Our Heritage & Purpose

Redefining Veterinary Care as a Warm, Compassionate Sanctuary

Founded in Austin in 2009, PawCare was built on a simple yet radical belief: pets heal faster, diagnoses are more accurate, and families thrive when clinical rigor is wrapped in empathy and tranquility.

PawCare Veterinary hospital welcoming lobby

Established 2009

15+ Years of Dedicated Community Veterinary Service

Our Founding Narrative

Born From a Promise to Treat Pets Like Our Own

When Dr. Sarah Mitchell envisioned PawCare, she wanted to dismantle the cold, sterile "animal hospital" archetype. Dogs shaking on slippery stainless steel tables and cats crying in high-traffic waiting rooms needed a better alternative.

We designed our hospital from the ground up utilizing organic oak, warm acoustic dampening, natural daylighting, and separate canine & feline wings. Today, our multidisciplinary team of 25+ veterinarians and veterinary nurses handles everything from routine puppy boosters to complex orthopedic reconstructions and 24/7 life-saving emergency care.

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The PawCare Creed

The Principles That Guide Every Treatment

How we maintain the highest standard of animal healthcare in Austin.

Fear-Free Sanctuary

We prioritize your pet's emotional wellness alongside physical health. Every scent, texture, sound, and touch is engineered to prevent stress.

Uncompromising Medicine

From HEPA-filtered surgical theaters to digital radiography, we adhere strictly to AAHA benchmark standards of clinical excellence.

Radical Transparency

No confusing medical jargon or surprise bills. We explain all diagnostic options, prognoses, and cost estimates upfront with you.

Lifelong Partnership

We consider ourselves your pet's health advocates from their playful puppy/kitten days through dignified senior palliative comfort.

Clinical Leadership

Meet Our Veterinary Doctors

Meet the compassionate, board-certified clinicians leading your companion's care.

14+ Years Exp.

Dr. Sarah Mitchell

DVM, Fear Free Certified Elite

Medical Director & Chief of Staff

Internal Medicine & Preventive Wellness

With over 14 years of clinical experience, Dr. Mitchell founded PawCare to redefine veterinary medicine through empathy, biophilic healing spaces, and rigorous medical excellence. She has a special clinical passion for proactive canine wellness, endocrinology, and client education.

Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine (Summa Cum Laude)

18+ Years Exp.

Dr. James Rivera

DVM, DACVS (Board Certified Surgeon)

Chief of Surgery & Orthopedics

Advanced Soft Tissue & Orthopedic Surgery

Dr. Rivera brings world-class surgical precision to Central Texas. Having completed specialized residency training in orthopedic and minimally invasive soft-tissue procedures, he leads our hospital-grade sterile surgical suite with an emphasis on zero-pain postoperative protocols.

UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine · Surgical Residency at AMC New York

9+ Years Exp.

Dr. Emily Chen

DVM, Feline Practice Specialist

Associate Veterinarian & Feline Lead

Feline Medicine, Dentistry & Low-Stress Handling

Recognized as an advocate for feline health, Dr. Chen spearheads our dedicated Cat-Friendly practice initiatives. Her calm demeanor, specialized feline dental expertise, and mastery of low-stress handling transform visits for even the most timid cats.

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

11+ Years Exp.

Dr. Marcus Thompson

DVM, Emergency & Critical Care

Lead Emergency Clinician

Trauma Resuscitation & Critical Care Medicine

Dr. Thompson has dedicated his career to high-acuity veterinary emergency medicine. Calm under pressure and decisive in critical moments, he leads PawCare's 24/7 emergency response team with rapid-response triage and advanced hemodynamic support.

Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine · Critical Care Fellowship

Gold-Standard Medicine

Certified by the Nation's Leading Veterinary Authorities

We hold ourselves to independent, peer-reviewed standards that exceed state requirements.

AAHA Accredited Hospital

Evaluated against 900+ rigorous standards of veterinary excellence — achieved by fewer than 15% of clinics nationwide.

Fear Free Elite Certified

Comprehensive team certification dedicated to preventing and alleviating fear, anxiety, and stress in companion animals.

Cat-Friendly Practice Gold

Recognized by the American Association of Feline Practitioners for specialized feline examination environments and gentle handling.

Texas Veterinary Medical Association

Active leadership and continuing education contributors within the Texas veterinary medical community.