Downtown Veterinary Clinic

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.

posted: 02/21/2026

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.

posted: 09/21/2025

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.

posted: 10/07/2025

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.

posted: 04/28/2025

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.

posted: 08/07/2022