Business Details
18 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Comprehensive Pet Care in Artesia, NM
At Critter Care Center, we have dedicated ourselves to providing exceptional veterinary care since 2008. Our team, led by Dr. Stephanie Simons with over two decades of veterinary experience, specializes in comprehensive services ranging from vaccinations and wellness exams to advanced surgical procedures and emergency care. We prioritize cutting-edge technology and techniques to ensure optimal outcomes for pets across Artesia, NM and surrounding areas. Our practice emphasizes personalized attention, treating each pet as part of our own family while fostering trust through transparency and compassion. With a client-centric approach, we work closely with pet owners to create tailored healthcare plans that address individual needs.Our commitment extends beyond treatment to include education on preventive care, nutrition, and disease management. The clinic maintains rigorous professional standards, adhering to the highest ethical practices in veterinary medicine. Our staff combines technical expertise with genuine empathy, understanding the deep bond between pets and their owners. We offer specialized services including acupuncture, dental care, and end-of-life support to meet diverse needs. Through continuous learning and investment in modern facilities, Critter Care Center remains a trusted partner in pet healthcare for local families.
Services
Vaccinations
Wellness Exams
Surgery
Emergency Services
Acupuncture
Dental Services
Pocket Pet Care
End of Life Care
Details
- Year established: 2008
Highlights and features
- We offer 15+ years of dedicated veterinary expertise in Artesia, NM
- Our clinic utilizes advanced veterinary technology and techniques
- We provide personalized treatment plans tailored to each pet's needs
- 24/7 emergency care available for urgent pet health concerns
- Our team maintains rigorous continuing education in veterinary medicine
What people say
Knowledgeable staff
Compassionate care
Worth the drive
Excellent surgery results
Personalized attention
Services
Vaccinations
Critter Care Center provides essential vaccinations for dogs and cats, following scientifically-validated schedules. Our protocols include core vaccines like rabies, distemper, and leukemia, as well as breed-specific protectants. We offer customized vaccination plans based on age, health status, and exposure risks while maintaining proper storage and administration standards to ensure maximum efficacy.
Wellness Exams
Our comprehensive wellness exams assess pets' overall health through systematic physical evaluations. The process includes checking eyes, ears, teeth, heart, lungs, and abdominal organs while monitoring weight and coat condition. We recommend annual exams for adult pets and more frequent checkups for seniors or animals with chronic conditions to detect potential issues early.
Surgery
We perform various surgical procedures using modern anesthetic and pain management techniques. Services include spaying/neutering, soft tissue surgery, and orthopedic procedures with pre-operative diagnostics and post-operative care plans. Our facility maintains strict sterilization protocols while providing personalized recovery support through home care instructions and follow-up examinations.
Emergency Services
The clinic offers emergency veterinary care for critical conditions requiring immediate attention. We treat cases like poisoning, trauma, breathing difficulties, and severe bleeding with rapid assessment and stabilization measures. Emergency services operate during regular business hours while maintaining equipment and staff readiness for life-threatening situations.
Acupuncture
Dr. Stephanie provides acupuncture treatments as part of integrative pet care. This service addresses chronic pain, arthritis, and neurological conditions through traditional Chinese medicine techniques. Treatment plans combine conventional veterinary practices with alternative approaches while maintaining evidence-based evaluation of treatment effectiveness and patient response.
People
Dr. Stephanie Simons
Owner & Veterinarian
Licensed veterinarian with over 20 years in the field and 15 years in private practice. Specializes in surgical procedures, diagnostics, and holistic treatments while leading the clinic's medical team. Holds Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University with bachelor's degree in Biology.
Kristen Johnson
Office Manager & Vet Tech
Veterinary technician with 9 years of field experience and 7 years at Critter Care Center. Manages daily operations and patient care coordination while supporting pet owners with medical information and appointment management.
Jovan Duran
Office Assistant
Support staff member since 2022 with animal care experience through local rescue volunteering. Assists with administrative tasks and client communication while maintaining a multi-pet household for practical animal handling expertise.
Tera Williams
Veterinary Staff
Team member since 2020 with local experience in animal care. Coordinates patient needs and family communication while managing responsibilities across multiple family members and pets to enhance understanding of client challenges.
DeeDee Barnes
RVT, CET, CHPT
Certified veterinary technician with specialized credentials in multiple disciplines. Provides advanced patient care through expertise in anesthesia, emergency treatment, and physical therapy techniques while maintaining seven rescue pets for hands-on experience.
Questions
What services does Critter Care Center offer?
We provide vaccinations, wellness exams, surgical procedures, emergency care, acupuncture, dental services, pocket pet care, and end-of-life support for dogs, cats, and small animals.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Request appointments online through our website or call us at 575-736-8888 during business hours. We don't accept walk-ins except for emergencies.
What are your emergency care procedures?
Call immediately for urgent situations during regular business hours. Our team provides rapid assessment and stabilization for critical conditions like poisoning, trauma, or breathing difficulties.
Which animals do you treat?
We care for dogs, cats, and pocket pets including hamsters, guinea pigs, and rabbits through specialized treatment approaches tailored to each species' unique needs.
What payment options are available?
Please contact our office directly for payment policy details. We discuss financial arrangements and care options to ensure pets receive necessary treatments.
When should pets receive vaccinations?
Puppies/kittens start vaccinations at 6-8 weeks, with boosters every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks. Adult pets require regular boosters based on health status and exposure risks.
