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New vet clinic Whisker Wellness caters only to kitties

Cat owners will have a unique option for veterinary care when Whisker Wellness Center opens on Aug. 26 on Olympic Drive. The longtime dream of Dr. Erin Hicks is also the only feline-exclusive veterinary hospital on the Gig Harbor side of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

Whisker Wellness Center will offer a full spectrum of care, Hicks said, with four exam rooms, six kennels for patients who require a hospital stay, an in-house lab, x-ray room, surgery room, a pharmacy and a dental room. Pheromone diffusers will be placed throughout to provide the cats with a calming environment. 

The hospital is designed to minimize both sight and sound of other patients, with soundproofed rooms. Kennels that meet the gold standard of size for the care of felines are set up in a separate room with a viewing window for the veterinary staff to be able to keep an eye on the hospital patients, but to prevent the cats from seeing each other, or procedures being performed. 

Dr. Erin Hicks will begin seeing patients at her cat-exclusive veterinary hospital on Olympic Drive when Whiskers Wellness opens its doors for business on Aug. 26. Photo courtesy of Erin Hicks

Kitty comforts

Comfort is also important for the cat owners, and Hicks took that into consideration when designing the office.

“I want people to come in and feel like it’s a cozy place,” she said. “I put a lot of thought into it.”

After 16 years working in a multi-doctor veterinary clinic in Lakewood, and many years of planning, she said she concluded that there would never be a “best time” to launch her dream. With life events such as pregnancy, and now with a toddler, she decided it was as good a time as any to make it happen. 

In January 2023, Hicks took her knowledge, research, and her Pinterest board of ideas for the interior design of the hospital, and got to work. She said that she is excited for the opportunity to not only realize her dream of owning her own practice, but of offering great care to cat owners.

She chose muted colors of yellow, coral, and turquoise because cats find primary colors stimulating. The wallpaper in the restrooms will be fun, whimisical patterns of cats frollicking in foliage. The drop-down lighting in the lobby is an homage to cats as well, made from recycled cardboard, with a nod to scratching boards.

“I’m passionate about cats,” Hicks said, “and in vet medicine cats get the short end of the stick. Cat’s don’t get as many trips to the vet, especially indoor cats. I prefer prevention over intervention.”

Feline feelings

Vet visits can be stressful for any animal. Cats especially are not happy being put into a carrier, and taken into unfamiliar surroundings. That’s why Hicks has set up the hospital to minimize the stress. She also sends reminders for appointments that detail ways to minimize the negative impacts of the trip on the cat.

“This is modern medicine,” she said. “This is about safety and compassion.”

Whisker Wellness is also one of only a handful of veterinary clinics in the area that is independently owned. Hicks said private equity corporations are purchasing clinics and shifting the focus to profits instead of animal care.

While she is offering specialized care, she said it was important to her to keep the prices comparable to other clinics. The only service that is slightly more expensive is the exam, she said, and it is $100.

To schedule an appointment, visit whiskerwellnesscenter.com.

Whisker Wellness Center

What: A cat-exclusive veterinary hospital

Open house: 3:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22; first day of business is Aug. 26.

Where: 5122 Olympic Drive B-102