WELCOME!
35+ years as local Vets in Warkworth
Based in Warkworth, we have families who bring their pets to the clinic from surrounding areas – from Puhoi to Kaipara Flats and Matakana, Omaha, Snells Beach, Leigh, and up to Wellsford.
We’re a small, close-knit team, invested in our veterinary clinic – and in your pets and animals.
We hope you’ll get to know us over the course of your visits.
Meet the Paws & Claws Team
Tania Govan & squeak
Tania graduated from Massey in 2010. She spent time at the clinic, then known as Vet Farm & Pet as a Veterinary student. It was here she met a lost little blue penguin that walked up Hill St and ended up in the clinic! Tania gained much experience in both Geraldine and Auckland before settling down with her family in Matakana and joining the team here at Paws & Claws permanently. She has a special interest in small animal medicine and surgery.
In her spare time she enjoys swimming, cycling, running and drinking coffee.
Anna Tiernan and Pipi
Anna has been a Vet for over 20 years. She joined our team in 2021 after working at a Small Animal practice in Auckland.
Anna’s favourite thing about being a Vet is seeing animals that were unwell return to the clinic healthy, happy and showing off their personalities.
Anna lives in Warkworth with her family. In her spare time Anna can be seen zooming down a mountain on skis or supporting her family at various sports events.
ROSS Lynch & ALFIE
The foundations of the clinic’s strong reputation come down to the hard work of Ross over many years serving the Warkworth community and the positive word of mouth this generates. After years of sailing his way around various parts of the world, and meeting his wife, they decided Warkworth was the nicest area they’d seen in their travels and decided to settle here. Ross qualified from Massey in 1974 and has mentored other vets in the clinic in how to deal with the trickiest of patients.
The owner of the Vet, Farm & Pet clinic from 1985, until just recently, he believes he was led to becoming a vet from early in his life. If he’s not at the clinic, you might see Ross out riding an Indian motorbike, or playing in the Warkworth Big Band.
RHONDA Clinton & MURPHY
Rhonda joined us in 2022. Since then she been welcoming people and their pets at reception. She has embraced all things Veterinary and provides friendly help, support (and treats!) to our furry friends and their owners.
Rhonda loves spending time with her family and pets and enjoys heading to the beach for a swim or walk.
Jo Chapman & Kiko
Jo joined our team in 2022 after completing a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing. Jo takes great care of all the animals she looks after, making sure they all get lots of cuddles and attention.
In the weekends Jo enjoys playing softball and spending time with her two daughters (and many pets!).
Tori Hai & Boogie
Tori joined the clinic to complete her vet nursing student placement, and has since stayed with the Paws and Claws team. She’s passionate about learning and providing the best care, she loves comforting animals and welcoming people with a smile to make them feel at ease.
Tori loves travelling, and taking her dog for hikes in the great outdoors.
Jo Burke & Rocky
We were lucky enough to have Jo join the Paws & Claws team in 2024, with a decision to follow one of her passions – animals, big & small. Her happy place is pottering around doing jobs on her lifestyle block, generally with a few animals in tow helping out (or hindering as the case may be!).
When she gets some down time, she loves getting out trekking the countryside with horse Dusty.
Joy Ausan & Molly
Joy has a passion and love for pets. After ten years working as a Veterinary Nurse in Singapore, Joy made the move to New Zealand to join our team. She believes that you should love your work and treat each patient as your own. Joy prides herself in taking excellent care of her furry patients.
In her spare time, Joy loves hiking, travelling and spending quality time with family & friends.
Melissa Butterly & Phoebe
Melissa gained her Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Nursing in Ireland, before moving to Sydney, where she spent nine years working in small animal practice. She settled in beautiful Matakana in 2022. Melissa is passionate about building trust with both pets and their owners, ensuring every visit feels calm and supportive. She’s always eager to keep learning and continue developing her skills to provide the best possible care for her patients.
Outside of work, Melissa enjoys spending time with her two little girls and her cat, Walter.
The entire team are fantastic.
We have many and varied pets, quite a few with special needs. Having vets that take such great care of our pets through the minor and major procedures that they have been through means a lot to us. Our dogs, especially, love seeing Ross, Tania, Anna and the ladies at reception. It’s incredibly comforting knowing that my dogs enjoy going to the vets, which can be attributed to the calm and welcoming people that work there.
Thank you so much.
I have been a client of the clinic based in Warkworth for 20 years. Ross Lynch and staff have always been knowledgeable and caring and always there for you and your pets. Knowledgeable and caring and go over and above their duties as do their staff. A great Vet Clinic to deal with.
About Us
Paws & Claws in Warkworth is made up of a small, close-knit team, invested in providing exceptional care for your pets at our local veterinary clinic.
Paws & Claws Veterinary Clinic
8 Elizabeth St, Warkworth 0910
See Map
Phone 09 425 8793
Email [email protected]
Clinic Hours
Mon - Fri 8am - 5pm
Sat 9am - 1pm
After Hours
On-call until 9pm, 7 days
After Hours / Emergency
Call the clinic on 09 425 8793 to be diverted to the on-call vet, until 9pm.
After 9pm? Contact Animal Referral Centre - ARC Vets for specialist and emergency care.
2025/26 Holiday Hours & Emergency Services
24th December - Closing at 4pm
25th & 26th December - Closed
31st December - Closing at 4pm
1st & 2nd January - Closed
For after hours on closed holidays, please contact Animal Referral Centre - ARC Vets for assistance.