Business Details
39 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Veterinary Care in Steamboat Springs, CO
Pet Kare Clinic was founded in 1987 by Dr. Sam Taliaferro as a mobile veterinary service and has evolved into a full-service, four-doctor hospital in Steamboat Springs, CO. We hold the distinction of being the only AAHA-certified veterinary hospital in the region, placing us among the top 12-15% of veterinary practices in North America. Our team combines decades of collective experience with specialized skills in advanced diagnostics, surgical procedures, and feline-specific care through AAFP accreditation. We prioritize compassionate, client-centered service while maintaining rigorous professional standards for both pet health and owner satisfaction.Our facility offers 24/7 emergency care, state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, and comprehensive wellness programs tailored to pets at every life stage. This commitment to excellence has earned us recognition from multiple professional associations including the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association and USDA. We approach veterinary medicine as a collaborative effort between pet owners and our multidisciplinary team of veterinarians, technicians, and support staff.
Services
Wellness Exams
Urgent Care
Advanced Diagnostics
Surgical Services
Dental Care
Emergency Services
Exotic Pet Care
Parasite Prevention
Microchipping
Prescription Refills
Details
- Year established: 1987
Highlights and features
- We offer 24/7 emergency veterinary services with on-call specialists
- Our AAHA certification ensures adherence to the highest veterinary care standards
- Veterinary team maintains combined experience of over 80 years in practice
- We utilize advanced diagnostic tools including digital radiology and ultrasound
- Specialized feline care through AAFP-accredited protocols
Associations and certifications
- AAHA
- AAFP
- USDA
What people say
Saved my dog's life
24/7 emergency availability
Compassionate staff
Accurate diagnostics
Experienced veterinarians
Services
Wellness Exams
Annual wellness exams help detect hidden health issues through comprehensive physical evaluations and preventative testing. Our veterinarians assess pets' overall health while administering necessary vaccinations and discussing dietary or lifestyle adjustments. This service forms the foundation of preventative care for pets of all ages.
Emergency Services
24/7 emergency veterinary care handles critical conditions like trauma, poisoning, and acute illnesses. Our team provides immediate triage, diagnostic testing, and life-saving interventions with continuous monitoring throughout treatment. Emergency services include after-hours access to on-call specialists.
Advanced Diagnostics
We utilize ultrasound, digital radiology, and in-house laboratory testing for accurate internal health assessments. These tools enable precise diagnosis of organ function, skeletal issues, and chronic conditions. Cold laser therapy and acupuncture complement diagnostic findings for comprehensive treatment planning.
Surgical Services
Routine and emergency surgical procedures include spays/neuters, tumor removals, and orthopedic interventions. Pre-anesthetic bloodwork ensures patient safety while post-operative care focuses on pain management and recovery monitoring. Our facility handles complex cases requiring specialized surgical techniques.
Dental Care
Comprehensive dental services cover routine cleanings, periodontal treatment, and oral surgery. Digital dental radiography identifies hidden disease beneath the gumline while preventive care recommendations help maintain oral health between professional cleanings.
Questions
How often should pets receive wellness exams?
Young pets need annual exams while geriatric animals require bi-annual checkups. Puppies and kittens need frequent visits during their first four months for vaccination schedules.
What constitutes a veterinary emergency?
Signs include difficulty breathing, uncontrolled bleeding, seizures, trauma, or sudden collapse. Our 24/7 emergency team handles these situations immediately.
How do I request prescription refills?
Leave a voicemail through our refill system with your pet's name and medication details. Allow 24 hours for processing and we'll notify you when ready for pickup.
What payment options are available?
We accept major credit cards and CareCredit financing. Full payment is required at the time of service with online payment options available for convenience.
What happens during a dental cleaning procedure?
Dental cleanings include scaling, polishing, and full-mouth radiographs under anesthesia. Our technicians identify and address periodontal disease or tooth extractions as needed.
Do you treat exotic pets?
Yes, we provide care for exotic animals including birds, reptiles, and small mammals during routine checkups or sick visits with specialized examination protocols.
Reviews (6)
Ellen Hartman
Jun 20, 2022
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This is a fantastic clinic. We have a new puppy and her first check up was very detailed and helpful. The staff is friendly and the Vet is incredible. She shared many helpful tips for raising a lab.
Erinn Cook
May 07, 2022
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Dr Sam has been caring for our old man Griffey with accupuncture and laser the last few months! We are so appreciative of her and the pet kare team!
Stephanie Stephanie Kat
Mar 07, 2022
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The reason I'm doing three stars instead of five is due to two different experiences. I brought my first animal in as an emergency that turned out to be something simple. I left I was listened to and everything was explained, a wonderful experience. Minor hiccups in the treatment plan were ironed out with a simple conversation with the Dr. Second time, different animal same symptoms. I explained to the same Dr. about those symptoms and it seemed like it landed on deaf ears.
I felt as if I was on a rollercoaster of tests and prognosis. In the end it turned out to be the same symptoms, diagnosis and the same hiccups ironed out. I don't know why I was treated so differently from last time? I did contact PetKare about my concerns and it did seem like they wanted to do better. I still feel uneasy about bring my animals in. I hope next visit will be different.
I felt as if I was on a rollercoaster of tests and prognosis. In the end it turned out to be the same symptoms, diagnosis and the same hiccups ironed out. I don't know why I was treated so differently from last time? I did contact PetKare about my concerns and it did seem like they wanted to do better. I still feel uneasy about bring my animals in. I hope next visit will be different.
Staci Brewer
Feb 27, 2022
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We were visiting friends in Steamboat over the weekend. Our 5 year old boxer (who has ARVC - Boxer cardiomyopathy) started vomiting and became mildly lethargic. Her heart was racing. We met Dr. Hillemeyer at the clinic, who was on call, as it was Saturday after hours. She took great care of our girl and fixed her heart rate with medication. We thank her so much and for being so calm in a scary situation for us! Thanks again Dr. Hillemeyer!
Katie Shanahan
Feb 14, 2022
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Pet Kare is AMAZING, to say the least. My dog, Bear, had a rough time a few weeks ago and was very sick. I first had to call their emergency line and the veterinarian on call was so great and attentive. Then the next few days he was in and out of the vet and seen by Dr. Cindy. I was blown away by her compassion and how much she cared. She checked in every day to see how he was doing and always was very helpful and understanding. I'm so thankful for the staff at Pet Kare and how well they treated Bear and I during a scary time. Highly recommend.
Anita Hart
Jan 19, 2022
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We love Pet Kare so much! Every single employee & doctor is friendly and accommodating. I 100% trust them with my animals lives! Doctor Susan was so sweet when I needed to put my elderly cat down. Also LOVE DR Karen & Chris. Both of our dogs have gone there ever since we've had them, and I would trust no one else. I also must say they are always very clean, you can't say that for all veterinary clinics. THANK YOU PET KARE!