Is Westside Veterinary Center an Independent Private Practice?

Updated

Yes. Westside Veterinary Center describes itself as one of the few private practices in New York City, owned, managed, and operated by the people who work there every day rather than by a corporation. The practice states that it is proud to remain independent and plans to continue as a private practice, positioning itself as an alternative to the corporate buy-outs and consolidation it says are steadily reshaping veterinary medicine.

What "Independent" Means Here

The site draws a direct contrast between its structure and corporate ownership:

Aspect Westside Veterinary Center (per its site) Corporate practice (as described)
Ownership Owned by the people working at the practice Owned by a corporation
Management Managed and operated by on-site staff Corporate structure with a required bottom line
Decision-making Team members described as leaders and integral members of the care team Not addressed on the site

The practical takeaway for a pet owner: the people treating your pet are the same people with a stake in running the practice, rather than employees of an outside owner.

Other Facts Worth Knowing

  • Accreditation and history: The practice states it has been AAHA-accredited and serving Manhattan's Upper West Side since 1985.
  • Location: Upper West Side, New York, NY.
  • Scope of services: Small animal services plus pocket pet, bird, and exotic pet services; the service list includes wellness exams, vaccinations, dental care, orthopedic surgery, digital X-rays, ultrasound, in-house laboratory, acupuncture, boarding, emergency and urgent care, and an online pharmacy.
  • New clients: The site explicitly welcomes new clients and offers an online appointment request form; the phone number listed is (212) 580-1800.
  • Existing clients: A separate client portal login is available.

How to Verify Before You Choose

Independence is a claim the practice makes about itself, so confirm it against your own priorities:

  1. Call (212) 580-1800 and ask directly who owns and manages the practice.
  2. Ask whether the veterinarians you'd see are employees of the practice or of a separate corporate entity.
  3. If continuity of care matters to you, ask how long the current vets and staff have been there.
  4. For exotic or pocket pets, confirm the specific species the practice treats before booking.

If independence from corporate ownership is your main criterion, this practice presents itself as meeting it; a quick phone confirmation settles the question for your own decision.