About Me

Tracey Cantamessa, DVM

Essex County, New Jersey, USA

Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (2004)

Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine North Grafton, MA

B.A. In English (1997)

The University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA

Veterinary Center of Morris County, Florham Park, NJ

Associate Veterinarian January 2024 to present

Eagle Rock Veterinary Hospital, West Orange, NJ

Associate Veterinarian December 2014 to December 2023

Veterinary support for The Wildlife Conservation Education Center, Garfield, NJ

November 2021 to present

Rutherford Animal Hospital, Rutherford, NJ

Associate Veterinarian June 2004 to 2014

Certified in Basic and Advanced Life Support through RECOVER initiative September 2023
Guest lecturer at Buntober Fest, October 2022 & 2023
Well care and preventative medicine of cats, dogs, small mammals (including rabbits, ferrets, chinchillas, guinea pigs, rats, mice, hamsters) and birds
Comprehensive work-up of cases
Routine soft tissue surgeries of all small mammal species listed above
Exotic small mammal dental procedures including incisor and molar trims
Behavioral and husbandry counseling
Competent in radiology and basic ultrasound
Shelter veterinarian for the Passaic Animal Shelter 2004 - 2012; responsible for updating and modernizing policies and protocols; managed care of animals in shelter as well as assisted with adoptions and education of the public
Development of strategies aimed at reducing stress and promoting environmental enrichment for our shelter pets and patients
Provided veterinary services for five local PETCO branches 2004 - 2010
Competent to triage and stabilize most injured wildlife species and arrange for transportation to the appropriate secondary facility for continued medical management

Guest lecturer for the Companion Animal Science class at Rutgers College New Brunswick, New Jersey. Topic: Rabbits and Rodents (March 2011, March 2012)
Implementation of a Feral Cat Initiative Program to aid in the control of area feral cat populations
Author of several Rutherford Animal Hospital newsletter articles including such topics as Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease, and Captive Birds

Major contributor to the Rutherford Animal Hospital Facebook site until 2011 (photo galleries, client interaction)
Creator of web albums such as “Zoey’s Big Spay Day” whose purpose is to familiarize clients with what happens after they leave their pet at the hospital for a routine surgery

Awarded the Irma E. Baron Humanitarian Award upon graduating from Tufts Veterinary School (2004)

Traveled with The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association Field Services Program (formerly Remote/Rural Area Veterinary Services) to provide no cost veterinary medical and surgical services to three Native American Reservations in Arizona and California (2004)
Veterinary Assistant at VCA in Westboro, MA (2002 - 2003)
Observation at the Lakota Wolf Preserve (summer 1999)
Groomer’s assistant at Cecil’s Grooming Salon in Glen Rock, NJ (1999)
Veterinary technician/ receptionist at New Bridge Veterinary Practice in Bergenfield, NJ (1997-1999)
Veterinarian’s assistant at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, NJ (1999)
Animal care assistant/ sales at Route 4 Aquarium and Bird in Elmwood Park, NJ (1999)
Volunteer at Albermarle SPCA in Virginia (1997)
Groomer’s assistant at A Dog and Cat’s World in Glen Allen, Virginia (1995)
Boarding kennel technician at Calypso Boarding Kennels in Fredricksburg, VA (1994 -1995)
Editorial and Acquisitions intern at Marcel Dekker Inc (a medical and technical publishing company) Manhattan, NY (1993)
Equine stable assistant at Wooded Acres Farm in Paramus, NJ (1992 -1993)
Kennel assistant at Hawthorne Animal Hospital in Hawthorne, NJ (1991)
Animal care technician at Ridgewood Pet Shop in Ridgewood, NJ (1990 -1991)