Dr. Sari Kanfer
Practice Owner
Dr. Sari Kanfer, originally from New York City, escaped the big city and attended veterinary school at Colorado State University. Shortly before vet school, she became hooked on rabbits and later followed her addiction to the West Coast. After a decade of building a dedicated clientele in the exotic pet community, Dr. Kanfer founded Exotic Animal Veterinary Center in 2010 — a full-service hospital committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate veterinary care for avian and exotic pets. She believes that no matter how small or unique your pet is, they deserve access to the highest standard of veterinary medicine. Dr. Kanfer has worked hard to build a team of highly skilled technicians and caring receptionists, and has hand-picked the empathetic and accomplished veterinarians on staff to provide your family member with exceptional veterinary care.
Dr. Kanfer’s primary focus is small mammals with particular expertise in rabbit, guinea pig, and chinchilla medicine. She is a self-proclaimed “rabbit addict” and is widely known for her depth of knowledge and hands-on experience. Dr. Kanfer is one of the most experienced rabbit, guinea pig, and chinchilla surgeons in the SoCal area, with over 25 years of experience performing complex jaw abscess surgeries, dental extractions, and routine tooth trimming. Her advanced skill set also includes specialized techniques such as PECALBO ear surgery and rhinotomies of the nasal cavity. In addition, Dr. Kanfer is exceptionally experienced in a wide range of abdominal procedures, including liver lobectomies, bloat surgery, intestinal surgery, appendectomies, nephrectomies, cystotomies, and amputations. Her delicate touch has helped numerous geriatric and fragile animals survive major surgical procedures. She has also helped advance the treatment of critically ill rabbits, particularly in cases involving gastric bloat or torsed liver lobes, and prioritizes rapid stabilization and intensive care, leading to a high rate of positive outcomes.
In addition, Dr. Kanfer is deeply committed to supporting exotic pet rescue organizations and educating pet owners. She provides guidance on rabbit behavior and offers training to help caregivers manage the needs of geriatric and mobility-impaired pets.
When she’s not at the hospital, Dr. Kanfer enjoys traveling, discovering new cultures and architecture, attending street fairs and concerts, watching movies, and spending time outdoors on walks with friends, as well as cuddling with her six rabbits.