CareVets Porirua

CareVets Porirua has a suite of medical, diagnostic and surgical facilities along with a range of pet food and supplies in our large open retail store, including a DIY dog wash facility. Our friendly local team can help with a sore tooth, a mystery lump, an itchy paw and everything in between. We also have a cattery on-site to look after your loved felines while you are away, as well as boarding facilities for many small animals and some birds. We are happy to see avian patients at our clinic if you are in need of care for your feathered friends.

Address:

9 Kenepuru Drive, Kenepuru, Porirua, Wellington 5022
Phone: (04) 237 9600
Email: porirua@carevets.co.nz
Or contact us here.

Opening Hours:

Monday8:00am – 6:00pm
Tuesday8:00am – 6:00pm
Wednesday8:00am – 6:00pm
Thursday8:00am – 6:00pm
Friday8:00am – 6:00pm
Saturday9:30am – 4:30pm
Sunday10:00am – 3:00pm
Public HolidaysCLOSED

Please note we have no Veterinarian on site on Sundays, however, our retail shop is open.

If you require veterinary attention outside of our opening hours please contact your nearest After Hours Vet:
Wellington After Hours Vet Clinic: 04 473 7545

Our Team:

Dr Ellen Thackray
BVSc
Veterinarian

Ellen studied at Massey University in Palmerston North, graduating with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science in 2013. Since then, she worked as a Locum Veterinarian at all five Wellington region CareVets clinics and is now a full-time Veterinarian at CareVets Porirua. Her particular areas of interest are pathology, post-mortem and avian patients. Ellen is owned by a Manx cat called Ace and an elderly moggy called Tankette. In her (rare) free time, she enjoys science fiction and learning languages, including Esperanto.

Dr Gina Robinson
DVM
Veterinarian

Gina graduated from Kansas State University, achieving her DVM qualification in 1997. She joined the CareVets Porirua team in March 2019 as Senior Veterinarian, bringing more than twenty years of experience working in the Veterinary profession with her. Gina loves having the opportunity to improve the lives of her patients and their owners every day. She is particularly passionate about promoting total well-being, from preventative care and providing nutrition and behavioural advice, to treating illness and injury where necessary. Gina has quite the collection of pets at home including dogs, cats, sheep, pigs, horses, and chickens! When not at work, Gina continues to be an advocate for animal welfare. She also participates in equestrian sporting events, enjoys spending time with friends and family, and can often be found cooking up a storm in the kitchen creating tasty vegan dishes!

Dr Jona Wuerth
Veterinarian

Jona is a new graduate who completed his BVSc in Vet Science from Massey University Palmerston North in 2022. In his spare time he enjoys spending time in the outdoors and woodworking.

Taylor
Lead Veterinary Nurse

Taylor began her career as a Vet Nurse in 2017, gaining valuable experience throughout clinics in Australia. She made her move to her new home in Wellington in 2021. Taylor has been blessed to be constantly surrounded by animals growing up, providing her with a passion for caring and treating animals, especially when they are at their most vulnerable. Taylor’s Border Collie, Jack, has been her partner in crime for 11 years and has been the major driving factor behind her specialised study into geriatric care. Taylor is just one of the professional, friendly, and knowledgeable members of the Porirua team. Please don’t hesitate to say Kia Ora when you’re in next.

Charlotte
Veterinary Nurse

Charlotte originally started out as a chef while completing a BA at Victoria University. It took 3 years of Philosophy and a few years of working in the real world to discover that the secret to her happiness is animals. With that in mind, she went back to school in 2020 and joined the CareVets Porirua team in 2021 after obtaining her certificate. She is now the proud holder of a NZ Veterinary Nursing Diploma. Her partner in crime is a domestic short haired tabby cat called Captain and they are fortunate enough to live with a sookie Greyhound called Emilio and a Tortie princess called Agnes. When Charlotte is not stopping to say hi to every animal she meets on the street, you’ll find her playing boardgames with friends.

Kaitlyn
Veterinary Nurse

Kaitlyn first started at CareVets Porirua as a student in 2020 while studying her Certificate in Veterinary Nursing, then officially joined the team in May of 2021 as a reception/retail assistant. After gaining her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing through WelTec/Otago Polytechnic at the end of 2021, she is now a full time Junior Veterinary Nurse. From 5 years old and growing up with an obsession of watching Animal Planet and Steve Irwin documentaries, Kaitlyn knew she wanted to work with animals. When she’s not giving all the dogs treats when they visit the clinic, you’ll often find her talking about her own animals, Ruby the princess Cavoodle, Lily the cuddly Cavachon and Skyla the bossy British Blue.

Saasha
Veterinary Nurse

Saasha joined Porirua as retail staff in 2022. After graduating with her Certificate in Veterinary Nursing in 2021 she has decided to dive in the deep end and work towards getting her Diploma. Saasha has always wanted to work with animals since she was a small girl, and she feels great to finally be able to put her dreams into action. She has 3 cats – Greycie and Tabby who were found as young kittens in her backyard with their mother (who has passed since); and Kera, her newest addition after winning her heart while being treated at CareVets Porirua.

Tamara
Veterinary Nurse

Tamara is currently finishing her Veterinary Science Degree at Universidad de Concepción, in Chile, South America. While she works on that, she decided to join us as a Veterinary Nurse from overseas, moving all the way from the other side of the Pacific Ocean and fulfilling her dream of living in New Zealand. She started University in 2017 and to date she has worked in more than 5 Veterinary Clinics for small animals as a Veterinary Nurse, volunteered for over 2 years assisting in surgeries in a rural town, and has also done vaccinations and check-ups for her patients. She is passionate about surgery, anaesthesia and caring for animals’ emotional wellbeing during surgical procedures. Tamara came to Wellington in 2015 as an exchange student at Onslow College, and ever since, she knew that she wanted to work here, which was made possible by the CareVets team. She has a Chow Chow mixed breed dog name Aussie in Chile, that she wants to bring to New Zealand as soon as possible, since she is her life and adventure partner. Her dream is to have a camper van and go around New Zealand with Aussie.

Theresa
Veterinary Nurse

Theresa graduated as a Veterinary Nurse in 2013 and also holds a Certificate in Animal Care. She has a lot a passion for animals including caring for them when most in need. In her downtime, she loves spending time with family and friends and her 3 children keep her busy. She enjoys doing outdoor things like camping and being at their family bach in the Wairarapa. They have a whole family of animals keeping her busy when not at the clinic including her dogs Meg, Cloud Dice & Dash as well as horse named Bear and pony named Darcy, and more recently a kitty that needed a forever home Sushi.

Havana
Receptionist

Havana joined our team in October 2022 as a Receptionist. She is currently studying towards her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing and is completing her student placement here. She has a passion for animals and finds this industry very rewarding. Outside of work, Havana enjoys playing sports and going to the gym; playing netball for the ParePlim Eagles, as well as playing social indoor netball and touch rugby. She also loves catching the sunset, watching anime, and reading a good romance book. Her crazy Vizsla X named Koura keeps her on her toes! She loves taking him for walks and teaching him new tricks.