Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Veterinarians in Washington, DC
Collins Animal Hospital has been a trusted provider of veterinary care in Washington, D.C. since 1917. Founded by Dr. William P. Collins and passed through generations of dedicated veterinarians, including Dr. Jean S. Goudy, Dr. Joanne O'Brien, and current owner Dr. Lynne D. Cabaniss, the practice combines a century of experience with modern advancements in veterinary medicine. Our team prioritizes personalized wellness plans, client education, and compassionate care for pets and their families. We offer comprehensive services including exams, surgery, dentistry, and exotic animal care, supported by state-of-the-art technology and a referral network for specialized cases.Accredited by USDA standards, we emphasize transparency, affordability, and community service. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our long-standing reputation and the loyalty of our clients, who trust us to care for their cherished companions. With flexible appointment scheduling and urgent care options, we strive to meet the diverse needs of pet owners in the D.C. metropolitan area.
Services
Exams
Emergency Care
Surgery
Dentistry
Boarding
Lab Services
Imaging
Exotic Pet Care
Health Certificates
Microchipping
Details
- Year established: 1917
Highlights and features
- We have over 100 years of experience serving Washington, D.C. pet owners.
- Our dedicated staff provides compassionate, personalized care for all animals.
- We utilize the latest veterinary technology for accurate diagnostics and treatment.
- Client education is central to our approach for better pet health outcomes.
- We offer specialized care for exotic pets alongside traditional veterinary services.
Associations and certifications
- USDA
What people say
Best home vets
Caring vets
Compassionate care
Excellent communication
Trusted specialists
Services
Exotic Pet Care
Our hospital specializes in treating exotic animals including birds, reptiles, and small mammals. With veterinarians experienced in unique species care, we offer tailored wellness exams, diagnostics, and treatment plans. This service requires specialized knowledge in exotic animal physiology and husbandry, ensuring proper care for non-traditional pets.
Emergency Care
We provide urgent care for life-threatening conditions during normal business hours. Our team assesses critical cases like poison ingestion or trauma and offers stabilization before referral to 24-hour facilities. Veterinarians work to accommodate emergencies between scheduled appointments when possible, with staff guiding clients on immediate next steps.
Dentistry
Routine dental services include cleanings, polishing, and extractions for dogs, cats, and rodents. Advanced procedures requiring specialized equipment are referred to veterinary dental specialists. Our practice emphasizes preventive oral health maintenance to avoid complications from periodontal disease in pets of all ages.
Boarding
Short and long-term boarding is available with in-house veterinary oversight. Specialized accommodations exist for exotic pets, with exercise options for dogs and indoor play for cats. Our facility maintains strict health monitoring for boarded animals while providing comfortable environments tailored to different species' needs.
Imaging
We utilize digital radiography for quick, precise internal examinations. This technology allows immediate image review and digital copies for client records. The service supports diagnostic accuracy for various conditions while minimizing stress for patients through efficient imaging processes during regular appointments.
People
Dr. Lynne D. Cabaniss
Owner
With over 30 years of veterinary experience, Dr. Cabaniss specializes in geriatric pet health and wellness planning. She focuses on compassionate care and client education, maintaining the hospital's century-long legacy in D.C.
Dr. Jay Merker
Veterinarian
Dr. Merker brings 20 years of experience in small animal medicine, with particular expertise in internal medicine and surgical procedures. He emphasizes clear communication and comprehensive treatment approaches for optimal pet health.
Questions
What types of animals do you treat?
We treat dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, small rodents, birds, and reptiles, with specialized care available for exotic pets through designated veterinarians.
Do you offer emergency services?
Yes, we provide urgent care during business hours for life-threatening conditions, but recommend 24-hour referral hospitals after hours when no vet is on-site.
How can I schedule an appointment?
Contact us at (202) 659-8830 to schedule Monday-Friday appointments or Saturday urgent care visits. Our receptionists will assist with availability and preparation guidance.
Are you equipped for advanced diagnostics?
Yes, we have digital radiography and in-house lab capabilities for bloodwork, urinalysis, and cytology, with access to external specialists for complex cases requiring advanced equipment.
Do you provide boarding services?
We offer specialized boarding with veterinary oversight, including separate accommodations for exotic pets, indoor exercise for cats, and outdoor walks for dogs within our facility.
What payment options do you accept?
While specific payment methods weren't detailed in our records, we recommend contacting our office directly at (202) 659-8830 to confirm current accepted payment options and pricing details.
Reviews (7)
Nathan Lapin
Dec 03, 2021
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It was easy to make an appointment with Collins hospital for animals. They followed COVID-19 procedures ensuring safety for both themselves and us, as well as our pet. They came out and got our pet and called us when they were almost done. Then they had us watching how they trim our pets nails, which is really helpful going forward. Watching them with our pet made us feel like he was in good hands. They were gentle and kind with our pet, which put us at ease. This is definitely a prime place to take an animal to the veterinarian! I highly recommend.
BabyFUG
Sep 23, 2021
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Took my rabbit in for a pre-check up before neutering, originally when I scheduled for check up they didn't have any opening for neutering till November but the doctor was able to do it sooner!
Stephane Carnot
Sep 04, 2021
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I have been going to Collins Hospital for the last 10 years as they are near my house. every time you leave them a message even for an emergency they do not call back. I call them last week because one of my dogs was having a huge growth on is face that was painful that appeared in the last 2 days. it was a teeth infection. luckily there is Friendship hospital that helped me and my dog out.
Ella Gibbons
Jun 24, 2021
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5 stars ⭐️ for the professionalism and pet care received from Dr. Fisher (will be returning)
1 star ⭐️ for the absolute lack of professionalism, attention to detail and service received from Nikki, the support staff. I had 4 interactions due to misspelled names and emails, misplaced records, mix up with another customer and poor handling of my pet (she took the carrier and held it out of balance, resulting in my cat’s head almost hitting a ground). The travel certificate I ordered had wrong name on it (after I corrected all the records as per above 4 issues). Did
1 star ⭐️ for the absolute lack of professionalism, attention to detail and service received from Nikki, the support staff. I had 4 interactions due to misspelled names and emails, misplaced records, mix up with another customer and poor handling of my pet (she took the carrier and held it out of balance, resulting in my cat’s head almost hitting a ground). The travel certificate I ordered had wrong name on it (after I corrected all the records as per above 4 issues). Did
Erin Patricia
Mar 31, 2021
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I feel fortunate that someone of Dr. Cabaniss's caliber--and who understands birds--is only a mile away! She has discovered some things, like high sugar in the urates of one of my parakeets, that other vets missed. Dr. Cabaniss is thorough, knowledgeable, and kind. I never feel rushed in the follow up calls after a drop off. Her team is is helpful, efficient, and courteous about scheduling appointments and getting the doctor's answers to questions they can't answer.
Christine Giglio
Oct 23, 2020
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Thank you Dr. Jay and staff for taking care of our new pup! We were able to fly safely and calmly with lil Jib. He slept in my arms during the entire flight
With love, Christie & Brad
With love, Christie & Brad
Amy Levin
Jun 07, 2020
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Dr Fisher and Jackie are awesome. This place isnt fancy but its in a great location, easy to get into/park and has amazing care.
