Starch Pet Hospital

Des Moines, IA

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At a glance

Facility type
Veterinary Practice
Practice tier
General
Clinic type
Hospital
Operating status
Operational
Appointment model
Appointment
24/7 care
No
Accepting new patients
Unknown

Species treated

Small Animal Companion

Services

General Practice Wellness Vaccination Spay Neuter Surgery Dentistry Imaging In House Lab Pharmacy Hospitalization Emergency Boarding Grooming End Of Life

Amenities & accessibility

Appointments
Appointment requiredAppointments recommended
Service options
Onsite services
Amenities
Restroom
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entranceWheelchair accessible parking lotWheelchair accessible restroom

Overview

We are a full service veterinary medical facility, offering a comprehensive suite of services designed to support our patients as they navigate through each stage of life. From the first round of vaccinations for your new pet, to specialized geriatric care to extend and improve the quality of your senior pet’s life, we want to be with you every step of the way to deliver the precise care your pet needs, at the exact moment it’s needed, for optimum results throughout his or her life

Starch Pet Hospital has been a member of the Drake Community since 1948 when Dr. Cyrus Starch started the hospital. In 1992, he sold the practice to Dr. Brian Martz and Dr. Michael Henning, and in 1996 they built a new clinic at 2222 University Avenue. This new clinic, outfitted with all of the latest equipment and technology, allows us to provide the highest quality veterinary care available in the Des Moines area

Care capabilities

End-of-life care
In Clinic

Team at a glance

10
Veterinarians (DVM)
1
Licensed technicians
20
Support staff
31
Total team

Individual names, titles & bios are in the practice intelligence layer below.

Technology & equipment

RadiographyUltrasoundIn-house laboratoryPetOne Veterinary App

Services in detail

Wellness & Preventive CareDentistryDiet & NutritionMicrochippingParasite Control (Fleas, Ticks & Heartworms)VaccinationsAllergiesDiagnostic UltrasoundsLaboratory ServicesRadiographyOrthopedic SurgerySoft Tissue SurgerySpay & NeuterDermatologyEndocrinologyGastroenterologyNeurologyOphthalmologyUrologyLabor & DeliveryCremationEuthanasiaDomestic Health CertificatesTeleMedicine

Appointments & hours

Mon 7:30am - 6:00pm, Tue 7:30am - 6:00pm, Wed 7:30am - 6:00pm, Thu 7:30am - 6:00pm, Fri 7:30am - 6:00pm, Sat 8:00am - 12:00pm, Sun Closed

Connect

Frequently asked

Does Starch Pet Hospital treat exotic pets?+

Yes — Starch Pet Hospital offers care for exotic pets in addition to small animals.

What services does Starch Pet Hospital offer?+

Starch Pet Hospital offers General Practice, Wellness, Vaccination, Spay Neuter, Surgery, Dentistry, Imaging, In House Lab, and more.

When was Starch Pet Hospital established?+

Starch Pet Hospital has served the Des Moines, IA community since 1948.

What reviewers say

88% Positive sentiment
based on 1,266 reviews

Starch Pet Hospital is widely regarded as a compassionate, highly competent veterinary practice offering thorough care, reasonable pricing, and exceptional end-of-life support. The facility features a modern, recently remodeled interior that is kept impeccably clean. The staff and veterinarians are patient and skilled at handling anxious pets, while providing clear, transparent explanations and reliable follow-up care. Although wait times can occasionally run long and scheduling during peak hours can be challenging, the overall client experience remains overwhelmingly positive.

Frequently praised for

Compassionate StaffKnowledgeable VetsThorough ExplanationsFair PricingClean FacilityGood With Anxious PetsGreat Emergency ResponseStrong Followup

Aggregated from reviewer feedback across multiple sources.

Practice Intel

Inside the full profile

  • Ownership & corporate structure
  • Team & DVM count
  • Hiring & expansion signals
  • Key contacts — owner & medical director
  • Practice history — ownership, pricing & quality shifts
  • Capability signals — gaps & confirmed services
  • 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.