Meet the Team at Steeltown Cat Hospital in Hamilton
Our dedicated cat-friendly team is passionate about providing exceptional care for your cats. With years of experience and a love for cats, we ensure your furry friends receive the best treatment possible.
A Team Dedicated to Cats
We are proud to be the only independently owned cat-focused clinic in Southwestern Ontario operated by a board-certified feline specialist. At Steeltown Cat Hospital, our commitment is to careholders, not shareholders, and our bottom line is to treat every cat with the highest quality of care.
Our Veterinary & Leadership Team
Our leadership team brings decades of combined experience in feline medicine, veterinary practice management, and caregiver partnership. Every role at Steeltown Cat Hospital plays a part in advancing cat-friendly care and building a trusted specialty centre for the Hamilton community and beyond.
Meet the Owners
Dr. Tina Hall, DVM, Dip. ABVP (Feline)
Feline Specialist & Owner
Dr. Tina Hall believes every cat deserves a happy, healthy life. With over 22 years in veterinary medicine, she founded Steeltown Cat Hospital and Specialty Centre to provide caregivers with accessible, comprehensive wellness care and the highest standards of feline specialty medicine—all under one roof.
Born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, Dr. Hall earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Guelph in 2003. In 2023, she became board-certified as a Feline Specialist through the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. She is actively involved with the Feline Veterinary Medical Association, serving on the Feline Welfare Committee, and was recognized as a Rising Leader before joining the Feline VMA Board of Directors as a Board Intern in 2025.
Dr. Hall has dedicated her career to advancing life–stage–guided wellness, internal medicine, pain management, feline behaviour, and cat-friendly veterinary practice. She is especially passionate about helping caregivers understand the subtle ways cats communicate discomfort or illness. Outside the clinic, she lives in Hamilton with her husband, son, dog, and six cats, and enjoys spooky movies, wine tours, and escape rooms—still searching for the perfect cat-themed one.
Laura Western
Clinic Manager & Owner
Laura brings more than 15 years of experience in animal health, veterinary clinic management, and pet health marketing to her role as Clinic Manager at Steeltown Cat Hospital. Her career has always centered on improving outcomes for pets by building compassionate teams and fostering strong partnerships with caregivers.
Co-founding Steeltown Cat Hospital is the realization of a long-held dream: creating a feline specialty centre that delivers accessible care, elevates the standard of medicine for cats, and builds a supportive community for caregivers. Laura is deeply committed to increasing awareness around preventive care and ensuring every cat receives thoughtful, respectful treatment.
At home, Laura enjoys watching her son play hockey, horseback riding, camping and cottaging with her family, and spending time with their pets—Ethel and Bingo, two muted orange tabbies, and Ozzy, their big, lovable German Shepherd.
Meet Our Staff
Michelle Grills
Lead Registered Veterinary Technician
Michelle's Bio
I graduated from Georgian College in 2015 and have been a Registered Veterinary Technician for 10 years. I’m also an active member of the Feline Veterinary Medical Association (FelineVMA).
I grew up mainly with cats (we didn’t get a dog until I was 18) and have always maintained that cats are greatly misunderstood. I love working at Steeltown Cat Hospital because we take the time to understand each cat on an individual level. Working with cats is challenging in the best possible ways; I especially have a soft spot for senior cats.
My special interests include cytology and kidney disease paired with hyperthyroidism (as I’ve had two cats with both conditions).
Outside of the clinic, I enjoy playing guitar, travelling to visit family, drawing (I even designed the Steeltown Cat Hospital logo), and hanging out with my cat Tui. I love working at Steeltown, and I look forward to getting to know you and your cats.
Kate Gabriele
Lead Customer Service Representative
Kate's Bio
Before moving to Hamilton, I worked in Toronto for 15 years at the Veterinary Emergency Clinic, where I was the Surgery Department Coordinator. At Steeltown Cat Hospital, you’ll meet me at the front desk, where I’ll support you and your cat by booking visits, providing you with information about your cat’s care, and answering any questions you may have. I’m always just a phone call or email away.
I live with my partner Jeff and our four cats: Frankie, Kevin, Max, and Murray. Cats have always been a part of my life, and the opportunity to work with cats exclusively is a dream come true. Outside of work, I enjoy watching horror movies, collecting VHS, taking road trips, and spending time with friends.