The Cat Doctor & Friends

Utilizing both careful, thorough history taking and physical exams along with digital radiography, ultrasound examination and intraoperative cardiac/respiratory monitors, The Cat Doctor & Friends strives to create a cat and people friendly atmosphere where illness and injuries are rapidly diagnosed and compassionately treated, or better yet prevented. Thirty minute appointments allow our doctors to fully address any nutritional or behavioral concerns.

A common misconception among cat lovers is the assumption that cats who spend their time indoors don't need veterinary care "unless they are sick". Cats who don't come in for annual wellness exams may develop dental disease (since they won't brush their teeth) which can lead to heart, liver or kidney disease. A little preventative care can go a long way. Vaccinations are especially important for kittens, but even indoor cats will need occasional vaccine "boosters" during their adult lives.

Instead of the usual 15 minute appointment, Dr. Melissa Waller and Dr. Megan Thomas enjoy the luxury of half-hour appointments. Longer appointments allow time spent discussing your nutritional and behavioral concerns in addition to wellness and medical care, surgical or dental diagnosis and treatment.  The Cat Doctor & Friends has six comfortable exam rooms.
Kitten with ball
  • 26055 Bouquet Cyn Rd.
  • Santa Clarita,CA 91350
  • Between Magic Mountain Parkway and Cinema Drive
  • Phone: (661) 259-5288
  • Fax: (661) 254-9672
  • Email Us
  • Get Directions
  • M/Tu/Thu/F: 7:30am - 6:30pm
  • Wed: 7:30am - 1:00pm
  • Wed: 2:30pm - 6:30pm
  • Sat: 9:00am - 5:00pm
  • Sun: Closed

  • Dr. Tracy McFarland 08/16/1958-09/24/2018

    In loving memory of Dr. Tracy McFarland. 

    Dr. Tracy McFarland is married with two grown children. Dr. McFarland and family are actually owned by a Burmese cat named "Willie," a Tonkinese named "Jake", and a Scottish Fold named "Peter". Dr. McFarland and her family live in the Santa Clarita Valley in Northern Los Angeles County. All of Dr. Tracy's pets were rescued.

    Dr. McFarland was born and raised with her two sisters in the San Fernando Valley community of Woodland Hills, California. Her first two cats were two Siamese boys named Sam and Luke.

    From the time she was 12, Dr. McFarland knew she wanted to be a veterinarian. Although as a young teenager she raised and showed Great Danes, her heart is in feline medicine.

    Dr. McFarland graduated from the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California at Davis, near Sacramento, in 1984.

    Dr. McFarland also did her undergraduate work at U. C. Davis, majoring in Animal Physiology. and graduating Summa Cum Laude. Dr. McFarland was the recipient of several awards and scholarships throughout her university career. While at Davis, Dr. McFarland founded the Feline Medicine Club which sponsors yearly continuing education symposia for veterinarians and veterinary students. She is a member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners and became a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist in 2004. She continues to be active in various national feline organizations, speaks at local functions and participates frequently in civic activities. She also holds memberships in AVMA, CVMA, IVAS, and AAVA.

    After gathering experience following U.C. Davis, Dr. McFarland opened The Cat Doctor, Inc. in 1994. Her love of cats has grown from a small 800 square foot practice to a modern 4400 square foot hospital. Dr. McFarland's approach and ambition is simple: To practice feline medicine to the best of her ability and to always act in the best interest of her patients.

    Photo by Rebecca L. Bolam

  • Dr. Melissa Waller

    Dr. Melissa Waller is the quintessential “cat lady”. She has had cats from birth and cannot imagine not having a cat to greet her when she comes home. She currently has several cats in her home - rescued, purebred rescued, and purebred. 

    Her first cat at 5 years old was a tortishell Manx named Spicey, and things have never been the same.

    Dr. Melissa graduated from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2013 and has been exclusively working in feline practice since then. She has practiced in Kansas and Nevada before coming to California to join The Cat Doctor and Friends!

    Her medical interests include ophthalmology, nutrition and dentistry. 

    Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Melissa enjoys attending and participating in TICA cat shows, showing Norwegian Forest Cats and Household Pets. She also enjoys gemology and writing.

    She is a second degree black belt in taekwondo and participated competitively a long, long time ago.

    Dr. Melissa looks forward to meeting you and your beautiful feline family members and is excited to join the incredible team at The Cat Doctor and Friends in August 2017!!!!

    Photo by Rebecca L. Bolam

    Years in Practice:
    Jan 01, 2013
    Education:
    KSU
    Interests:
    Ophthalmology, Nutrition, & Dentistry
    Email:

  • Jennifer Ries, Practice Manager

    Jennifer has worked in veterinary medicine since she was 18 years old and has been with The Cat Doctor & Friends since 1999. 

    Jennifer's family consists of her longtime partner, a daughter, 3 step kids (they're adults now), a dog named "Zero", a bird and 4 cats. All of her cats and her dog are rescues and she is partial to the siamese cat. Her first cat was a long haired flame point siamese named "Sage". 

    In her free time, she enjoys gardening, arts and crafts.  A long time ago she studied interior design at Mission College and felt she would go into that field but veterinary medicine was just too interesting for her. Everyday in veterinary medicine is met with challenges, new information, and sometimes new beginnings. There is never a dull day in veterinary medicine. 




    Years in Practice:
    Jan 17, 2019

  • Jennifer Bisbee, RVT

    Coming soon
    Years in Practice:
    Jan 17, 2019