Growing up, Dr. Cheryl Morales said her family did not allow house pets, however, she often found herself bringing stray cats home.

“I am a self-confessed crazy cat lady,” she said.

Today, she has over 25 years of experience as a veterinarian and has owned Cypress Lakes Animal Hospital since 2013.

How we got here

Morales, a longtime Cy-Fair resident, said she originally intended to be a chemist, but her path led her to open her own veterinary clinic.


“I actually spent a summer in a lab down in the Medical Center doing research, and I quickly found out that I did not like working in a lab alone. I needed that social interaction,” Morales said. “Midway through college, I changed my route from being a chemist to being a veterinarian.”
Procedures at the Cypress Lakes Animal Hospital are conducted on a heated counter to keep pets comfortable. (Courtesy Cypress Lakes Animal Hospital)
Procedures at the Cypress Lakes Animal Hospital are conducted on a heated counter to keep pets comfortable. (Courtesy Cypress Lakes Animal Hospital)
Originally from Devine, Texas, Morales said she attended the University of Texas in Austin where she got a degree in biochemistry.After volunteering at an animal shelter in Austin and working for a couple of vet clinics, Morales decided to switch career paths the summer before junior year and become a veterinarian—something she had not previously considered.Today, Morales is a mother of two daughters, two dogs, three cats and a rabbit.

What's special about it

Morales said Cypress Lakes Animal Hospital is one of the few veterinarians in the area offering services for pocket pets such as rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs and hedgehogs.

Through her business, Morales supports nonprofits Houston Rabbit Resource and Bunny Buddies to provide medical care, surgical care and vaccines for rabbits.
Cypress Lakes Animal Hospital offers services for dogs, cats and exotic animals. (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)
Cypress Lakes Animal Hospital offers services for dogs, cats and exotic animals. (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)
Although Morales said veterinarians often struggle with their mental health due to hardships experienced with their patients, watching generations of pets grow up with their families is one of the most rewarding parts of the job.