Honest answers to the questions we hear most.

A Licensed Veterinary Technologist (LVT) is a credentialed professional in animal medicine — comparable to a registered nurse in human medicine. We are trained in animal nursing, anesthesia support, diagnostic care, lab work, dental care, and client education. We work under and alongside veterinarians.

No. Diagnosis is a veterinarian's role. If we observe something that concerns us, we will explain what we're seeing in plain language and refer you to your veterinarian.

No. Only a veterinarian can prescribe. We can, however, train you to administer medications already prescribed for your animal, and we can give you owner-friendly resources on how those medications work.

No. Surgery is performed only by licensed veterinarians in appropriate clinical settings.

Absolutely not. Xavier's Veterinary Care exists to complement your veterinarian — and we strongly encourage every client to maintain an active relationship with one.

No. We are not an emergency service. If your animal is in distress, please contact your veterinarian or the nearest 24-hour emergency hospital right away.

Cats and dogs are our primary clients. We also support birds, reptiles, and small exotic mammals on a consult basis, drawing on Xavier's experience at the Center for Avian and Exotics. Wildlife is referred to licensed wildlife rehabilitators.

Quotes are individualized — see our Pricing page. We don't post flat rates because every animal, address, and visit is different. Sample ranges are listed there.

Yes. For general questions, use the form on the Contact page or email XVetCare@gmail.com. For anything that needs hands-on care or in-depth response, please use the booking form.

Most visits run 30–90 minutes depending on the tier. We arrive prepared, take time to settle your animal, walk you through what we'll do, perform the work calmly, and follow up with a written summary within 24 hours.

We serve the five boroughs and select surrounding areas. Travel beyond a core zone may carry a modest travel adjustment.

Sí. Visits, summaries, and resources are available in both English and Spanish.

Yes — there's a $25 consultation deposit that reserves your inquiry and professional review time. It's applied toward your final invoice if an in-home visit is scheduled. If the consultation consists only of educational guidance or referral assistance (no in-home visit), it helps cover that review time. If $25 is a real financial barrier, you can request a deposit waiver in the booking form — there's no shame in asking. See the Booking page for full details.

Yes — but it's not a sitting service. XVC drop-ins are for animals who need someone with clinical understanding: anxious or aggressive pets, seniors on multiple medications, animals with chronic conditions, post-op recoveries, complex feeding regimens, or enrichment that requires patience. Pricing reflects the length and complexity. See the Services page for more.

No. The educational library is free. We accept optional contributions to support future educational materials and community outreach — see the Support Free Veterinary Education section on the Resources page. Contributions are never required to access resources or receive services.

Most visits range $75–$500+ depending on travel, time, species, temperament, and what's actually needed. Short single-task visits sit near the low end; long complex engagements (multi-medication seniors, exotic consults, drop-ins for difficult animals, after-hours scheduling) sit at or above the high end. See the Pricing page for the full breakdown — and feel free to inquire if cost is a concern.

An honest conversation is always welcome. XVC also publishes free guides on financial assistance, understanding veterinary estimates, and why your vet may order tests that feel like a lot. See the Pricing page for those resources. In your booking, mention what you're navigating — Xavier reads every request personally.

XVC operates as a private LVT service — funded by service fees and supported by optional educational donations. The educational library is a public mission and is free. All legal, professional, and value standards are published in writing on the Legal & Policies page.