For Pet's Sake
Decatur, GA
At a glance
- Facility type
- Veterinary Practice
- Practice tier
- General
- Clinic type
- Standalone
- Operating status
- Operational
- Appointment model
- Appointment
- 24/7 care
- No
Species treated
Services
Amenities & accessibility
Overview
We are a unique veterinary hospital dedicated solely to exotic animals. Our staff's mission is to give the highest standard of veterinary care by providing professional, affordable, and advanced veterinary services
Recognizing a need for professional avian and exotic animal care, Dr. Mimi Shepherd started For Pet's Sake in 1987 as a house-call service. From day one, she saw only avian and exotic animals. In 1990, Dr. Shepherd opened the doors to the avian and exotic animal hospital. Dr. Shepherd received her Diplomate ABVP (Avian) status in 1995. In 1996, Dr. Shepherd hired vet student Jason Hutcheson as her assistant while he was completing his veterinary degree. In 2001, Dr. Shepherd hired Dr. Jason Hutcheson as an Associate Veterinarian. In 2006, Dr. Shepherd sold the practice to Dr. Jason Hutcheson. The practice has added new associate veterinarians over the years: Dr. Holly Burchfield (2015), Dr. Kelsey Paras (2019-2024), Dr. Julia Hill (2020), Dr. Mary Russell (2025), and Dr. Shelby Parks (2025-2026). The practice is now seeing more exotic pets than ever before. In 2021, the practice moved in to its new location at 1058 Mistletoe Road. The new location has an expanded hospital and boarding facilities, more exam rooms, an updated laboratory, digital radiography, and a dedicated surgical suite
Care capabilities
- Emergency
- Urgent Care Only
Team at a glance
Individual names, titles & bios are in the practice intelligence layer below.
Technology & equipment
Services in detail
Memberships
Appointments & hours
Monday through Friday 9am-6pm and Saturday 9am-3pm
Connect
Frequently asked
Is For Pet's Sake accepting new patients?+
Yes — For Pet's Sake is currently accepting new patients.
Does For Pet's Sake offer emergency or urgent care?+
For Pet's Sake offers urgent care appointments most days of the week (not a 24/7 ER).
Does For Pet's Sake treat exotic pets?+
Yes — For Pet's Sake offers care for exotic pets in addition to small animals.
What services does For Pet's Sake offer?+
For Pet's Sake offers General Practice, Wellness, Vaccination, Surgery, Dentistry, Imaging, In House Lab, Hospitalization, and more.
When was For Pet's Sake established?+
For Pet's Sake has served the Decatur, GA community since 1987.
What reviewers say
This specialized veterinary practice provides dedicated medical care, boarding, and end-of-life services for birds, reptiles, rabbits, and other exotic pets. The facility is exceptionally clean and features modern diagnostic equipment, including advanced imaging capabilities. The team of veterinarians and support staff is widely recognized for deep expertise in niche species, offering thorough explanations, gentle handling for anxious animals, and proactive follow-up care. While pricing tends to reflect the specialized nature of exotic animal medicine, the practice is a trusted destination for pet owners throughout the region seeking knowledgeable and compassionate treatment.
Frequently praised for
Aggregated from reviewer feedback across multiple sources.
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Inside the full profile
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Ownership & corporate structure -
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Review intelligence — sentiment, pricing & named staff
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Data as of July 2026. VetPulse aggregates public-record and licensing data; it does not represent the practice directly.