Hospital Information

Meet Our Doctors

Melanie Burkard, DVM

Green Acres Veterinary Center

Dr. Burkard was born and raised in the Buffalo, NY area. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Daemen College in 2015. Dr. Burkard graduated from Ontario Veterinary College in 2020 with her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Burkard is a feline-only veterinarian with a passion for helping cats feel comfortable, confident, and understood. Her professional interests include feline behavior and environmental enrichment. She is Fear Free Certified with a strong focus on creating positive, low-stress experiences for her patients. Dr. Burkard is a member of the Feline Veterinary Medical Association (FVMA) and loves continuing to learn about all things feline. She is passionate about advocating for the unique needs of feline patients. Outside of the clinic, Dr. Burkard is a proud pet parent to four cats and one dog. She enjoys crafting, playing video games, and spending time with her pets!

Getting Ready for Your Appointment

We offer appointments 5 days a week! Please call (716) 217-2287 to schedule an appointment, or use our virtual assistant Sophie in the bottom right corner to schedule an appointment online!

Got Records?

Please bring your pet's health records to your appointment.

Questions? We Have Answers!

We encourage you to prepare a list of questions prior to your appointment. We're happy to share advice on grooming, diet, behaviors, and more.

Pro Tip: Take a Picture or Video

Take a picture or video! An itch, cough, or shake can be hard to describe, and our pets often don't do things at the vet that we see them do at home. A picture or video can really help our vets narrow down what's going on.

Snacky Pets Encouraged

If possible, don't feed your pet right before a visit. We may use treats to help your pet feel comfortable with us, and we want every appointment to be a positive one!

WHY CAT OWNERS CHOOSE BUFFALO FELINE HOSPITAL

CONVENIENCE

Drop Off Appointments

For your convenience, we offer “drop-off” appointments. This means you have the option to bring your cat in at the time that works best for you, and leave him/her with us for a couple of hours. Once the doctor has examined your cat, you will receive a call to go over the exam findings. From that point we will organize a pick up time for your cat.
Concierge Appointments

Need some help getting your cat inside? We also offer concierge appointments: simply let the front desk know before your appointment that you would like help with your furry friend, and a member of our team will meet you at your car to help bring your pet inside!

ACCESSIBILITY

Virtual Assistant

Our virtual assistant, Sophie, is available 24/7 to help with appointment requests, online food and medication refills, and other common questions. With Sophie, help is always within paw’s reach! Simply tap or click the blue icon in the bottom right corner to get started.
On the Boulevard

Buffalo Feline Hospital is easy to get to, conveniently located on Niagara Falls Boulevard for a quick drive from anywhere in Buffalo. We also offer a parking lot, making arrival and visits simple and convenient from start to finish.

LESS STRESS, MORE PURRS!

We know vet visits can be stressful — for pets and their people! At Buffalo Feline Hospital, we use a combination of comfort-focused design and gentle care practices to help every visit feel calmer and more comfortable for your furry friend.

Certified Cat-Friendly Practice

As a Certified Cat-Friendly Practice, we understand how to approach and handle cats in a gentle, empathetic, and caring manner. Plus, we have the appropriate equipment and facilities needed to diagnose and treat feline patients. Come see how much easier the vet is for your cat when the experience is made for them: no barking, and plenty of purrs!

Happy Visits

Sometimes a visit is just about building trust! We offer free Happy Visits during our regular business hours, which let your pet stop by for treats, praise, and positive experiences with our team — no exams required — so the clinic becomes a place they feel good about.

Calm Music

Soft, calming music plays throughout the hospital to help reduce stress and create a soothing atmosphere. It’s a small detail that can make a big difference for anxious pets.

PVPs (Pre-Visit Pharmaceuticals)

For pets who need a little extra support, pre-visit pharmaceuticals can help take the edge off anxiety before they arrive. Used thoughtfully and safely, they make appointments smoother and less stressful for everyone involved.

Pheromones

We use calming pheromones throughout the hospital to help pets feel more relaxed in an unfamiliar environment. These scent signals are species-specific and naturally reassuring.

Quiet Exam Rooms

Our exam rooms are designed to be calm, quiet spaces with minimal distractions. Less noise and movement means pets can settle in more easily and feel secure during their visit.

Policies

For your protection and the safety of your pet and others, we require that all patients be placed on a leash, or contained in pet carriers. All pets are to be properly controlled while in the waiting room and the exam room.

We accept cash, Mastercard/VISA/Discover/American Express and CareCredit. Payment is expected when services are rendered. We will gladly prepare you a written estimate of services prior to the treatment of your pet if you desire.

In urgent or emergency situations, a pet may require immediate stabilization or life-saving care before a full treatment plan can be discussed. This can include initial diagnostics, pain control, fluid therapy, oxygen support, or other appropriate interventions necessary to stabilize your pet so that further evaluation and treatment can be provided safely. In these cases, you will be asked to review and sign a stabilization consent form that outlines possible services and associated costs.

Please don’t hesitate to speak with us if you have questions about emergency care, financial policies, or how we handle urgent situations. Your peace of mind matters to us.

Payments

Payment options for hospital services include Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and cash.

We also accept CareCredit financing.

Accreditation

AAHA Accredited

Buffalo Feline Hospital is proudly accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), a distinction earned by only about 14% of veterinary hospitals nationwide. AAHA accreditation requires compliance with over 900 standards of care, reflecting our commitment to quality, safety, and excellence in veterinary medicine.

Our veterinarians are active members of the Buffalo Academy of Veterinary Medicine and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Continuing education is a priority at our hospital, and our team regularly participates in both local and national learning opportunities to stay current with best practices for your pet’s care.