Our History

Juan de Fuca Veterinary Clinic is a full-service veterinary hospital that has been serving pet owners in the West Shore area since 1981. Dr. John Gayfer and Dr. John Basterfield started working together at the original location in 1980, near Royal Roads University. Soon after, they realized that ownership was the direction that they wanted to go, and in 1981 they purchased the Juan de Fuca Veterinary Clinic.

In 1988, Dr. Margaret Cairns joined the team as an associate veterinarian. It wasn’t long before they realized that she was a natural fit for the ownership team. At that point, she became the third valuable partner.

In the beginning, the Juan de Fuca Veterinary Clinic started out as a mixed animal practice, caring for both large and small animals. With the rapid growth throughout the West Shore area, all three partners made the decision to focus solely on small animal medicine.

In 1995, the practice was moved to its current location in the Hatley Park Plaza. Since then, the practice, along with the communities that it serves, have grown and blossomed into the seven-doctor team. Together they share and provide your pets with over 165 years of combined medical experience!

Our Mission

Since 1981, our mission has been to provide you and your pet with progressive, quality animal health care with up to date facilities, medical technology and staff training, a caring and compassionate environment, and to be a leader in service with a commitment to the well-being of animals, the public and our staff.