March 3, 2022 By Allie Griffin
Bond Vet, a primary and urgent care facility for animals, opened its first Queens location in Astoria last month to bring its “pet-obsessed” veterinarians and team to the neighborhood.
Bond Vet Astoria celebrated its grand opening at 35-07 30th Ave. on Feb. 21 and has been busy treating Queens cats and dogs since.
The veterinary practice offers both pet primary care for routine exams, vaccinations, spay and neuter surgeries and dental work and urgent care for when pets aren’t feeling well and need to be seen ASAP.
“If something happens and your pet is not feeling well — vomiting, diarrhea, if they have a really itchy ear, if they start limping, if they have a little scuffle with another dog or cat and they have wounds that need to be looked at, if they’re having difficulty breathing, if there’s rashes — you name it, we can help,” Medical Director of Bond Vet Astoria Dr. Melissa Toulouse said.
One of the resources Bond Vet offers is high-quality medicine at transparent prices.
Toulouse said there are no surprise fees or huge estimates because staff members go over every service, medicine and recommendation with each client line-by-line.
The practice also stands out from other vets thanks to its modern minimalist and inviting spaces for both pets and their people.
The Astoria clinic is the company’s eleventh location. Bond Vet first started in 2019 with a single location in Brooklyn. In just over two years, it rapidly expanded thanks to its popularity with pet owners and its dedication to finding — and supporting — hardworking veterinarians and veterinary assistants.
Toulouse credits the company’s success to the way it uplifts its staff, who are then happy to come to work every day and in turn, provide better care to clients.
“Veterinary clinics can only exist with appropriate staff, veterinarians, nurses and assistants,” she told the Queens Post. “I think one of the reasons that [Bond Vet] was able to grow so much is because they treat their team members really well.”
In fact, Bond Vet states on its website that at its core, it’s focused on the people who make up the company and their professional growth because happy vets make happy pets.
“We developed Bond to provide both sustainable veterinary careers and outstanding medical care,” its website states. “That’s a win for everyone because caring for our team helps them care for your pets.”
Toulouse, who has lived in Astoria for the past seven years, joined the Bond Vet team to open the clinic. She previously worked for the ASPCA in its emergency hospital and anti-cruelty shelter, where she treated abused and neglected animals.
She said she joined Bond to have the opportunity to help build the clinic from the ground up in the neighborhood she loves to call home. Toulouse noted that many of her colleagues are also live in Astoria or nearby neighborhoods and come with years of experience.
One of the goals of Bond Vet is to create established relationships with residents of a neighborhood. Despite its rapid growth and expansion, Bond Vet wants to be pet owners’ local neighborhood vet.
“We want you to feel like we are your vet in the neighborhood, but with the resources and the quality of care of a bigger operation,” Toulouse said.
She added that as a pet owner herself, she wants other Astoria and nearby residents to know that Bond Vet Astoria is here for them when their pet is in need of care.
“I want to make sure that all the animals get the best care that they can when they need it,” Toulouse said.
Bond Vet Astoria is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. including holidays and even offers same-day appointments, which can be booked online or by calling (212) 466-6376. For a limited time, new patients can get a “nose-to-tail” exam, for just $25.