Best of Melbourne 2020: City’s top 10 vets revealed
He’s a “little bit crazy”, crash tackles large animals in the name of duty and deserves his own TV show, clients say — and this small-town vet from Melbourne’s outskirts has been voted the city’s best. SEE ALL THE WINNERS AND FINALISTS
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If you’re looking for a great Melbourne vet to care for your beloved pet, you’ve come to the right place.
We put the call out for you to tell us your favourite vets as part of our next Best of Melbourne poll, and were overwhelmed with your nominations.
With plenty of fetching options, it was tough to diagnose the top 10, but your votes got us there.
And boy, what a purrfect crossbreed of winners we had.
There was a canine IVF specialist, and a vet who has removed tumours the size of basketballs from pooches.
There was the practice which has built an “empire” on the fringe of the city, the team who spend their days looking after pet bunnies, and the exotic animal gurus, who put their lives on the line handling deadly snakes and other unusual treasured friends.
And, of course, there’s our winner — a “little bit crazy” larrikin who clients say deserves his own TV show.
There is a vet for everyone on this list — and they all deal with the highs and lows the industry throws up in the name of giving your best friend the best possible care.
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You can also see all the finalists at the bottom of the story.
10. FAWKNER VETERINARY HOSPITAL, FAWKNER
1148 Sydney Rd
The busy Fawkner Veterinary Hospital has seen its fair share of weird and wonderful pets in the past 60 years, but says it’s the personal touch that keeps clients coming back.
Known to most who walk through the doors, receptionist Mandy Fitzgerald said clients have been able to form relationships with vets that have been there for decades.
“We are all down to earth and have already put the pet and the client first and try get to know our clients,” she said.
“A lot of people have adopted animals during the current situation as it’s given them the time to spend with them – the first six to 12 months you really need to be prepared to spend a lot of time with them.”
From kittens and puppies to snakes and bearded dragons, the Fawkner clinic has seen it all, including one owner riding their horse into the hospital.
~Grace McKinnon-Leyton
More: facebook.com/Fawkner-Veterinary-Hospital-151254934932359/
9. KNOX VETERINARY CLINIC, WANTIRNA SOUTH
2 Lynne Ave
A love of animals and working with like-minded people has kept the team at Knox Vet Clinic helping people and pets for almost 40 years.
And if you’re lucky enough you might catch a glimpse of the veterinarians’ and nurses’ own pampered pets who sometimes make an appearance at the 38-year-old Wantirna South clinic.
It’s not only the staff who enjoy the atmosphere at the Lynne Ave surgery, but patient parents who also travel from far and wide to get their beloved animals seen by the popular vets.
It’s little wonder the clinic has been voted among the top 10 in our latest Best of Melbourne poll.
Owner and veterinarian Kent Marshall said not only did the vets see patients and their owners who had been coming for more than 30 years, but also people and animals who lived in Mt Eliza and Port Melbourne.
Dr Marshall bought the clinic in 1989 and said he loved interacting with like-minded animal lovers, which was a common theme with the other staff members.
“We are really lucky, we have a good balance of people here,” Dr Marshall said.
Dr Marshall has a 15-month-old cavoodle and said another member of his team had a spoodle.
He said there were another three veterinarians in the team — Laura Daly from Ireland, Corrie Pinkster and Samantha Ho.
Dr Daly has been working in the UK since she graduated in 2014 from the Szent Istvan University in Budapest, and recently moved to Australia.
Dr Ho graduated from Murdoch University in Perth, and Dr Pinkster has been working at the clinic for many years and has a great love for rabbits.
Dr Marshall said the team was about good old-fashioned customer service.
And while their patients were mainly of the feline and canine species, the carers have seen some interesting patients during their time.
“When mini pigs were a trend we had a few piglets through,” he said.
“But mini pigs don’t stay mini anymore (as there is no such thing as a mini pig) and were moved on.”
~Laura Armitage
More: www.knoxvet.com.au
8. SEVILLE VETERINARY CLINIC, SEVILLE
1/639 Bell St
They treat all creatures great and small at the Seville Veterinary Clinic.
Their clientele includes everyone from pet owners concerned about their furry friends, to hobby farmers who rely on their animals for their wellbeing.
The practice will see animals from dogs, cats and horses, to sheep, alpacas and goats, around the clock.
And their dedication to animal welfare has won plenty of hearts in the community, with Leader readers nominating the practice, which is owned by Marilyn Price, in our Best of Melbourne search for favourite vets.
Matt Redgewell started washing dogs at the practice to help out when he was 15, graduating to treating animals after finishing vet school.
Dr Redgewell said the nomination by the community was a reminder of the practice’s connection to its clients.
“It’s really nice to get that validation that we’re doing the right thing and they’re happy with our service,” he said.
“We’re a mixed practice vet clinic – there’s nowhere we won’t go and no animal we won’t see. We’re available to our clients 24/7 and I think that’s really important.”
~Andrew Rogers
More: facebook.com/Seville-Veterinary-Clinic-254198387945866/
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7. WYNDHAM VETERINARY CLINIC, WERRIBEE
133 Market Rd
For nearly two decades, the team at Wyndham Veterinary Clinic have provided top-notch treatment to pets in Melbourne’s west.
And with glowing word-of-mouth references, they haven’t taken out a single ad in those 20 years.
“We’ve relied on our reputation, so we must be doing something right,” vet nurse and clinic manager Jeanette Gough said.
Thanks to a growing client list and a growing population out west, the Werribee clinic has undergone seven renovations since it opened and it now employs about 50 staff.
Ms Gough, who has been with the clinic “since day dot”, said it was “a privilege” to be trusted with the care of people’s beloved furry family members.
“We run puppy classes so we see all these brand new pups come in and we watched them age and their owners age — and of course they see us age — and that’s such a privilege,” she said.
“There are sad stories, of course, but we always know that we’ve done the best we can for our clients and their animals.”
Ms Gough said the most common animals to be treated at the clinic were cats and dogs, but being in the outer suburbs they’d had their share of wild and wonderful species too.
“We’ve had the occasional turtle and a few reptiles and a few weeks ago we even had a crocodile in,” she said.
“Everyone wanted to come and have a look at the crocodile so that created a bit of a buzz around here.”
The clinic has also been known to host stray lambs from time to time while they track down their owners.
And people come from all over Australia to get expert advice on their dogs’ reproductive health from clinic owner and canine IVF specialist John Watts.
“We’re so proud to be recognised among the best, we’re really chuffed,” Ms Gough said.
~Jordy Atkinson
More: www.wyndhamvet.com.au
6. PATTERSON LAKES ANIMAL HOSPITAL, PATTERSON LAKES
238 McLeod Rd
Almost 24 years ago Dr Tim Battaglene had one of the most memorable weeks of his life.
In the first week of September in 1996 the owner and sole vet of Patterson Lakes Animal Hospital opened the clinic and welcomed his second son into the world.
“I’m a Queensland lad originally and my wife is more of a local, so that’s why we decided to open in the area,” Mr Battaglene said.
“Initially we opened in Aspendale Gardens as well and thought two practices would be better than one.
“That was probably a bit too much for me and we have gone back to just one now.”
The animal hospital comprises of Mr Battaglene and seven nurses, who he said create the atmosphere that keeps people coming back.
He had no idea about being nominated as one of the best vets in Melbourne but said he couldn’t thank his loyal clientele enough.
“I’m actually quite chuffed, I know I try very hard with what I do,” Mr Battaglene said.
“I’m really passionate about what I do and try to do what I believe is right.
“My biggest thing is I try hard and I care and I think they are the most important things.”
The clinic mostly looks after dogs and cats, but sometimes a pet rabbit, or even a rat, gets brought in for treatment.
Mr Battaglene said he’s had a few big operations over the years that he is proud of, where against all odds, he’s managed to save a pet’s life.
“It’s more relief to start with when you’re removing a tumour as big as the animal is,” he said.
“I’ve removed a couple of tumours the size of a basketball from dogs, it’s scary.”
Mr Battaglene said he was incredibly grateful his clients had nominated him, and said he had a love for people as well as animals.
“I like people, I didn’t know that as a young fella, but I do,” he said.
“I enjoy the interactions and I am blessed to have good people come here.”
~James Mottershead
More: facebook.com/Patterson-Lakes-Animal-Hospital-419219178840652/
5. THE RABBIT DOCTORS, COLLINGWOOD
5 Hood St
A lifelong love of rabbits has turned into a flourishing business for Dr Gerry Skinner and Dr Lizzie Selby.
The Rabbit Doctors started about seven years ago offering house calls and a veterinarian service tailored to pet bunnies.
“We both found when we graduated rabbits were well loved and people wanted to do everything for them, but the knowledge base wasn’t there,” Dr Selby said.
The pair started out with a big client base, but said it’s only gotten busier and busier.
“We’ve never advertised, it’s all word of mouth. Bunny people talk, they talk lots,” Dr Selby said.
The Collingwood practice also treats guinea pigs, rats and mice, and operates out of the Centre for Animal Referral and Emergency in Collingwood.
Dr Selby said they had no idea about the competition until their “lovely” community let them know they’d been nominated.
“We’ve got some really amazing clients,” she said.
“They are a very passionate and enthusiastic bunch – they are very supportive of each other. “We joke that we should have a cafe next to the clinic so they can have a catch up when they come in.”
~Richard Pearce
More: www.therabbitdoctors.com.au
facebook.com/Therabbitdoctors/
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4. THE VET PRACTICE, WHITTLESEA
2394 Plenty Rd
The Vet Practice has grown from a “tiny shop” in Whittlesea’s Main St 30 years ago to a large clinic which staffs more than 40 people and accepts clients from across Victoria and interstate.
Co-owner Gabby Ware said it was always their goal to be a one-stop clinic.
“That’s exactly what we’ve achieved,” she said.
“It would have been a lot easier to build this sort of business in the centre of Melbourne, but the fact we’ve built the empire we have on the fringe of the city is a big achievement.
“At our practice you don’t have to go through three or four different sites so your pet gets the care it needs.
“Our diagnostic capabilities and equipment means we can do everything on the spot.”
~Anthony Piovesan
More: www.thevetpractice.com.au
instagram.com/the_vet_practice/
3. THE UNUSUAL PET VETS, FRANKSTON
210 Karingal Drive
Melburnians wouldn’t be hard-pressed to find a local vet to help their cat or dog, but where do you go if you own a Mexican walking fish, or one of the country’s most venomous snakes?
The Unusual Pet Vets Peninsula is the answer, with ferrets, fish, frogs birds, guinea pigs, snakes, rabbits and lizards all topping the usually-unusual casualty list.
And whether it’s a blue tongued skink with protruding bones, a bloated tree frog or a gecko with bone disease — nothing is too weird for director James Haberfield, who proudly opened the Karingal Dr Frankston clinic in 2018.
Just recently Dr Haberfield performed lifesaving surgery on a highly venomous pet — yes pet — tiger snake and also pulled off a delicate extraction of stones swallowed by a pair of Mexican walking fish.
“(The clinic) is pretty unique … everyday is different which keeps it interesting,” he said.
“I’ve always had a passion for more exotic and unusual pets and found there wasn’t many clinics that catered for them.
“We see any pet smaller than a cat or dog and we have a group of very loyal owners who appreciate that.”
The group has another location in Perth which opened in 2012, with quirky rescue stories and spine tingling surgery snaps amassing a whopping 70,000 followers on Facebook.
“We really make an effort with our all of our staff and nurses and that flows through to our clients,” Dr Haberfield said.
“Exotic and unusual pets deserve the best care too.”
~Brittany Goldsmith
More: www.unusualpetvets.com.au/
facebook.com/TheUnusualPetVets/
instagram.com/theunusualpetvets/
2. SUNBURY ALL CREATURES, SUNBURY
65 Riddell Rd (corner Elizabeth Drive)
Husband and wife team David and Lisa Brown put the joys of running a veterinary clinic down to one simple thing – “helping people help their best friends”.
The pair, who have owned Sunbury All Creatures Veterinary Clinic for 13 years and worked as vets for almost 25 years, said they have always been passionate about giving animals the utmost care.
“We opened the practice after realising there needed to be more service put into a veterinary clinic including less judgment and more compassion for the clients,” Dr David Brown said.
He said despite its challenges, the job was “incredibly rewarding”.
“You’re helping people help their best friends, but it does go from real highs to real lows sometimes and that’s a big problem in the veterinary industry.”
Dr Brown said the clinic had been steady throughout the height of COVID-19.
“For eight weeks, we’ve not had any clients come into the clinic as we’ve implemented some strict measures.
“The public has been really understanding and appreciative of that, so that’s been really helpful.”
Dr Brown thanked the community for their ongoing support.
“I’m very humbled to be nominated and I don’t do this job for recognition or awards. It’s self-gratifying and I do what I think is the right thing for people and that seems to resonate with my clients.”
~Suzan Delibasic
More: www.sunburyallcreatures.com.au/
facebook.com/sunburyallcreaturesveterinaryclinic
1. GEMBROOK VETERINARY CLINIC, GEMBROOK
87 Main St
When you read the scores of comments people submitted about Gembrook Veterinary Clinic, it is not hard to understand why they regard it as a worthy winner of our Best of Melbourne poll.
Beyond the professional care for animals and pets and their human owners alike, the humour and demeanour of Dr Tom Cook and his team stands out.
“We say that our clients are (like) one-eyed Collingwood supporters,” Dr Cook said.
“We just have a really good community. We are flattered, absolutely flattered.
“This is the difference between the suburbs and the country I think, you see all your clients in the IGA, we’re all in one community.
“Our team’s really good, great vets, nurses, wildlife staff and a great community that supports it.
“It’s really a village raises a child mentality.”
Stacey Schulz wrote that the clinic went “above and beyond to care for animals in need”, while Wendy Rackham wrote that “their care and compassion for their clients is unmeasurable”.
Practice manager Nerelie Waddell said the clinic had grown with the town in the 11 years since it opened at 87 Main St.
“It started off with one vet and one nurse, now it has three vets and about five nurses,” she said.
“Gembrook is one of the last bastions of a small town feel even though it’s not that far out from the city.
“It is a real community out here and we love that sense of community.”
In reference to Dr Cook, Sue Emary described him as “a vet with an amazing personality and great with animals”, while others took it a step further.
Annie Frenby said Dr Cook was hilarious and “needs his own TV show” and Sue Van Sprang said he had “the perfect balance of empathy (and) humour, as well as his intelligence and knowledge and plays a mean guitar”.
Dr Cook said it was important to have the ability to communicate so clients can “trust you and the decisions you make”.
“I think it’s a very personal business that we’re in, so you’ve got a duty of care for the family’s animals, trying to make sure everything goes well,” he said.
Ms Waddell said the support for the clinic was “very flattering”.
“Everyone loves Tom,” she said.
“He’s a little bit crazy, he’s got a great sense of humour, and he really does care about the people and the animals in the area.
“He’ll always give something a go.
“He gets called out to a lot of large animals where they don’t have any yards and he’ll have to crash tackle it to the ground, or he gets called out to a big, dangerous animal such as an unhandled horse and he always manages to get it done.”
~Geordie Cowan
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