New Puppy & Kitten Care in The Crossings, FL
Bringing home a new puppy or kitten is one of the most exciting things a family in The Crossings 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 The Crossings, 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 The Crossings 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.
What's Included in New Puppy & Kitten Care for The Crossings
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 The Crossings 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 The Crossings:
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 The Crossings area
Microchipping & ID
• Pet microchipping for permanent identification
• Registration guidance included
• Recommended for all new puppies and kittens in The Crossings
Nutrition & Behavioral Guidance
• Nutrition counseling for puppies and kittens
• Behavioral guidance for early training success
• Socialization and fear-free handling tips
Spay, Neuter & Wellness Milestones for The Crossings Puppies & Kittens
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 The Crossings 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.
Why The Crossings Families Trust Us With Their New Puppies & Kittens
Choosing a veterinarian for a new puppy or kitten is one of the most important decisions a pet owner in The Crossings 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 Crossings 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 The Crossings’ diverse community, where many families 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 The Crossings 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Puppy & Kitten Care in The Crossings
What are signs my new puppy or kitten should see a veterinarian right away?
Watch for signs like low energy, refusing food, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, or visible fleas or worms. Any of these warrant a call to our team promptly, since early problems are much easier to treat when caught quickly. Our AAHA-accredited team near The Crossings is always ready to fit in a timely visit for a new puppy or kitten who does not seem like themselves.
When should my puppy or kitten start getting vaccines?
Most puppies and kittens begin their vaccine series around 8 weeks of age, with booster visits every few weeks until the rabies vaccine and final core vaccines are complete around 16 weeks. We follow this same schedule for new puppies and kittens in The Crossings, building a vaccination plan around your pet's age, lifestyle, and health at their first exam.
Does Your Family Veterinarian offer help with the cost of new pet care?
Yes. We accept CareCredit and Cherry financing so a complete new puppy or kitten care plan stays within reach for The Crossings families, and we also offer pet insurance guidance to help you understand your coverage options. Ask our team about financing during your first visit, and we will walk you through what fits your budget.
When is the right age to spay or neuter my puppy or kitten?
For most puppies, we recommend spay or neuter surgery around 4 to 6 months of age, and for kittens, around 5 to 6 months. The exact timing can vary based on your pet's breed, size, and overall health, which is why our doctors confirm the right age for your individual puppy or kitten during their wellness visits.
What is the difference between the puppy and kitten care schedules?
Puppies and kittens both start with a first exam and vaccines around 8 weeks, then move through booster visits and rabies vaccination by 16 weeks. The main differences are in the vaccines themselves. Kittens receive an FVRCP booster while puppies receive a booster series geared toward canine diseases, and spay or neuter timing shifts slightly earlier for puppies than for kittens. Our team walks new pet owners in The Crossings through the exact plan for their specific puppy or kitten at the first visit.
What should I bring to my puppy or kitten's first visit?
Bring any prior veterinary or breeder records you have, a list of the food your pet is currently eating, and your pet securely leashed or in a carrier for the drive over. It also helps to jot down any questions or behaviors you have noticed at home so our Fear Free Certified team can address them during the exam. New puppy and kitten owners in The Crossings are always welcome to call our office beforehand with any questions.
Your Family Veterinarian: The Crossings' New Puppy & Kitten Care Team
When The Crossings 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, The Crossings 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.
Right on the northern border of The Crossings on SW 88th Street (Kendall Drive), 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.
