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October 2024 by Shefali Nath
We've consistently had a great experience with all of the staff, vet techs and veterinarians at Berkeley Dog and Cat Hospital. They've taken great care of our dog who has a rare and serious bleeding condition, both in the acute emergency as well as outpatient settings. For primary care we currently see Dr. Sirkis, who is great. Even though our dog's condition is very rare, she takes the time to research questions we have to give us an informed response.
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September 2024 by LIZA DZINES
The cost of veterinary care has skyrocketed since 2020, largely due to private equity investment firms buying up clinics across the country. Unfortunately, Berkeley Dog and Cat Hospital I had trusted in the past has fallen victim to this trend. I brought my dog here a few times in 2018/19, and the care was fantastic—attentive staff, reasonable prices.
Fast forward to 2022 when my 13-year-old dog developed an abscess. Instead of addressing the issue, the clinic focused on unnecessary tests, like X-rays for pneumonia, simply because he had allergies. I understand that vets are required to present treatment options to avoid liability, but it felt like they were trying to scare me into approving costly tests while ignoring the real reason we were there. They presented a $2,500 bill and refused to treat my dog until I paid. After 8 hours—and the abscess rupturing—they finally provided antibiotics and painkillers. Thankfully, I got out of there for $350, and my dog fully recovered.
I don’t blame the vets or the sweet staff, but the shift since the clinic was taken over by private equity investment firms is glaring. Compassionate care has been replaced by a profit-driven model.
Recently, I called about end-of-life care for my now 15-year-old dog. They told me they would need to run thousands of dollars' worth of tests before even discussing hospice care. Thankfully, when I expressed my frustration with how private equity-run clinics operate, they referred me to a privately owned vet. I couldn’t be happier with the new vet, and I’ve spread the word about them all around the neighborhood.
It’s crucial to support privately owned vets and avoid private equity-owned providers like the plague. These corporate-run clinics are draining compassion and turning pet care into a money-making scheme. To make matters worse, another one of these practices is moving into the location of the art and craft store that closed in 2022. Once acquired, the clinics and pet hospitals are drained of assets by some of America’s most morbidly rich individuals. The last thing we need is another heartless profit-driven practice in the area.
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September 2024 by Spencer Carlson
TL;DR: this place has predatory billing practices (or at least excessive billing). If you are looking for an empathetic and cost-effective emergency vet, don’t go here. I recommend nearby PETS Referral in Berkeley instead.
Update: another review suggests this place was bought by a Private Equity firm in 2017. No wonder they prioritize aggressive billing over empathetic care.
Full story:
We brought our cat here when she was experiencing swelling in her belly.
They gave us 3 options: pay for $10,000 of testing and hospitalization, euthanize her, or take her home where she would slowly suffocate from building pressure on her lungs.
The nurse was adamant that if we did not agree to their testing and hospitalization plan, or immediately move forward with euthanasia, our cat would suffer and die.
The $10,000 estimate included a full page of line items for different tests and hospital fees. There was also a line item for up to $1,500 of unspecified “additional treatments”.
We were advised that this did NOT include any additional cost for treating the root cause once discovered—this was purely diagnostic. They mentioned the treatment might cost another $10,000.
We began to suspect we were being pressured to authorize excessive billing—with the threat of losing our cat as leverage to manipulate us into a hasty decision.
Fortunately, we resisted the pressure and visited our ordinary vet the next day. She referred us to PETS Referral in Berkeley.
Both our vet, and the emergency vets at PETS Referral, reassured us that our cat was NOT at risk of suffocation. They also made it clear we did not need to start considering euthanasia yet. They also did NOT feel that ongoing hospitalization would be called for.
They did recommend testing and diagnostics, which amounted to just over $3,000 (far from the $10,000 that this place said was necessary). They presented us with options, explaining the trade offs of different tests, and worked with us to determine a testing plan that was affordable but effective.
One day later, we received lab results indicating a probable FIP diagnosis. The medicine is expensive and will run us about $2,000. But this means that our total cost, for diagnosis and treatment, are only HALF of what Berkeley Dog & Cat wanted to bill us for diagnosis alone.
More importantly, after 2 days of premature mourning, we are on a path where it is likely our cat will survive.
She is already doing MUCH better, and we are thankful she can undergo her treatment at home vs. being alone in a stressful hospital.
Thank goodness we didn’t listen to Berkeley Dog & Cat when they were pressuring us to consider euthanasia.
And thank goodness for pet insurance!
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September 2024 by John Corning
I've been attending this establishment for years. Professional, caring staff!!
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September 2024 by Ellie Friedman
I like Berkeley dog & cat for routine pet care. I had a really great experience with Dr. Drachuk. She was very friendly, gentle and patient with my nervous girl. She also is awesome at explaining what’s going on. I felt like she gave great care! Definitely recommend - not sure if you can request a specific vet? But next time we have to see a vet I’ll be requesting her if I can!?
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September 2024 by Kevin McLure
Poor customer service at the front desk, providing incorrect information and no interest in being helpful. The vets are good, though costly.
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September 2024 by Lid
Been here too many times to count. Always satisfied with the service and especially care provided.
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September 2024 by Alyssa Mathiowetz
Sad, stressed, and frustrated :(
We had to put our cat down, which was already a tough day. We were told the price over the phone, though when we arrived, the front desk was unwilling to confirm the price. It was only after our cat was sedated that they brought us the official invoice, which was $200 more than what they told us over the phone. The staff was argumentative and told us we could leave if we didn’t like the price, though how could we once our cat was already sedated and calm in the room? Why would a vet who truly cares for animals suggest that?
The redeeming quality was that the room where the procedure was done was very relaxing (white noise, couches, etc.), and we greatly appreciated that. Though in the end, it was a hard way to end a hard day.
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August 2024 by Secret Society
Very friendly, caring, and empathetic staff
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August 2024 by Sadie Oliver-Grey
Been going here my whole life! Really love the staff and always feel so supported. Overheard the staff talking about some of the mean comments patients have been saying to them and it made me really sad. I've been into berkeley dog and cat in the biggest emergencies and know that tensions can get high when you are so scared. And I know we all have room for improvement, but I have full faith that the staff is doing all they can and I wish people treated the staff with a little more respect.
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August 2024 by Cynthia Scott
Superior service. Addressed immediate concerns with my pet. Would highly recommend.
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August 2024 by David Alvarez
Hostile staff and incorrect medical records.
I took my dog in for treatment and received incorrect medical records (they said they resolved the issue, but the doctor told us after treatment that they were not able to.) When attempting to resolve the paper-trail issue for insurance, I was yelled at and hung up on by their customer service. This has never happened to me anywhere and I have worked in the service industry, so I am very sure it was not a reasonable response on their part.
I strongly advise you look elsewhere for your pets care.
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August 2024 by Alison Dreyfuss
I had to bring my dog here for an emergency visit late night on a Saturday: he had snorted a foxtail into his nose. Everyone -- from front desk to nursing to veterinarian, and even other pet owners -- was so friendly and helpful. I was reassured that this is a normal emergency to have, and that they were experienced with foxtail removal and would be able to help Charlie. I will absolutely be using Berkeley Dog & Cat Hospital for future emergencies.
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July 2024 by Cidney Hue
My senior pup has been having a tough year and my regular emergency vet (OakVet) was backed up with a 6 hour wait during a HGE/AHDS episode. I've been to 3x emergency pet hospitals in the past few months dealing with multiple illnesses and I wanted to post a review to warn pet owners to stay away from this place. Berkeley Dog & Cat is unprofessional, providing subpar care with no follow up on test results until I called myself. Given my dog's complicated medication situation, I tried many times to share my dog's health records with them during the many hours I was there and they couldn't even give me a correct email to receive them. I would never trust this place again with my beloved dog. I learned the lesson the hard way and paid $1300 for it. My first choice for emergency pet situations in the area would be OakVet, followed by PETS Referral. After that, I would rather drive my pet into SF or hours away than go back to this place.
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July 2024 by Luke Poynter
Brought my dog in for a sting or spider bite wound. They charged $800 just for antibiotics and an “I don’t know but we should probably do a $3000 surgery” when I asked what the dr thought was wrong with him. It was the clear the vet was more interested in wracking up a bill than helping my dog. The vet (Robert) introduced himself by saying “I want to make a political joke right now but I’ll probably get in trouble.” As you should! I’m here about my sick dog. They asked if I would like an email or written dr notes, warned it would take a couple of hours to get those. I called back 8 hours later, needing the notes so I could continue to take care of my sick dog, and the very rude employee said I needed to wait up to 24 hours. For yourself and for your dog, go somewhere else. What a scam of a business. Shame on y’all. This place was a total waste of time and money.
After reading other reviews, maybe it’s time for a class action lawsuit?
