Bringing home a new puppy or kitten is one of the most exciting things a family in Kendale Lakes can do. It is also the moment when the decisions you make about your pet’s health set the course for everything that follows. Starting with the right veterinarian — one who understands your community, speaks your language, and genuinely loves animals — gives your new companion the strongest possible foundation.
Your Family Veterinarian is an AAHA-accredited practice just minutes from Kendale Lakes, owned and operated by husband-and-wife veterinarians Dr. Morales and Dr. Fernandez. Our new puppy and kitten care program is built around the idea that the earliest weeks and months of a pet’s life are the most important. We guide Kendale Lakes families through every first — first vaccines, first wellness exam, first parasite prevention treatment — with the patience, warmth, and bilingual support your family deserves. Our team is Fear Free Certified, AAHA accredited, and proud to serve this community.
Those first months of a pet’s life are when good habits and good health are established. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the majority of dog and cat owners view their pet as a true family member, and early veterinary care is one of the most important investments a pet owner can make. For Kendale Lakes families, our new puppy and kitten care program makes every first visit clear, calm, and comprehensive.
Here is what we cover at Your Family Veterinarian for new puppies and kittens in Kendale Lakes:
First Exams & Health Screening
• Full physical exam from nose to tail
• Weight, heart, lungs, and reflexes checked
• Early detection of congenital conditions
• Individualized health plan established
Vaccines & Preventive Care
• Core and lifestyle vaccines on schedule
• Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
• Intestinal parasite testing and deworming
• Rabies vaccination compliance for Kendale Lakes area
Microchipping & ID
• Pet microchipping for permanent identification
• Registration guidance included
• Recommended for all new puppies and kittens in Kendale Lakes
Nutrition & Behavioral Guidance
• Nutrition counseling for puppies and kittens
• Behavioral guidance for early training success
• Socialization and fear-free handling tips
Beyond the first few visits, your new puppy or kitten will hit several important health milestones in their first year. One of the most significant is spay or neuter surgery. For Kendale Lakes families, having this procedure available at the same practice your pet already knows — with the doctors they trust — makes the experience significantly less stressful. Our spay and neuter services are performed in-house with full anesthesia monitoring and our Fear Free approach throughout recovery.
Choosing a veterinarian for a new puppy or kitten is one of the most important decisions a pet owner in Kendale Lakes will make. Dr. Morales and Dr. Fernandez built their practice around something straightforward: treat every patient the way you would your own. As a family-owned, bilingual clinic, they understand what matters to the Kendale Lakes community — genuine care, clear communication in Spanish or English, and a team that is as excited about your new companion as you are. Our Fear Free approach means your puppy or kitten’s very first visit sets a calm, positive tone that carries through every appointment that follows.
Fear Free From Day One
Our Fear Free Certified team uses gentle handling and low-stress techniques so your puppy or kitten builds positive associations with veterinary care from the very first visit.
AAHA Accredited Standard of Care
AAHA accreditation means your puppy or kitten receives care held to the highest standards in veterinary medicine — the same level of rigor a specialist practice would follow.
Bilingual: English & Spanish
We serve Kendale Lakes’ community — where 91.7% of residents primarily speak Spanish at home — fluently. Every question about your new puppy or kitten gets a clear, comfortable answer in your preferred language.
Flexible Financing Available
CareCredit and Cherry financing accepted — so the cost of your puppy or kitten’s care program never becomes a barrier for Kendale Lakes families.
All Care Under One Roof
From first vaccines through senior wellness care, your pet’s lifelong care stays with one trusted team — no referrals for routine needs.
Most puppies and kittens are ready for their first exam around 8 weeks of age, and sooner if you notice signs like low energy, poor appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea. Our Fear Free Certified team keeps that first visit calm and low stress, with a full physical exam and an individualized health plan for your Kendale Lakes puppy or kitten. If your new pet came from a shelter, rescue, or breeder without prior records, we recommend scheduling that first exam as soon as possible.
Core vaccines typically begin around 8 weeks of age, with a booster visit at 12 weeks and a final round, including rabies, around 16 weeks. Kittens follow a similar schedule, with an FVRCP booster at 12 weeks and final vaccines and rabies around 16 weeks. Staying on this schedule protects your puppy or kitten during the months when their immune system is still developing.
The cost of your pet's first year depends on which services your puppy or kitten needs, since every health plan is individualized for your Kendale Lakes family. To help keep care accessible, we accept CareCredit and Cherry financing, and our team can walk you through your options at your first visit. We also offer pet insurance guidance so you can plan ahead for your companion's care.
For most puppies, spay or neuter surgery is recommended between 4 and 6 months of age, while kittens are typically ready between 5 and 6 months. The exact timing can depend on your pet's breed, size, and overall health, which is why we discuss it as part of your puppy or kitten's ongoing wellness visits. Our spay and neuter services are performed in-house with full anesthesia monitoring and our Fear Free approach throughout recovery.
Puppies and kittens both start with an 8-week exam and vaccines, then a 12-week booster, with vaccines finishing around 16 weeks alongside rabies, but a few details differ from there. Puppies typically move toward spay or neuter surgery at 4 to 6 months, while kittens are usually ready a bit later, around 5 to 6 months. Your veterinarian walks you through your pet's specific milestones at each visit, so you always know what is next.
Please bring any medical or breeder records you already have, along with a list of the foods, treats, or supplements your new pet has been eating. A secure carrier or a leash and collar helps keep your puppy or kitten comfortable and safe in our office, and we encourage you to bring your questions too. Our bilingual team is glad to answer them in English or Spanish, whichever is most comfortable for your family.
When Kendale Lakes families welcome a new puppy or kitten into their home, Your Family Veterinarian is ready to be their partner from day one. Dr. Morales and Dr. Fernandez have built an AAHA-accredited, Fear Free Certified practice where new pet owners receive the education, support, and expert care their companion deserves through every milestone of that first year. Whether it is their first vaccine series, their first dental check, or their spay or neuter procedure, Kendale Lakes families can count on one trusted team for all of it. We also offer pet insurance guidance and flexible financing options to help keep great care within reach.
Located at 16355 SW 88th Street, just minutes from Kendale Lakes, we are ready to meet your new family member. Visit our about page to learn more about Dr. Morales and Dr. Fernandez, then schedule your puppy or kitten’s first appointment online today.
