On this page
About the hospital
VCA Palo Alto Animal Hospital is a general veterinary practice at 3944 El Camino Real in south Palo Alto. It belongs to VCA Animal Hospitals, a national network that its website describes as an affiliate of Mars. OpenStreetMap lists the clinic simply as Palo Alto Animal Hospital, but the VCA name is the one it uses on its own website.
The hospital sees cats and dogs. It is open six days a week, with a phone line at 650-493-4233 and a fax at 650-493-1561. Owners can book online, refill prescriptions and track vaccines through VCA's myVCA app.
This page describes the hospital and the services it lists. It is not veterinary advice and does not judge the quality of care.
Services
The hospital's service menu is long. It groups its offerings into a few areas:
- Preventive care: wellness exams, vaccinations, microchipping, flea, tick and parasite control, weight management and packages for new puppies and kittens.
- Primary care: dental care and dental X-rays, general and routine surgery, spays and neuters, anesthesia, pain management, allergy and itchy skin relief, health certificates and geriatric medicine.
- Diagnostics and treatment: an in-house laboratory and pharmacy, radiology, ultrasound, hospitalization and an isolation ward.
- Advanced care: cardiology, dermatology, ophthalmology and orthopedic and soft tissue surgery appear in the advanced care list.
- Counseling: behavior and nutrition counseling, plus care for diabetic cats and dogs.
VCA also runs a wellness plan called CareClub and an online shop for food, medication and supplements. Ask the front desk which services are handled in house and which are referred elsewhere.
The team
The hospital's team page has short biographies of its veterinarians and staff. It lists Dr. Joanne Smith, DVM, among the doctors. Her biography says she earned her veterinary degree at Ross University in 2003 and completed clinical training at the University of Illinois. The page also introduces a hospital manager who joined the Palo Alto team in 2022. Staff lists change, so check the page for the current roster.
Your first visit
The hospital's first-visit page explains what to expect. The vet gives a head-to-tail exam, checking the skin and coat, eyes and ears, teeth and gums, heart and lungs. Pets are checked for fleas, ticks and other external parasites. Expect questions about diet, habits and activity.
Bring any medical, vaccine or adoption records you have. A new-client form can be downloaded and filled in before you arrive. The page also suggests booking the follow-up visit before you leave.
Urgent problems
The hospital says it offers emergency care during its open hours and lists signs that call for prompt attention, such as swallowing a toxin or foreign object, breathing trouble, heat stroke or a swollen abdomen. It asks owners to phone while on the way with an estimated arrival time. If a pet may have eaten something toxic, bring the packaging. The site also mentions a virtual waiting room for emergency visits. For problems when the hospital is closed, see our listing for Veterinary Emergency Group, an emergency vet in Palo Alto.
Visiting tips
- Book ahead for routine care. Saturday closes an hour earlier than weekdays.
- Bring cats in a carrier and dogs on a leash to keep everyone calm on arrival.
- Ask for a written estimate before larger procedures.
The hospital is on El Camino Real near Barron Park. Dog owners looking for places to exercise their pets can see our guide to dog parks and dog-friendly places.
Who the hospital suits
The hospital suits cat and dog owners who want a general practice with long weekday hours and Saturday appointments. Its online booking, prescription refills and the myVCA app appeal to owners who prefer to manage care from a phone. New puppy and kitten owners can ask about the starter packages listed under preventive care. Owners of older pets may want to ask about the geriatric medicine and pain management services. Anyone with a bird, rabbit or reptile should look elsewhere, since the hospital lists only cats and dogs.
Location and getting there
VCA Palo Alto Animal Hospital is at 3944 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA, in the South Palo Alto area of Palo Alto. Our South Palo Alto guide covers what else is around.
The nearest train stop is the California Avenue Caltrain station, about 1.1 miles away. That is roughly a 28 minute walk or a short bike ride.
Parking: street spaces or a small lot nearby; check posted limits.
Hours
| Monday to Friday | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Saturday | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours from the business's own website, checked October 30, 2026.
What is nearby
- HolyShred, restaurant, under 0.1 mi
- Papa John's, quick-service spot, under 0.1 mi
- Baja Fresh, quick-service spot, under 0.1 mi
- Ernie's Liquors, food shop, under 0.1 mi
- Starbucks 3885 El Camino Real, cafe, 0.1 mi
- Robles Park, 0.4 mi
- Boulware Park, 0.4 mi
- Juana Briones Park, 0.6 mi
Other everyday services nearby: Veterinary Emergency Group (under 0.1 mi); Animal Hospital of Palo Alto (0.2 mi); Tesla Palo Alto (0.5 mi); Volvo Cars Palo Alto (0.5 mi). Browse the full everyday services list.
Before you go
- Call ahead to confirm hours and whether you need an appointment.
- Ask for a written estimate before any repair work starts.
- Bring an ID and any paperwork you may need, such as a receipt or account number.
About this listing
Checked October 30, 2026 against VCA Palo Alto Animal Hospital; Our team page; Your first visit; Emergency care page. How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Frequently asked questions
Where is VCA Palo Alto Animal Hospital in Palo Alto?
VCA Palo Alto Animal Hospital is at 3944 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA, in the South Palo Alto area. The nearest Caltrain stop is the California Avenue Caltrain station, about 1.1 miles away.
Is VCA Palo Alto Animal Hospital open on weekends?
It is open Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed on Sunday. Weekday hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
What animals does VCA Palo Alto Animal Hospital treat?
The hospital lists cats and dogs as the animals it sees. Owners of birds, reptiles or other exotic pets should look for a practice that lists those species.
Can I book an appointment online?
Yes. The hospital's page has an online booking tool. If booking is not available when you try, the page asks you to call the hospital at 650-493-4233.
What are VCA Palo Alto Animal Hospital's hours?
Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday: Closed.