Dr. Vanessa Carl

About Dr. Vanessa Carl

Dr. Vanessa Carl (B.Sc, DVM) obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with honours with distinction from the University of Victoria in 2003. She then went on to achieve her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree with distinction from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon in 2007. Dr. Carl began work as a general small animal practitioner in Calgary, Alberta, also spending some of her time working in an emergency hospital. In 2021, the ocean and warmer weather brought her back to Victoria, BC and Dr. Carl joined Downtown Veterinary Clinic.

Dr. Carl has 3 rescue cats referred to as the "Chaos Crew"- McSteamy, Karev and Felix;

McSteamy – aka McFatty
A heartthrob with a belly to match, McSteamy is equal parts charming and mischievous. He’ll purr his way into your heart, only to knock over a vase moments later. Always hungry, always scheming, McSteamy's mission in life is to leave a trail of destruction behind him—preferably while perched atop something breakable.

Karev
Named for his boldness and reckless charm, Karev is a small cat with a big attitude. He’s the instigator of the crew, always leading the charge in climbing, scratching, and generally turning every room into a battlefield. While he has an adorable face, it’s all part of his plan to lure you into a false sense of security before he knocks over your coffee cup. He’s also the mastermind behind tormenting the dog, in case you were wondering who’s to blame for the daily canine grumbling.

Felix
The quiet one, Felix plays the long game. While his siblings are causing havoc, Felix is lurking in the shadows, patiently waiting for the perfect moment to unleash his chaotic side. A sneak attack of sorts, Felix is often the one to set off the cat-induced pandemonium that makes our house feel like an action movie. Also known for his undying affection for the dog’s tail—whether the dog likes it or not.

She also has a Border Collie cross named Alice, who charms all the staff at the clinic with her antics.

In her time off, she enjoys practicing ashtanga yoga, doing anything "Maui", and soaking up the sun at every opportunity.