Open 365 days per year | Walk-ins Welcome

A veterinarian gently holding a golden retriever’s paw on the exam table

Our mission


Deliver exceptional veterinary care in a moment of urgent need

UrgentPaws was founded to bridge the gap between routine wellness and 24-hour emergency care. When you need us, we provide exceptional quality, expertise, compassion, and comfort, 365 days a year.

8,500+
Pets cared for
365
Days a year
2025
Opened
Dr. Cassie Knapp holding a cat

Dr. Cassie Knapp, DVM

Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Knapp has spent 17 years practicing veterinary medicine, including intensive work in emergency rooms across Texas, North Carolina, Connecticut and California. Night after night, she saw the same pattern: families paying emergency-hospital prices for problems that weren’t emergencies (ear infections, upset stomachs, limps) and waiting hours while true emergencies rightly went first. Pets were taken behind closed treatment-room doors while their people waited anxiously in the lobby.

She knew there had to be a middle path between the family vet who’s booked out for weeks and the ER built for the worst nights of a pet’s life. So she built it.

“Create a space that combines the compassion of traditional veterinary practices with the efficiency of urgent care.”

Every UrgentPaws signature (private rooms with a view of treatment, staying with your pet through the whole visit, pricing shown before anything happens) is a direct answer to something Dr. Knapp watched go wrong in traditional settings. Under her leadership, UrgentPaws operates with a clear mission: deliver exceptional veterinary care that provides peace of mind in a moment of urgent need.

The comfort room at UrgentPaws Cerritos: a sofa, soft lighting and a blanket on the floor

A private practice, not a corporate chain

UrgentPaws is veterinarian-founded and independently operated. We’re not owned by or affiliated with any corporate veterinary group, which means our medical decisions are made by the veterinarian in the room with your pet, not by a spreadsheet somewhere else.

It’s why we can promise transparent pricing before treatment, recommend only what’s truly necessary, and build clinics designed around how care should feel, not how it’s always been done.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to save my spot?

No – walk-ins are always welcome. Save My Spot lets you pick an arrival time online, so we know you are coming and can be ready for your pet. We assess every pet on arrival and see the most critical patients first, so timing can shift if a sicker pet comes in.

Is UrgentPaws an emergency vet?

We are an after hours veterinary urgent care and treat emergencies that are not life-threatening. This includes vomiting, limping, cuts, ear and eye trouble, skin, urinary problems, and more. For life-threatening emergencies, contact your nearest 24-hour ER.

Can I stay with my pet?

Yes! Our clinic is open to you, including the treatment room. We want you to be as involved in the visit as you would like. In most instances, we find our patients do much better when they are next to their owners. In rare cases, you pet may be better on their own (e.g. they are trying to protect you) and we may ask you to give them some space to ensure they receive the best possible care. In these situations, we will communicate everything to you beforehand.

Do I have to go inside the treatment room?

No – we give our owners the option to come with us into the treatment room or remain in one of our private exam rooms – the choice is yours.

Do you take pet insurance or offer financing?

Yes – we make it easy to pay for the care your pet needs. We accept all major pet insurance plans on a reimbursement basis: you pay at the time of visit, and we’ll provide an itemized invoice and any medical records your insurer needs to process your claim.

We also offer financing through CareCredit and Cherry. Both let you apply in minutes from your phone right in our clinic, so you can find out what you qualify for before treatment begins.

Can you run tests and X-rays on site?

Yes – we run bloodwork, urine and fecal testing, X-rays and ultrasound in the clinic, and we give fluids, injections, wound care and medications on the spot, so most problems are diagnosed and treated in one visit.

What pets do you treat?

We treat dogs and cats. Some of our veterinarians also see exotics such as rabbits, snakes, turtles and lizards. Call the clinic first and we will confirm that the vet on shift can treat your pet.

When are you open?

Monday to Friday, 3 PM to 11 PM. Saturday, Sunday and holidays, 10 AM to 8 PM. We are open 365 days a year.

Holiday hours apply on the holiday itself, not on the observed weekday. We keep holiday hours on:

  • New Year’s Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day (July 4th)
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving
  • Christmas Eve
  • Christmas
  • New Year’s Eve
How should I prepare for my visit?

Use Save My Spot, keep your pet calm and warm, and note when the symptoms started and what has changed. Bring any medications your pet takes, prior records if they are handy, and a stool or vomit sample if that is the problem. Please don’t give human medication; many common ones are dangerous for pets.

What can I expect after my visit?

After your visit, you’ll leave with a written care plan and your regular vet will get a treatment summary.

After treatment, we’ll:

  • Provide a clear care plan and recovery tips
  • Answer your questions and help manage follow-up needs
  • Send a complete medical summary to you and your regular vet to maintain continuity of care

A Calmer Veterinary Care

We treat every pet as if they were our own, providing high-quality, compassionate care.

The UrgentPaws treatment area, open to the exam rooms

Stay with your pet

The UrgentPaws lobby and reception desk

Know the price before treatment

A private UrgentPaws exam room

Your own room, from start to finish

The UrgentPaws Thousand Oaks lobby

Skip the 24-hour ER

Pet Parents Love UrgentPaws!

4.8

214 Google reviews

Rivas

Yesterday

UrgentPaws took amazing care of my kitten tonight after a big scare we had! We were seen as soon as we came in and they went above and beyond with their questions and information. My kitten got so much love and care while we were there. Extremely grateful for such an amazing office and outstanding team! Thank you to Christine, Jasmin, and Dr. Morey for all of your amazing work!! Definitely recommend this office when your pets need care right away!

Mark W.

3 days ago

When my 19 year old Kitten reached the end of her time I ended up taking her here to end her suffering. The staff were all so compassionate, caring and supporting. The whole process was done with such care for both Kitten and for me. And then a couple of weeks later they sent a thank you/condolences card. I am appreciative and grateful that I found this place for those last moments.

Tom G.

4 days ago

Took our American bully in for a sudden rash. The staff were extremely kind, helpful, and experienced. They thoroughly explained all our options and helped us make a decision based on what we were comfortable with. Definitely will go again for emergency needs!!

elway T.

1 week ago

I would like to thank the doctor and his assistant Angela for taking good care of our dog lucy. Angela was so nice , patient and caring to our dog . Angela went above and beyond to ensure our dog lucy was conformable and not scared. The location was very and clean. The doctor made sure before we left that all questions were answered and we understood what he was staking to us about.

Jon M.

1 week ago

10/10 have already recommended to all my friends and family who have pets! The staff was suuuuper accommodating and patient with me and my pup as Bronson had to be put down due to cancer. Super clean and friendly and even sent me a card and some prints of his paws and his big ol nose! Thank you again and will definitely be coming back if I have to (fingers crossed I dont)!

chivir

2 weeks ago

Thank you so much for the beautiful card and your kind words about Abby. Your support means a lot to me and my family during this difficult time."

Romeo B.

2 weeks ago

Jasmin , thank you for your help and making sure that Pua is well taken care of. You are awesome!!!

Teresa F.

2 weeks ago

My Dog had swallowed a ear from a toy she was playing with I took her in they were so nice and understanding and knowledgeable everyone was so great I had a really good experience they made me feel calm and made sure my baby was taken care of definitely recommend here ❤️🐶☺️

elle R.

2 weeks ago

Last night our puppy had a bad reaction to a vaccine and her face was swelling. When we got there they were dealing with another emergency but made sure we were taken care of exceptionally! They were so sweet and calmed our anxiety immediate. Within an hour she was back to her normal self:)

Karen B.

2 weeks ago

I literally can’t say enough about the team at Urgent Paws. We unfortunately had to put down our cat. She was my daughter‘s cat who passed away 10 years ago. So she was really, really special to us. It’s like losing the last piece of my daughter. Sydney went above and beyond. She was so kind and empathetic, she made this process bearable. I received a lovely personal card. It meant everything to me. We will be bringing all of our pets to this establishment.

Andrea B.

3 weeks ago

I can’t say enough positive things about this animal urgent care! I called ahead because my cat was in respiratory distress, and they were ready and waiting for him the moment we arrived. They immediately took him back and made sure he received the care he needed during a very scary situation. What impressed me even more was the level of care after we left. They checked in on him the next day to see how he was doing. When we found out he had a bacterial infection and my other cat began showing symptoms, they were able to help with her as well. They even helped us figure out that our new rescue kitten was most likely the carrier of the infection. On top of all of that, the staff took the time to show me the best way to administer medication to my very sassy and uncooperative cats—which was incredibly helpful! From the moment I called, I felt like they genuinely cared about my cats and wanted to help our entire furry family. Their compassion, responsiveness, follow-up, and willingness to go above and beyond meant so much to us. I am incredibly grateful for the care they provided and would absolutely recommend them to anyone needing urgent care for their pet.

Holly H.

3 weeks ago

Truly the best vet experience I’ve had (and my dog has been to the vet A LOT). Chloe , the VTA, helped me from the time I called through the end of my visit. She was incredibly kind, attentive, empathetic, and understanding and made sure both my dog and me were comfortable. The doctor and vet tech, Sydney and Dr. Colon were both knowledgeable, thorough, answered all of my questions and took great care of my dog and were able to successfully treat him . They were also both incredibly kind. Communication was clear and they were upfront about the cost, which was an absolutely reasonable price . If your pet needs urgent care, come here! Thank you team!

Lauren R.

4 weeks ago

The best urgent veterinary experience I have had in a very long time. My dog had a suspected infection, but my vet couldn’t get her in and they recommended urgent paws. Since it wasn’t life-threatening, I felt like I could wait until 3 PM to get in. I was able to reserve my appointment time at 3 PM. Walked right in as soon as they opened and they took me immediately to a room no waiting whatsoever. The facility was very clean and modern and I liked that I could see them pulling my dogs blood work since the patient room doors have a window to see the technician area. The staff was all really friendly. You could tell they really love the dogs they were working on. I was kept informed of the progress and it all went very quickly, believe it or not I was in and out in under two hours. That never happens at an Emergency vet! Prices were about what you can expect to see an Emergency Vet. I don’t hope to be back, but I take great comfort in knowing this practice is available in the community and will be there when I need it. Thank you to the staff for taking great care of my Birdie girl!

Charlene C.

1 month ago

The last time we had to take one of our dogs in for urgent care, we waited literally 4 hours. My husband found UrgentPaws and we said we would come here instead for the next time something happened. Well that day came this past Sunday. We took our 15 year old Shih Tzu in at 10AM as soon as they opened. We got a room right away and were in and out within an hour . The following day, we even received a follow up in to ask how she was doing. That was the most amazing experience we’ve ever had. So glad they opened so close to us.

Erin V.

1 month ago

I took my 17-year-old cat to UrgentPaws for constipation, and the staff was so friendly and kind to all of us. Dr. Lauren Banales was really sweet and understanding about his situation. She put together a treatment plan just for him, and thankfully he’s doing better since we went. The office is super clean and well-equipped. We got his blood work and ultrasound results the same day. Thanks to everyone at UrgentPaws for making a stressful situation a bit easier.

Jimmy B.

1 month ago

The Staff here is very Professional, They give Great Advice and treat your pet with the upmost care. I will highly recommend this place to anyone who needs urgent care for their pet.

Ava T.

1 month ago

I took my cat to Urgent Paws to be seen for an eye and ear concern. I was immediately greeted by Christine (VT) and taken to an exam room. Christine was friendly and welcoming while explaining the services offered, including fees. Dr. Colon examined my sweet boy and was just as friendly and welcoming as Christine. My cat has been known to be slightly skittish during vet visits, but he was calm as could be during the whole process. I appreciated Christine and Dr. Colon explaining each step and answering all of my questions. Amazing service by staff who made it apparent they love their jobs.

Cori S.

1 month ago

Dr Grenus and the team at this urgent care were amazing with my dog Renee. They made me and my dog comfortable and explained everything so clearly and we're very helpful. I 100% would recommend anyone to take there pet to this urgent care.

Crystal Z.

1 month ago

BEST VET CARE EVER!!! I'm extremely ashamed that it's taken me so long to write this, but I have been thinking about UrgentPaws for months. They set the standard for exemplary care! Pros: *Quick service: I came during the holiday season and waited barely 5 minutes to get into a room *Caring staff: My cat didn't want to leave! Everyone was cuddling him and giving him treats. *Transparent care: all the work is done in a room surrounded by windows, owners can see exactly what's happening and more importantly how their pets are being treated! *Rational doctors: yes that's right! The vet doesn't push unnecessary products or services. They talk through your concerns and recommend what's right for you and your situation. It's not a big sales pitch; it's genuine concern! Cons: I wish they were my primary care vets instead of only an urgent care. I would exclusively go to them. This is the best experience I've had in over 20 years of bringing my dogs or cats for vet care. My little ones are all healthy right now (fingers crossed), but it's a huge relief for me to know that if something happens, I can get care at UrgentPaws. It's one less thing to stress about during the anxiety of sickness or injury.

Marisa M.

1 month ago

We took our pup to Urgent Paws for a paw injury, and we couldn't have asked for a better experience. The entire staff was wonderful. From the vet techs to Dr. Sweitzer, everyone was patient, gentle, and genuinely attuned to our pup's needs. They followed our lead on what would keep her calm while they wrapped her injury, which made all the difference for our anxious pup. Dr. Sweitzer was especially fantastic. She encouraged all our questions and took the time to answer each one thoroughly and clearly. Her explanations were so educational, and you could tell she genuinely cared about our pup's wellbeing. It's so rare to find a vet's office that combines this level of compassion with thoroughness. If we lived nearby, Dr. Sweitzer would absolutely be our go-to vet. Highly recommend!

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