You’ve probably driven past the building on Molalla Avenue a hundred times. For years, the signage for Milner Veterinary Oregon City represented a staple of the local pet community. It was the kind of place where you took your Lab for a checkup or your cat for its annual shots. People trusted Dr. Steven Milner. He was known for getting down on the floor with dogs to make them feel comfortable. Honestly, he was the picture of a dedicated local vet.
But things changed fast.
In early 2023, the community was rocked by news that sounded more like a Netflix true-crime script than local Oregon City reality. Dr. Milner, the man who spent decades healing animals, was arrested for murder. It wasn’t just a sudden act of violence, either. It was the culmination of what prosecutors described as a years-long, obsessive campaign of stalking.
What Really Happened with Dr. Steven Milner?
The story began with an affair. It’s a messy detail, but it’s the core of why everything fell apart. Milner had been involved with a longtime employee at his clinic. When she eventually cut ties to work on her marriage with her husband, Kenneth Fandrich, Milner didn’t just walk away. He became obsessed.
Basically, he turned into a different person.
Evidence presented in court showed that Milner used GPS trackers to follow Fandrich. He didn't just stop at one; he kept placing them on the couple's cars even after they found them. Imagine checking your wheel well and finding a magnet-mounted tracker, knowing your former boss is the one who put it there. Fandrich actually managed to get a stalking protective order against Milner in 2022.
It didn't help.
On January 27, 2023, things reached a breaking point. Milner—wearing a disguise that included a yellow hardhat and a mask—ambushed Fandrich in a parking garage at Intel's Ronler Acres campus in Hillsboro. Prosecutors proved that Milner put Fandrich in a chokehold, killed him, and then staged the body in his car to make it look like he'd died of natural causes.
The Trial and the Life Sentence
If you followed the news in early 2025, you know how it ended. A Washington County jury found Milner guilty of second-degree murder and stalking. He tried to claim self-defense, telling the court that Fandrich had attacked him first. The jury wasn't buying it. The sheer amount of premeditation—the fake identities used to buy getaway cars on Craigslist, the spray-painting of security cameras—pointed toward a calculated plan.
On February 18, 2025, the 58-year-old former veterinarian was sentenced to life in prison.
Is Milner Veterinary Oregon City Still Open?
This is the question most locals have now. If you search for the old clinic, you'll notice a significant change. Milner Veterinary Oregon City as a brand essentially died when the arrest happened.
The physical location at 1034 Molalla Ave hasn't disappeared, though. It underwent a complete rebranding. It is now known as First City Veterinary Hospital.
- The ownership changed.
- The name was scrubbed of any association with Steven Milner.
- Most of the staff stayed on to continue serving the pets they’ve known for years.
It’s a weird situation for the employees. Some had worked there for nearly two decades. They were as blindsided as the rest of the town. For them, the rebranding was a way to keep their jobs and continue caring for animals without the shadow of a murder trial hanging over the front door every morning.
What Services Does the Clinic Provide Now?
Despite the dark history of its former owner, the hospital at that location continues to function as a full-service facility. If you go there today under the name First City Veterinary Hospital, you’re looking at:
- Routine Wellness: Vaccinations, flea control, and annual exams.
- Surgery: Spay/neuter procedures and some soft tissue surgeries.
- Dental Care: Cleaning and extractions, which they’ve historically tried to keep affordable.
- Exotic Care: They still see rabbits and some "pocket pets," which is a rarity in Clackamas County.
The Local Impact on Oregon City
The fallout wasn't just about a closed business or a name change. It was a breach of trust. When you hand your pet over to a vet, there’s an unspoken bond. You’re trusting them with a family member. To find out that same person was allegedly bullying BottleDrop workers for "charity" money and then eventually committed a calculated murder... it leaves a mark on a small city.
There were also reports that surfaced during the investigation about questionable practices regarding pet deaths at the clinic toward the end of Milner's tenure. While those didn't lead to the same level of charges as the murder, they certainly didn't help the clinic's reputation.
Finding a New Vet in Oregon City
If the history of Milner Veterinary Oregon City makes you uncomfortable, you've got other solid options in the area.
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Pioneer Animal Hospital is a big one, located on Warner-Milne Rd. They have a massive team and broader hours, including being open until 7:00 PM on some weeknights. Then there's Barclay Hills Animal Clinic, which has a very "neighborhood" feel and great reviews for their communication.
If you're looking for something more mobile, Barn & Home Veterinary Clinic serves the area by coming directly to you. This is great if your dog or cat gets stressed out by the "vet smell" of a brick-and-mortar building.
Next Steps for Pet Owners
If you were a former client of Milner Veterinary, your records are likely still held at 1034 Molalla Ave under the new management of First City Veterinary Hospital. You can request a digital transfer of these records to any new vet you choose. Most clinics in Oregon City use a shared software system that makes this a five-minute task. If you're staying with the current clinic, it’s worth asking for a "meet and greet" with the new lead veterinarian to ensure their philosophy matches what you're looking for in your pet's care.