The Vet from the Urban Jungle

The Vet from the Urban Jungle follows a talented team of professionals dedicated to promoting and protecting the human-animal bond, even in the most dangerous circumstances.

Emergency surgeries. Exotic animals. Owners ranging from neighborhood regulars to Hollywood stars. At one of Los Angeles’s busiest veterinary hospitals, no two cases are alike, and even a routine appointment can quickly become a crisis.

Blending memoir with the immediacy of a fast-paced medical drama, Dr. Douglas Mader chronicles one eventful year at Noah’s Ark Veterinary Hospital in the inner-city. The many patients include beloved household pets, exotic species, and wildlife, each presenting distinct challenges and requiring quick judgment, technical skill, and compassion.

Through these cases, Dr. Mader offers a candid look at the pressures, risks, difficult decisions, and unexpected rewards that define veterinary medicine. The result is an absorbing account of the people who devote their lives to promoting and prolonging the ever powerful human animal bond.