Freshwater, Vet-O Pet Services can be your regular vet.
Freshwater is the kind of place where your dog knows half the street by name and your cat has claimed the best afternoon-sun spot in the house. Pet ownership here isn’t incidental — it’s built into the daily rhythm, from headland walks to dog-friendly cafes along the village strip, to the ocean pool at the north end of the beach.
Vet-O Pet Services is at 626 Pittwater Road in Brookvale, inside the PetO complex — about 3 minutes by car from Freshwater via Warringah Road. Dr Chris Hong founded the clinic with one aim: good vet care that doesn’t feel like a production line. He has been there from the start and still sees patients every day the clinic is open.
Why Freshwater pets enjoy Vet-O Pet services
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Dr Chris Hong
Chris has graduated from University of Sydney and has worked at various vet clinics including North Shore Veterinary Specialist Centre, Hornsby Veterinary Hospital and Collaroy Vet. Chris started Vet-O Pet Services at Brookvale with the aim of providing competitively priced vet care with a strong customer service focus.
Luciana Bumbel
Luciana, with a BSc in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, brings valuable experience in orthopaedic procedures to Vet-O Pet Services Her broad experience ranges from nursing to veterinary practice in Brazil. Highly involved in animal welfare initiatives, her passion for conscious animal care greatly enriches our team.
Lani Alexander
Lani was born and raised in Manly where her love for animals started as a child when she got her first cat, Claw. Her dream is to one day travel and work internationally with wildlife conservation organizations, animal sanctuaries and animal shelters to help improve the quality of life for all animals around the globe.
Doctor Chris and his team have been looking after our cat Blue ever since she was 9 weeks old, and now she’s 7yo. The team is exceptional, the nurses are very knowledgeable, professional and caring - big shout out to Luciana, who’s always been the absolute best. Dr Chris is a brilliant Vet, who has helped us navigate some difficult moments with Blue, always with great professionalism and care. I’ve now started using their cat boarding services - it gives me peace of mind knowing that Blue is well looked after by a lovely and caring team, and that she’s close to her Vet should she need medical attention while we’re away. I highly recommend Vet-O!
We can’t thank Dr Chris, Luciana and the team at Vet-O enough for their exceptional care of my cat, Kitty! We have benefited from the genuine care of the team at Vet-O in so many ways. From home visits to reduce her stress, to happily answering our calls for advice and checking in on Kitty after any scares, they are truly so knowledgeable, helpful and kind.
Our most recent visits were for tail trauma and a subsequent amputation of Kitty’s tail and I can’t fault the care of the team before, during and after her procedure. Her recovery went as smoothly as possible, and as always Dr Chris and the team went above and beyond to support us the whole way through.
We are very grateful to have found Dr Chris!
Always attentive and accommodating to every need.
Thank you Chris and Team for genuine care for our 3 dogs.
Dr Chris Hong did wonderful job desexing our 3 cats They are already back to normal - happy - eating well you wouldn’t even know they’d just had surgery His staff were very friendly and professional I highly recommend Chris and his staff to anyone looking for someone to care for their pets
Steve and Lina
Dr Hong’s review of my cat companion was thorough and kind, he took time to ask questions and offer advice. 10/10
Last week I had to make the heartbreaking decision to say goodbye to my elderly cat.
Our usual vet was an extremely expensive process to do this.
I called up vet-o, upset and feeling awful that I had to find a cheaper option.
The beautiful nurse at the desk gave me a quote over the phone and explained that because I hadn’t been there before that there was an additional cost. She didn’t make me feel pressured to make the booking but did offer same day support.
(It was still cheaper than my prior quote at alternative vet)
I booked in and upon arrival both the nurse and Dr Chris were so supportive, listened to my concerns and were so understanding of my decision.
Dr Chris walked me through everything, even gave me tissues and allowed me to set the pace.
Even being last patient of the day, I felt like I was given the entire day to grieve. Rush free.
The team were beyond lovely, and even though it was an extremely sad day, I’m grateful to have had the team be there for us and for my beautiful cat in her final moments.
If I ever have another pet, I’ll be coming back to you all again.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your love and compassion.
Dr Chris has provided great care and advice for our dog and cat - and always able to fit us in for any urgent consults. Definitely recommend.
We are incredibly grateful to have found such an amazing veterinary clinic. Dr Chris and the whole team at Vet-O Brookvale have always taken wonderful care of our dog Lucy and have consistently been kind, professional and supportive.
You can truly feel that Dr Chris does his work with his whole heart. He is knowledgeable, compassionate and genuinely cares about every animal he treats. He always takes the time to explain everything clearly and never makes us feel rushed.
Lucy has always received excellent care and we truly feel she is in the best hands. It means so much to have a vet you can completely trust with your pet.
Thank you again for everything you do, we highly recommend Vet-O Brookvale to anyone looking for a vet who truly cares. 🐾🤍
Dr Chris is the absolute best and he takes great care of our pets. Thanks Dr Chris!
Chis and his team are exceptional. My prior vet has retired but I was lucky enough to find Chris. He’s kind to my animals, highly skilled and always up front with costs.
I trust him with my fur babies and my wallet.
He’s a good man and an excellent vet.
Can’t recommend him and his vet nurses highly enough.
Vet-O ensured that your pet/s is/are very well look after👍👍👍👍👍
A lot of Freshwater households run the same daily rhythm: early headland or beach walk with the dog, work through the day, back again in the afternoon. That consistent outdoor access is good for a dog’s weight and mental state — but it also means more tick exposure, more paw contact with rock salt and sand, and a higher chance of the kind of athletic mishap that ends up on a vet table.
Cats in Freshwater tend to get more outdoor access than in inner-city suburbs. The street traffic is lower, the gardens are larger, and there is more wildlife around. More outdoor time means more contact with birds, lizards and native animals — and a higher likelihood of an encounter that produces a vet visit.
The clinic runs separate dog and cat consult rooms. That matters when your cat has already had a stressful carrier ride over the hill from Freshwater and does not need a waiting room full of anxious dogs on top of it.
The clinic is at 626 Pittwater Road, Brookvale — about 3 minutes by car from Freshwater via Warringah Road, or around 15 minutes on foot.
Yes. Saturday 8:30am to 12:30pm, Sunday 8:30am to 12pm. Weekdays also include an evening session from 7pm to 10pm.
Call 02 8964 7906 immediately. Paralysis ticks from Northern Beaches scrubland are a genuine emergency. Do not attempt removal yourself before speaking to a vet.
Yes. Vet-O Pet Services sees rabbits for health checks, calicivirus vaccination and general care. Mention you are bringing a rabbit when booking so the team can prepare.
That is your call. The Freshwater clients who make the drive most often mention two things: the same vet at every visit, and prices on the website before they book.
The emergency line is reachable from 6am to 10pm any day on 02 8964 7906. Outside those hours the recorded message will direct you to the nearest emergency hospital.
