Welcome to our online clinic

"Exotic" includes pet birds, ferrets, rabbits and reptiles, including turtles, tortoises, snakes and lizards, marsupials, amphibians, fish and rodents including chinchillas, hamsters, gerbils, prairie dogs, mice and rats.

We also have the facilities and the skill to care for more unusual animals like primates (monkeys and apes) and non-domestic cats.

Wild animals such as raccoons, endangered species, and birds of prey are sometimes cared for here as well.

If you need help for your dog we are happy to provide a referral to a good canine clinic in your neighborhood.

History of the Exotic Pet & Bird Clinic

Dr. Skip Nelson came to Kirkland in 1973. In 1986, the Clinic moved a few blocks to a new modern facility and continues providing state of the art veterinary medical care for the so-called "exotics," or non-domestic pets of the Northwest.

Dr. Nelson began working with exotic animals in 1963 at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine with Dr. Irv Small.

In 1964 and 1965, he worked with Dr. Mat Mayberry at the Washington Park Zoo in Portland, OR, assisting in elephant reproduction studies. 1966 was a year of caring for bison, raptors, and a skunk rabies research program for the U.S. Army.

After arriving in Seattle, he became associated with the Woodland Park Zoo's animal collection. Appointment as Associate Veterinarian to Dr. Jim Foster came in 1971, and in 1974 and 1975, Dr. Nelson was at the Zoo daily, caring for the entire collection.

Dr. Nelson is a member of the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, The International Association of Aquatic Animal Medicine, The Wildlife Disease Association, and several others. Dr. Nelson has written medical articles on the care of many different species of animals, and lectured to veterinarians and animal lovers from coast to coast.