Veterinarian Serving Netcong, NJ
If you live in Netcong, you’re practically a neighbor. Lake Hopatcong Animal Hospital is only a couple of miles away — for most of the borough, that’s a five-to-eight-minute drive, which makes us about as convenient as a vet gets without being on Main Street. We’ve looked after dogs and cats from this part of Morris County for over 40 years, and we’re a woman-owned, family-run practice — the kind of small clinic where the same faces greet you every visit. We see dogs and cats, and only dogs and cats. After four decades, we know them well.
Why Netcong pet owners choose us
Being this close means a quick wellness check, a vaccine update, or a same-day sick visit never has to be a production. Beyond the convenience, Netcong families come to us for the in-house lab, digital X-ray, and ultrasound — we can diagnose and start treating in a single visit instead of sending bloodwork out and making you wait. There’s an on-site pharmacy so refills don’t mean another stop, the team has 40-plus years behind it, and new clients get 10% off their first visit. With Lake Musconetcong right in town and Lake Hopatcong just over the line, we also talk a lot with Netcong owners about flea, tick, and heartworm prevention through the warm months.
Getting here from Netcong
This is one of the shortest trips in our whole service area. From downtown Netcong near the NJ Transit station and Lake Musconetcong, head out along US-46 and pick up NJ-181 toward Lake Hopatcong — we’re at 14 NJ-181 within just a couple of miles. If you’re coming from the Main Street side, near Rose’s Diner or Bell’s Mansion, it’s the same quick run. Most Netcong owners are parked in our lot in under ten minutes.
Veterinary care for every stage of your pet’s life
A puppy, a busy adult dog, and a senior cat each need something different from us. We build every visit around your pet’s actual age and stage.
Puppy & kitten care
The first few months matter most. New puppies and kittens get a full exam, a stool sample checked for parasites, deworming, and a staged vaccine series that typically runs every three to four weeks from about 6–8 weeks through 16 weeks. We’ll also help Netcong families plan spay or neuter timing and microchipping — bring any records from the breeder or shelter to that first visit.
Adult dogs & cats
For healthy adults, an annual wellness exam is the foundation: a nose-to-tail physical, a parasite-prevention plan suited to Netcong’s lakes and mosquitoes, dental checks, and any due boosters. Indoor cats need this too — many conditions hide until a routine exam catches them.
Senior pets
Senior dogs and cats age quickly, so we suggest a visit every six months, often with in-house bloodwork to monitor organ function, plus arthritis and comfort care. And when a beloved companion reaches the end, we offer gentle, supportive end-of-life care.
Services for Netcong dogs and cats
One nearby clinic for all of it:
- Wellness exams — yearly checkups to keep small problems small.
- Vaccinations — puppy, kitten, and adult shots, including rabies and boosters.
- Spay & neuter — safe, monitored surgery for dogs and cats.
- Dental cleaning — professional cleanings for healthier teeth and fresher breath.
- Diagnostics — on-site lab, X-ray, and ultrasound for same-visit answers.
- Soft-tissue surgery — experienced surgical care close to home.
- Same-day sick visits — call early when your pet isn’t right and we’ll try to see them today.
- Nutrition consultations — practical diet and weight guidance, including Hill’s and Royal Canin prescription diets.
- On-site & online pharmacy — quick, convenient refills.
- Compassionate euthanasia — gentle, supportive end-of-life care.
The team caring for Netcong’s pets
When you’re this close to home, it helps to know the same experienced people will see your pet each time:
- Jose A. Navarro, D.V.M. — licensed in New Jersey since 1975; general veterinary medicine, surgery, and dentistry.
- Elizabeth Z. Navarro, D.V.M. — licensed in New Jersey since 1976; general medicine, surgery, and dentistry for dogs and cats.
- Dr. Shelli Skeels, D.V.M. — licensed in New Jersey and Florida; owned and operated Montville Animal Hospital for 28 years.
Our support staff have been with the practice for years, several for more than two decades. Meet the team who’ll know your dog or cat by name.
A bit about the area we share
Netcong is a small Morris County borough built around its Main Street and the water at Lake Musconetcong — and that water shapes the pet-care calendar. Mosquitoes and ticks are part of summer here, which is why heartworm and tick prevention come up in nearly every warm-weather visit. If your dog swims or your cat patrols the yard, mention it and we’ll build prevention around your pet’s real habits, not a generic checklist.
New clients save 10% — and here are our hours
First time here? Take 10% off your first visit — just mention it when you book.
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Saturday | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
We schedule appointments for routine and non-urgent care. We’re not a 24-hour or emergency hospital — for a sick pet, please call as early in the day as possible. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, cash, and check.
Netcong veterinarian FAQ
How far is Lake Hopatcong Animal Hospital from Netcong?
Only a couple of miles — usually a five-to-eight-minute drive via US-46 and NJ-181. We’re one of the closest full-service vets to the borough.
Do you accept new patients from Netcong?
Yes. We’re glad to take on new dog and cat clients, and your first visit is 10% off. Call (973) 663-0889 or request a call back.
Can I get a same-day appointment if my pet is sick?
During open hours, we offer same-day sick visits and do our best to fit you in. Because we’re this close, a quick visit is easy — just call early in the day.
What vaccines does my dog or cat need in New Jersey?
Core vaccines for dogs are rabies and DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, parvovirus); cats need rabies and FVRCP. Lifestyle vaccines such as Bordetella, leptospirosis, canine influenza, Lyme, or feline leukemia are added based on your pet’s exposure. We’ll recommend a schedule at your vaccination visit.
Is the rabies vaccine required by law in New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey requires dogs to be vaccinated against rabies by 7 months of age and kept current for licensing, which renews annually. It’s the one vaccine the state mandates.
Do indoor cats really need to see the vet?
Yes. Indoor cats still need an annual exam and core vaccines, and they’re especially good at hiding illness — dental disease, weight changes, and kidney issues often show up first at a routine wellness visit.
What’s included in a wellness exam?
A nose-to-tail physical, weight and body-condition check, dental and eye exam, heart and lung listen, a parasite-prevention review, and any vaccines that are due — plus time to answer your questions. We can run in-house bloodwork the same visit if needed.
Ready when you are
Call (973) 663-0889 or request a call back and we’ll find a time for your dog or cat. Read our client reviews or meet the team before your first visit, and see our nearby pages for Byram and Mine Hill.