Philip J. Shanker, D.V.M.
Diplomate, American Board of Veterinary Practitioners
Feline Specialty

Dr. Shanker has been owner and director of The Cat Hospital for over 30 years.  He grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and is a 1977 graduate of the University of Missouri School of Veterinary Medicine.  After completing a 14-month internship in Boston he joined a general/specialty practice in New York, then moved to California for The Cat Hospital in 1982.

Dr. Shanker is a founding fellow of the Feline Academy of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners and was instrumental in establishing a feline specialty certification. He is board certified in feline medicine and surgery and recently passed his recertification requirements.  He is a past president of the American Association of Feline Practitioners and has served on many AAFP committees, most recently on the research and leadership development committees.

Dr. Shanker has performed tens of thousands of surgical procedures from routine to highly complicated cases. He has been a guest host on several radio and television programs to discuss feline health issues. He also served on a City of San Jose committee establishing a voucher system to provide feline sterilization procedures for people with financial need.  He is a past president of the Santa Clara County Veterinary Medical Association.

Dr. Shanker  maintains a full-time schedule at The Cat Hospital, where he sees a full range of cases from routine physical exams to specialty referrals.  Dr. Shanker and his wife, Cindy, live in Los Gatos and have two adult children.  They also have two cats, Rocky and Bootsie.  Their cat "Cupcake" in the above photo lived to be 21 years old.

Shanna Compton, DVM

When I was 3, I wanted to be an astronaut. When I was 5, I saw what a veterinarian did for a living and immediately changed my career plans. When I was 10, I managed to talk the local veterinarian into letting me clean cages at his practice and decided that this was, indeed, the right place for me. It was not an easy path by any means, and I did work in the software field briefly before starting veterinary school. In 1996, I graduated from U/C Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and my life has not been the same since. I have worked at several different practices over the years, from San Francisco to King City, from Pacifica to Stockton, learning different techniques and approaches to help our feline companions. I live in the Santa Cruz mountains with 4 chickens, and I am a full time servant to my two feline overlords who are named Tåka and Glør. In the times between work and home, I read fantasy/SF, knit, and play tabletop role playing games.

Nichole Parand, DVM

Dr. Nichole Parand is a dedicated and compassionate veterinarian with
over five years of experience in providing exceptional care for cats.
Originally from Arizona, Dr. Parand earned her undergraduate degree
from the University of Arizona before pursuing her Doctor of
Veterinary Medicine (DVM) at Kansas State University. She joined The
Cat Hospital in June of 2025 and also serves the broader South Bay
area doing relief work, offering veterinary care that prioritizes the
well-being of every pet.

With a special passion for dentistry, surgery, and
end-of-life/palliative care, Dr. Parand is committed to delivering
expert care tailored to each animal's unique needs. She understands
the importance of providing individualized, compassionate care for
both pets and their families, taking the time to listen to each
family’s concerns and preferences. Dr. Parand knows that every pet and
family is unique, and she strives to offer the most thoughtful and
personalized care possible. She is both Fear Free and Cat Friendly Certified.