The Cat Practice Veterinary Hospital

Dr Skip Sullivan has always given my cats great care. One of my cats needed a dental cleaning but had a heart murmor - so I didnt want to put him under anesthesia. I actually got into a huge argument with the cat guy on the upper west side about it. Anyway - Dr Sullivan opened my cats mouth and chipped the tarter off himself and said there you go...done! Try and brush if you can but you dont need to put him under now.

Pros: reasonable, caring and knows cats

Cons: none

Posted 05/23/09

Yes! It is a wonderful place to bring your cats!
We have been taking our cats for check-ups and boarding to The Cat Practice since 1982. Dr. Skip Sullivan is a dedicated and caring vet whose expertise in feline diagnosis and treatment is superb. He and his first-rate staff excel in sensitivity and have been treating cats of ours since 1982. The office and waiting area are neat and clean as is their well kept boarding facility. We often board our cats there when we go on vacation. While boarding, the cats get lots of attention and individualized care regarding diet, medication (if prescribed), daily brushing, and exercise. We also get updates on their stay. They even amuse the cats with videos of chirping birds!
In times of illness we have been welcomed to visit our cats daily.
The expertise and dedication of Dr. Sullivan and his staff have helped our cats live long healthy lives. We recommend the Cat Practice enthusiastically.

Morrie and Henry Silvert

Pros: First-rate, Professional, Friendly, Clean, Courteous

Posted 04/07/09

I boarded my cat with the Cat Practice over Thanksgiving and he couldn't have been happier. The staff was very attentive (both when he arrived and when he departed) and were careful to place him near friendly cats. The boarding and examination area are spotless (even when my boyfriend and I arrived at the end of the night unannounced) and smell clean. All the other cats I saw there seemed to be happy and were very well cared for. All the litter boxes had fresh litter, the food bowls has fresh wet food and the cages were otherwise tidy. I would recommend this place to owners who love their cats.

Posted 12/12/08

Great for people who like cats and for friendly boarders. Boarding facility and staff great. They get special attention and if friendly get to roam around the place. Let's be realistic though... people who go to the Cat Practice often are the owners of some pretty unruly felines. Aggressive cats do not like other cats period. Especially not while they are going through an exam, a very stressful event in and of itself. There are cats everywhere! My cat hated it. Even in the waiting room a random cat wandered up to her in her carrier and it was all over. I went to a "cat practice" in another state once and they had it all right. Spaced out appointments so only one cat in the lobby at a time, a private room with a door, and no other animals in the treatment room. I've never seen my cat behave better. This place has it all wrong.

Pros: Lots of friendly cats everywhere. Love cats.

Cons: My cat does not love other cats.

Posted 07/08/08

Recently, my cat was howling at odd hours of the night for no apparent reason. He's 17 years old now and we were unsure if he was in pain or if this behavior was indicative of his old age. We took Hobbes to see Dr. Skip and discovered that Hobbes had severe gum desease and aging kidneys. After a course of antibiotics and vitamins for his kidneys, he's home, happy, and the howling has stopped. During his 3 day stay, I recieved periodic updates on his progress which put me at ease. I've always been pleased with the service from the Cat Practice that I have been receiving for the past 18 years. With such caring over these many years, Dr. Skip has become like family.

Pros: Great care and love.

Posted 03/22/08

I have been taking my cats to The Cat Practice for years, and I have to say that I continue to be amazed by the outstanding service, and the vets attention to detail. I have read a few disparaging reviews, which really make no sense to me. The review that suggested the vet was rough with the cats is simply not accurate. The vet has always been very gentle with my cats, and takes the extra time to make them feel comfortable.A lot of my cat owning friends take their cats here and they have all had the same wonderful experience that I have had. I always feel very comfortable boarding my cats at The Cat Practice because I know that they will be well taken care of. I honestly wouldn't trust any other vet to take care of my cats.

Pros: Caring staff/vets, amazing boarding area, clean.

Posted 03/16/08

I've read some of the negative reviews posted here about The Cat Practice and I'm astounded. What was described is at total odds with my experience with this veteranian going back over 20 years, and the almost identical language and nature of complaints clearly suggests that each of these posts was the work of the same person. Perhaps this naysayer is a disgruntled former employee, attempting to damage the business by flaming it anonymously on this board.

I have been bringing my cats to Dr. Skip Sullivan since the early 1980s, and he has consistently provided top flight services: he is a very fine surgeon, an incredible diagnostician and has one of the gentlest, most attentive and caring bed side manners I've ever encountered in a veteranian. This is no small claim, as I have been a cat fancier for 50 years and have known quite a few vets over the decades. Furthermore, his office and treatment areas are immaculately clean, and his staff has always been professional, capable and courteous to myself and my cats. I cannot praise The Cat Practice enough, and, Dr. Sullivan's sterling reputation is certainly well deserved.

Some of these negative posts about The Cat Practice mention the sending of outstanding balances to a debt collection agency. This is total BS in that The Cat Practice requires full payment to be made at the time services are provided. So, there are no "outstanding balances" these bogus slams were referring to. At least, there hasn't been in all the years I've been bringing my cats there. And, even if this were the case, it's quite disingenuous for deadbeats to complain about those they owe money when they're expected to pay up.

You have to take these anonymous slams on the internet with a grain of salt. It's very easy for some hostile coward to attempt to besmirch someone's professional reputation while hiding behind a shadowy screen handle. So, I'm going to sign this post with my actual name.

Keith C. Ninesling

Posted 03/16/08

Not worth the money! Not a very good practice for cats from the vet to the staff. Not knowledgeable. He strikes me as a vet his only there for the buck and has no care or love for cats at all. I hope he goes out of bussiness soon.

Cons: What is that smell in the office especially where they keep the cats?

Posted 02/03/08

I highly don't recommend this vet. Not the nices guy and very impatient so that's strike one. He made me feel like he was in a rush and not willing to answer all the questions I have. Doesn't know and not willing to calm my cats at all knowing the fact that most cats get nervous going to the vet. His not so gentle with my cats either. He kept on slamming them back on the table when they make a moved...he was completely rough to them even though I said my cats are old. There were quite a few technicians walking around doing nothing and yet non of them came in the room to help out. As far as the whole office, it's quite filthy and smelly. This placed is not to be recommended.

Cons: Filthy, unprofessional practice, and they don't care about your pets.

Posted 12/25/07

Have you seen their boarding area? It's amazing! They have a DVD player that plays movies featuring things like birds and insects to keep the cats entertained. The cats there were mesmerized by the show. It was hilarious to watch.

This is my first year in the city with a cat and I have been worried about where I'd board kitty over Christmas while I'm away. I dropped by last friday to check out the place beforehand. They gave me a full tour and everyone was friendly and answered all my questions.

Pros: Great boarding area

Cons: I wish they had a webcam of the boarding area so i could check in on kitty while I'm away.

Posted 12/05/07

This vet is totaly impatient. I think that in order to be a good vet you really need a lot of patient for animals. This vet is totally impatient and has no bedside manners. My cat was nervous and some how this guy didn't understand how cats can be nervous going to vets. He did not have an assistant present in the room and it was obvious that he couldn't do it himself yet he didn't ask the technician to come in the room instead he was being rough to my cat and using forced on my kitty. You would think that if his been doing this for a long time that he would develop some warm and fuzzy feeling for cats and some good tricks under his sleeves to in examining cats but no! I would never take my cat here ever again. I find this guy to be abusive to my cat. Be ware! Also this place is not very clean. For a place on 5th aven, this practice is sub-standard. Yet, they charge 5 star fee. As far as the staff, not the best service.

Cons: bad service, impatient, place smells like urine

Posted 12/04/07

I took my long haired, 'very feisty with strangers' cat to the Cat Practice in hopes of some help with some bad mats that had formed on her otherwise lovely coat. While she is normally a very loving cat, she had a history of bad behavior at the vet- one time she even bit the tech so hard he had to go the emergency room! in any case, i wanted to take her somewhere they would know how to handle her. the tech was fabulous. so nice and asked many questions to better understand how to care for my special kitty. the drop off in the morning and pick up in the evening schedule also helps. in fact, they called me three times to make sure she was getting only the care i wanted. so, while the vet experience is not a positive one for most felines, the cat practice really does their best to make it as painless as possible. i give them an A plus!

Pros: Great staff, very attentive

Cons: Few cabs in this neighborhood between the 4-6 pickup period- be sure to plan ahead!

Posted 11/17/07

There seems to be a pattern of complaint with this practice. I have been going here for a while and i have an outstanding balance that i did not know I have. Instead of sending me a notice or contacting me it was sent to the collection agency as well. I would have like for them to have contacted me before doing this. It was absolutely unnecessary. I thought I have a good relationship with this practice, but I now know that I don't and obviously i'm not important of a patient to keep. They could have tried to extend themselve's with a little effort and a phone call wouldn't hurt. I don't recommend this place. Be ware ,they don't care about clients!

Cons: very unprofessional!

Posted 11/12/07

This Vet. is rude! very dry and no personality. Poor quality of examination of my beloved cat. He did a very fast job and didn't take his time examining my pet and I got charged pretty hefty. He was in and out of the room like he was pre-occupied about something else instead of doing his job. I don't think this guy likes cats at all, I think his in it for the money. He's staff doesn't care either. They look very unhappy with their job. this is not the place I want to treat my beloved pet. The place doesn't look sanitary either and smells funky. Be ware of this practice!

Cons: Rude vet/unprofessional/rush job

Posted 11/06/07

This vetrinarian I saw was very unprofessional. He has no patience with cats, so I don't see the point of calling this place a "cats practice". I've taken my cat here twice and both times this guy was very rough to my cat and he would always pin my cat very hard and rough when he would moved to a point that you can hear his bones being banged against the table. Also, too many staff hanging around but never any assistant present in the room for extra help. They are never on time and it makes my cat even more nervous waiting outside. The staff wasn't very courteous either starting from the front desk to the office manager. This place is charging 5 star service fee but they don't meet the standard of a 5 star quality care at all. I actually think thats stealing money. The place doesn't look sanitary either. It's very filthy. Osha should pay this place a visit. Over all, my opinion of this place is they don't care about your cats but only money. My cat was certainly unhappy with his visit to this vet.

Cons: not worthed if he doesn't know how to calm your cat down.

Posted 11/06/07

I had been taking my Siamese cats to Dr. Sullivan for 20 years..since his practice was in the Village. I had complete faith in the vet care and was confident even boarding my animals there when I myself was hospitalized unexpectedly. The reception staff was also attentive and helpful. HOWEVER--when a bill was inadvertently not paid it was immediately sent to a collection agency.! No attempt was made to contact me to address the situation. I found this very unprofessional and unacceptable not to mention embarrassing!
I have since taken my cats elsewhere for lack of this poorly managed practice.

Pros: Dr. Sullivan - excellent well-educated diagnostitian and practitioner

Cons: Practice management poor- out of sync with med level of care

Posted 10/15/07

My wife and I have been bringing our two cats to the Cat Practice for seven years, and we have always been extremely satisfied with the service. Over the years, our cats have had a variety of problems, from abcessed teeth to urinary track infection to ear infections to problems with their weight, and we have always felt confident bringing our cats to the Cat Practice. Dr. Sullivan is an excellent vet, and his staff has always been very courteous and helpful. And we love that our cats get their treatment at a dog-free facility!

I would recommend the Cat Practice to anybody - and in fact I do, whenever I meet a fellow cat owner.

Pros: Exceptional care for cats

Cons: Parking on 5th Ave and 20th is hard to come by.

Posted 08/15/07

I made an appointment about my cat's ear infection. She had been scratching her ears quite a lot and shaking her head. While the Dr. seemed quite nice. He charged me $95 to say come back in two weeks about her ear infection with out even looking down her ears. Two weeks later she now has a full blown ear infection and can't even stand up. I did not feel listened to at all and because he didn't even look in her ears except for to test her for ear mites, which I already knew she didn't have, his neglect is costing me more money and time as well causing my poor little kitty unnecessary pain. I would not recommend this Dr. to anyone.

Pros: You can drop your pet off while you are at work and pick them up

Cons: Bad Diagonisis, No Treatment, Expensive

Posted 08/12/07

After being a good customer for a couple of years, they sent me to collection without calling or trying to reach me in regards to an outstanding bill I did not know I had.
Very disappointing customer / patient experience. Will not recommend to anyone I know.
Sub par service.

Pros: right around the corner from where i used to live

Cons: Front desk staff is not organized and sends people to collection without contacting them.

Posted 06/28/07

A little background first: After spending $3000 at a prestigious hospital on my cat Lucky Lou and seeing 5 different doctors in a matter of two weeks, I was starting to lose hope when no one could quite figure out what my "cat-child" had. He was first diagnosed with cholangiohepatitis, and if you google that, it's definitely not something you want your cat to have--it's a severe and often fatal problem with the liver. It's pretty common with cats, especially fat ones, and the Luckster was a fatty. He was hospitalized for a couple days at a hospital other than the Cat Practice, and he was released with medicine for his diagnosed cholangiohepatitis. BUT, that's not what the Fat Luck had. The medicine worked for a little while, but he just wasn't getting better as far as eating, his skin color (it was yellow at the time), and just his overall spirit. I was feeding him baby food with syringes--it just didn't seem like it was getting better. SO, I decided to try one more doctor. I knew tthe Cat Practice because this was the only place that carried Lucky's strict diet, and he had been there before. I have no idea why I didn't take him there in the first place, just panicked I guess. At this point, Lucky was on 200cc fluids a day (fluids which yours truly administered--NOT FUN), and was barely eating. Dr. Sullivan, who is so, so, so kind, I can't say enough, saw Lucky, did some tests, and gave him medicine (Actigall and Heptosupport) for his gall bladder. I took Lucky home on Sept. 29, and on Sept. 30 I already saw a difference. He wanted to eat! A week later he was playing with his string. And now, it's December 8, and his lab results came back completely clear of any problems. You have to understand, prior to this, all the other doctors were telling me that the Luckster was on his way out. But now my 10-year-old kitty is even better than before.

Pros: Great staff, very friendly, doctors that genuinely care and have a great understanding about cats.

Cons: It's a tiny bit pricey, but worth it.

Posted 12/07/06

We love The Cat Practice. The staff is fantastic; caring, knowledgeable & friendly. The "no dog" office is ideal for our fearful kitty and the Sunday hours saved his life. Dr. Sullivan is a great vet and as far as fees and medicine prices go, we understand the costs of running a business in NYC.
The Cat Practice is a gem.
Jenny & Scott

Pros: Caring staff, open on Sunday

Posted 09/18/06

I took my cat to the cat practice to have her spayed. They didn't get around to doing it on the first day she was there because they were too busy, so she had to stay an extra day. Then, when she was returned to me, the fur on her whole body was sticky with dried, fermented urine that she had lain in, and she had picked up some kind of resperatory infection. She ended up requiring 2 weeks on antibiotics to clear it up. They also don't use dissolving stitches for this operation, requiring additional trauma for the poor cat to return to the vet for stitch removal. This practice seemed haphazard, overloaded and inattentive.

Posted 08/03/06

I was very nervous in trying to find a place that my cat felt comfortable and as ease. The staff is wonderful and Dr. Sullivan was very gentle with my Zoe. I was given a tour of the facilty and saw just how all the cats that were boarded were very relaxed and seemed very happy.

Cons: expensive

Posted 02/24/06

upon realising that my cat needed a passport in order to travel and that can take up to six months i had to find a place to leave my dear sweet kitty for one month. the selection process for me was hard but as soon as i picked up the phone and heard a genuine feeling coming back to me i know that this was the place. I dropped him off and just took in the area, friendly staff, warm regions inside, really clean surroundings and most of the cats looked as though they were having a great time. I was hesitant but in the end made the right decision. you need not to worry because they know the ins and outs of what cats like, dislike and can handle. i highly recomend that everyone use this place for boarding especially if they are concerned

Pros: Affordable, Great Staffing

Cons: usually busy

Posted 01/23/06

Dr. 'Skip' truly has a gift with cats. He is an excellent Feline Specialist who also understands the cats' 'guardians'. He takes that extra time with us and we always know we can call at anytime. The staff is sensitive and warm.

Posted 11/09/05

amazingly unprofessional behavior from the receptionist and a 225% mark-up in medication (oh, you bet i checked) overshadows anything else about this establishment. i suppose if you are taking your cat to a fifth avenue vet you might expect the mark-up, but certainly not such poor service from the front desk.

Posted 07/12/05

I was searching for a vet that focuses on cats. It's scary enough for my kitties to go to the vet without making them put up with scary dogs nosies and smells. The staff here is very friendly and it's easy to get appointments. The doctors seemed knowledgeable and explained things thoroughly. I like the central convenient location, but it is on an avenue, which makes the street busy and noisy when I'm carrying the cats from the cab to the door. The cats in the boarding area seemed to be getting a lot of attention from the technicians and staff.

Pros: friendly, central, cats only

Cons: busy street

Posted 04/25/05

The cat practice is always open and willing to see my cat whenever there is a problem.. In addition, Dr. Sullivan was able to tell me why my cat's ears were always missing hair on his ears.. Other doctors had no idea what was causing the problem but Dr. Sullivan found my cat had a food allergy and now his ears are fine!

Posted 05/31/02