Dogs are part of the Estes Park scene, and so are the problems that come with them: a long hike, a cold night, an elk too close. Eight veterinary and pet care listings are based in the valley, covering clinics, groomers and boarding, so most pet needs can be handled without a drive down the canyon.
I keep a dog, and I will say this once: find the vet before the emergency, not during. Take the dog by for a quick hello, ask about weekend hours, and save the number. Boarding books fast in summer, so call early.
Downtown
When a dog eats something it shouldn't, this is the practice to call. It is the only veterinary office in Estes Park offering emergency services, though availability is checked by phone first.
Cats get groomed here as well as small dogs, which is the first thing to know about this West Riverside Drive shop next to China Garden. Every appointment is one price that covers the lot: prep, sanitary trim, nails clipped or ground, ears cleaned and plucked, a bath with shampoo and conditioner matched to the coat, teeth brushed and scraped, coat conditioner, blow dry, brush out and the finish groom.
On Pine River Lane, just off downtown and next to Estes Park Brewery, Dr. Marie C.
On Highland Lane, a short way from the Visitor Center and half a mile from downtown, Estes Bark grooms dogs and only dogs. The menu is short and practical: bath and blow dry, ear cleaning, nail trims, and full grooming with styling.
Around the valley
A dog that gets sick on the first day of vacation is a familiar story at this small-animal clinic on Manford Avenue, near the fairgrounds and next to Theresa Flicek's veterinary office. The staff come across as caring and thorough, the vets as kind and competent, and getting an appointment isn't a fight.
A full day of trails in the Park is no place for most dogs, and Elena's Barking Lot on Comanche Street, near the fairgrounds, has been taking them for those days for more than 20 years. Daycare and overnight boarding run year-round in a licensed, home-style facility, with outdoor play yards, indoor space for small dogs and structured social time.
Out on Avalon Drive, about two miles from downtown, Mutt Hutt is a grooming salon on the same short stretch as Briggs Carpet Care, Cole Excavating and 7522 Automotive. It is a working corner of town rather than a shopping street, which makes drop-off and pickup simple.
Manford Avenue, about a quarter mile from the fairgrounds and close to Lake Estes, is where Dr. Theresa Flicek practices, right next to Animal Medical Center-Estes Park.
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Start by sorting the eight. Animal Medical Center-Estes Park, Animal Hospital of the Rockies and Marie C. Richardson, DVM, are the veterinarians with written descriptions, and Theresa Flicek, DVM, is listed without one. Four of the eight are marked open weekends, including the first three veterinary names, which is helpful if a pet gets sick on a Saturday in the middle of a trip.
For boarding and daycare, Elena's Barking Lot lists year-round overnight dog boarding with outdoor play yards, and Animal Hospital of the Rockies and Dr. Richardson both list boarding and day care. Groomers are their own group. Canine Hair Design handles small dogs and cats by appointment, Estes Bark is dogs by appointment only, and Mutt Hutt Grooming Salon is listed without a description. Summer is the busy season for boarding and grooming alike, so book early.
Ask each place about its rules before you drop a pet off, since the listings do not cover vaccine requirements or hours. Animal Medical Center-Estes Park and Animal Hospital of the Rockies both say new clients are welcome. If you are visiting with a pet that gets sick, call a clinic before you drive over, and mention that you are from out of town. Winter weather can change schedules at small offices.
Four listings in this category are marked open weekends, including Animal Medical Center-Estes Park, Animal Hospital of the Rockies and Marie C. Richardson, DVM. The listings do not give hours, so call before you drive over.
Elena's Barking Lot lists year-round overnight dog boarding. Animal Hospital of the Rockies and Dr. Marie Richardson also list boarding and day care. Summer fills up, so call well ahead.
Yes. Estes Bark grooms dogs by appointment, Canine Hair Design handles small dogs and cats by appointment, and Elena's Barking Lot lists grooming too. Mutt Hutt Grooming Salon is listed without details.
Animal Medical Center-Estes Park and Animal Hospital of the Rockies both say new clients are welcome. Other listings do not say either way, so call and ask, and mention if you are visiting from out of town and need to be seen during your stay.
