brooklyn.
Hours
Mon–Thu 9–9, Fri–Sat 9–5, Sun 10:30–3. Google: ~4.3 stars, ~385 reviews.
The only avian/exotic hospital in Nassau County and one of the most technologically advanced in the metro — the in-house HD-CT scanner is unique among exotic-only practices nationwide. Appeared in 6+ independent community sources. Reachable from Midtown without a car via LIRR. Rabbit rescue organizations (NYC HRS, Bunnies & Beyond) consistently list this practice. Dr. Malka's co-founding of the American College of Exotic Pet Medicine (ACEPM, established 2023–2024) makes this a historically significant exotic medicine practice.
⚠️ No 24/7 emergency — after-hours on-call only until midnight, then VEG Brooklyn referral. Requires LIRR trip or car for most NYC residents.

Oradell Animal Hospital — Avian, Exotic & Zoological Medicine

DABVP (Reptile & Amphibian) AAV Member 🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals 🐸 Amphibians 24/7 Emergency
Certification
Dr. Marianne Caron, DVM, DABVP (Reptile & Amphibian) — leads exotic department. Bergen County Zoo veterinarian also on staff. Dedicated exotics ward with temperature-controlled cages.
Species
Small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates (tarantulas, praying mantis, hermit crabs). Ferrets explicitly treated.
Address
580 Winters Avenue, Paramus, NJ 07652 (Bergen County — ~20 minutes from GWB; Fort Lee satellite location minutes from the bridge)
Emergency
24/7/365. Closest 24/7 specialist exotic ER for upper Manhattan and Bronx residents. Fort Lee location is minutes from the George Washington Bridge.
Hours
Main: 24/7. Multiple locations across Bergen County (Paramus, Fort Lee, Hasbrouck Heights).
The most accessible 24/7 specialist-level exotic emergency option for NYC residents — particularly Upper Manhattan and Bronx pet owners who can reach the George Washington Bridge. Key destination for NYC ferret owners, as ferrets are legal in NJ and this practice explicitly treats them. One Yelp reviewer documented driving a rental car from Manhattan specifically for ferret care. Board-certified reptile/amphibian specialist on staff plus Bergen County Zoo veterinarian makes this the strongest NJ exotic ER option.
⚠️ Requires crossing into New Jersey — ~20–25 minutes from upper Manhattan, longer from other boroughs. Ferrets are legal in NJ and can be treated openly here.

Red Bank Veterinary Hospital — Avian & Exotic Service

DACZM DABVP (Avian) AAV Member AAHA Accredited 🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals 24/7 Emergency
Certification
Dr. Emi Knafo, DVM, DACZM — Diplomate, American College of Zoological Medicine; one of only 3 DACZM diplomates in private practice in the entire United States, and one of only 10 worldwide with the Zoological Companion Animal subspecialty. Dr. Brynn McCleery, DVM, DABVP (Avian). AAHA-accredited 100,000 sq ft facility.
Species
Birds, reptiles, rabbits, small mammals, and all exotic companion animals. Full 24/7 emergency and specialty services.
Address
197 Hance Avenue, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724 (Monmouth County — ~1 hour from NYC)
Emergency
24/7 emergency. Penn Vet refers exotic pet owners here — UPENN does not currently offer in-house exotic companion animal medicine.
Hours
24/7 emergency; specialty appointments available. No referral required.
Houses one of the rarest private-practice exotic credentials in the world: Dr. Emi Knafo is one of only three DACZM diplomates in private practice in the entire United States. Combined with Dr. McCleery's DABVP (Avian), this 100,000 sq ft AAHA-accredited facility offers specialist depth matching or exceeding major academic hospitals. Primary exotic referral for Penn Vet's clients. Realistic destination for planned specialist visits from NYC — ~1 hour by car — or for NJ-based owners requiring true specialist-level care.
⚠️ ~1 hour drive from Manhattan — best suited for planned specialist referrals or for NJ-based owners. For overnight emergencies from NYC proper, AMC or Oradell are faster.

Island Exotic Veterinary Care

DABVP (Avian) Consultant 🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals ★ 4.6
Certification
Dr. Heidi Hoefer, DVM, DABVP (Avian) — as consultant (retired/semi-retired from primary practice). Dr. Meredith Davis, DVM (owner since 2022; Cornell DVM, Ohio State residency). Dr. Perri Wiggin, Dr. Brooke Dolega, Dr. Alexandra Colella also on staff. Long Island's first 100% exotic practice (2007).
Species
All exotic companion animals. No dogs or cats.
Address
591 East Jericho Turnpike, Huntington Station, NY 11746 (Suffolk County — ~45 miles from Midtown)
Emergency
Business hours only. After-hours referral to VMCLI (West Islip, 24/7 exotic ICU).
Hours
Mon–Wed 9:30–8, Thu 9:30–7, Fri 9:30–4, Sat 10–3. Google: ~4.6 stars, ~231 reviews.
Long Island's original exotic-only practice, founded 2007. Appeared in 5 independent community sources including Long Island rescue lists. Dr. Hoefer's DABVP (Avian) diplomate status as consultant provides specialist-level consultation for complex avian cases. Strong for Suffolk County exotic owners who cannot reach Long Island Bird & Exotics in Great Neck. 4.6 stars from 231+ Google reviews indicates consistently excellent patient experience.
⚠️ Dr. Hoefer is listed as consultant status (retired/semi-retired from primary practice) — confirm her availability for specialist-level cases before booking. No 24/7 emergency on-site.

Animal Medical Hospital & Bird Clinic

DABVP (Avian) 🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐹 Small Mammals
Certification
Dr. Simon Starkey, BVSc, PhD, DABVP (Avian) on staff — board-certified avian specialist.
Species
Birds (specialist-level avian care), reptiles, exotic mammals, general practice dogs and cats.
Address
779 Peninsula Boulevard, Hempstead, NY 11550 (Nassau County)
Website
Emergency
Not confirmed 24/7 — call ahead.
Hours
Call for current hours.
A Nassau County general practice with the notable distinction of having a DABVP (Avian) diplomate on staff. Dr. Simon Starkey's board certification makes this a legitimate specialist-level option for avian cases in the southern Nassau corridor, complementing Long Island Bird & Exotics (Great Neck) and LIVS (Plainview) for Nassau County residents.
⚠️ Limited online presence — verify current staff and hours by calling directly before booking.
🥈 ASSOCIATION MEMBERS (TIER 2)

House Call Vet NY (Dr. Elizabette Cohen)

Cornell DVM USDA Accredited 🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals 🐸 Amphibians 🐠 Fish 24/7 House Calls
Lead Vet
Dr. Elizabette Cohen, DVM — Cornell DVM, Columbia BA. USDA-accredited. No board certification in exotic medicine documented.
Species
Dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, pocket pets, lizards, fish, amphibians, and "all exotics" — the most comprehensive house-call exotic species list found in the metro.
Address
Long Island City, Queens (mobile — serves all five boroughs, Long Island, and Westchester)
Emergency
Available 24/7/365 for house calls across all five boroughs, Long Island, and Westchester.
Hours
24/7 by appointment — call (646) 523-4168.
The standout finding for carless NYC exotic pet owners. No other house-call practice in the metro explicitly offers comparable exotic species coverage at all hours. For Manhattan residents without cars — the majority of the borough — transporting a sick bird or reptile via public transit or rideshare at midnight is a genuine crisis. Dr. Cohen eliminates that problem. Board-certified bird specialist Dr. Jessica Grodio (Center for Avian & Exotic Medicine) also offers avian-only house calls via Avian Home Veterinary Care PLLC, but for all-species coverage Dr. Cohen is the only option.
⚠️ No board certification in exotic medicine documented. For complex cases requiring specialist-level diagnostics or surgery, Dr. Cohen's home visits provide triage and initial treatment but referral to AMC or the Center for Avian & Exotic Medicine may ultimately be required.

HEAL Veterinary Hospital (DUMBO, Brooklyn)

🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals Exotic House Calls
Species
Birds, rats, hamsters, ferrets, snakes, lizards, chinchillas, gerbils, guinea pigs, rabbits, hedgehogs, turtles.
Address
25 Jay Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 (DUMBO — near multiple subway lines)
Emergency
Walk-in emergencies accommodated during business hours. Telemedicine available.
Hours
Call for current hours.
Brooklyn's most distinctive exotic option: HEAL is one of the very few NYC-area practices offering exotic house calls and telemedicine — rare for the area. Notably accessible by subway in DUMBO near multiple A/C and F lines. The combination of in-clinic exotic care, house calls for exotic pets, and telemedicine makes this the strongest all-around exotic option for Brooklyn residents who cannot reach Manhattan practices.

Eltingville Veterinary Practice (Staten Island)

AAHA Accredited Staten Island Zoo Vet (8 yrs) 🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals
Lead Vet
Dr. Danielle Pugliese — served as Staten Island Zoo veterinarian for 8 years. Exceptionally strong exotic credentials for a general practice.
Species
Birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, reptiles, pocket pets.
Address
4353 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10312
Emergency
Business hours only. Extended evening hours Mon/Thu until 8 p.m.
Hours
Mon/Thu until 8 p.m. AAHA accredited.
Staten Island's strongest exotic option by credential depth. Dr. Pugliese's 8-year tenure as Staten Island Zoo veterinarian gives her exotic experience that far exceeds most general practitioners. AAHA accredited. For Staten Island exotic owners, this is the first-call practice before considering the longer trip to Manhattan.

Northside Animal Hospital (Staten Island)

AAV Member (since 1980) AZV Member 🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals
Associations
AAV member since 1980. Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AZV) member since 1975. Affiliated with Staten Island Zoo and Bronx Zoo/WCS. Exotics described as "our specialty."
Species
Full exotic range with long-standing avian and zoo medicine connections.
Address
773 Post Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10310
Website
nahnyc.com
Emergency
Call for after-hours guidance.
Hours
Operating since 1975.
One of the metro's oldest continuously active AAV-member practices (since 1980). The dual zoo affiliations — Staten Island Zoo and Bronx Zoo/WCS — provide unusual institutional credibility for a general practice. Self-describes exotics as its specialty, backed by 45+ years of institutional relationships with zoo veterinary programs.

LIVS — Long Island Veterinary Specialists

AAHA Accredited Dedicated Avian & Exotics Dept. 🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals 🐸 Amphibians 24/7 Emergency
Department
Dedicated Avian & Exotics department. 30,000 sq ft facility, 180+ staff, AAHA accredited.
Species
Birds, reptiles, amphibians, all small mammals.
Address
163 South Service Road, Plainview, NY 11803 (Nassau County)
Website
livs.org
Emergency
Open 24/7/365. Yelp: 401 reviews.
Hours
24/7/365.
A major 24/7 specialist hospital with a dedicated Avian & Exotics department — one of only two 24/7 exotic-capable emergency hospitals on Long Island (alongside VMCLI). The 30,000 sq ft AAHA-accredited facility with 180+ staff provides multi-specialty access for exotic pets alongside emergency coverage. Critical safety net for all Long Island exotic owners after hours.

VMCLI — Veterinary Medical Center of Long Island

AAHA Accredited Dedicated Exotic ICU 🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals 24/7 Emergency
Department
Dr. Jonathan Mehlrose heads the exotic department. Dedicated exotic ICU — first of its kind on Long Island. 28,000 sq ft, AAHA accredited.
Species
Full exotic range including birds, reptiles, small mammals. No referral required for exotics.
Address
75 Sunrise Highway, West Islip, NY 11795 (Suffolk County)
Website
vmcli.com
Emergency
24/7 emergency. Call ahead to alert staff of exotic incoming.
Hours
24/7.
Long Island Bird & Exotics explicitly refers after-midnight cases here — making this the designated overnight safety net for Long Island's premier exotic-only clinic. Long Island's first dedicated exotic ICU. AAHA-accredited with named exotic department head. No referral required. Essential for Suffolk County exotic pet owners who need 24/7 specialist-hospital-level care.

Franklin Lakes Animal Hospital

Ferret Specialty 🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals House Calls Available
Lead Vet
Dr. Cheryl Welch — 20+ years exotic experience. Rigid endoscope, incubators, magnifying loupes.
Species
Birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, ferrets, reptiles.
Address
754 Franklin Avenue, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417 (Bergen County)
Emergency
Not 24/7. Extended weekday hours: Mon–Thu 8–8, Fri 8–5, Sat 8–4.
Hours
Mon–Thu 8–8, Fri 8–5, Sat 8–4. House calls offered.
One of the strongest NJ exotic options for Bergen County residents and a key ferret destination for NYC owners. Lists ferrets explicitly and offers house calls — rare combination. Extended weekday evening hours (until 8 p.m.) make this accessible for working NYC owners who commute to/from NJ. Dr. Welch's 20+ years of exotic experience provides documented depth above typical general practice.
⚠️ Ferrets are legal in New Jersey (permit required). NYC ferret owners traveling here can bring their ferrets openly without the transport anxiety that exists within city limits.

Prospect Ridge Veterinary (West Orange, NJ)

Ferret Specialty 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals
Species
Rabbits, ferrets (spay/neuter, rabies vaccines, deslorelin implants for adrenal disease, cystotomy), guinea pigs, chinchillas, hamsters, reptiles. Does NOT see birds.
Address
612 Mount Pleasant Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052 (Essex County)
Emergency
Refers after-hours to VEG Hoboken/Clifton.
Hours
Call for current hours.
The strongest ferret-specialty practice in the NYC metro for NYC ferret owners forced to cross into New Jersey. The only identified practice offering deslorelin implants for adrenal disease (a very common and serious ferret condition) within the metro. Adrenal disease management is a critical capability — the deslorelin implant is the gold standard treatment and unavailable at most practices. Does NOT treat birds.
⚠️ No avian care. Birds must go elsewhere. Ferret owners: New Jersey requires a $10–$20 Individual Hobby Wildlife Species Possession Permit.

Nautilus Avian & Exotics Veterinary Specialists

Avian & Exotic Only 🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals
Lead Vet
Dr. Jeff Applegate. NJ's only exclusive avian/exotic veterinary hospital.
Species
Birds and all exotic companion animals. No dogs or cats.
Address
Brick, NJ 08724 (Ocean County — ~1.5 hours from NYC)
Phone
Emergency
Call ahead for after-hours guidance.
Hours
Call for current hours.
New Jersey's only exclusively avian and exotic veterinary hospital — no dogs or cats — making it the NJ equivalent of NYC's Center for Avian & Exotic Medicine. Located in Ocean County, approximately 1.5 hours from NYC; more practical as a destination for NJ Shore-area owners or for planned specialist visits from NYC when Red Bank or Oradell cannot schedule appointments.
⚠️ ~1.5 hours from NYC — more practical for NJ residents or planned referrals than for NYC emergency access.

Catnip & Carrots Veterinary Hospital

Rabbit Rescue Endorsed 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals 🦜 Birds
Lead Vet
Dr. Jennifer Saver, DVM.
Species
Rabbits (highly recommended by rescue orgs), guinea pigs, small mammals, birds.
Address
New Hyde Park, NY 11040 (Nassau County)
Phone
Website
Emergency
Business hours only.
Hours
Call for current hours.
Dr. Jennifer Saver is specifically named — not just the practice — by NYC rabbit rescue organizations including Rabbit Rescue & Rehab (NYC HRS Chapter) and Bunnies & Beyond as a recommended exotic vet. Appeared in 4 independent community sources. Name-level endorsement from rescue organizations is the strongest form of community trust signal for rabbit care, indicating consistent positive outcomes reported back to adoption counselors.

Jefferson Animal Hospital

Rabbit Rescue Endorsed 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals
Lead Vets
Dr. Jeff Rose and Dr. Brian Rose.
Species
Rabbits and small exotic mammals.
Address
Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776 (Suffolk County)
Phone
Website
Emergency
Business hours only.
Hours
Call for current hours.
Appeared on 5 independent rabbit rescue vet referral lists — the highest community endorsement count for a Suffolk County practice. Dr. Jeff Rose and Dr. Brian Rose are specifically named by rescue organizations, which is the most reliable signal for rabbit medicine quality. Especially recommended for rabbit care in the eastern Long Island corridor.
📋 EXPERIENCED PRACTICES (TIER 3)

Steinway Court Veterinarian (Astoria, Queens)

🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals
Lead Vet
Dr. Glasser — praised in reviews for exotic knowledge.
Species
Birds (parrots, finches, canaries), small mammals (ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, hamsters, gerbils, sugar gliders, hedgehogs), reptiles (lizards, turtles, snakes). Walk-in daytime exotic emergencies accepted.
Address
32-41 Steinway Street, Astoria, NY 11103 (Queens — near N/W subway)
Emergency
Walk-in daytime exotic emergencies accepted. Not 24/7.
Hours
Call for current hours.
Queens' strongest exotic option — the only identified Queens practice treating birds, small mammals, and reptiles with consistent community endorsements. No board certification or specialist credentials documented, but Dr. Glasser's organic review praise for exotic knowledge makes this more credible than typical general practices. Accessible via N/W train in Astoria.
⚠️ No documented specialist credentials. For complex exotic cases, travel to AMC or Center for Avian & Exotic Medicine in Manhattan.

Westside Veterinary Center

AAHA Accredited (since 1988) 🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals 🐸 Amphibians 🐠 Fish ★ 4+
Species
Amphibians, reptiles, mammals, fish, birds alongside dogs/cats. General practice. 24-hour nursing for hospitalized pets.
Address
220 West 83rd Street, New York, NY 10024 (Upper West Side)
Emergency
24-hour nursing for hospitalized pets. Not a 24/7 exotic emergency walk-in.
Hours
Yelp: ~4+ stars, 277 reviews. Established 1985.
AAHA-accredited since 1988 — a meaningful quality signal for a general practice seeing exotics. Located two blocks from the Center for Avian & Exotic Medicine on the Upper West Side, making this a practical overflow or alternative for UWS residents. 24-hour nursing for hospitalized pets. No documented exotic board certifications or specialist training.

Bronx Veterinary Center

🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals ★ 4
Species
Birds, reptiles, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, hedgehogs, sugar gliders. General practice.
Address
Two locations: 2460 Webster Ave, Fordham, Bronx (718) 933-1002; 1640 Eastchester Rd, Pelham Bay, Bronx (718) 215-7387
Phone
(718) 933-1002 (Fordham) / (718) 215-7387 (Pelham Bay)
Emergency
Business hours only. Fear-Free certified.
Hours
Yelp: ~4 stars, 157 reviews. Spanish-speaking staff.
The Bronx's most accessible exotic-capable general practice, with two locations covering Fordham and Pelham Bay. No dedicated exotic-only facility exists in the Bronx, making this the primary in-borough option. Spanish-speaking staff and Fear-Free certification are notable differentiators. No documented specialist credentials.
⚠️ General practice with basic exotic capability — no specialist credentials documented. Complex exotic cases should go to AMC (Manhattan) or Oradell (NJ).

Williamsburg Veterinary Clinic

🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals
Lead Vets
Dr. Gina Rendon (Medical Director), Dr. Rizzi. 20+ years experience. Open 7 days.
Species
Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, chinchillas, rats, turtles, tortoises, geckos, chameleons, bearded dragons, hedgehogs.
Address
Williamsburg, Brooklyn (see website for full address)
Emergency
Business hours only. Open 7 days.
Hours
Open 7 days/week.
Brooklyn's most convenient general exotic option for Williamsburg and North Brooklyn residents — 7-day access with documented exotic species list. Named vets with 20+ years experience provide more credibility than typical general practices. Good starting point for routine exotic wellness in the area before complex cases require Manhattan referral.

Petchester Veterinary

AAV Member 🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals
Lead Vet
Dr. Lester Sills, DVM (Ohio State 1988) — AAV member, 20+ years volunteer vet at Greenburgh Nature Center treating exotics. Voted Best Vet Center by Westchester Magazine 2023 and 2025.
Species
Birds, reptiles, ferrets, rabbits, rodents. General practice.
Address
309 White Plains Road, Eastchester, NY 10709 (Westchester County)
Emergency
Business hours only.
Hours
Yelp: 75 reviews.
A Westchester general practice with meaningful exotic credentialing context: Dr. Sills is an AAV member with 20+ years as volunteer exotic vet at Greenburgh Nature Center. That sustained volunteer commitment to treating wildlife exotics is a genuine differentiator from typical general practitioners listing exotic services. Good option for southern Westchester residents who cannot reach the Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics in Bedford Hills.

Peter Astarbi, DVM — Mobile Exotic Veterinarian (Staten Island)

🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals Mobile/House Calls Only
Lead Vet
Dr. Peter Astarbi, DVM. Exclusively mobile practice. Holistic approach.
Species
Birds, reptiles, rabbits, pocket pets.
Address
Staten Island, NY (mobile — see website for service area)
Emergency
Call for availability.
Hours
Mobile-only. Call for scheduling.
Staten Island's only exclusively mobile exotic veterinarian — serves bird, reptile, rabbit, and pocket pet owners on Staten Island without requiring transport. The combination of exotic species capability and house-call format is particularly valuable for owners of stress-sensitive species (birds, reptiles) where transport itself can worsen health conditions. Holistic approach may appeal to owners seeking integrative care options.
⚠️ No documented specialist credentials or association memberships. Mobile-only format limits diagnostic capability (no in-house imaging, bloodwork processing). Complex cases will require hospital transfer.

Hoboken Animal Hospital

🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals PATH Train Accessible
Species
Dogs, cats, ferrets, birds, reptiles, guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters. General practice.
Address
640 Washington Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030 (Hudson County — minutes from PATH train)
Emergency
Refers after-hours to VEG Hoboken (24/7, same city).
Hours
Call for current hours.
The closest NJ exotic-capable practice to Manhattan — minutes from the PATH train, making it accessible without a car or car service for lower Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn residents. Treats ferrets openly (NJ legal). No documented specialist credentials, but the proximity and PATH accessibility make this the most convenient NJ option for routine ferret and small exotic care for carless NYC owners.
⚠️ General practice — no documented exotic specialist credentials. For complex cases, VEG Hoboken (24/7, same city) and Oradell (Paramus, 20 min north) offer higher-level care.

Massapequa Pet Vet

Aquatics Specialist (CertAqV) 🐠 Fish 🦎 Reptiles 🐹 Small Mammals
Lead Vet
Dr. Alex Hall, CertAqV — collaborates with Long Island Aquarium. Six-doctor practice. "Se habla Español."
Species
Fish, aquatic species, reptiles, small mammals. One of very few practices in the metro with a certified aquatic veterinarian.
Address
5330 Merrick Road, Massapequa, NY 11758 (Nassau County)
Emergency
Business hours only.
Hours
Yelp: 104 reviews.
Notable specifically for Dr. Alex Hall's CertAqV (Certified Aquatic Veterinarian) credential — one of fewer than 10 CertAqV holders in the United States. NYC is the nation's largest importer of pet fish, yet virtually no local practice advertises fish/aquatic species expertise. The Long Island Aquarium collaboration provides unusual institutional context. Spanish-speaking staff.
Show more clinics (General Practice + Flagged)

VEG (Veterinary Emergency Group) — Multiple NYC/NJ Locations

🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals 24/7 Emergency Generalist Exotic Care
Locations
VEG Upper East Side: 1215 2nd Ave, Manhattan (212) 223-3500 · VEG Chelsea: 735 6th Ave, Manhattan (646) 582-8882 · VEG Brooklyn (Flatlands): Ralph Ave (718) 677-6700 · VEG Hoboken: Willow Ave & 14th St, Hoboken, NJ · VEG Carle Place: Glen Cove Rd, Carle Place, NY
Certification
VEG corporate exotic policy covers birds, reptiles, rabbits, small mammals, and most exotic species. No documented exotic-medicine-trained veterinarians or ABVP diplomates at any NYC-area VEG location. Exotic capability varies by on-duty vet.
Species
Birds, reptiles, rabbits, small mammals — emergency stabilization capability; specialist-level exotic care not assured.
Website
veg.com
Emergency
24/7/365 walk-in at all locations. No appointment needed.
Hours
24/7 all locations.
VEG's rapid expansion into NYC and NJ has improved after-hours exotic access significantly — particularly VEG Brooklyn for borough residents who cannot reach AMC at 2 a.m. VEG accepts exotic emergencies on a walk-in basis at all locations. However, no evidence was found of ABVP-certified or exotic-medicine-trained veterinarians at any NYC-area VEG location. Emergency stabilization is available; specialist-directed exotic care is not assured.
⚠️ Always call ahead to confirm the on-duty vet's comfort level with your specific species. VEG can stabilize exotic emergencies but complex cases — especially birds in respiratory distress, egg-bound reptiles, or GI-stasis rabbits — may require transfer to AMC (the only NYC facility with overnight exotic specialist coverage) or Oradell (NJ). For true overnight exotic emergencies in the boroughs, AMC remains the only destination where specialist-directed care is guaranteed.

Uinta Veterinary Hospital / NewJerseyVeterinarians.org

Confirmed SEO Spam
Status
NOT real practices. Template SEO spam sites appearing in search results for Hoboken, Jersey City, Linden, and North Bergen. No veterinary license, no named veterinarians, no physical address.
Website
Multiple fake domains — not linked here.
"Uinta Veterinary Hospital" pages appearing across multiple NJ cities and "newjerseyveterinarians.org" are confirmed SEO directory spam using template content. They are not real veterinary practices. If a Google search for an NJ exotic vet returns one of these results, verify via the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs veterinary license lookup before calling.
⚠️ Do not call or visit these listings. Verify any NJ veterinary practice via the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs license search before booking.

Ask a Veterinarian Online (askaveterinarianonline.com)

Confirmed Scam
Status
BBB Scam Tracker report #947691 documents this telehealth bait-and-switch: $5 consultation ads convert to $35/month recurring subscriptions with documented impossible cancellation. No physical address. No named veterinarians.
Website
Not linked — confirmed scam.
Targets emergency exotic pet owner searches with paid ads. Exploits the desperation of exotic pet owners facing after-hours crises when no local options appear. Multiple BBB complaints document recurring billing issues. Avoid.
⚠️ Confirmed scam. Report to BBB if encountered. For real after-hours exotic care, go directly to AMC (510 E. 62nd St, Manhattan, 24/7) or call VEG at any location.

Cuddly Buddies NYC

Unverified Vet License
Status
Appeared in Yelp's "Top 10 Exotic Animal Vet in New York" results but could not be verified as a licensed veterinary practice. Name reads more like a pet care or pet-sitting service.
Verification
Verify NYS veterinary license via NYS Education Department lookup (op.nysed.gov) before booking.
Cannot be confirmed as a licensed veterinary practice. The business name does not indicate veterinary services, and no named DVMs, verifiable address, or professional credentials were found associated with this listing. Do not book exotic veterinary care here without first confirming an active NYS veterinary license.
⚠️ Verify veterinary license at op.nysed.gov before booking. If no active veterinary license is found, this is not a licensed veterinary practice.

How to Verify Your Exotic Vet

Understanding the Credential Hierarchy

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 holding DABVP or DACZM has completed years of focused clinical training — including a multi-year residency or equivalent — submitted detailed case documentation, and passed a demanding board exam. Only these veterinarians can legally call themselves "specialists." ABVP offers four exotic-relevant specialties: Avian Practice (~130 diplomates worldwide), Exotic Companion Mammal Practice, Reptile & Amphibian Practice, and Fish Practice. The NYC metro has board-certified diplomates in at least three of these specialties, plus DACZM and DECZM holders — a combination no other U.S. metro can match. A newly established credential, the American College of Exotic Pet Medicine (ACEPM, founded ~2023–2024 by Dr. Shachar Malka of Long Island Bird & Exotics), is beginning to credential specialists but is too new to factor into current rankings.

Below board certification, professional association memberships signal genuine interest — but not verified expertise. The Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV), Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians (AEMV), and Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) are open to any licensed veterinarian who pays annual dues. No exam, residency, or minimum case volume is required. Combined with documented exotic caseload, rescue organization endorsements, and conference attendance, association membership is a genuine trust signal. Single membership alone confirms interest, not competence. The Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics (Bedford Hills) is noteworthy for holding all four major association memberships simultaneously: AAV, AEMV, ARAV, and AAHA.

You can verify credentials yourself. Check board certification at: ABVP Find a Diplomate, ACZM Diplomate Roster, AAV Find a Vet, AEMV Find an Exotic Vet, and ARAV Find a Vet. For NYS veterinary license verification, use the NYS Education Department lookup at op.nysed.gov. Board certification expires — ABVP requires re-certification every 10 years.

NYC-Specific Verification Challenges

Several factors complicate exotic vet verification in the NYC market. First, the market is metro-wide, not city-wide: some of the strongest practices are in NJ and Westchester, not within the five boroughs. Second, directory aggregators (GreatVet.com, Wheree.com) generate templated landing pages for real practices that can contain inaccurate hours and phone numbers — always verify against the practice's own website. Third, NYC's Health Code creates confusion about ferret care: ferrets are illegal to own in NYC but veterinarians are explicitly permitted to treat them (§161.01). Fourth, the borough-level exotic desert problem (no dedicated exotic practice in the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, or Staten Island) means Google's "near me" results for these boroughs may surface low-quality general practices or outright spam — particularly for Bronx and Staten Island searches. Any practice without named DVMs, a verifiable physical address, and a proper NYC area code (212, 646, 718, 917) warrants extra scrutiny.

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), rescue organization referral lists (Rabbit Rescue & Rehab/NYC HRS Chapter, Bunnies & Beyond, Long Island Rabbit Rescue Group, Long Island Parrot Society), review platforms (Yelp, Google Reviews), and community forums. Board certifications were cross-referenced against ABVP and ACZM official directories. Practices appearing only in SEO-generated results without named DVMs, verifiable addresses, and independent community endorsements were excluded or flagged. This directory is reviewed quarterly. Report errors or suggest additions: hello@getlocalverified.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find an exotic vet in Manhattan?

Manhattan has two major options for exotic veterinary care. The Center for Avian and Exotic Medicine at 562 Columbus Ave on the Upper West Side is NYC's only exclusive avian and exotic hospital, open 7 days a week and reachable via the B/C 86th Street subway station. The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center at 510 E. 62nd St on the Upper East Side has a dedicated Avian & Exotic Pet Medicine service (established 1984), three board-certified exotic specialists on staff, and 24/7/365 emergency care — it is NYC's only Level 1 Veterinary Trauma Center. Both are subway-accessible without a car. For house-call exotic care throughout all five boroughs, Dr. Elizabette Cohen of House Call Vet NY (646-523-4168) is available 24/7.

Is there a 24/7 exotic animal emergency vet in NYC?

Yes. The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC) at 510 E. 62nd St, Manhattan — (212) 838-8100 — is the only facility in NYC with board-certified exotic specialists available around the clock and dedicated exotic emergency protocols. It is the gold-standard destination for overnight exotic emergencies. The Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) has multiple 24/7 NYC locations — Upper East Side, Chelsea, and Brooklyn (Flatlands) — that accept exotic patients on a walk-in basis, though exotic specialist capability varies by shift. In New Jersey, Oradell Animal Hospital (Paramus, 201-262-0010) offers 24/7 specialist-level exotic emergency care with a DABVP Reptile & Amphibian diplomate on staff, and is approximately 20 minutes from upper Manhattan.

Are ferrets legal in New York City?

No. Ferrets have been illegal to own within NYC city limits since 1999 under Health Code §161.01, which classifies them as wild animals. Penalties include fines and animal seizure. A 2015 Board of Health vote upheld the ban despite a close public poll, and no subsequent administration has moved to change it. However, ferrets are legal everywhere else in New York State and in New Jersey (NJ requires a $10–$20 Individual Hobby Wildlife Species Possession Permit). Crucially, NYC veterinarians are legally permitted to treat ferrets — the ban targets ownership, not veterinary care. Both AMC and the Center for Avian & Exotic Medicine treat ferrets within NYC. For owners who prefer to cross into NJ, Prospect Ridge Veterinary (West Orange) offers the most comprehensive ferret program including deslorelin implants for adrenal disease.

Can I get a house-call exotic vet in New York City?

Yes, though true exotic house-call options are extremely limited. Dr. Elizabette Cohen of House Call Vet NY (646-523-4168, housecallvetny.com) is the most comprehensive option: she explicitly treats rabbits, birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians, and "all exotics" across all five boroughs, Long Island, and Westchester, and is available 24/7/365. She holds a Cornell DVM and is USDA-accredited. Additionally, Dr. Jessica Grodio (DABVP Avian) at the Center for Avian & Exotic Medicine offers avian-only house calls via Avian Home Veterinary Care PLLC — the rare option of a board-certified bird specialist who makes house calls. HEAL Veterinary Hospital in DUMBO, Brooklyn also offers exotic house calls and telemedicine. Most other NYC house-call vets focus exclusively on dogs and cats.

What exotic pets are illegal in NYC but legal in New Jersey?

Several popular exotic species are banned in NYC but legal across the Hudson in New Jersey (with appropriate permits). These include ferrets, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, iguanas, and potbellied pigs. NYC bans entire taxonomic groups — all marsupials, all mustelids, all non-domesticated canids and felids, all venomous reptiles, crocodilians, and iguanas — that NJ permits with a $10–$20 Individual Hobby Wildlife Species Possession Permit. NYC's Health Code Article 161 also bans species that are often misunderstood as legal. The VMANYC maintains a public page on illegal pets at vmanyc.org. NYC's "Pet Law" (Administrative Code §27-2009.1), which protects pets kept openly for 90+ days, explicitly does not cover exotic animals. Always check your building's pet policy as well — many co-ops and condos impose stricter rules on reptiles, large birds, and large fish tanks even when the city permits them.

Where should I take my exotic pet for emergency care in Brooklyn or Queens at night?

Brooklyn and Queens have no dedicated exotic-only veterinary practices. For overnight emergencies: VEG Brooklyn (Ralph Ave, Flatlands, 718-677-6700) is the most accessible 24/7 option for Brooklyn and southern Queens residents — it explicitly lists birds, snakes, rabbits, and exotics. A rideshare is typically under 10 minutes from central Brooklyn at 2 a.m. For cases requiring specialist-level exotic care, go directly to AMC (510 E. 62nd St, Manhattan, 212-838-8100, 24/7) — approximately 30–45 minutes by rideshare from central Brooklyn. For transport without a car, NYC taxis and Uber/Lyft accept small pets in carriers. AmbuVet (1-800-262-8838) operates a 24-hour pet ambulance service throughout NYC for true medical emergencies. For Queens residents in northern Queens, VEG Carle Place (Nassau County) may be closer than VEG Brooklyn.

Which NYC exotic vets are recommended by local rabbit rescue groups?

NYC's active rabbit rescue organizations — Rabbit Rescue & Rehab (the NYC chapter of House Rabbit Society), Bunnies and Beyond, and Long Island Rabbit Rescue Group — consistently recommend the same core practices. The most frequently listed are the Center for Avian and Exotic Medicine (Manhattan), the Animal Medical Center (Manhattan), the Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics (Bedford Hills, Westchester), and Long Island Bird & Exotics (Great Neck). Individual vets specifically named by rescue organizations include Dr. Jennifer Saver at Catnip & Carrots (New Hyde Park) and Dr. Deborah Levison at Symphony Veterinary Center (Manhattan, W. 96th St). Name-level endorsements from rescue organizations are the strongest signal of rabbit medicine quality — these vets are recommended based on outcomes reported back to adoption counselors.

More exotic vet cities:

Other verified services in New York City:

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