Our Story
At 1st Pet Veterinary Centers, we believe every pet deserves exceptional care—day or night, routine or urgent, and we’re proud to deliver leading-edge veterinary care trusted by pet families across Arizona.” or we’re proud to be Arizona’s premier destination for advanced veterinary medicine.
- Primary Care
- Emergency Services
- Specialty & Referral Services
A Legacy of Compassionate Pet Care
What started as a small veterinary practice in 1989 has grown into a regionally trusted name in emergency care, primary care, and specialty and referral services. Driven by compassion and a deep love for animals, Dr. Randy Spencer built 1st Pet into a network of 3 state-of-the-art animal hospitals where collaboration and cutting-edge medicine come together. Today, we remain committed to providing top-tier care in a warm, welcoming environment—because pets are family, and they deserve the best.
Our Services
1st Pet Veterinary Centers is proud to offer the most comprehensive breadth of veterinary services in the Phoenix metro area. Our talented and highly trained staff provide around-the-clock emergency care, urgent care, primary care, and advanced specialty services. These include internal medicine, surgery, rehabilitation, oncology, radiology, cardiology, behavior medicine, advanced imaging (including CT), and pain management. Our dedicated veterinary team and state-of-the-art hospitals are committed to delivering the highest level of care—when your pet needs it most.
Innovative Treatment Options
1st Pet Veterinary Center’s mission is to provide compassionate, collaborative medical care for every pet patient, every day. We believe in partnering with pet parents to deliver personalized care at every stage of life, creating a bond built on trust, compassion, and excellence. Our highly educated veterinarians and clinic staff are committed to treating every pet promptly with urgency and integrity, from preventative care to 24-hour emergency, surgical, and specialty care.
We are committed to providing:
- Modern, collaborative veterinary care for every pet patient 24/7/365
- Excellent client service performed with compassion and integrity
- Education of our professional veterinary staff and the community to encourage the best in pet health care
- Opportunities for good working relationships between veterinary hospitals and among veterinarians
- 1st Pet Veterinary Centers staff with all the rewards of being a productive member of a successful, well–trained team
The 1st Pet Story
In the mid-1990s, after a few years of running a primary care clinic, Dr. Spencer started to explore expanding into emergency and specialty practice. He began by hiring an emergency veterinary care director, three emergency veterinarians, and experienced emergency staff.
In 1997, Dr. Spencer changed the hospital’s name to FIRST Regional Animal Hospital, and by 2000, the clinic had expanded again into a new 7,588 square foot freestanding building in Chandler, Arizona. The new facility experienced rapid growth and by August of 2002, Dr. Spencer had hired their first full-time, board-certified Internal Medicine Specialist.
The goal was to develop 24-hour hospitals that offered progressive veterinary medicine with an approachable, friendly, and warm family atmosphere. With that in mind, Dr. Spencer and several interested staff members developed 1st Emergency Pet Care in Mesa, opening their doors in January 2003.
Within six months, 1st Emergency moved from weekend and overnight care to full 24-hour emergency care. Over the next few years, several new specialists joined the team, and by October 2006, North Valley Animal Emergency Clinic was acquired and quickly became a very busy general practice and 24-hour emergency care center.
In 2013, Dr. Spencer decided to combine the three hospitals into one brand: 1st Pet Veterinary Centers. As our specialty and emergency centers continue to grow, the 1st Pet team stays focused on Dr. Spencer’s original vision: 24-hour veterinary care utilizing emergency, specialty, and primary care – all working together for the benefit of pets, clients, and referring veterinarians.
Meet Our Furry Friends
1st Pet is proud to care for hundreds of pets in the Central Arizona area each year. From life-saving emergency pet care to routine wellness visits, we are dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality veterinary care that leads to many success stories. Our team takes pride in helping our Phoenix, Chandler, and Mesa-based pet friends recover, thrive, and enjoy more joyful moments with their families.
