VCA Canada Calgary Animal Referral & Emergency Centre

My baby cat needed an urgent abdominal ultrasound. Two clinics refused us after traveling long distances in the hottest day of the week. The C.A.R.E. staff took us in after 4 pm and by 8:30 pm all tests have been done. The vet and everyone else was very kind, helpful, thorough and patient. She also called me 3 days later to let me know the lab results. I am very grateful and touched by being treated so professionally and humanely.

Went in because our dog was coughing and wheezing. Upon arrival our dog was taken in the back for an examination and we did not see him for another 3 hours. Dr. Knight told us that since he’s a bully breed that he has respiratory issues and that they sedated him to give him oxygen without our consent. When explaining to Dr. Knight that as bulldog owners we are fully aware of the respiratory risks involved with the Breed and we’ve had numerous vets examine him to make sure he’s fine (he’s 7 years old and has never had an issue). She then told us she would like to keep him overnight and that if we took him home that night that there was a chance he might die from lack of oxygen. Our bill was just over $300 and we left that night worried to death, not to mention our dog was still high and couldn’t stand when they brought him to us. When we voiced our concerns to the front end staff they just shrugged and told us it was their policy to sedate without consent from the owners. We took him for a second opinion to another vet the next day and it turns out our boy was suffering from allergies. He got some antihistamines and is back to his old self. I will never recommend this place to anyone.

Vet was great. Our Pug died. Sadly of brain Cancer. Very expressive. Reception staff are cold and don't care. Truly!! Either to busy or just don't care. Senior staff care. Disappointed about reception only!!.

I was referred to come to this clinic, as my kitten was severely anemic and needed an emergency blood transfusion. While I appreciate that they treated her so quickly, I'm growing very impatient with their level disorganization. I was told initially that the prescription for my cat would be available for pickup at the pharmacy, and that the pharmacist would explain the dosage and how to give it to her. I called the pharmacy to make sure it was ready for pickup, and was told that the medication was being delivered to this hospital and it would arrive by 3pm. I called VCA to ensure it would be there, as I don't live by, and was told that it would arrive by 4pm. I also spoke to the vet who treated my kitten, and she told me that it was already there. Once I got there and requested the medication, they said that there was no record of it being delivered yet, and that it would arrive by 6pm. I didn't feel comfortable leaving my kitten unattended at home for that long, so I told them I would be back the next day. When I came back to pick up her medication, I asked them to explain the dosage, side effects, and how to give it to her as I was told this would be explained by the pharmacists. The reception staff just shrugged and said they didn't know, to which I had to request that the vet come and explain it to me. The disorganization continued when they didn't give me back my personal documents (adoption papers, vaccination records, etc.) that they took when I originally brought my cat in. Someone had called me to let me know that they still have them, so I said I would be by after work to pick them up. Once I arrived there, the reception staff said they had no idea what I was talking about because there was no note on my file. They told me to take a seat, and I let them know that I couldn't wait long as my cat had been alone for most of the day. I waited for close to 15 minutes until they called me up again just to tell me that they still have no idea what I was talking about. This was very frustrating, as it was my 5th or 6th time coming back to this clinic due to their disorganization. I proceeded to explain what the file looked like, and they found it on a shelf right behind where they were sitting. I don't want to put blame on any specific receptionist, as they are (mostly) kind, but I think there needs to be more communication and notes kept on your client's accounts. Its very unprofessional to continue to misinform your clients and waste their time because the staff are unable to keep track of things. I sincerely hope that I don't have to bring any of my pets back to this facility. The reception staff need a little bit of coaching on how to be more sensitive towards clients, most of them seemed miserable and unapproachable.

Dr. Valentine has been extremely helpful and accommodating of our cats medical condition. We communicate via email and it is so helpful to be able to discuss her progress without having to always bring my cat in.