Visit our independently owned Cave Creek animal hospital
Contact Desert Forest Animal Hospital in Cave Creek, AZ
Find us at Village Center on East Cave Creek Road. We welcome dogs and cats from Cave Creek, Carefree, Desert Mountain, North Scottsdale and nearby North Valley communities.
Call to schedule an appointment, ask about a new-patient visit or discuss whether same-day care may be available for a sick or injured pet. Our team can help you determine the next step.
6554 E Cave Creek Road
Cave Creek, AZ 85331
(480) 488-2010
Call first for urgent concerns.
Monday–Friday: 9 AM–6 PM
Saturday–Sunday: Closed
Easy-to-recognize local landmarks
How to Find Our Veterinary Hospital at Village Center
Desert Forest Animal Hospital is at 6554 E Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, AZ 85331. Look for the Village Center monument sign along East Cave Creek Road, including its “Veterinary Hospital” panel.
After entering the shopping center, look for the Desert Forest Animal Hospital sign above our storefront. The parking area and tall saguaro cacti in front of the buildings are additional landmarks.
Our Village Center American flag mural photo shows another easily recognized part of the shopping center, not the hospital entrance.
Your arrival guide
Three Photos to Help You Find Our Entrance
These real photographs show the Village Center roadside sign, the actual Desert Forest Animal Hospital entrance, and a nearby mural. The mural is a shopping-center landmark—not our hospital entrance.
Unexpected illness or injury
Need a Same-Day Vet Appointment in Cave Creek?
During regular hours, DFAH can evaluate many stable sick or injured dogs and cats on a same-day basis when staffing, appointment capacity and medical needs allow. Please call before arriving so our team can discuss your pet’s symptoms and whether our clinic is the right setting.
Emergency guidance: We are not a 24-hour emergency hospital. Severe breathing difficulty, collapse, major trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, suspected urinary obstruction or other potentially life-threatening problems require immediate veterinary direction. Use our urgent-care and emergency referral guide to help identify an appropriate emergency facility.
Phone: (480) 488-2010. Please do not use the contact form or email for emergency triage.
Accepting new dog and cat patients
Your First Visit: What to Do Before You Arrive
New to Cave Creek, relocating from another community, or choosing a new animal hospital? We welcome puppies, kittens, adult dogs and cats, and seniors. Our New Client Center explains the appointment process in more detail.
Share your pet’s species, age and reason for the appointment. Mention any urgent symptoms right away.
Bring previous vaccination records, lab results, medications and other available medical history.
We explain recommendations and offer an itemized estimate for approval before proposed non-emergency diagnostics or treatment.
Questions about payment? Review accepted payment methods, CareCredit and Scratchpay . Third-party financing is subject to provider eligibility and terms.
A Look Inside Before Your First Visit
Our waiting area welcomes dogs and cats before their appointment. If your pet becomes anxious in unfamiliar places, tell us when you call so we can discuss practical arrival and handling options.
Care that fits your pet
Explore Veterinary Services Before Booking
Whether you’re looking for a routine veterinarian near Cave Creek, a dental consultation or diagnostic help for a sick pet, these pages explain DFAH’s actual services.
A local team you can know
Independently Owned Veterinary Care Since 1984
DFAH has served the Cave Creek community since 1984. Dr. Bryan Hayter, DVM, is the current owner and medical director. Dr. Quinn Bauer, DVM, is individually Fear Free Certified and provides veterinary care to dogs and cats.
Our team explains clinical findings, discusses medically appropriate treatment choices in light of your pet’s needs and your priorities, and provides itemized estimates for approval. Learn more about our hospital , meet the team or read the official Fear Free credential information . Dr. Bauer’s individual certification does not imply facility-level certification.
Convenient for the North Valley
Our Cave Creek Hospital Also Welcomes Carefree and Desert Mountain Pets
DFAH has one physical hospital in Cave Creek. We welcome families from Carefree, Desert Mountain, North Scottsdale, Tatum Ranch, Terravita, Dove Valley Ranch and nearby North Valley neighborhoods. These are service areas—not additional clinic locations.
For more local information, see our Carefree veterinary care and Desert Mountain veterinarian pages.
Helpful questions
Contact, Parking and Appointment FAQs
Where exactly is Desert Forest Animal Hospital?
Our hospital is located at 6554 E Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, Arizona 85331, in the Village Center shopping center. Look for the hospital’s own storefront sign.
Is the American flag mural the hospital entrance?
No. The mural is a Village Center landmark. The clinic entrance is beneath the Desert Forest Animal Hospital sign elsewhere in the shopping center.
Is parking available near the hospital?
Village Center has a shared shopping-center parking area in front of the storefronts. Available spaces vary.
Are you open on weekends?
No. Regular business hours are Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM. We are closed Saturdays and Sundays.
Can new clients request a same-day appointment?
Yes, new clients can call to ask about same-day care for stable sick or injured pets. Availability varies. Please call before traveling.
Do you treat exotic pets?
We currently provide clinical veterinary care for dogs and cats, not exotic animals.
Should I use the online form for an emergency?
No. Call during office hours for urgent triage or seek a 24-hour emergency veterinary facility for life-threatening problems. The contact form and email are not continuously monitored.
Ready to visit us?
Call or Contact Our Cave Creek Veterinary Team
We can help schedule your dog’s or cat’s next visit and explain how to prepare. For nonurgent questions, you may also use the existing contact form directly below this section.
6554 E Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, AZ 85331
Monday–Friday 9 AM–6 PM · Closed weekends
Last editorial update: November 7, 2026. Refreshed original entrance and waiting-area photography, arrival directions and links while preserving clinical safety guidance. Veterinary leadership: Bryan William Hayter, DVM, Owner and Medical Director. This contact and directions page provides logistical and practice information, not individual medical advice. No new veterinary medical-review date is claimed by this image-only editorial update. For medical concerns, seek evaluation from a licensed veterinarian.