Introduction
Choosing a veterinarian is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a pet parent. In a city as busy and complex as Brooklyn, pets face unique health risks — from fleas and ticks in local parks, to exposure to rodent-borne diseases like leptospirosis, to toxins on sidewalks and limited space for exercise. Finding the right Brooklyn veterinarian means finding a partner who understands these local challenges and has the resources to address them.
Here are the top 5 questions every pet owner should ask when searching for the best vet in Brooklyn and how St.Francis Animal Hospital Brooklyn stands out as the answer.
1. What Experience Does the Vet Have?
When it comes to your pet’s health, experience matters. Ask how long the veterinarian has been practicing, what types of animals they commonly treat, and how they handle both routine and urgent cases.
✔️ Dr. Steven Brigande, of SFAH Brooklyn, has been serving Brooklyn pets since 1998. He brings deep compassion and hands-on experience with city-specific conditions, from treating indoor cats with unexpected flea infestations, to vaccinating dogs against leptospirosis (carried in rodent urine), to managing weight and dental issues common among apartment pets.
2. What Services Are Offered In-House?
Not all clinics are equally equipped. In-house services save time, reduce stress for your pet, and ensure faster answers when your pet is sick.
✔️ At our Brooklyn animal hospital, we offer:
– A full in-house laboratory for same-day diagnostics
– Professional grooming services to keep pets comfortable and healthy
– A convenient distributor for preventatives like Revolution PLUS and Simparica Trio
– Dental cleanings, surgery, and check-ups under one roof
With so many services available in-house, you won’t need to run from one clinic to another when your pet needs care.
3. Is Emergency Care Available?
Accidents and sudden illnesses don’t wait for business hours. Ask if the clinic can handle urgent situations and if they have a clear plan for after-hours care.
✔️ As one of the best vets in Brooklyn, St.Francis Animal Hospital prioritizes emergencies. Whether it’s a dog exposed to toxins on a city sidewalk, a cat struggling with sudden illness, or concerns about heatstroke in summer, we are equipped to step in quickly.
4. What Is the Clinic’s Reputation?
Reviews and referrals are invaluable when deciding on a vet. Look for patterns in what clients say about compassion, staff friendliness, and quality of care.
✔️ SFAH Brooklyn has an excellent reputation with high client satisfaction. Pet parents consistently describe Dr. Brigande and his team as compassionate, trustworthy, and deeply connected to their patients. Here are recent comments about Dr. Brigande from our clients on our Facebook page:
– “Great vet for all my 14 babies.” — Edith B.
– “Been going to him over 20 years. Has so much compassion. He cried with me when I lost one of my pets.” — Joanne A.
– “They’ve cared for all 9 of my cats and 2 dogs over 25 years.” — Paula N.
– “Dr. Brigande is the best vet! Excellent with my late Bichon Frise Esme and fantastic with my dog Zoe.” — Amanda K.
– “Dr. Brigande is a wonderful person and veterinarian. Thanks to you, Doc, my daughter Samantha, became a Veterinarian.” — MaryAnn B.
At St. Francis, pets and their owners become part of the SFAH family. Our compassion extends beyond the exam room. When beloved pets pass away, their paw prints are immortalized in clay and lovingly styled by our staff. Christine V., a founding member of our team, carefully crafts each paw print memorial to honor the love and joy that pet brought to their family.
“Forever Loved, Never Forgotten” At St. Francis Animal Hospital Brooklyn, we honor each pet’s memory with personalized clay paw prints, created with love by our staff. See the memorial page here.
5. Is the Care Affordable and Transparent?
Veterinary care should be both excellent and accessible. Ask about preventative care plans, vaccine pricing, and how a clinic handles costs.
✔️ At SFAH Brooklyn, we believe every family deserves affordable access to veterinary medicine. Our pricing is transparent, and we carry preventative care products in-house — so you can pick up what your pet needs right at the clinic, without markups or delays. We also help clients manage costs through pet insurance programs like PetAssure and flexible financing options such as CareCredit, making it easier to provide the care your pets deserve without financial stress.
Choosing the Best Vet in Brooklyn
Brooklyn pet parents need a veterinarian who combines experience, comprehensive services, emergency readiness, and genuine compassion. At St.Francis Animal Hospital, we offer all of thisplus the advantage of understanding city-specific health challenges.
📞 Call SFAH today at 718-621-1629 to schedule your pet’s first visit with Dr. Brigande — and see why so many families consider us the best vet in Brooklyn.
