Looking for a veterinarian in Vaasa? Saari Animal Clinic has served the Dragnäsbäck neighbourhood since 1989 — over three generations and tens of thousands of pets cared for. We're a privately owned, independent small-animal clinic: no chain, no corporate playbook. Every treatment decision rests with your veterinarian personally. Our team includes 5 veterinarians and 8 veterinary nurses, and we work in Finnish, Swedish and English.
Our veterinarians
Here's our team — all experienced veterinarians who keep their skills current through ongoing post-graduate education.
Pamela Kvarngård — Clinic director, veterinarian since 2013. Areas of focus: orthopaedics, soft-tissue surgery and dentistry. Post-graduate training in orthopaedic surgery (AOVET, ESAVS) and dentistry (Accesia Academy). Languages: Swedish, Finnish, English.
Leena Sandström — Veterinarian since 1997, almost her entire career in small-animal medicine. Areas of focus: heart diseases, internal medicine, cardiac and abdominal ultrasound. ESAVS Certificate in Cardiology. Authorised by the Finnish Kennel Club to perform official cardiac examinations (auscultation, ultrasound, ECG). Ultrasound training with Fennovet and ESAVS. Languages: Swedish, Finnish, English.
Assaf Wydra — Veterinarian since 2011. Areas of focus: dentistry, endoscopy, wildlife medicine and the application of new clinical technology. Post-graduate training in dentistry (Accesia Academy) and endoscopy. Active pro bono wildlife rehabilitation work. Languages: English, Finnish, Hebrew.
Nina Haglund — Veterinarian since 2016/2017, with the Saari team since 2020. Areas of focus: surgery, dentistry and dermatology. Her background as a pharmacist provides a solid grounding in pharmacology and pharmacotherapy. Post-graduate training in dentistry (Accesia Academy) and soft-tissue surgery (ESAVS). Languages: Swedish, Finnish, English.
Merja Autio — Veterinarian since 2024, with the Saari team since April 2025. Graduated in summer 2025 from Eesti Maaülikool in Tartu. Areas of focus: soft-tissue surgery and exotic-animal medicine. Languages: Finnish, English.
What we treat
We care for dogs, cats and small mammals — and exotic species and wildlife as well. Our most common services:
- General check-ups and annual exams — wellness exams, vaccinations, parasite control. Read about vaccinations.
- Dental care — scaling, extractions, treatment of tooth resorption with digital dental X-ray. Dental services.
- Surgery — spays and neuters, soft-tissue surgery, orthopaedic procedures (TTA, lateral suture). Surgical services.
- Cardiac examinations — echocardiography, ECG, blood-pressure monitoring. Official Finnish Kennel Club cardiac examinations. Cardiac diagnostics.
- Ultrasound and X-ray — abdominal and urinary tract imaging, pregnancy ultrasound, digital radiography. Ultrasound.
- Internal medicine — diabetes, hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, IBD and other chronic conditions. Internal medicine.
- Endoscopy — gastroscopy, video otoscopy. Endoscopy.
- Ophthalmology, dermatology, acupuncture, rehabilitation — see our full service list.
We're also an International Cat Care–accredited Cat Friendly Clinic (Silver level) — feline-friendly facilities and handling are built into every consultation.
Location — a vet near central Vaasa
Our address is Gerbyntie 18, 65230 Vaasa, in the Dragnäsbäck district at the Gerbyntie/Dragnäsbäckintie junction known locally as Bockis-kurvi — about 5 minutes' drive from central Vaasa. Our clients come from across the Vaasa region:
- Central Vaasa and Palosaari — 5–10 minutes
- Dragnäsbäck and Gerby — under 5 minutes, neighbouring districts
- Sundom, Vähäkyrö, Lillkyro — 15–20 minutes
- Mustasaari (Korsholm), Vöyri (Vörå), Maalahti (Malax) — we serve the Swedish-speaking Ostrobothnian region as well
There's free parking directly in front of the clinic, with space for several cars.
By bus: the nearest stop is on Dragnäsbäckintie, about 200 m walk from the clinic. Vaasa local route line 1 runs along the way. Check timetables at lysreisor.fi.
Opening hours
Monday–Friday 9:00–17:00. Closed Saturdays, Sundays and Finnish public holidays.
We do not operate an after-hours emergency service. During opening hours we always try to fit urgent cases into the day's schedule — call 063217300 directly and we'll assess the situation together. Outside opening hours, please contact one of the emergency veterinary services in the Vaasa region.
Payment and insurance
We accept cash and the major debit/credit cards. Direct insurance billing is available with Lähitapiola, Agria and Pohjola — meaning the insurer's share is settled directly at the clinic, so you don't need to pay the full amount up front and claim it back afterwards.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have an emergency service in Vaasa?
We do not operate an after-hours emergency service. During opening hours (Mon–Fri 9:00–17:00) we always try to fit urgent cases into the day — call us directly at 063217300. Outside opening hours, please contact one of the emergency veterinary services in the Vaasa region.
Do I need an appointment?
Yes, an appointment is recommended so we can examine your pet without rush. Book by phone at 063217300 or online. Tuesday afternoons 15:30–16:00 we offer drop-in vaccinations without an appointment.
Do you serve Swedish-speaking clients?
Yes. Pamela Kvarngård, Leena Sandström and Nina Haglund consult in Swedish, and our entire staff is comfortable working in this bilingual region.
Do you treat wildlife?
We accept injured wildlife, with hedgehog rehabilitation as a particular focus area led by Assaf Wydra (in cooperation with Siilisaari ry). Please call first: 063217300.
Which pets do you treat?
We treat dogs, cats, rodents, rabbits and other small mammals. We also accept exotic species — Merja Autio has particular expertise in exotic-animal medicine. Please call first at 063217300 so we can schedule an appointment suited to your animal.
Are you in Bockis or Gerby?
Our address is Gerbyntie 18 — physically located in the Dragnäsbäck district, at the Gerbyntie/Dragnäsbäckintie junction known locally as Bockis-kurvi. Free parking directly in front.
I'm a tourist or new to Vaasa — can you still see my pet?
Absolutely. We see visiting pets and new arrivals to Finland regularly. Bring any vaccination records and EU pet passport if you have them. Booking ahead is appreciated; same-day appointments are often available — call us to check.