Grace Animal Hospital in Holly Springs, NC
Bringing home a new puppy or kitten? Our team can help your pet get a healthy start with a first exam, a vaccine plan, and guidance for the early months.
A puppy tugging at the leash on a stroll through Downtown Cary Park or a kitten curled up in a sunny window can brighten any home, and each one arrives with a long list of first-year questions about shots, food, and sleep. A clear plan for the early months helps you feel ready for every milestone.
Grace Animal Hospital in Holly Springs is about a 20 minute drive from the Cary area, and our puppy and kitten care gives new pet families a place to start. Our team may be able to guide you through your pet’s first exam, the vaccine series, and the early habits that help young pets grow into healthy adults.
The first visit sets the tone for your pet’s healthcare, so we keep it calm and unhurried. A first pet exam typically includes a check of weight, growth, eyes, ears, mouth, skin, heart, and lungs, and you will have time to ask about anything on your mind.
We use low-stress, gentle handling so nervous young pets feel safe, and our staff includes Spanish speakers who help more families feel at ease. If your pet needs bloodwork, our in-house diagnostic lab may be able to help us find answers without a trip to another clinic.
A little preparation makes the appointment smoother for you and your pet. Consider bringing these items:
Even partial records help, and our team can work with whatever you have on hand.
Vaccines work best as a series because young pets carry antibodies from their mothers that can block early doses. Your pet’s exact plan depends on age, health, and lifestyle, so our team sets the final schedule at your visit. The timelines below show what the first few months often look like.
Puppies typically start core vaccines at 6 to 8 weeks of age, with boosters every 2 to 4 weeks until they are at least 16 weeks old. Some puppies may need extra vaccines such as Bordetella or canine influenza, depending on how they spend their time, from dog parks to boarding.
Kittens typically begin their FVRCP combination vaccine at 6 to 8 weeks, with boosters every 3 to 4 weeks until they are about 16 weeks old. Feline leukemia testing and vaccination are often discussed around 10 to 12 weeks, and whether your kitten stays indoors or goes outside helps decide what else may be needed.
State law sets a firm deadline for this one. The North Carolina Division of Public Health’s June 2021 Rabies Control Manual says owned dogs, cats, and ferrets must have a first rabies vaccine by four months of age, with a booster within 12 months and repeat doses every 1, 3, or 4 years depending on the vaccine used.
Each pet vaccination visit builds on the last, so staying close to the schedule helps protect your pet during a vulnerable stage. Our guide on what every pet parent should know about pet vaccines covers core and lifestyle vaccines in more detail.
Vaccines are only one part of a healthy first year. Outdoor time can expose young pets to fleas, ticks, and intestinal parasites, so early parasite control belongs in the plan.
Timing for spay and neuter surgery is another common question, and it can depend on your pet’s breed and size. We also talk with Cary families about nutrition that fits a growing pet and about microchipping, which gives your pet permanent identification if they ever slip out the door.
We are privately owned and family oriented, and we shape every visit around your experience, from the moment you walk in to the moment you leave. Walk-ins are welcome, same-day appointments are available, and our Holly Springs hospital is open Monday through Saturday, 8AM to 7PM.
Our team has real ties to Cary. One of our doctors previously served as Medical Director at a Cary veterinary practice, and another completed a rotating internship in medicine and surgery at BluePearl Veterinary Specialty Hospital in Cary. You can meet our caring team before your first visit.
A healthy start takes a plan, and we are ready to help you build one. Grace Animal Hospital offers first exams, vaccine schedules, and early care guidance for puppies and kittens, backed by in-house diagnostics and a team that treats your pet like family. We accept most pet insurance, offer military discounts, and work with CareCredit and Cherry financing.
Our hospital is open Monday through Saturday, 8AM to 7PM, and the drive from Cary takes about 20 minutes. If you are ready to set up your new pet’s first visit, contact our office.
Can you please be more specific and leave us a review on your preferred platform.
