FFF Veterinary services
Our priority is to save the life of every treatable, homeless senior dog and cat through innovative programs. The cornerstone of our efforts is to offer free medical care for adopted Frosted Faces at FFF Veterinary Hospital to facilitate affordable senior pet ownership. This, in
turn, increases both senior pet adoptions and owner retention. All of this support is made possible by the Frosted Fan Program.
When you adopt a senior "Frosted Face" aged 8+ years old from FFF, you are eligible to use our on-site veterinary services. The care that we
provide is free, and is tailored to senior pets, addressing their unique health needs. We offer a wide range of diagnostics including lab work, radiographs, and ultrasounds. We cover medications and also perform dental, soft tissue, and orthopedic surgeries. While we extend all of these services to support you and your Frosted Face, it's important to note that you are ultimately responsible for your Frosted Face's timely and quality veterinary care upon adoption.
Schedule an Appointment
We are open Monday-Friday, 8:00am-6:30pm.
If your pet is experiencing an emergency outside of these hours, please consider contacting a nearby emergency veterinary hospital.
Email: support@frostedfacesfoundation.org
Call: (858)304-0204
Prescription Program
We can fill and refill medications that have been prescribed by an FFF veterinarian.
a. Please use the Prescription Pick Up form to request medications or call and leave a voicemail with the request at (858)304-0204.
i. Filled for pick up at FFF Veterinary Hospital (Free)
ii. Called into a local pharmacy (Not reimbursable)
b. Please use this link to place an order on the FFF Online Pharmacy.
i. Medications will be shipped directly to your home (Pre-pay and be reimbursed)
ii. Submit receipts within 30 days on the Reimbursement Form
Vet Team Mission
We aim to provide veterinary care that an animal-lover of average means could reasonably pursue at a general practice. FFF may make medical decisions differently from private vets or make referrals for services that cannot be provided for free. FFF constantly strives to expand available resources, but we also must keep our no-kill model sustainable and help as many seniors find families as possible.
What types of conditions do we prioritize?
• We alleviate pain
• We treat life-threatening conditions
• We cure conditions that lead to long-term pain
• We treat conditions that will prevent a pet from being adopted or promote the pet staying in a home
How do we steward resources thoughtfully?
• We do not perform cosmetic surgery
• We do not offer wellness checks beyond annual exams
• We do not perform tests that will not change the treatment plan
• We prescribe affordable medications, and those that do not require recurring vet visits or long term use unnecessarily
What diagnostics and treatments are guaranteed upon adoption?
• Exam by a veterinarian
• Senior panel including a CBC, chemistry, urinalysis, fecal, 4Dx, T4
• Thoracic and abdominal radiographs
• Bordatella, DHPP, and rabies vaccines
• Sterilization (if appropriate)
• Microchip
While we do not provide a detailed list of diagnostic protocols or services, the following items are known pre-determined exclusions:
• Preventative supplements or over the counter medication
• Flea or heartworm medication
• Prescription food
• FFF will only undertake dental cleaning and extractions as necessary for cases of moderate to severe tartar and periodontal disease, and this encompasses dental exams graded at 4/4 by our own veterinarians
• Pets aged under 6 years old at the time of adoption will NOT be offered free medical care from FFF, nor will they be eligible for $500.00 of annual funding throughout the life of the pet.
Meet our Veterinarians
Dr. Neil Russell received his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the Royal Veterinary College, London, England, where he was born and raised.
While always having a love for animals, Dr. Russell came to veterinary medicine a little later in life following something of an epiphany, while working in an unrelated, albeit, successful career as a Chartered Quantity Surveyor. Dr. Russell also holds degrees in Quantity Surveying and Law.
Dr. Russell's main area of interest is not-for-profit/shelter medicine (surprise!) and has spent time working in India, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Belize at spay/neuter and wild animal charity organizations.
He enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine, but especially enjoys internal medicine, dermatology, ultrasound, and helping awareness of preventative healthcare, to promote good health and quality of life in his patients.
Dr. Russell is married to his wife, Jenn, who is also a veterinarian, working in marine animal rescue and rehabilitation. They have one young daughter, Sadie, a rescue chiweenie called Archie, and Charlie Brown, their previously stray cat whom they nursed back to health following a hit by car accident. In their free time, they love to travel and enjoy everything San Diego has to offer, including the many ocean-related activities, from surfing to sailing.
Dr. Russell described his new role as a "dream job," and we can’t wait for him to meet all of the special FFF families, volunteers, and dive into the cases of our Frosted Faces!
Dr. Lauren Oviedo was born and raised in Laguna Niguel, California. Inspired by her veterinary technician mom, she knew from an early age that she wanted to grow up to be a veterinarian.
With that goal in mind, she attended the University of California Davis and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science as the commencement speaker for her college. In undergrad, Dr. Oviedo enjoyed working at the UC Davis Dairy and coaching girls youth basketball. Her animal experience grew as a wildlife rehabilitator in Washington state and as a shelter medicine intern in Yolo County. She went on to Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California to receive her doctorate in veterinary medicine. In veterinary school, she volunteered with the Humane Society, fostered kittens, worked as a veterinary technician, and researched animal welfare, for which she received the HSVMA Animal Welfare Scholar Award. After graduating, she enjoyed 3 years as an associate veterinarian for the Helen Woodward Animal Center.
Dr. Oviedo and her husband, John, enjoy looking after a band of rescue critters in their Vista home. First came Louie, an orange tabby found in a friend's car engine. Then Piper, an orphan that came into the Long Beach Animal Shelter while Dr. Oviedo was an intern. Next was Wally, a Tijuana terrier, followed by Lucille: a red-eared slider that was found on the freeway.
Dr. Oviedo shared with us, "I am thrilled to be joining the FFF team and cannot wait to support your mission with high quality veterinary care!"
