The 5 Best Animal Hospitals in Melbourne That Make Stressful Moments Easier
There’s a special kind of panic that hits when your pet suddenly isn’t acting like themselves. One minute they’re full of energy, the next they’re acting completely off—like they somehow sense an upcoming pet grooming session is scheduled.
When this happens, it’s not something to brush off. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best animal hospitals in Melbourne you can turn to when your pet starts skipping dinner or just doesn’t seem right.
Here are the ones locals trust, and now, so do we!
How much does a vet consultation cost in Melbourne?
A vet consultation in Melbourne usually costs around AUD $85–$135. Prices can be lower for basic or online consults, while after-hours or emergency visits can exceed $150.
1. Lort Smith Animal Hospital
Address: 24 Villiers St
Phone: +61 3 9328 3021
Business hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 8 AM – 10 PM
Lort Smith Animal Hospital was the most mentioned animal hospital in Melbourne when we asked locals.
They’re built for serious cases. They’re frequently used as an emergency referral centre by other vets, which says a lot. We’re talking about ICU-level care, 24/7 monitoring, surgical teams, and advanced diagnostics.
Owners appreciate the balance of urgency and empathy here. They’re allowed to stay with anxious pets during exams. Vets also take time to explain what’s happening in plain language, including the uncomfortable bits, like risks, outcomes, and costs.
Speaking of costs—they’re accommodating. We loved how they offer structured payment plans for those who can’t pay it all up front. Even front desk interactions were called out positively. They’re efficient, warm, and proactive.
It’s not perfect, though. Since they’re very well-known and often handle emergencies, wait times can be long sometimes.
The care she received was truly exceptional
“My cat Harley was admitted through emergency for over five days, and the care she received was truly exceptional. Despite being a very spicy and distressed patient, the team went above and beyond to ensure she was as comfortable as possible. She was placed in an enclosure away from other cats, with minimal staff coming in and out to reduce stress, which I really appreciated…”
Charlotte Mudgway, Google review
Excellent emergency clinic
“Excellent emergency clinic. They saved my dog’s life after another emergency vet (in Kensington) dismissed his symptoms. At Lort Smith they took the time to listen to me, give my dog a thorough examination, then explain the diagnosis, care plan and pricing. They asked questions and showed a lot of care and compassion for my dog. In the end he spent five days in hospital, and each morning they would call us with an update, letting us know next steps and when we would hear back from them again…”
EC Fletcher, Google review
2. Melbourne Cat Vets Fitzroy
Address: 157 Westgarth St, Fitzroy
Phone: +61 3 9416 4133
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8 AM – 7 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
If you’ve ever taken your cat to a general vet and watched them mentally file a complaint the entire time, a place like Melbourne Cats Vets makes sense!
They’re not just great at cat grooming, but also at everything about a cat’s health! Everything is thoughtfully designed, from the layout to the lower exam tables, to reduce stress.
They’re great at preventive care. They focus on early detection for common feline issues, like dental disease, kidney conditions, and hyperthyroidism.
A lot of owners even think of them as a long-term partner rather than just a place they could rush to during emergencies.
Consistency also shows in how they deal with both cats and the owners. A client mentioned that the team here is very proactive with follow-ups after procedures. Everything is also explained clearly while handling cats gently.
However, the specialisation cuts both ways. If you’ve got other pets other than your cat, this won’t be your one-stop clinic. You’ll need a second vet, which can be inconvenient.
My fur babies are relaxed and perfectly behaved with the vets here
“I cannot speak too highly of Melbourne Cat Vets. My fur babies are relaxed and perfectly behaved with the vets here. One cat is very flighty with strangers but was happy to be picked up and carried out of the room by the vet, who was able to take blood (first try) without problems. They are reasonably priced (especially considering the high standard of care) – and cost does matter when you’re an elderly pensioner with three equally elderly cats. You can tell that the vets here really do care, and as a bonus, my cats never have to encounter a dog in the waiting room when they’re not feeling their best.”
Alison White, Google review
This will always be the first place I go if my cat is unwell
“Dr Rachael has been incredibly helpful, kind, and honest. She handled my cat very gently and clearly explained what care was needed, which made the whole experience reassuring. The nurse was also very friendly, and the cost was very reasonable. They even followed up with a message after the appointment to check on my cat’s condition after the anaesthetic. Although I don’t live nearby, this will always be the first place I go if my cat is unwell. Thank you”
Ada W, Google review
3. Melbourne Animal Specialist Hospital | MASH
Address: 8 Maroondah Hwy, Ringwood
Phone: +61 1800 838 787
Business hours:
- Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours
MASH’s biggest strength is its speed under pressure. A great example we heard of was when an owner rushed his dog with a life-threatening twisted stomach late at night. Within minutes, the dog was scanned, stabilised, and prepped for surgery.
Now, these aren’t routine check-ups. They’re high-stakes and time-sensitive interventions. MASH seems to thrive in exactly that environment. They’re great when things get complicated.
What’s great is how owners weren’t left in the dark while their pets were in surgery. They were called with updates, walked through outcomes, and given clear next steps.
Every time, a detailed discharge plan was provided, both printed and in email. They would even share this with the pet’s regular vet.
However, we couldn’t deny that they can be extremely busy. Some clients mentioned delays in callbacks.
Can’t rate them highly enough!
“Just wanted to say a huge thank you to Dr. Jamie and the staff at MASH today for their kind attentive care given to my dog Molly (Cavellier). During our walk today, she had a triple hook fishing lure embedded in her lower lip. They attended to her straight away and informed us the whole way through her treatment. Can’t rate them highly enough!”
Helen Rankin, Google review
Our fur baby was in the best of care
“The team at MASH were amazing on our recent visit on Christmas Eve. From my initial phone call for advice to their quick admission on our arrival, our fur baby was in the best of care. They calmly explained recommended action and allowed us to stay. We were all home in time for Christmas. We saw them quickly and calmly care for many more animals while we were there. They are an incredible group of talented nurses and vets. Cannot recommend them highly enough.”
Natalie Trefz, Google review
4. Evervet East Melbourne
Address: 263-265 Victoria St, Abbotsford
Phone: +61 3 9415 8288
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
The standout feature we noticed about Evervet East Melbourne is its setup. They have separate areas for cats and dogs, which is genius for keeping everyone relaxed.
This helped a lot, and customer feedback can back it up. Most of them mentioned that even their anxious or cranky older pets are kept calm and comfortable during visits.
We found them particularly strong when it comes to senior pets or those with ongoing health issues. Dr Claudia is known for not just treating symptoms but also reading into context.
Her knowledge shows in tailored treatment plans, especially for mobility issues and chronic pain. It helps that they’ve got the tools too! They have in-house diagnostics for faster answers, dental care with X-rays, and even more advanced options.
Practically, clients appreciate the location too. It’s easy to access and has a great space for parking.
They still have something to improve on, though. We heard that they lack a raised examination table. In one instance, they had to assess a large dog on the floor.
Gave me lots of options for treatment
“I had the pleasure of seeing Dr. Paige who was amazing with my anxious cocker spaniel and gave me lots of options for treatment which were extremely helpful. She has a calm and reassuring manner and clearly has considerable expertise. I would recommend her without hesitation.”
Mi Gray, Google review
Very thorough and comprehensive
“We were very happy with the level of detail and the amount of time we were given during our appointment. It felt thorough and comprehensive, and we appreciated that nothing felt rushed. The attention to detail and the care taken made us feel fully supported and informed. Dr Briony was amazing.Also Ruby was very friendly and helpful on the front desk.”
Jason Murray, Google review
5. Greencross Vet Hospital
Address: Gate 2/250 Princes Hwy, Werribee
Phone: +61 3 8721 1414
Business hours:
- Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours
Greencross Vet Hospital is very impressive for how well-equipped they are for high-stakes situations. Their 24/7 emergency care is backed by a proper ICU environment, advanced monitoring, and teams trained to stabilise critical cases.
Where things get more interesting is their role within the Animal Referral and Emergency Network. This connection gives them access to a broader pool of specialists and shared expertise.
It also shows in the types of cases they take on. You can count on them for your pet’s neurology, oncology, cardiology, and more!
They’re also great with animal behaviour. Reactive or anxious pets are handled with care here without minimising the issue.
The trade-off is the cost. They sit firmly in the premium tier.
Their Healthy Pets membership plans help soften the blow for routine care across the Greencross network. However, for hospital-level treatment, you’re still looking at a significant investment.
I’m so grateful for the care and kindness from most of the staff
“I’m so grateful for the care and kindness from most of the staff so far (if not, all)! Katelyn at reception, in particular was an angel on earth. She went above and beyond to assist me in big scramble up that occurred with my dog’s insurance company and thankfully it was all amended and I didn’t have to chase it up as a dispute! She was honest, transparent and more than happy to try to help me resolve the issue and find a solution with kindness, compassion and understanding. Thank you Greencross Hospital Vet Staff.”
Savannah Bell, Google review
We had the best of care here
“We had the best of care here, everything was explained and even when we couldn’t get answers on complex things from test results. They gave their opinions and explained the experience they based that opinion on which made it easier for me to make decisions. My dog was an unusual case but they never tried to make it less than it was and always gave consideration to my dog who was reactive due to being anxious and scared.”
Cate B, Google review