Pet Specialists of Monterey operates as a 24-hour emergency and surgical-referral clinic, which means if something goes wrong while you’re camping or road-tripping along the Central Coast, there’s actual help available at 3 a.m. Dr. Marsolais leads the team here, and they specialize in orthopedic surgery, soft tissue procedures, and internal medicine—the kinds of complex cases that regular clinics refer out to specialists.

Because this is a referral practice, other vets in the area send their trickier cases here. That reputation matters if your dog has a serious injury or needs advanced diagnostics. The facility itself has current surgical equipment and diagnostic technology, which you’d want if you’re dealing with something beyond a basic injury. The environment is designed to handle stressed dogs and owners who’ve just experienced something frightening.

The location matters for Central Coast travelers. Monterey sits between Big Sur and Carmel, near places like Point Lobos State Natural Reserve where many people take their dogs. If you’re camping in the area—whether at Julia Burns Park or anywhere else in Monterey County—and your dog gets hurt on a trail or starts showing signs of internal problems, having a 24-hour emergency clinic nearby changes the calculation. You won’t be stuck hours away from help during off-hours.

The clinic welcomes dogs and understands that owners are often anxious when bringing in a sick or injured animal. They work with referring veterinarians to coordinate care, which means they can pull medical history and existing records quickly if your regular vet is out of the area.

Contact them to confirm their current hours and whether they’re accepting new patients, especially if you’re planning to be in the region for an extended trip.