Susan Chew , DVM

If I could have someone like Dr. Susan at my bedside when my time comes, I would consider myself lucky. She was so understanding, empathetic and respectful during the days before and the night of my cat’s passing. Dr. Susan spent probably an hour getting to know me and my cat King, letting me tell her all about him, stroking him and helping him to feel comfortable with her. It felt like she really wanted to know King rather than just come in and put him down. She didn’t rush the appointment at all and waited for me to tell her when it was «time.» My kitty passed easily and surrounded by not just my love, but by Dr. Susan’s.
I am so grateful that I came across Dr. Susan on Unilocal and would recommend her to anyone looking to help their cat pass with dignity and love at home. She is an angel.

Dr Chew came by today. We had a phone consultation last night. Our cat had overnight gotten much worse, and she was able to come same day. She is careful, extremely considerate, and goes above and beyond to help one through such a difficult process. Our cat was actually purring through much of the process. He left this world with grace and dignity. We cannot recommend Dr Chew highly enough.

I would give Dr. Chew 20 stars if I could. It’s taken me a while to write this review, but I wanted to take the time to share how wonderful and professional she is in the face of what is always going to be an unbearable time for her clients. Classy, my cat of 13 years was diagnosed with cancer last fall and after a few months of unsuccessful treatment, the time came to send him off. I found Dr. Chew via Unilocal and was very impressed by her caring and non-​judgmental style. When your beloved buddy is ill and you are facing a choice that no one wants to make, it’s incredibly helpful to have an expert like Dr. Chew not only explain to you what will happen, but take the time to talk with you about the emotions you can expect to feel. I was blown away by the time she took over the phone to speak with me at length about the process, grief, and just life in general. The day before our appointment I called Dr. Chew because I was concerned about the amount of pain medication I should give my kitty during his last day. She was very helpful and reassured me that what I was doing was helping him feel comfortable. This advice was invaluable because when you are in these positions in life your logic and reason sort of fly out of the window and you need someone to sort of right the ship and remind you that you’re doing the right thing.
The day of the appointment she came to our home after hours and respected our wishes to keep the lights low and to have music playing. She gave us time with Classy to say goodbye and though she was technically a stranger who had never been in our home, the conversations we had shared prior to the appointment put us at ease and made us feel comfortable being ourselves during what was an excruciatingly painful moment. When Classy was gone she gently wrapped him up in a cloth and carried him out of the house. I have heard from friends that other vets who provide this service have put their pets in a box when leaving. I much prefer Dr. Chew’s method.
WOW moment #1: a few days later she called me to see how I was doing and we had a great, real, conversation about death and grieving. WOW moment #2: a week or so later she actually delivered the ashes and paw print to me at my house, and stuck around for a bit to talk. WOW moment #3 — she sent a thoughtful condolence card with a heartfelt message. WOW moment #4 — about a month or so after that I received a letter letting me know that a donation had been made to the UC Davis Veterinary School in Classy’s name. Think about it — these are all things she did AFTER the service had been provided and I had paid her. Unbelievable.
I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Chew. In the months since I lost Classy, my grandfather passed away and it may sound crazy, but the medical professionals who dealt with my dying grandfather could learn a lot from Dr. Chew. I have a deep respect for this woman and her practice. She is a gift to those who need this service, and I cannot recommend her enough.

I cannot say enough good about Dr. Chew. My cat, Condor, was suffering from an aggressive form of cancer and unfortunately, the chemotherapy wasn’t working. I spoke with Dr. Chew on a Friday and she listened to me describe his situation, gave me some advice on how to keep him comfortable, and made an appointment to come to our home the very next day. It was the hardest day of my life and a struggle to make the decision to end his suffering, but she was patient, kind, understanding, and helped me further assess whether it was necessary at that point or if we could wait. I did, sadly, make the decision to ease his pain that night and that decision never feels good but with the information and help she provided, I can take comfort in knowing that I did the right thing for him.
She has a true gift and a very calming presence. I thought I would be a wreck (to an extent, I was), but she really helped ease the pain of the situation and focused on all of the good and happy aspects of his life and his personality. It made a huge difference. She has been in this situation herself and truly understands how difficult it is to lose your loved one.
I cannot thank her enough for her thoughtfulness, and for her dedication to animals and families in need during extraordinarily difficult times.

I, too, can only say excellent things about Dr. Susan Chew. If only the vet that I used to help my dear dog on his way last year had been like Dr. Chew. Sadly, the other vet I used has left us with a less than desirable memory. It really does matter who you get to come to your house when your pet’s time to go to heaven is at hand.
But, Dr. Chew was so great. She talked to me on the phone at length before her visit, advising me on the dosages of pain medicine I could give to my dear Siamese cat Simon to make him comfortable before she came. When she arrived, my house was dark and I was in the bedroom with Simon, curled up with him in his nest that he had made in the closet. She followed the sign I’d put on my front door and entered the house quietly. She even crawled into the closet to give him the injection, so he didn’t have to be disturbed. Most vets would not have done that. She has the most gentle, soothing, voice and I am GRATEFUL that I was referred to her. I only wish she cared for dogs as well.
This lady is a blessing to encounter, a true animal angel. God Bless you, Dr. Chew!
This posting is posted in memory of my dear 18 year old Simon, who was a majestic, sage, wise old Siamese chocolate point. May he rest in peace with Our Lord.

My 18 year old blind and deaf cat had to be put down after she had become very ill. The month before I had spoken to Dr. Chew, and she recommended that I write down a list of signs that would tell me that it was time. During that phone call I never felt that she was rushing the call, she was so patient and understanding. It was such great advice, because the moment I saw those signs I knew what I had to do. Dr. Chew is very compassionate and understanding and when I called her she fit me in her schedule. It was so comforting to have the option of having her come to my home since my cat (all cats) hate leaving their homes and it causes them so much stress. Dr. Chew explained the process over the phone before she arrived so that I knew exactly what to expect. She made an extremely difficult decision and day much less difficult. I would highly recommend Dr. Chew to anyone who has to go through this painful process.

There is another Unilocal review page for Susan Chew, DVM under her business name: Compassionate Care Cat Hospice. I already put my review there and here it is copied:
Dr. Susan Chew is above and beyond what anyone could hope for at such a difficult time… having to decide what to do when their long time family member cat is suffering so much. Dr. Chew never made me feel like I had to hurry or decide anything I wasn’t comfortable with. She spent time talking to me on the phone and was very knowledgeable about my cat’s condition who was 18. She answered some questions that other vets were not as knowledgeable about and the concern she showed was unparralled. I will never forget her and the care she showed for my cat and myself. She was 100% there for me and my beautiful little cat, Maneki. I’m finding it hard to write now– crying again but after Maneki passed Dr. Chew stayed a while longer and talked to me and asked questions about Maneki. I was really glad she did because it made me remember when Maneki was so healthy and happy when her sister was alive with her. Dr. Chew got me to recall how I first found Maneki and her sister as 3 week old kittens in an old warehouse with their mother who had died nearby. It got me to (the next day) find pictures of the two sister cats as kittens and through the years and to concentrate on them being together and happy again. I still have the pictures by their urns.
Dr. Chew called me the next day and I talked to her… it was so nice to have her call to check to see if I was ok. I didn’t really have anyone else to talk to about the pain of losing my cat or to help me with the decision of how to help Maneki and end her suffering. I think it’s very unusual to find such a veterinarian as Dr. Chew… she even said I could call her if I needed to talk. And especially at a time when you are trying to make the right decision for your cat’s well being– it really is a blessing to find someone as knowledgeable in her field as she is and so caring and willing to answer any questions, whether they be medical or psychological.
Then a week later (as some of the other reviews said), she sent me a card about Maneki with a painting of a cat that looked just like Maneki on the card! The card was very thoughtful and I could tell she remembered Maneki and things I had told her about her. I have recieved cards when humans in my life have passed but this is the first time I got one for one of my cats. Dr. Chew understands the pain of losing a cat. I cried when I got her thoughtful card and it is next to Maneki’s urn.
Then, just recently I received a letter from Fix Our Feral’s that Dr. Chew had made a generous donation to their organization «in memory of your beloved cat, Maneki Neko Chan». I was just brought to tears and couldn’t believe it. It really is amazing… Dr. Chew is so great and all these things she does… these are things people do when humans pass but rarely when it’s a cat and just amazing for a Veterinarian to go out of their way… she is truly passionate about her work and clearly loves cats.
Also I wanted to add that I, like some of the other reviewers called her after hours and she called me back right away and was able to come that night. She did not rush me at all and did a full assessment of Maneki and checked her heart, etc… It was an extremely difficult time and Dr. Chew was very caring. I cannot say enough words– she is just way above and beyond what you would expect. I can’t thank her enough.

I, too, can’t say enough great things about Dr. Susan Chew. She is patient, caring, knowledgable, and willing to take as much time as necessary to ensure you are comfortable with the entire process.
I really struggled with knowing when was the right time to put down my beloved kitty. I had enough made an appointment with Dr. Chew and then changed my mind the day of. She could not have been more understanding.
I think part of what makes Dr. Chew such a perfect person in these situations is that she herself has been through the pain of making the decision to euthanize. She was incredibly sensitive not only to my needs, but even more importantly, to my cat’s.
She even took the time to check back with me the next day to see how I was doing and sent a beautiful, heartfelt card.
If you are faced with this difficult decision, I highly recommend you call Dr. Susan Chew.

Dr. Chew deserves 20 stars in my book. She is wonderful!
My cat of almost 17 years, Crayola, was put down last week after falling very ill. I called Dr. Chew in the evening, and she returned my call within 2 minutes. We chatted about Crayola’s condition, and she agreed that it was time for her. She was very accommodating, and was able to meet us in our home early in the morning, despite being out of her core business hours. She made me feel very comfortable, despite the very sad process. We talked and laughed about old Crayola stories, and assured me that this was the right decision. She handled my kitty with the utmost respect, and allowed me time to grieve before saying goodbye. She gave me written material on grieving for pets.
Despite the loss, Dr. Chew turned the process into something I could feel good about — a celebration of almost 2 decades by my side, through thick and thin. She followed up with an amazing card in the mail, and a hand written note referencing the stories we had talked about, and her sincerest condolences. She is also sending me a keepsake clay pawprint placard, and a letter will come from the pet cemetery when she arrives.
Crayola hated traveling in the car to the vet’s office, so the fact that she could be put down in her own home peacefully is priceless. Thank you, Dr. Chew — for everything.

I could not have asked for this sad event to be more beautiful.
The Montclair Veterinary Clinic highly recommended Dr. Chew for our need to euthanize our beloved cat Sergio. From the moment we spoke on the phone, I knew I had contacted the right person. Dr. Chew encouraged me and my husband to create whatever environment we wanted for the ceremony. She suggested music, candles, and photos if we wanted. We took her suggestions, and the energy in the room was serene and beautiful. With her encouragement and the safe space she created, we held our kitty and told him how much we loved and appreciated him. Dr. Chew made every moment calm and reassuring. I felt like we had know each other all our lives.
Dr. Chew’s gentleness, professionalism, and spiritual nature made Sergio’s passing perfect. We cannot recommend her highly enough.

Dr. Chew is an amazing woman and gifted veterinarian. I met Dr. Chew on one of the worst days of my life — the day I accepted that my little cat, Ellington was suffering more than living. Although it was after hours, Dr. Chew responded promptly and arrived at my home in less than one hour.
Clinically, Dr. Chew is skilled and efficient but it is the sum total of her care that sets her apart. Dr. Chew cared as much for me as she did Ellington. She spent more than two hours with me, laughing, crying and smiling at 18 years of ‘Ellington stories’ and genuinely she listened.
About a week after Ellington’s death, I received a personal note from Dr. Chew in which she remarked in detail on some of the many stories I told her about Ellington. I cannot describe how surprised and touched I was to receive this letter. Authenticity is a rare and inspiring quality and one that defines Dr. Chew.
Veterinary care is her profession but Dr. Chew gives her time and attention because she authentically cares about those she treats — the humans and the felines. Ellington was a spastic, loyal, dog-​cat and his presence in my life an unexpected gift. Dr. Chew allowed me to recognize exactly how lucky I was to have 18 years with Ellington and honor him by letting him go.
It has been several weeks since Ellington died, yet Dr. Chew has continued to care for me. Tonight she called to arrange for me to pick up Ellington’s ashes but her call wasn’t a transaction. Dr. Chew talked to me for nearly an hour, listening, laughing and crying to even more ‘Ellington stories.’
I could never thank Dr. Chew enough for the role she played in my life. Because of Dr. Chew, the painful loss of Ellington’s death was reframed as a celebration of Ellington in all his spastic, comforting, genuine glory.

Susan Chew was *amazing*, an enormous support at a very difficult time.
Our cat was terminally ill, but we hoped we could spend a final weekend with her at home before putting her down. On Sunday, we realized this was a mistake.
Dr. Chew was referred by an emergency animal shelter, and made herself instantly available when other vets could not. She was clearly a cat person, but also very down-​to-​earth, easy to speak with, and focused on our cat’s comfort while ensuring us that we were making the right decision. She talked us through the difficult process of euthanasia.
Susan followed up later with a thoughtful phone call and then a very touching card. She was the right person to get us through a tough time, and I wish we had met her sooner.