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Downtown Veterinary Clinic

4.4
244 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011, USA

Best Pet Insurance in New York, New York 2026

Hours:

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed

How to Save Money at Downtown Veterinary Clinic

Schedule Regular Vet Visits

One of the best ways to save on vet bills is to prevent expensive health issues before they develop. By scheduling regular wellness checkups, your vet can detect health issues early, helping you to avoid costly treatments and surgeries down the road.

Price Shop for Pet Prescriptions

Oftentimes our fur babies are prescribed human drugs off-label. Your vet is apt to charge more for these medications than you would pay at your local pharmacy. In fact, big-box or chain pharmacies can offer steep discounts. So it’s best to price shop.

Pet Insurance

Most pet insurance providers will pay between 80% and 90% of the vet bill. You can even get coverage for routine care and things like vaccinations and dental cleanings. If you do the math, you’ll most likely find that pet insurance makes financial sense in the long run as well as gives you peace of mind.

How Do You Choose the Right Pet Insurance Provider?

Pet Insurance Review makes it incredibly easy for pet parents to select an insurance provider they feel good about. You can use our handy comparison tool to get the gist of what a company offers. We’ve also collected over 150,000 reviews of insurance companies from real pet parents like you to rank the top providers in the market. Here is the current ranking of each:

Top Pet Insurance Providers of 2026
Rating Provider Total Review
4.4 AKC 895
4.5 ASPCA 12,067
4.9 Embrace 19,675
4.9 Fetch 5,109
4.1 Figo 2,814
4.5 Hartville 179
4.9 Healthy Paws 10,919
4.8 Lemonade 819
4.6 ManyPets 2,413
4.6 MetLife 7,195
4.8 Nationwide 21,418
3.9 Pet Assure 15
4.3 PetPartners 120
4.9 Pets Best 14,554
4.8 Pumpkin 2,913
4.6 Spot 10,498
4.9 Trupanion 58,886
4.8 Prudent Pet 2,601

Or, you can simply get a fast quote from multiple providers and go from there.

Thinking of insuring your pet?

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Getting to Know Your New Vet: Essential Questions to Ask

Choosing a new veterinarian is an important decision for any pet owner. You want to find someone who is competent, compassionate, and a good fit for you and your fur baby. To help you get the most out of your first appointment, here's a list of essential questions to ask your new vet:

Tell me about your experience with [pet type].

Different vets have different areas of specialization. Some are experts with cats, some dogs, some pocket pets, and some horses. Knowing that your vet has vast experience treating your specific type of pet can bring you peace of mind.

How do you handle emergencies?

You must know what to do in case of a pet medical emergency. Inquire what after-hours policy the clinic has, whether they have on-site emergency care available, and if they have a relationship with any nearby emergency animal hospitals.

How do you communicate with pet owners?

Good communication is key to building a trusting relationship with your vet. Ask how they prefer to communicate (phone calls, emails, online portal) and how often you can expect to hear from them.

Are there any breed-specific health concerns I should be aware of?

Some breeds are predisposed to certain health conditions. Knowing what to watch out for can help you catch problems early and get your pet the treatment they need.

Do you have any questions for me about my pet?

This is a great question to ask because the answer will show that the vet is interested in getting to know your pet as an individual and is willing to listen to your concerns.

Bonus question: Can I take a tour of your facility?

Getting a feel for the clinic's environment can help you and your pet feel more comfortable during your visits. Remember, you’re not just looking for a veterinarian, you’re looking for a partnership. Do not be afraid to ask these questions and any others you can think of. Any vet worth their salt will be happy to answer them. Because the more informed you are, the better equipped you'll be to make decisions about your pet's care! And that should be every vet’s top priority.

Reviews from Google

hand swipe
charmaine worthy

I first found Dr. C. W. Schaubhut through a friend’s referral at the East Village Veterinarian, where he cared for my ferrets with the same attention and respect he later gave my dogs. From the very beginning, he stood out for his honesty, compassion, and skill, qualities that are increasingly rare. His partner, Julie, also played a meaningful role in our lives. After the loss of our beloved chihuahua, she helped me, and especially my father, find another pooch. My dad named her Gizmo, after the one we had lost. She quickly became his constant companion and went everywhere with him. My father, a tough WWII Navy man, adored her and made it clear she came first. He once told a friend, “If you don’t wanna ride in my car with my dog, then don’t come.” 😂 Gizmo brought our family years of love and joy before passing at the age of 14. Their bond was so deep that when my father’s time came, he asked that her ashes be buried with him, and we honored that wish. Dr. Schaubhut never upsold, never pressured, and was always straightforward. He explained how to best care for our animals without ever gouging us, and his kindness toward both pets and people, especially my father, meant more than words can say. I have never found another veterinarian like him, and I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Schaubhut to anyone looking for thoughtful, honest care. We are grateful he is now at Downtown Veterinary Clinic, and I would encourage others to seek him out there.

Sun Kist

Steer clear of this veterinarian! Horrendous experience. How is it that this Dr. Schaubhut is permitted to practice let alone touch an animal? Firstly, he was very rude and oddly irritated from the get to and was unable to read or understand basic medical records that were requested and provided. He then grabbed our docile, sweet cat by the throat and squeezed with his huge hand around her tiny throat choking her so hard that his hand had to be physically pried off her because because he refused to take his hands off her when asked. The vet tech appeared terrified and was very nervous, but she did nothing to stop his abuse. As we scrambled to leave once I got him off of her, he was ranting, arrogant and judgmental comments about the vets that provided the medical records (that he could not interpret to save his own life). We got out as fast as we could. The vet tech apologized. An apology has not helped our cat who is traumatized from this awful experience. He violated all codes of professional conduct, and his license should be revoked by the Board of Professions NY State Board. The entire practice’s license should be considered to be revoked in that it allows this man to continue to practice and harm animals fully aware that he does this. Why are you protecting him and not the animals? From our experience, he is a danger to animals. Do not bother to respond with another insincere apology that amounts to nothing. Save it for the State Board.

Alfredo Alfredo

I've been going to Dr. Schaubhut for my cats since 2000. He and Dr. Ficarra are excellent and caring. The staff is great as well.

KC Meyercord

Downtown Vet Clinic & Dr. Ficarra – Truly the Best in Pet Care I can’t say enough good things about Downtown Vet Clinic and Dr. Ficarra. From the moment you walk through the doors, you feel like your pet is in the best hands possible. The clinic is clean, welcoming, and efficiently run, and the entire staff is kind, compassionate, and incredibly knowledgeable. Dr. Ficarra is truly a gem—she’s not only a skilled and thorough veterinarian but also someone who genuinely cares. She takes the time to explain everything clearly, answer all questions with patience, and treat every pet as if they were her own. You can tell how much she loves what she does, and that makes all the difference. Whether it’s a routine check-up, an emergency, or long-term care, Dr. Ficarra and her team go above and beyond every time. My pet receives exceptional care, and I always leave feeling reassured and confident in the treatment plan. If you’re looking for a trustworthy, top-tier vet clinic in the area, this is the one. Downtown Vet Clinic and Dr. Ficarra are simply the best.

debbi

I have tried a few veterinary clinics and this one is by far the best. This is the vet that true New Yorkers use. They are fair and great. They actually care about the animals, and not just about selling you services (which most vets do). This place is genuine and legit. Sadly my kitty just passed away(14yrs). But I’m grateful to the team here for doing their best to help her out.

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