Modern Animal

4.7 (39)
215 Alma St, Palo Alto, CA 94301, USA

Hours:

Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed

How to Save Money at Modern Animal

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 2025
Rating Provider Total Review
4.4 AKC 894
4.5 ASPCA 12,057
4.9 Embrace 20,305
4.9 Fetch 27,409
4.1 Figo 2,786
4.5 Hartville 177
4.9 Healthy Paws 10,736
4.8 Lemonade 815
4.6 ManyPets 2,428
4.6 MetLife 5,637
4.8 Nationwide 21,417
3.9 Pet Assure 15
4.4 PetPartners 117
4.3 Pets Best 14,113
4.7 Pumpkin 2,549
4.6 Spot 9,855
4.8 Trupanion 62,914
4.8 Prudent Pet 2,445

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

Thinking of insuring your pet?

Get Quotes & Compare

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

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Michelle Rivera

The staff there were all so kind! I also appreciated the transparency during my visit with Dr. Chrapko, like some vaccines not being needed for low-risk cats (like mine) and I was never pressured into procedures or anything that I didn't want to do. I also got a first visit goodie bag, which I wasn't expecting. I thought that was a nice touch and very thoughtful. It's a bit of a drive for me, but I feel reassured they only want the best for your furry companions and wouldn't force anything medically unnecessary. For sure I'll come back for any medical care or check ups my cats need.

posted: 04/29/2025

Jack'd Nutrition

I have moved around a lot so I am very wary of finding a vet for my little guys since he's traveled with me. I was beyond impressed with the calmness, cleanliness and environment the clinic provided compared to the other vets I have been too. The staff was so friendly with my cat (who is not a fan of the vet to say the least), made sure he was comfortable, got done what was needed but actually recommended getting some of the other tests they would have preferred at a different visit because they didn't want to cause him too much stress as they could see he was getting overwhelmed. By and far the best vet experience I have had to date.

posted: 06/16/2025

Isaac H. Winer

We have been elated with Modern Animal's care for our 13-year old dog. Modern Animal's staff is professional, competent, courteous and kind, and they have provided excellent care for our baby. Special call-out and thanks to Dr. Minda Newhouse, who is phenomenal and diagnosed our dog with a condition that two prior veterinarians totally missed. Thanks to Dr. Newhouse's and generally Modern Animal's excellent care, our dog is feeling better and behaving more youthfully at 13+ years. We cannot recommend Modern Animal highly enough. A 5-star Thank You!

posted: 06/18/2025

Joyce Gorham

My German Shepherd, Axel, had his first appointment at Modern Animal in Palo Alto last week. The receptionist was very attentive and we were shown to the examination room quickly. Dr. Newhouse came in and got on the floor with Axel which really helped him relax. She was loving on him as she examined him so he didn’t get nervous at all. He received his necessary shots and we made a follow up appointment. I am so happy that we have this awesome Veterinary Clinic in town. 5 stars!

posted: 08/24/2024

Sara Araghi

The staff at Modern Animal are all wonderful! Dr. Chrapko and the nursing team including Tara have been a wonderful breath of fresh air for our puppy who has always a hard time going to the vet but gets excited to walk in the doors at this awesome Palo Alto location. The staff always makes him feel comfortable and are super caring. The app and overall communication with the team is also superior to any other experiences we have had as a dog owner. I would recommend Modern Animal to everyone!

posted: 02/20/2025