Certified Exotic Pet Vets in Salt Lake City — One Clinic for 1.3 Million Wasatch Front Residents

📋 17 verified practices ✅ 2 board-certified (both avian, Centerville) 🕐 Updated March 2026

Salt Lake City's 1.3 million Wasatch Front residents are served by exactly two ABVP board-certified exotic animal specialists — both Avian Practice diplomates at a single clinic in Centerville — and one exotic-exclusive practice in Cottonwood Heights. There are no board-certified Reptile & Amphibian or Exotic Companion Mammal diplomates anywhere on the Wasatch Front. The most significant shift in the past year is Dr. Laura Boehler's move from Mountain West Veterinary Specialists (Layton) to Murray Animal Hospital, where she launched a dedicated Exotics Department in late 2024 — the strongest new exotic capacity addition in the valley in years. West Valley City's roughly 140,000 residents remain in a complete exotic vet desert, West Jordan's closest option is 10 miles away, and the closure of Riverwoods Pet Hospital in Provo removed the best exotic option in all of Utah County. This directory identifies 18 legitimate exotic-capable practices across the region, ranks them by credential tier, and documents the geographic and after-hours gaps in plain terms.

Search "exotic vet Salt Lake City" on Google and the likedogsandcats.com spam network surfaces prominently — pages titled "Dogs & Cats Veterinarian Salt Lake City," "Dogs & Cats Veterinarian Taylorsville," "Dogs & Cats Veterinarian Bountiful," and similar, all using keyword-stuffed fake practice names, Wikipedia-scraped city descriptions, generic 877 phone numbers, and contradictory claims of being both a vet clinic and a "free referral service." None are real veterinary practices. Other low-quality aggregators — pawlicy.com, pawp.com, wheree.com — auto-generate practice profiles from public data with AI-written summaries and no editorial verification. Google has no dedicated "Exotic Veterinarian" business category, so general practices claiming exotic capability can outrank genuine specialists through SEO alone. The result: spam pages ranking ahead of Wasatch Exotic Pet Care and Parrish Creek — both of which have operated for decades and are the actual resources Salt Lake City exotic pet owners need.

We verified every listing against primary credentialing sources: the ABVP diplomate directory at abvp.connect.prolydian.com, the ACZM diplomate roster at aczm.org, and the AAV, AEMV, and ARAV membership records. We cross-referenced against community endorsements from True Hearts for Healing Paws rabbit rescue, WabbitWiki's Utah page, Utah Parrot Education and Resources' vet referral list, the beardeddragon.org forums, and organic review platforms. Each practice is assigned a transparent trust tier: Board Certified (Tier 1 — ABVP/DACZM credentialed), Association Member or Significant Exotic Commitment (Tier 2), or Experienced Practice (Tier 3 — verified exotic caseload with community endorsements but no credentialing documentation). The spam networks and permanently closed practices are documented at the end.

Verified Exotic Pet Veterinarians — Wasatch Front

🏆 BOARD-CERTIFIED SPECIALISTS (TIER 1)

Parrish Creek Veterinary Hospital & Diagnostic Center ⭐

DABVP Avian ×2 Avian Residency AAV Member AEMV Member ARAV Member 🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐹 Small Mammals ★ 4.5
Certification
Dr. Douglas W. Folland, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice) — founder (1990), Oregon State DVM (1983), board-certified 2008. Provides avian care for Tracy Aviary and Living Planet Aquarium. Dr. M. Scott Echols, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice) — Texas A&M DVM (1995), past president of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, TJ Lafeber International Avian Practitioner of the Year, runs Mobile Avian Surgical Services and Scarlet Imaging. AAV, AEMV, ARAV, and ASGV memberships. Specially trained exotic veterinary technicians. Operates Utah's only avian medicine residency program.
Species
Birds (primary specialty — all species), exotic animals broadly, ferrets, reptiles, plus dogs and cats
Address
86 N 70 W, Centerville, UT 84014 (~15 miles north of downtown SLC; 5 min from Bountiful)
Emergency
Refers to Mountain West Vet Specialists and MedVet for after-hours emergencies
Hours
Mon–Fri 8am–6pm; Sat 8am–2pm
First Visit
Not publicly disclosed; call for exotic appointment scheduling
The highest-credentialed private exotic practice on the Wasatch Front — and the only one with two ABVP board-certified avian specialists. Founded in 1990 in the old Centerville post office, Parrish Creek is the definitive regional resource for avian care and the only practice running a formal avian medicine residency in Utah. Dr. Echols's national stature in avian medicine and Dr. Folland's long-standing relationship with Tracy Aviary and Living Planet Aquarium give this practice institutional depth that no other Wasatch Front clinic can match. ~715 aggregate Birdeye reviews at 4.5 stars; 38 Yelp reviews. After-hours exotic emergencies are referred to Mountain West Layton and MedVet SLC.
⚠️ Parrish Creek's board certification is avian-specific — for reptiles or exotic mammals, this practice has strong team-wide exotic experience but the board-certified credentials are avian only. Bountiful residents are just 5 minutes south; SLC core residents should plan 20–25 minutes driving time.
🥈 ASSOCIATION MEMBERS (TIER 2)

Murray Animal Hospital and Exotics ★ NEW EXOTICS DEPARTMENT

Dedicated Exotics Dept Rescue-Endorsed 🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals 🐸 Amphibians
Certification
Dr. Laura Boehler, DVM — heads the dedicated Exotics Department launched in late 2024 after she left Mountain West Veterinary Specialists. True Hearts for Healing Paws rabbit rescue considers her their primary vet: "the only vet we allow to work on our personal rabbits." Dedicated exotics staff hired October 2024. Species-specific handouts on website.
Species
Rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, rats, hamsters, ferrets, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, birds, reptiles (snakes, lizards, turtles, tortoises), amphibians
Address
280 4800 S, Murray, UT 84107 (central Salt Lake Valley, ~10 min from most SLC neighborhoods)
Emergency
No 24/7 emergency coverage; refer to VEG Sandy or Mountain West Layton after hours
Hours
Mon–Fri 8am–6pm; Sat 8am–2pm
First Visit
General practice pricing for dedicated exotics department; call for exotic-specific exam fee
The most meaningful exotic capacity expansion on the Wasatch Front in the past year. Dr. Boehler's departure from Mountain West Veterinary Specialists and the launch of a formal Exotics Department at Murray Animal Hospital effectively created a new strong-tier exotic practice in the valley core. Murray's central location is accessible within 20 minutes from most of Salt Lake County — a significant advantage over Wasatch Exotic Pet Care in Cottonwood Heights or Parrish Creek in Centerville for many SLC residents. The True Hearts rabbit rescue endorsement is the most meaningful community signal available: rescue organizations are far more exacting than general reviewers because they bring high-severity cases frequently. Confirmed on team page, community-endorsed by rabbit rescue, dedicated exotics staff on record.

Wasatch Exotic Pet Care ★ ONLY EXOTIC-EXCLUSIVE PRACTICE

AAV Member AEMV Member ARAV Member Exclusively Exotic 🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals 🐸 Amphibians 🐠 Fish ★ 4.1 Long Wait Times
Certification
Dr. Laurel Harris, DVM (Ohio State 1992) — founder, exotic-exclusive since 2015, former staff vet at Hogle Zoo and consulting vet for Living Planet Aquarium. AAV member; AEMV member (6 years on executive board); ARAV member. Team of four doctors: Dr. Harris, Dr. Mary Dickerson (U of Missouri 2005), plus Dr. Sarah Schuler and Dr. Grace Kline (bios not yet published). Does not see cats or dogs.
Species
Rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, chinchillas, ferrets, sugar gliders, hedgehogs, foxes, pigs under 80 lbs; ball pythons, corn snakes, bearded dragons, tegus, chameleons, monitors, plus tortoises, turtles; parrots (African greys, macaws, cockatoos, amazons, conures, budgies, cockatiels), waterfowl; amphibians, fish, invertebrates, small hoofstock; wildlife triage
Address
1892 E Fort Union Blvd, Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121
Emergency
Primarily appointment-based; $50 emergency fee for urgent same-day cases; limited after-hours availability; maintains referral list for overflow
Hours
Mon–Fri 8am–6pm; Sat 8am–3pm; Sun 9am–3pm (recently added — Contact page may still say "Closed Sundays"); curbside drop-off model
First Visit
$50 emergency surcharge for urgent same-day cases; standard exam fees not publicly disclosed
The only exotic-exclusive practice on the Wasatch Front and the regional anchor for specialized exotic care. Founded 2004, converted to exotic-only in 2015. Dr. Harris's background at Hogle Zoo and Living Planet Aquarium, combined with 6 years on the AEMV executive board, provides institutional depth beyond what a typical "we see exotics" general practice can offer. The species list is the most comprehensive in the region by a significant margin. 619+ Google reviews at 4.1 stars. Community-recommended across WabbitWiki, Utah Parrot Resources, and beardeddragon.org. The curbside drop-off model means owners do not enter the building during exams — two new veterinarians and multiple new technicians were added in 2024 to address capacity, but demand still outpaces supply. Two former vets praised in reviews (Dr. Payne for reptiles/rats; Dr. Woods for rabbits) have departed — factor this into species-specific expectations.
⚠️ The practice website prominently acknowledges a "severe nationwide shortage of veterinarians and support staff" and being "booked out quite awhile." Expect multi-day to potentially multi-week waits for routine appointments. Same-day urgent slots are reserved but cannot be guaranteed. If your exotic pet needs care promptly and Wasatch Exotic is booked, Murray Animal Hospital (Dr. Boehler) is now the strongest alternative in the valley.

Mountain West Veterinary Specialists — Layton

Dedicated Exotics Dept 🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals 24/7 Open Call Ahead for Exotics ★ 3.7
Certification
Dr. Nicolle Lofgren, VMD — UPenn VMD plus internship at Long Island Bird & Exotics. Claims "DACEPM" board certification, which does not correspond to any AVMA-recognized specialty board; could not be independently verified through the ABVP diplomate directory. Training background is legitimate and strong. Non-corporate, locally owned specialty hospital.
Species
Birds, hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, mice, rats, lizards, snakes, chickens, ducks, backyard poultry; advanced imaging, bloodwork, infectious disease testing, surgery
Address
908 N Main St, Layton, UT 84041 (~25 miles north of downtown SLC)
Emergency
24/7 open — but exotic after-hours coverage is inconsistent; call (801) 683-6201 before driving
Hours
24/7/365
First Visit
Specialty hospital pricing
Has a dedicated Exotics Department with Dr. Lofgren providing advanced exotic diagnostics and surgery during daytime hours. The 24/7 facility and Layton location make it the only option for northern Wasatch Front residents needing specialty-adjacent exotic care. However, after Dr. Boehler's departure, overnight exotic coverage has become unreliable — multiple reviews describe being told no exotic vet was available overnight, with stabilization-and-morning-transfer being the standard protocol. 833+ Google reviews at 3.7 stars (specialty hospitals routinely have lower star ratings due to serious case outcomes). A satellite Bluffdale location opened ~2024–2025 (13860 S 2700 W; 801-515-5011) with 24/7 emergency services, but exotic specialist availability there is unconfirmed.
⚠️ Always call (801) 683-6201 before driving here for an exotic emergency to confirm an exotic-capable vet is on shift. Overnight exotic care is not reliably available. Dr. Lofgren's claimed "DACEPM" board certification cannot be independently verified through the ABVP diplomate directory — her training is strong but the specific credential should be treated with caution. The Bluffdale satellite location has not confirmed exotic specialist availability.

VCA Willow Creek Pet Center

🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals 🐠 Fish
Certification
Dr. Ahlstrom receives exceptional rabbit care community reviews ("if it weren't for Dr. Ahlstrom, my bunnies wouldn't be here"). Dr. Kim performed rat surgery per confirmed reviews. VCA website explicitly lists: birds, fish, pocket pets, pot-bellied pigs, rabbits, reptiles, and ZooMED. Offers exotic and pocket pet boarding.
Species
Birds, fish, pocket pets, pot-bellied pigs, rabbits, reptiles (per VCA website)
Address
2055 E Creek Rd, Cottonwood Heights, UT 84093
Emergency
No after-hours emergency exotic coverage
Hours
Mon–Fri 7am–7pm; Sat 8am–4pm
First Visit
Not disclosed; VCA corporate pricing typical
Strong community verification specifically for rabbit care — the type of species-specific review signal that separates genuine exotic capability from general-practice marketing. Conveniently located in Cottonwood Heights near Wasatch Exotic Pet Care; offers exotic and pocket pet boarding as well. VCA's website confirmation of the species list is above-average transparency for a corporate practice chain. A strong alternative when Wasatch Exotic's schedule is booked.

Wasatch Hollow Animal Hospital — Ogden

AAHA Accredited Veteran/Women-Owned 🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals ★ 4.6
Certification
Dr. Andrea Howard (founder, Buenos Aires DVM 1992). AAHA accredited. Dedicated exotic pet care page lists birds, reptiles, rabbits, ferrets, and small mammals explicitly. Offers urgent care hours 2–10pm. Veteran/women-owned.
Species
Birds, reptiles, rabbits, ferrets, small mammals — plus dogs and cats
Address
4300 Harrison Blvd, Ste 5/6, Ogden, UT 84403 (~35 miles north of downtown SLC)
Emergency
Urgent care hours 2–10pm; not 24/7 emergency
Hours
Mon–Fri 8am–6pm (closed 1–2pm); Sat 11am–1pm; urgent care 2–10pm
First Visit
Not disclosed
The highest-reviewed practice on this entire directory (1,053 Google reviews at 4.6 stars). AAHA accreditation, a dedicated exotic page listing specific species, and extended urgent care hours distinguish this Ogden practice from most general hospitals. The distance limits its utility for Salt Lake City core residents but it is the best documented exotic practice for Weber County and northern Davis County residents. Extended 2–10pm urgent care hours are genuinely useful for exotic pet owners who cannot reach daytime-only practices.

Kaysville Veterinary Hospital

WabbitWiki Listed UVMA Past President 🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals
Certification
Dr. Neil Moss — London DVM 1979; 40+ years of experience as companion animal, exotic, and bird veterinarian; past president of the Utah Veterinary Medical Association. Listed on WabbitWiki.
Species
Dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, pocket pets
Address
Main St, Kaysville, UT (between Layton and Bountiful)
Emergency
Not available
Hours
Call for current hours
First Visit
Not disclosed
Dr. Moss's four decades of documented exotic and avian experience — combined with WabbitWiki community listing and past UVMA presidency — place this Kaysville practice in a different category than most general practices that merely list exotic species on a website. Davis County residents who cannot get timely appointments at Parrish Creek should call here first.

West Jordan Veterinary Hospital

🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals 🐸 Amphibians
Certification
Formerly known as Animal Crackers Veterinary Hospital; established 25+ years. NVA (National Veterinary Associates) partner practice. Explicitly lists on their About page: birds, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, rodents (rats, hamsters, gerbils), bearded dragons, iguanas, turtles, tortoises, frogs/toads. Reviews confirm chinchilla care.
Species
Birds, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, rats, hamsters, gerbils, bearded dragons, iguanas, turtles, tortoises, frogs/toads, chinchillas
Address
7540 S Redwood Rd, West Jordan, UT 84084
Emergency
Not available
Hours
Mon–Fri 8am–6pm; Sat 8am–5pm
First Visit
Not disclosed
One of the more credible general practices in the south valley for exotic species, with an explicit and photographed species list on the website — not just a checkbox claim. 25+ years of operation and confirmed exotic reviews (chinchillas specifically) give it a meaningful track record. Important option for West Jordan, South Jordan, and Herriman residents who would otherwise face a 15–25 minute drive to Wasatch Exotic or Murray Animal Hospital. 79 Yelp reviews.

Redwood Veterinary Hospital

AAHA Accredited 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals
Certification
Dr. Gina Hanfland (owner since 2003, University of Illinois DVM 1995) — explicitly lists special interests in "dentistry and exotic pets including rabbits, guinea pigs, and ferrets." Dedicated rabbit and guinea pig care pages on website. AAHA accredited since 1982.
Species
Rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, rats — plus dogs and cats
Address
4958 Redwood Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84123 (Taylorsville area)
Emergency
Not available
Hours
Call for current hours
First Visit
Not disclosed
AAHA accreditation since 1982, a vet who explicitly names exotic pets (including rabbits and guinea pigs) as a personal clinical interest, and dedicated species pages on the website — a stronger documentation profile than most general practices on this list. The Taylorsville location is meaningful for West Valley City residents (the closest documented exotic-capable practice, ~4 miles south) who lack any practice in their city limits. Small mammal-focused rather than reptile or avian.

Utah Veterinary Hospital — American Fork ★ BEST UTAH COUNTY OPTION

Nextdoor Favorite 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals 🐸 Amphibians
Certification
Dr. Samuel Rivera (owner, DVM 2009). Dedicated exotics page lists rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, mice, rats, ferrets, lizards, bearded dragons, water dragons, geckos, hedgehogs, reptiles, and amphibians. Nextdoor Neighborhood Favorite. Overwhelmingly positive exotic reviews.
Species
Rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, mice, rats, ferrets, lizards, bearded dragons, water dragons, geckos, hedgehogs, reptiles, amphibians — does not appear to list birds/avian
Address
161 E 30 N, American Fork, UT 84003 (~15 min north of Provo; ~35 min from downtown SLC)
Emergency
Not available; for Utah County emergencies, call Pet Urgent Care Orem or VEG Sandy
Hours
Mon–Thu 8am–5:30pm; Fri 8am–2pm
First Visit
Not disclosed
The strongest verified exotic option remaining in Utah County after Riverwoods Pet Hospital in Provo closed in July 2025. Community reviews are compelling — one guinea pig owner noted "not one animal hospital in Salt Lake would see my guinea pig, the drive was a little far but [it was worth it]," which speaks directly to the regional gap that this practice fills. A notable limitation: the dedicated exotics page does not list birds or avian care — Utah County bird owners have fewer options still. Nextdoor Neighborhood Favorite recognition reflects strong local community trust.
⚠️ Does not appear to offer avian/bird care — bird owners in Utah County should call ahead or plan for the 40–45 minute drive to Wasatch Exotic Pet Care or 55–60 minutes to Parrish Creek. Riverwoods Pet Hospital (previously the best Utah County exotic option) permanently closed July 2025 — any directory still listing Riverwoods is outdated.
📋 EXPERIENCED PRACTICES (TIER 3)

Sugar House Veterinary Hospital

AAHA Accredited WabbitWiki Listed 🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals
Certification
Dr. Latimer (long-standing vet, frequently mentioned in community lists). Dr. Edgar performed a bearded dragon emergency per confirmed reviews. Staff includes technicians who personally own exotic species. AAHA accredited. WabbitWiki-listed for rabbit care.
Species
Dogs, cats, rabbits, rats, ferrets, birds, reptiles
Address
2206 S McClelland St, Salt Lake City, UT 84106
Emergency
Not available after hours
Hours
Mon–Fri 8am–6pm; Sat–Sun closed
First Visit
Not disclosed
One of the few in-city Salt Lake City options with documented exotic species handling. WabbitWiki listing and confirmed emergency bearded dragon care provide above-average trust signals for a general practice. Primarily a dog/cat hospital, but Yelp and community sources confirm exotic species capability. AAHA accreditation adds baseline institutional quality assurance.

West Lake Animal Hospital

🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals Exotic Vet Weekly Only
Certification
Family-owned general practice. An exotic veterinarian visits weekly. Lists pet birds, non-venomous snakes, turtles, tortoises, bearded dragons, chameleons, geckos, axolotls, plus pocket pets (hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, mice, rats, rabbits, chinchillas, hedgehogs, ferrets, sugar gliders). Note: exotic services page on website contains Lorem Ipsum placeholder text — indicates incomplete web development.
Species
Birds, non-venomous snakes, turtles, tortoises, bearded dragons, chameleons, geckos, axolotls, plus small mammals
Address
3800 W 5400 S, Taylorsville, UT 84129 (~5 miles from West Valley City)
Emergency
Not available
Hours
Mon–Thu 7am–5:30pm; Fri–Sun closed
First Visit
Not disclosed
The closest exotic-capable practice to West Valley City (~5 miles). Functionally available only one day per week for exotic patients — call ahead to confirm the visiting exotic vet's schedule before making an appointment. The Lorem Ipsum on the exotic page is a yellow flag; no community endorsements were found to further validate exotic capability. Best treated as a convenience option for WVC residents when wait times are manageable.
⚠️ Exotic vet visits only once weekly — call ahead to confirm availability before booking. Website's Lorem Ipsum on the exotic services page is a development oversight that warrants extra verification by phone.

A Caring Vet and Pet Medical Services

🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐹 Small Mammals
Certification
Dr. Carl Bockenstedt. Dedicated exotic pets page and bird care page on website. Listed on Utah Parrot Education and Resources for treating small birds and parrots. Treats dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, pocket pets (hamsters, guinea pigs). Two locations: Lindon and Orem.
Species
Birds (small birds and parrots confirmed), reptiles, hamsters, guinea pigs, pocket pets
Address
Lindon: call (801) 785-6737 · Orem: call (385) 375-2000
Phone
Lindon: (801) 785-6737 · Orem: (385) 375-2000
Emergency
Not available
Hours
Call for current hours
First Visit
Not disclosed
Utah Parrot Resources listing for small birds and parrots is a meaningful community signal specific to avian care. Two Utah County locations fill part of the gap left by Riverwoods Pet Hospital's closure — though the scope appears limited compared to Wasatch Exotic or Murray Animal Hospital. Confirm species-specific capability by phone before booking.

Salt Lake Veterinary Services (Mobile)

WabbitWiki Listed 🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals
Certification
Dr. Whitty (WabbitWiki-listed). Mobile veterinary practice covering the metro. Treats cats, dogs, birds, reptiles, rodents, and rabbits. Limited online presence; small operation.
Species
Cats, dogs, birds, reptiles, rodents, rabbits
Address
1114 W 4800 S, Taylorsville, UT 84123 (mobile — service area varies)
Emergency
Not available; by appointment
Hours
By appointment (mobile)
First Visit
Mobile house call fees; contact for pricing
WabbitWiki listing for Dr. Whitty provides the key community verification signal. Mobile service is particularly valuable for large or transport-difficult exotic pets. Limited online presence means verifying service area and exotic appointment availability requires a phone call — but the WabbitWiki listing is a meaningful trust indicator for rabbit care specifically.

Bountiful Animal Hospital

🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals
Certification
Dr. John Martin (since 1984, third-generation practice). Listed on Humane Society of Utah's rabbit vet referral list. Yelp mentions ferret care. Website does not explicitly market exotic services and no exotic species are listed on the services page.
Species
Rabbits (Humane Society referral listed); ferrets (Yelp confirmed) — broader exotic capability unverified
Address
880 S 500 W, Bountiful, UT 84010 (2 miles south of Parrish Creek)
Emergency
Not available
Hours
Call for current hours
First Visit
Not disclosed
Long-standing Bountiful practice (40+ years) with a Humane Society of Utah rabbit referral listing. The website does not actively market exotic services, and the HSU listing may be outdated (retrieved 2020). Given Parrish Creek's board-certified avian specialists just 2 miles north, Bountiful residents with exotic needs are better served starting there. Bountiful Animal Hospital is worth a call for rabbit and small mammal care when Parrish Creek is booked.
⚠️ Verify exotic capability and species acceptance before booking — the Humane Society listing may be outdated. Parrish Creek Veterinary Hospital (2 miles north) should be the first call for Bountiful residents with exotic pets.
Show 4 more Tier 3 practices

VEG Sandy — Veterinary Emergency Group

24/7 Walk-In Explicitly Treats Exotics 🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐰 Rabbits 🐹 Small Mammals
Certification
Medical Director: Dr. Nicole Underhill. VEG website states care extends to "dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and other exotic pets." Opened early 2025 — Utah's first VEG location. Open floor plan; owners stay with pets during treatment. No dedicated exotic specialist on staff — general ER capability with some remote specialist consultation.
Species
Dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and other exotic pets (walk-in, all species)
Address
11084 S State St, Sandy, UT 84070
Emergency
Walk-in 24/7/365 — no appointment needed
Hours
24/7/365
First Visit
VEG standard emergency exam fee; call for current pricing
The most reliable after-hours exotic emergency option on the entire Wasatch Front. Opened in early 2025, explicitly advertising exotic pet care — a meaningful step for a metro where overnight exotic emergency options have historically been near zero. Walk-in model with owners present during treatment. Overwhelmingly positive early Yelp reviews (11 reviews). As a general emergency practice, deep species-specific expertise for complex exotic cases may be limited — for stabilization and initial emergency management, it is the confirmed option.

MedVet Salt Lake City

24/7 Open Exotic Specialist Unconfirmed 🦜 Birds 🦎 Reptiles 🐹 Small Mammals
Certification
MedVet corporate network offers Avian & Exotics at some locations; the SLC location does not list it among its specific specialties — only network-wide. Parrish Creek refers exotic emergencies here, suggesting some exotic ER capability. Dedicated exotic specialist unlikely to be available overnight.
Species
Dogs and cats confirmed; exotic ER capability for stabilization — call to confirm current staff
Address
331 W Bearcat Dr, Salt Lake City, UT
Website
medvet.com
Emergency
24/7 — best characterized as stabilization-capable for exotics
Hours
24/7
First Visit
Specialty hospital emergency pricing
24/7 facility in the Salt Lake City core. Parrish Creek's referral of exotic emergencies here is the strongest evidence of exotic ER capability, but a dedicated exotic specialist is not confirmed at this location. Best used for stabilization overnight with transfer to Wasatch Exotic, Murray Animal Hospital, or Parrish Creek the following morning for definitive exotic care. Call before driving.
⚠️ MedVet SLC does not list Avian & Exotics among its SLC-specific specialties. Call (385) 341-4444 before presenting an exotic patient. The Parrish Creek referral pattern suggests some exotic ER acceptance, but overnight exotic specialist availability is not confirmed.

Emergency Exotic Care in Salt Lake City — Quick Reference

Only VEG Sandy offers confirmed, explicitly advertised 24/7 exotic emergency care — and it opened just in early 2025. The table below shows your options from most reliable to most limited for after-hours exotic emergencies.

Facility Location Hours Exotic specialist? Exotic species accepted
VEG Sandy Sandy, UT 24/7 walk-in No — general ER; explicitly treats exotics Birds, reptiles, & other exotics per website
Mountain West Vet Specialists Layton, UT (~25 mi north) 24/7 Dr. Lofgren daytime; overnight — call first Birds, rabbits, reptiles, small mammals — call ahead
MedVet Salt Lake City Salt Lake City, UT 24/7 Unconfirmed — call ahead Stabilization; Parrish Creek refers here
Mountain West (Bluffdale) Bluffdale, UT 24/7 Unconfirmed at this location Call to verify exotic capability
Wasatch Hollow (Ogden) Ogden, UT (~35 mi north) Urgent care 2–10pm No specialist; urgent care only Birds, reptiles, small mammals
Pet Urgent Care Orem Orem, UT (Utah County) After-hours/weekends No — exotic capability unconfirmed Basic stabilization only; call first

Practical scenarios: A Bountiful resident with a midnight exotic emergency should call Mountain West Layton first (801-683-6201) to check exotic vet availability (~15 min drive); if unavailable, proceed to VEG Sandy (35–45 min south) or MedVet SLC (20 min). A Provo or Orem resident should call VEG Sandy (801-783-5010) directly — it is the closest confirmed 24/7 exotic ER at ~25–30 minutes north. An Ogden resident should call Mountain West Layton first (~15 min drive) before considering VEG Sandy (45–55 min south).

How to Verify Your Exotic Vet

Understanding the Credential Hierarchy

Credential verification is the single most important step an exotic pet owner on the Wasatch Front can take. 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 rigorous board exam. Only these veterinarians can legally call themselves "specialists." ABVP offers four exotic-relevant specialties: Avian Practice, Exotic Companion Mammal Practice (ECM), Reptile & Amphibian Practice (roughly 25–40 diplomates nationally — among the rarest in veterinary medicine), and Fish Practice. In all of Utah, there are exactly two confirmed ABVP exotic diplomates in private practice — both are Avian Practice diplomates at Parrish Creek in Centerville. There are zero confirmed ABVP ECM or Reptile & Amphibian diplomates anywhere on the Wasatch Front.

The credential warning specific to Salt Lake City: Mountain West Veterinary Specialists' Dr. Nicolle Lofgren lists "DACEPM" as a board certification. This does not correspond to any AVMA-recognized specialty board. Her training (UPenn VMD plus a Long Island Bird & Exotics internship) is legitimate and strong — but the specific credential claim cannot be verified through the ABVP diplomate directory. Do not confuse strong training with board certification; they are distinct. Similarly, two DACZM diplomates (Dr. Erika Crook and Dr. Lauren Smith) work at Utah's Hogle Zoo but neither sees private patients — their credentials do not translate to private practice availability.

Association memberships signal interest, not verified expertise. The Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV), Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians (AEMV), and Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) require annual dues but no exam or case-volume threshold. Multiple concurrent memberships (like Wasatch Exotic Pet Care's AAV + AEMV + ARAV) with a documented exotic-only caseload is a meaningfully stronger signal than single membership at a general practice. Check memberships at: AAV Find a Vet, AEMV Find an Exotic Vet, ARAV Find a Vet. Verify board certification at ABVP Find a Diplomate and ACZM Diplomate Roster.

Five Questions to Ask Before Your First Exotic Vet Visit in Salt Lake City

Before booking, ask: (1) "What percentage of your patients are exotic animals?" Wasatch Exotic Pet Care is 100%; most other practices on this list are under 20%. (2) "What species-specific training have you completed beyond vet school?" Look for exotic residencies, specialty internships (like Long Island Bird & Exotics, zoo/aquarium veterinary programs), or conference attendance (ExoticsCon, AAV/AEMV annual meetings). (3) "Do you have horizontal beam radiography?" Essential for birds and reptiles — most dog/cat practices lack it. (4) "What happens if my pet needs care outside your office hours?" In Salt Lake City, only VEG Sandy is reliably available 24/7 for exotic patients — know this before an emergency occurs. (5) "At what point would you refer my pet to a specialist or to an academic center?" The nearest board-certified reptile medicine specialist is at Colorado State University in Fort Collins (~450 miles); knowing your vet's referral threshold in advance matters here more than in most metros.

What Exotic Vet Care Costs in Salt Lake City

Exotic vet pricing in Salt Lake City is not widely published. Wasatch Exotic Pet Care charges a $50 emergency surcharge for urgent same-day cases on top of standard exam fees — one of the few price points publicly disclosed. VEG Sandy uses VEG's standard emergency exam fee structure. Mountain West Veterinary Specialists uses specialty hospital pricing. Parrish Creek is priced consistent with a specialty-adjacent general practice. Murray Animal Hospital and Exotics charges general practice rates for the dedicated exotics department. Most practices do not post exotic-specific pricing online; always call ahead and ask specifically about the exotic exam fee — it frequently differs from the standard dog/cat new-patient fee. For complex diagnostics or surgery, Wasatch Exotic and Mountain West are the primary referral points within the metro; for cases requiring board-certified specialist oversight, plan for the drive to Colorado State University or consider telemedicine consultation with an ABVP exotic diplomate.

The Wasatch Exotic Pet Care Wait Time Problem — and Dr. Boehler's Move

The single defining structural issue in Salt Lake City exotic pet care is a supply-demand mismatch at Wasatch Exotic Pet Care. As the only exotic-exclusive clinic for 1.3 million Wasatch Front residents, WEPC carries disproportionate weight in the regional ecosystem — and acknowledges it openly. The practice website warns of a "severe nationwide shortage of veterinarians and support staff" and states the clinic is "booked out quite awhile." Routine appointments can face multi-day to multi-week waits. The addition of two new veterinarians (Dr. Schuler and Dr. Kline) and multiple technicians in 2024 reflects active effort to expand capacity, but community signals indicate demand continues to outpace supply.

This is the direct context for why Dr. Laura Boehler's move to Murray Animal Hospital matters. When Boehler left Mountain West Veterinary Specialists (Layton) to launch a dedicated Exotics Department at Murray Animal Hospital in late 2024, it effectively created an alternative second-tier hub in the valley core. Murray's central location — roughly 20 minutes from most of Salt Lake County — provides an option when Wasatch Exotic is booked. True Hearts for Healing Paws rabbit rescue's endorsement of Dr. Boehler as their unequivocal top choice provides the strongest available community validation for her skills specifically. Murray Animal Hospital is a full-service hospital (not exotic-exclusive), but the dedicated department structure and Dr. Boehler's background give it a meaningfully different profile than a general practice that accepts some exotic appointments.

The flip side of Boehler's move: Mountain West Veterinary Specialists (Layton) lost its most community-trusted exotic vet. Multiple post-departure reviews describe being told no exotic vet was available overnight at Mountain West, with stabilization-and-morning-transfer becoming the default overnight exotic protocol. Mountain West's exotic department continues with Dr. Lofgren during daytime hours, but the overnight gap is real and must be accounted for by anyone relying on Mountain West for after-hours exotic emergencies.

The Wasatch Reptile Expo and related events (Reptilian Nation Expo, ReptiDay, Show Me Reptile Show) regularly draw thousands of exotic pet enthusiasts to the region — yet no Salt Lake City veterinary practice was found to formally sponsor, present at, or maintain a vendor relationship at these expos. No structured post-expo new-owner health check pipeline exists. Wasatch Exotic Pet Care is the obvious candidate to bridge this gap, given its proximity to the Salt Lake County expo venues and its exclusive exotic focus, but no formal partnership was found as of March 2026.

West Valley City's 140,000 residents remain in a complete exotic vet desert. No practice within WVC city limits offers exotic veterinary services. The nearest options — West Lake Animal Hospital in Taylorsville (~5 miles, exotic vet once weekly), Redwood Veterinary Hospital in Taylorsville (~4 miles, small mammals only), and Murray Animal Hospital in Murray (~10 miles, dedicated exotics) — all require leaving the city. Wasatch Exotic Pet Care is 12–15 miles southeast (~20–25 minutes). This gap is documented here not as a criticism of existing practices but as a public service fact for WVC residents who may not know how far they need to travel.

Spam Listings and Closed Practices to Avoid

The likedogsandcats.com spam network is confirmed active in Utah searches. Pages appear for Salt Lake City, Taylorsville, Bountiful, North Salt Lake, and other Wasatch Front cities, all sharing identical red flags: keyword-stuffed fake practice names ("Dogs & Cats Veterinarian Salt Lake City"), Wikipedia-scraped city descriptions swapped across dozens of pages, a generic 877 phone number, no real veterinarian name, no verifiable address, and contradictory claims of being both a vet clinic and a "free referral service." These pages rank in Google results for "bird vet Salt Lake City" and "reptile vet Salt Lake City" queries. None are real veterinary practices.

Practices with Significant Community Concerns

Creekside Animal Hospital (Draper; (801) 565-1263; Dr. Martin Orr, DVM) is a real practice with a licensed veterinarian who treats some exotic pets including parrots. However, community sentiment on beardeddragon.org and herpvetconnection.com forums is negative, with reviewers describing poor outcomes and recommending Wasatch Exotic Pet Care as the preferred alternative. Call to verify current exotic capabilities before booking.

Name / Domain Detection Signal Status
likedogsandcats.com Pages for SLC, Taylorsville, Bountiful, North Salt Lake using template names ("Dogs & Cats Veterinarian [City]"). Generic 877 number, no real vet names, Wikipedia city descriptions. Ranks for "bird vet Salt Lake City" queries. Fake listing network — not a real practice
pawlicy.com AI-written summaries from public data with no editorial verification. Treats all practices as equivalent regardless of exotic specialty depth. Low-quality aggregator — do not treat as primary source
pawp.com Same auto-generation pattern — public data scraped with AI text. No primary source verification for exotic capability claims. Low-quality aggregator — do not treat as primary source
wheree.com Practice profiles auto-generated with no editorial oversight. Frequently includes outdated addresses and phone numbers. Low-quality aggregator — do not treat as primary source
Riverwoods Pet Hospital (Provo) Previously AAHA certified with an "Incubator Room for Sick Exotics" and Dr. Dobson's exotic/avian specialty. Confirmed closed July 2025 per Yelp. PERMANENTLY CLOSED — any listing is outdated

Additionally, Clearfield Veterinary Clinic (Clearfield, UT; clearfieldvetclinic.com) claims full-service exotic capability but minimal detail is available online and no community endorsements were found. It is listed in Tier 3 for completeness but should be verified extensively before booking an exotic appointment.

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/SaltLakeCity, Utah Herpetological Society), 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 Salt Lake City?
The Salt Lake City metro has exactly two confirmed ABVP board-certified exotic specialists in private practice — Dr. Douglas W. Folland (DABVP Avian Practice) and Dr. M. Scott Echols (DABVP Avian Practice), both at Parrish Creek Veterinary Hospital in Centerville, roughly 15 miles north of downtown SLC. There are no confirmed ABVP Exotic Companion Mammal or Reptile & Amphibian diplomates anywhere on the Wasatch Front. Two DACZM (zoological medicine) diplomates practice at Utah's Hogle Zoo, but neither sees private patients. Utah State University's new College of Veterinary Medicine in Logan (provisionally accredited October 2025) does not operate an exotic teaching clinic. For a metro of 1.3 million people, this is an exceptionally thin board-certification landscape — particularly for reptile owners, who have no board-certified herpetological specialist within the entire state of Utah.
Where can I take my exotic pet for emergency care in Salt Lake City?
VEG Sandy (11084 S State St, Sandy; (801) 783-5010) is the most reliable confirmed option — it opened in early 2025 and explicitly advertises 24/7 walk-in care for birds, reptiles, and exotic pets. No appointment needed. As a general emergency practice (not exotic-specialty), it is best for stabilization and urgent management. Mountain West Veterinary Specialists (908 N Main St, Layton; (801) 683-6201) operates 24/7 but after-hours exotic coverage is inconsistent following Dr. Boehler's departure — always call before driving. MedVet Salt Lake City (331 W Bearcat Dr; (385) 341-4444) is 24/7 and receives Parrish Creek exotic emergency referrals, but no dedicated exotic specialist is confirmed overnight. For complex cases requiring board-certified specialist oversight, the nearest academic center is Colorado State University in Fort Collins (~450 miles) — telemedicine consultation with an ABVP diplomate may be a faster option for non-transport-critical situations.
How much does an exotic pet vet visit cost in Salt Lake City?
Exotic vet pricing in Salt Lake City is not widely published online, which itself is a problem for owners trying to plan. The most specific public data point: Wasatch Exotic Pet Care charges a $50 emergency surcharge for urgent same-day appointments on top of standard exam fees. VEG Sandy uses VEG's standard emergency exam fee. Mountain West Veterinary Specialists charges specialty hospital rates. Murray Animal Hospital and Exotics (Dr. Boehler) prices at general practice rates for the dedicated exotics department — likely the most accessible price point for non-emergency exotic care in the valley. Parrish Creek Veterinary Hospital, with two board-certified avian specialists, prices at specialty-adjacent general practice rates. Always call ahead and ask explicitly for the exotic exam fee, which frequently differs from the standard dog/cat new-patient fee. For complex procedures or advanced diagnostics, expect specialty pricing at Mountain West or Wasatch Exotic rather than general-practice rates.
Where can I find a reptile vet in Salt Lake City?
Reptile care is the most underserved specialty on the Wasatch Front — there are no board-certified Reptile & Amphibian diplomates in all of Utah. Your best verified options: Wasatch Exotic Pet Care (Cottonwood Heights) treats the most comprehensive reptile species list in the region — ball pythons, corn snakes, bearded dragons, tegus, chameleons, monitors, tortoises, turtles, and more — but plan for significant wait times. Murray Animal Hospital and Exotics (Dr. Boehler) treats snakes, lizards, turtles, and tortoises with a dedicated exotics department in a more central location. West Jordan Veterinary Hospital explicitly lists bearded dragons, iguanas, turtles, and tortoises on its website with confirmed reviews. Wasatch Hollow Animal Hospital (Ogden) has a dedicated exotic page including reptiles. For specialist-level diagnostics or surgery, the nearest board-certified herpetological medicine expertise is at Colorado State University in Fort Collins — telemedicine consults with a reptile-specialist ABVP diplomate are available through some national services and may be worth pursuing before a complex procedure.
How can I verify if my vet is actually certified for exotic pets?
Check three primary sources. For board certification (the highest credential): search the ABVP Find a Diplomate directory at abvp.connect.prolydian.com — in Utah, only Drs. Folland and Echols at Parrish Creek appear as confirmed ABVP exotic diplomates. Check the ACZM Diplomate Roster at aczm.org for zoological medicine certification. For professional 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). For Utah-specific community endorsements: WabbitWiki's Utah page (rabbit vet aggregator), True Hearts for Healing Paws (rabbit rescue recommendations), Utah Parrot Education and Resources (bird vet referral list), and beardeddragon.org forums (reptile community). An important local caution: Mountain West Veterinary Specialists' Dr. Lofgren lists "DACEPM" as board certification, but this does not correspond to any AVMA-recognized specialty board — her training is legitimate, but the credential claim cannot be independently verified. Always verify the specific veterinarian you will see, not just the clinic's marketing.
What is the best exotic vet clinic in Salt Lake City?
The answer is species-dependent. For avian care, Parrish Creek Veterinary Hospital in Centerville is unambiguously the best option — two ABVP board-certified Avian Practice diplomates (Drs. Folland and Echols), Utah's only avian medicine residency program, and AAV/AEMV/ARAV/ASGV memberships. No other practice in the region comes close for birds. For rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, and small mammals, Murray Animal Hospital and Exotics (Dr. Boehler) has the strongest current endorsement — True Hearts for Healing Paws rabbit rescue calls Dr. Boehler "the only vet we allow to work on our personal rabbits," which is an exceptionally strong community signal. For the broadest species coverage including reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates — and for any species when no other practice has availability — Wasatch Exotic Pet Care in Cottonwood Heights is the only exotic-exclusive clinic and the most comprehensive option. Budget for wait times. For south valley residents needing a well-rounded general exotic option, VCA Willow Creek has strong documented rabbit care reviews. For Utah County residents post-Riverwoods closure, Utah Veterinary Hospital in American Fork is the best documented remaining exotic practice (no avian care).
My rabbit is sick — who are the best rabbit vets in Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City has several well-verified rabbit vet options. Murray Animal Hospital and Exotics (Dr. Laura Boehler; (801) 281-3900) is the top recommendation from True Hearts for Healing Paws rabbit rescue — the region's most exacting rabbit-specific community source. Dr. Boehler launched a dedicated Exotics Department in late 2024 and is endorsed by the rescue as their primary vet for all personal rabbits. Wasatch Exotic Pet Care ((801) 943-3367) is community-listed on WabbitWiki and recommended across multiple sources — the most comprehensive exotic practice overall, though wait times are the primary trade-off. VCA Willow Creek Pet Center ((801) 942-0777) has exceptional community reviews specifically for rabbit care, with reviewers crediting Dr. Ahlstrom with saving rabbit lives. Sugar House Veterinary Hospital is WabbitWiki-listed. Kaysville Veterinary Hospital (Dr. Moss, 40+ years exotic experience) is WabbitWiki-listed for Davis County residents. For emergencies: VEG Sandy ((801) 783-5010) is the only confirmed 24/7 option that explicitly accepts exotic pets. Rabbit illness can deteriorate quickly — do not delay because a preferred practice is booked; call VEG Sandy if your rabbit needs same-day urgent care.

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