Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota (AERC)

Fantastic experience: My cat had two urinary tract obstructions in the span of one week and I brought him here both times. They frequently updated me on his status, including sending pictures of him once a day. I wouldn't want to bring my pets into the ER, but if I need to I'll definitely choose to bring them here again!

Fantastic experience: The staff was amazing, kind, and helpful. I am eternally grateful to them for helping me when Gracie went into stasis last Thursday evening. the friendly and kind staff members.

Fantastic experience: Thank you to the entire staff from the client service representative to the triage technicians, to the technicians and assistance in the treatment room and of course the doctor! Quality care for my rabbit, efficient, and effective communication, empathy, and willing to break it down. Hazel recovered amazingly fast after you treated her so thank you.

Fantastic experience: Great service and fast. Was very helpful and got my puppy back to normal. Service and care is amazing.

Fantastic experience: The people here do their jobs with compassion and a caring attitude, quick service and answers.

Fantastic experience: Second time there, and as with the first, we were treated kindly and kept informed of our dog’s situation. They offer expedient care, and are very knowledgeable.

Negative experience: A shockingly disappointing experience in spite of always having positive ones in the past for our dogs. Genuinely surprised by the receptionist’s glacial and dismissive disposition tonight. In spite of calling ahead and arriving with specimens in-hand, we waited more than 4.5 hours. I am a critical care practitioner and do not bring my pet into an ED lightly. He had Hematochezia, lethargy, and dehydration for two full days- with no stool the day before. In our waiting to be seen, our dog had to go multiple times again. At some point an ED tech came in and was clearly irritated that our dog was trying to lick her while she was listening to his heart. I am surprised that the ED tech is doing the listening. Labs, IVs, and VS and such are normal for a tech to do, but doing the actual physical assessment is something I would expect the doctor to do. The dismissive receptionist popped her head into the exam room only to say that the doctor has more critical patients and wouldn’t likely get to us before shift change and that we’d be waiting for the 22:00 doctor… which was another 90 minutes from when she expressed this. I mentioned again that our dog had two more stools since arriving a couple of hours ago and could they run them while we are waiting. She said that she didn’t think the doctor would need them. To which I said, “that would surprise me as he is here for for bloody stool.” Maybe playing the medical card was a bit harsh, but these visits are very expensive, and if my dog is presenting with related symptoms, why wouldn’t the doctor want to run a fresh specimen? I get that we all have bad days. I get that not everyone understands the situation. But if I am bringing my dog to the ED on a night that I have to work at the hospital, it’s because I can promise you that this is not normal and not just transient gastroenteritis. And I’m worried. The receptionist and the first ED tech need to learn how to comport themselves with a little more empathy and professionalism. And when I call ahead to ask which ED has a shorter wait time, perhaps they need to be more transparent with the call center, as there were only two others that I heard/saw when we arrived. The doctor finally showed up in the exam room at 22:30. She stayed by the sink with her stethoscope around her neck. She did not lay hands on our dog once. Not to auscultate, palpate or inspect. She dismissed my concern for Addisons though she said they could “rule it out”. She ran the stool specimen finally. She had the tech draw a CBC/Chem7. And she never ran the ACTH that would have been a marker for Addisons which is an emergent crisis. So she lied when she said she would rule it out. She said to “eat a bland diet and watch and have probiotics”. And I reasserted that he had been having symptoms for almost three days and that we had done all of the above already. I asked about IV fluids and they gave him SQ bolus begrudgingly, likely because I asked over and over for IVF. Regardless, they were happy to take over $800 and send us on our way. Our dog’s stool is still pure blood and we’ve taken him to a different place because of this horrible, negligent experience. Let me say again that the doctor did not assess our dog or lay hands on him. We were openly dismissed (quite rudely) by the receptionist and the ED tech. Shocking, considering our previous positive experiences. Never again. We will go the extra 20 minutes to Oakdale next time.

Fantastic experience: I always feel rest assured that my bunnies will get the best care at your facility.

Fantastic experience: The wait was long, but the staff was very accommodating and did their best to make it convenient for me. Great explanations for care, wait times, medications, etc

Fantastic experience: The staff were incredibly accommodating to me and my sick feisty Jean-Claude. Thoughout a very stressful situation they were calm, confident, and took the time to answer all of my questions. I was lucky enough to be able to stay with him as much as possible throughout treatment, even though I'm sure I was annoying to staff they were very kind and patient to us both.

Fantastic experience: Eggroll was very well taken care of at this facility. All the staff were welcoming and friendly. The doctor was very thorough in examination of my dog. The care and concern from all the staff was reassuring and put me at ease. I also thought the cost was very reasonable for emergency services.

Fantastic experience: I'm very happy with my experience here. Bringing an animal to an emergency hospital is never a pleasant experience, but the staff did their best to make it easy and smooth for us. Everything was thoroughly explained before any next steps were taken, which I really appreciated.

Fantastic experience: Very upfront with the costs of the visit. Very compassionate and understanding employees. I was a crying mess. They treated me and my baby Tasha with respect and empathy. Very clear explanations of everything; costs, plan options, and at home care/meds. I hope I never have to visit them again, but if I do, I know where to go for the best possible experience.

Fantastic experience: We were seen quickly. The entire staff was friendly & knowledgeable. Whole process was easy - lots of explanations and updates along the way. Thank you all for taking such great care of Zozo!

Fantastic experience: The folks at the front desk were very nice and helpful and Dr. Bush was great, took the time to explain everything in an easy to understand way and was kind - I was feeling upset at the time, so I appreciate how calming everyone was. Thanks for taking such good care of my dog!

Fantastic experience: The team working the night we came in were professional, friendly and knowledgeable. James Newton was the vet on duty and he was so down to earth, easy to understand his explanation of what was going on with our cat, was patient and answered our questions and I was very impressed with him. Probably 1 of the best vets I've dealt with. The quick response and action once we got there, from the girls at the desk were appreciated as well we didn't have to wait long to get word of what was going on. The team working that night made the whole difference in our experience there. We have been there numerous times and these guys that night are the best ones we've had! They all deserve a pat on the back and a raise! You are lucky to have them!

Fantastic experience: Took my cat here for what seemed to be a dental emergency—I found this office to be super welcoming and great at explaining their processes. They’re very accommodating and gave the option of either leaving and coming back, or sitting with your pet in a private room if there's a wait due to other cases being triaged first. They gave my cat pain meds right away, and the doctor was very kind and took the time to walk through multiple possibilities and courses of action. Prescription meds were dispensed on site and made the whole process super smooth. Hopefully won't have another reason to come back, but very glad that AERC is here if needed.

Fantastic experience: The staff from the front desk to the vets are always so nice. I think you have to have a little extra space in your heart for animals to work in an environment like this. I've had to come to this clinic a few times with my cats & bird & thankfully it was minor things that were easily addressed but I know I can trust them if I ever have something more serious happen. Thorough communication & ability to make an informed decision

Fantastic experience: Receptionist was so kind and thoughtful. Doctor was amazing. Explanation of everything going on was thorough and easy to follow.

Fantastic experience: Speedy care, knowledgeable and caring staff. The care they took with my pup. I appreciate that they are open and available when my regular vet is closed.

Fantastic experience: I would definitely recommend AERC for emergency medical needs. We were able to be seen right away upon our arrival, so our wait time was very reasonable. After the appointment we received a thorough, basic explanation of the care that was provided as well as aftercare instructions that were very straightforward. Overall, we were very satisfied with our experience and would certainly trust AERC with our pet's care in the future.

Fantastic experience: Everyone was kind and compassionate. Usually extremely nervous dog actually stopped shaking. The rooms have comfortable chairs in them and allowed our dog to relax between trips back to the treatment area.

Fantastic experience: I am extremely happy with the services my dog received. All the employees I encountered were wonderful as well as the vets I spoke to. I received constant updates on my dog's condition and progress

Negative experience: Previously I had posted on our initial visit to AERC and the initial care our dog received. But that was then and this is now. Since that initial visit, we been completely ignored. Follow up calls that were promised and never received. Promised treatment that was never received! Never again!

Fantastic experience: In spite of being there on a holiday, we had NO wait time. The staff was efficient, professional and very caring. Facility was clean and pleasant (with a great coffee machine). We were so very impressed with the care and follow-up provided.

Fantastic experience: We brought our cat in while under extreme distress (in fact, we'd almost thought we'd lost him on the way) and both techs and vets took excellent care of him.

Fantastic experience: The care provided to Nico was exemplary. We were given every option, from taking her home that night to delving into life-extending care with many different approaches. We were allowed time to decide - and to wait with her in a private room that was quiet, with comfortable furniture, and a TV. So comforting! The detail we were provided on our pet's condition, and no pressure approach and time we were given to make our decision was so appreciated.

Fantastic experience: From the moment we arrived, the staff was friendly, caring, and incredibly comforting. They were efficient without ever feeling rushed, and they kept me updated regularly, which provided so much reassurance during a very stressful time.

Fantastic experience: Dr. Wolf and the rest of the staff were incredible! They kept us up to date when it was getting to be a few hours and treated both us and our cat with the utmost respect and kindness.

Fantastic experience: Great experience from start to finish. The vet and front desk provided clear communication and detailed explanation of treatment

Fantastic experience: The staff was great and took really good care of my dog! Everyone was very friendly. And i appreciate them sending the records straight over to our regular vet The care and kindness shown to my dog was the most important thing. He was so anxious, and yet he felt very comfortable with everyone there.

Fantastic experience: Everyone I interacted with was so calm and helpful. They were considerate of my needs, and attentive to my dog's issue. The calm care from your staff kept me calm in this stressful time.

Fantastic experience: Extraordinary service as always! The team at AERC seemed to genuinely care about my pet and his care and what really stood out was that they seemed to care about my experience as well. I felt both informed and comforted which is important; a sick pet can be challenging for the humans too. Thank you all so much. P.S. I appreciated the comfortable chairs in the exam room where I got to wait!

Fantastic experience: We were so impressed by the level of care, respect, professionalism, efficiency, and expertise of every single person we interacted with. The care you took in having hard conversations with us - your patience in helping us understand the decisions we needed to make, your willingness to say what you would do if it was your dog, and your timely responses supported us tremendously during a very hard time. Thank you.

Fantastic experience: The vet and vet techs were super attentive, quick, and empathetic. My greyhound was so well taken care of, and we went home happy. This emergency could have been much worse but the vet team here made it a positive experience with a positive outcome. Empathy, knowledge, and attentiveness

Fantastic experience: The whole experience was the perfect balance of professionalism and friendliness that put me at ease. I knew that my cat was in good, expert, caring hands, and I appreciated that the vet took the time to explain everything in detail and made good recommendations about care. I wouldn't hesitate to bring him in again and look forward to his specialty dermatology appointment.

Fantastic experience: The team at AERC truly cares about the animals they treat. I’ve brought different pets there over the years, and every visit has been met with real empathy and compassion. Emergency care is never inexpensive, but AERC has consistently been transparent about costs and clear about the recommended treatment plan. Their kindness and honesty have helped me deal the stress in the moment.

Fantastic experience: Staff was great. The Dr. sutured all wounds (more than we were aware of) and my pup is doing very well! The care and detailed instructions for aftercare are so appreciated.

Fantastic experience: This place was fantastic. Everything from the initial call to check in to the physician care was beyond what I hoped for. Thank you so much for being so nice to my baby girl ❤️

Positive experience: Convenient. Thorough assessment of my dog’s urinary tract problem. Prescribed antibiotics, pain medication and new food. Unfortunately, they did not have the prescribed food in stock, so I had to drive 9 miles on Christmas Day to get it after dealing with my dog’s pain and blood for 4 hours at the clinic. Other than the inconvenience, they were great and I would definitely trust my dog’s care to them should she need emergency care in the future.

Fantastic experience: Everyone was kind and thorough. We were seen quickly on Christmas Day. Our dog was treated with compassion and came home bandaged and feeling better. Kindness and quick treatment

Fantastic experience: Very happy that this place is open 24/7/365. It saved our butts. My only suggestion is that I would've liked to have more options as far as what else I could do to make my pup more comfortable during the treatment process and more clarity as to what to expect during treatment. Being open 24/7/365 and having the ability to treat and run tests to provide a diagnosis is a game changer.

Negative experience: Exploitative business practices, taking advantage of pet owners in a vulnerable position. Charging thousands of dollars when the same procedure is 90% less at a different facility. This place should be used as a last resort.

Negative experience: It's painful to even offer the one star but zero isn't an option. I brought my dog into AERC last night because he was gushing blood profusely from his neck. Background (which I also explained to the clinic) is that he was attacked by a large dog 4 days prior and had lots of stitches/staples around his neck. It seemed that one of these had popped and that's why there was so much fluid leaking out. Prior to driving to the clinic, I wrapped him with an ace bandage and gauze to apply pressure while driving. When we checked in, I explained all of this. I also made sure that they knew he was on pain medications every 12 hours with all of his injuries. His pain meds were about to be due when we checked in at 11pm. I offered to go home and get the ones he is taking but they said "no, that's okay, we will give him and injectable." I made sure that this would be given regardless of how he seems (he can be shy/subdued in new places, especially when he's not feeling well, he's not the type to cry out) and I was assured it would. At this point I was also told that it would be a 4-6hr wait since he was not in critical condition and they were very backed up with patients that were more critical. Being that my dog was in the critical position just days prior, I had no issues with this whatsoever. They told me they would call with an update, and I went home to wait. After 8 hours I called the clinic to see where we were at, especially since if they were still backed up I could just take him to his primary. When they finally got on the phone, I was greeted with a condescending almost judgmental tone about what kind of shape my dog was in, and how his wounds had been treated. I was being questioned about why they stitched where they did and then told they were concerned for an abscess in his leg and they did an ultrasound on it. I'm thinking to myself 'hold up right there, is his neck still bleeding? What's even happening?' When I asked about the area that was gushing on his neck, I was told that's normal, "it needs to be draining to heal". Draining is fine, it was profusely bleeding when I brought him in. Then they were questioning why he had a wrap on his neck...which was just for the drive to the clinic. It was not intended to be on all night. But honestly, the worst part that broke my mom dog heart was when I asked what pain meds he had received. "He seems really comfortable; we haven't needed to give him anything." That was the only thing that made me comfortable enough to leave him there, knowing that he wouldn't just be silently in pain all night. Instead, he went almost 24hrs without any medications (including antibiotics which should probably be more important if you're concerned for an abscess). No one could be comfortable 4 days out of a trauma with countless sutures, staples and a torn up leg with maybe an abscess!? There's no way. The best part is that he was put into a recovery cone when we left, when he had been wearing a pajama suit due to the nature of his injuries...I understand that was dirty from his neck draining but the recovery cone just opened his neck right back up. As soon as we got home blood was dripping down the inside of the cone from the same spot that I was concerned about in the first place. On top of a traumatizing week for my dog and myself, this was so not needed. I regret going and I wish I would have watched him myself overnight. At least he would have been comfortable. Side note, when I asked if he was stable enough for me to take him to his other vet this morning after finding out he got zero medications, the attitude I got changed immediately. They were very cold and dismissive, stating "that sounds like it would be best". Yeah, because his vet actually pays attention. Long story short, I get that you have much more critical cases, but don't ignore the smaller pup with extensive injuries, reopen his injuries by not paying attention, and then turn around and be rude to the owner about it. I feel guilty for leaving my dog here. Photo of the offending cone right before I threw it in the trash.

Fantastic experience: Wonderful staff all around. I felt like my cat was in good hands from the moment I walked in. Everyone was kind, trustworthy, and seemed to enjoy their jobs. Dr. Anna Malone was smart, communicative, and she really cared for my pet. There were also some toys and books to keep my toddler entertained for our wait.

Fantastic experience: Communication was clear and friendly from the first call until discharge. They suggested a location that had the shortest wait time, had paperwork prepped when we arrived and were able to get us in a room right away which allowed my pet and I to get settled in. I'd recommend AERC for any emergency needs for your pet.

Fantastic experience: The quality of care my dog received and the amount of information provided was top notch. I was treated with compassion and kept informed during a potentially serious situation. I would absolutely trust my animals care to this facility.

Fantastic experience: Staff were incredibly kind and caring -- especially at a very scary situation. The doctors did a great job at talking us through everything and providing Winnie with attention. Over communicative and so thorough! We were in great hands!

Fantastic experience: Unfortunately, we had to put our dog down in the middle of the night. The care, kindness, time, and private space provided meant so much to us. Everyone was thoughtful and compassionate during a very hard moment. Thank you, AERC.

Fantastic experience: We had an excellent experience at AERC Vet Hospital of MN during a very scary and emotional time for our dog, Swiss when she suffered an ischemic stroke. The team was thorough, compassionate, and took the time to get us clear answers and an accurate diagnosis. Every staff member we encountered was incredibly kind, patient, and supportive, which made a difficult situation much easier to navigate. Communication was clear and we felt genuinely cared for every step of the way. We are very grateful for the expertise and empathy shown to both Swiss and our family.

Positive experience: It was nice that we were able to leave our dog and go home that night. It still took 14 hours, which is a bit ridiculous. Being able to go home and wait for was important since it took so long. It would have been nice to have some communication from them so we could have slept instead of waiting up all night for a call.

Fantastic experience: Last night, I brought my dog into the AERC in Saint Paul, after he suffered a broken toe nail. Our normal vet clinic was fully booked, and recommended we visit AERC. I am so glad they did. I can't begin to describe how kind the staff was to us. They were friendly, thorough, and efficient. I couldn't ask for a better experience!

Fantastic experience: I spoke to a representative from AERC last night around 3AM after my dog ingested something and vomited four times. The man I spoke to on the phone was so kind and patient in such an extreme moment of panic for me and provided insight and solutions. Excellent service and knowledge. Stellar kindness.

Fantastic experience: I'm very satisfied with the Center staffs and Doctors. They were calm and explained everything clearly about the procedures of what is going to happen to my pet and the estimated price of everything before processing. Your patience, friendliness, and clear explanation of the procedures and prices of everything.

Fantastic experience: I am glad we took our dog here. She had a piece of plastic that surrounded a tooth and was really stuck in her mouth. She was seen fast. The staff were nice. The veterinarian was nice. They got the piece of plastic out and there was no damage. I would recommend coming here for animal emergencies!

Fantastic experience: We brought our furchild cat in last night. Both shifts we saw (PM & NOC) staff were great.. even though it was unknowingly time for us to say goodbye. Thank you so much for your care in her final hours.

Negative experience: To the woman who refused to give me any information over the phone as my friend’s cat was actively dying in front of me because I “wasn’t the owner”, I hope if you find yourself in a similar situation you are treated with the empathy, respect, and kindness that you didn’t show me. I asked for help on how I could safely get the cat to the car, and you just demanded my friend’s phone number to talk to them. That cat’s last moments were spent with me pleading for some sort of help, which you refused. I hope you’re ashamed of yourself.

Fantastic experience: From the intake call to the intake at the facility and through the appointment. Everybody was great, professional, and kind. The doctor and team were informative and helpful. Everything was pretty straightforward. The team’s wrap around approach to service was fantastic.

Fantastic experience: I brought my bunny rabbit in on a Saturday, when my normal vet was closed, and got the medication he needed. The AERC team was very kind and knowledgeable. With fewer and fewer vets seeing exotic animals these days, I really appreciate AERC's willingness to help different kinds of pets and flexible hours.

Fantastic experience: On Thanksgiving night we brought our dog Ellie here after she sustained severe neck wounds from a coyote attack. The staff were prompt with treating her and were understanding towards us. The doctor was especially kind and did an excellent job explaining all the possible outcomes for Ellie’s condition. Unfortunately, Ellie deteriorated and we made the decision to put her down. The process of putting her down felt very humane and the doctor and staff were incredibly thoughtful and explained every step of the way. Ellie was comforted by medication, oxygen, and blankets until the very end. I’m so thankful for the people at this hospital that turned this traumatic experience into something bearable. I’ll forever remember their kindness and care for our sweet Ellie May.

Fantastic experience: The staff was very thoughtful and calm as we arrived with our very ill dog we received quick care and the staff was very compassionate.

Fantastic experience: Happy with the care my dog received on a Saturday visit. While it wasn't an emergency, I didn't want to wait until Monday to have her seen. When I can't see my regular vet or my dog has had issues needing hospitalization, we rely on AERC.

Fantastic experience: The staff was so kind and calm, it made for a good experience from start to finish. They gave gentle and thorough expectations of our experience from the moment we called and through each interaction at AERC. I was also impressed that they had blankets, snacks, and drinks available. In emergencies so many of us just pick up and go and that care for the humans is truly amazing. We were updated regularly on time expectations and felt our rabbit was in a safe environment.

Fantastic experience: While no one hopes to find themselves at an ER vet clinic, the people here are absolutely fabulous. Our regular vet routed us here after a medical emergency and they took outstanding care of us and our pet. When we had to return in the middle of the night to say goodbye forever, they were so kind and empathetic about the situation and it being late at night on a weekend. Can’t recommend them enough.

Fantastic experience: Everyone was kind, patient, and clearly cared about my animal. Everyone was so generous with their time. I never felt like any question was too small. They all showed so much love to my pet in her time of distress. It is clear that they truly love what they do.

Fantastic experience: Dr. Paige Gardas, Sam, and the other staff were kind to me but, most importantly, took good care of my cat, Snickers Brontë, who I brought in because my sister and I noticed that she was favoring her left paw. Dr. Gardas was very thorough in explaining her diagnosis and patiently answered all of my questions, as did other members of the staff. Overall, it was a very positive experience. Their thorough diagnosis of my cat and their patience was very much appreciated.

Fantastic experience: Huge thanks to this team for taking good care of our sweet dog Presta after a traumatic incident. One of my biggest fears as a pet owner was having to make end of life decisions (and the possibility of having regrets). I know she received the best care and we made the right decision. Your team walked us through it with so much genuine compassion. I really applaud everyone we interacted with as gifted helping people and pets. Here’s a picture of Presta so you can see her on one of her best days rather than just the last one❤️

Fantastic experience: Responsive, respectful, quick service without being hurried. Sharp, professional desk staff. Pragmatic yet caring approach to diagnosis and treatment. I had no doubt at any point that my pet would receive good care.

Fantastic experience: I cannot say enough good things about this place and the people who work in it. I was at this center 3 times in about 3 days with my sick, dying chihuahua. The staff were SO compassionate, SO nice, SO flexible, and SO understanding. They truly made this terrible experience the best I think it could have been for me. From the doctors to the techs to the front desk staff, every person was kind and caring to me and my pup and the whole situation down to the last moments I had with my pup. Worth every penny worth everything to be in this facility for this moment and this excruciating experience.

Fantastic experience: When my bunny needed attention quickly and I couldn't get into my normal vet, I brought him here. Great service in a time of need. Ability to be seen in a timely matter.

Fantastic experience: Great staff, given honest expectations and decision making up front. Everyone from the two staff at the front door, to the doctor, and her assistant were wonderful to Sebby and myself for our entire visit. From the minute we arrived, I felt relief that we were in a good place for my dog.

Fantastic experience: Thank you for all the care you gave to Blanche! The detailed feedback we received from the Vet and the warm welcome from the staff were A+

Fantastic experience: On a terrible day when I was very vulnerable - the day I had to put our family cat down - AERC was there for me & my family, showing compassion, kindness, and empathy along with excellent medical care. I would gladly use them again.

Fantastic experience: I love AERC. I wish they were my regular vets. They provided wonderful, thoughtful care for ferret friend, and spent a great deal of time finding the right course. This time I went to the St. Paul clinic. Thank you all. I appreciate how caring everyone is, and how they do their best even in challenging situations.

Fantastic experience: I am on oxygen therapy and these people bent over backwards to make me comfortable while Fritz the Cat was being seen.< br />< br />Great and Caring Staff.< br />Book with confidence < br />< br />Keith The Care of Fritz the Cat

Fantastic experience: I am very grateful for AERC. It has saved the lives of three feline family members. The top-notch quality cannot be matched in this area. The staff are also fantastic - compassionate, empathic, and supportive of the client's decisions.

Fantastic experience: The staff at both locations were full of concern and kindness. We started off inSt. Paul and were quickly sent to Oakdale. They were ready for us and took Louie back right away. I most appreciate the understanding and kindness we got from everyone.

Fantastic experience: I'm super thankful you were near my house and that you guys jumped into action immediately once you got general info. You guys were really kind and good to Mystery and to us. Thank you for getting her treated and steering us in the right direction for next steps. Staff was really good at giving us information for treatment options as well as keeping us updated when our cat was with them!

Fantastic experience: Staff was was very friendly and knowledgeable. Wait time was not long. My puppy was given comfortable blanket to rest while waiting for results of tests.

Negative experience: $1500 for anti nausea meds, gabapentin, failed tests, and the worst service I've ever seen. Oh, also no response if you wish to speak to them via email/form about issues. My roommate and I brought our two cats in, after one was not eating (strange for him) an was ill all day, then after a day of puke from one, the other puked as well. We both expected we'd be in for a few hours. Go in, get the cats tested for potential mold or other exposure, receive meds, then back home. A process that should have taken a few hours at most. Nope. We couldn't take the cats home until 9 hours later. Both cats were kept separate in a kennel, away from us, and even when told we could see one? Nope. Nevermind. There were claims it was busy, and there were other emergencies, but the place was quiet, and as the hours ticked by, names on other "exam" room doors were erased. Meanwhile the THREE people who made up the front desk staff were just laughing, giggling, and regularly going outside for a break. On top of that, they claimed both cats likely had gastrointestinal problems that would have required surgery. Then when I try to contact them via form, as email and text communication are the more accessible option for myself and my roommate, no answer. Just a $1500 bill pushed on us while we were tired and in pain due to needing our own medications, that we didn't think we'd need for what should have been a simple visit. We didn't even get to see the test results, just trust what they're saying. (Well for the one cat they could get testing from. They somehow got too little blood from the other, then later when they tried again the blood clotted. Shouldn't taking blood from cranky animals be veterinary 101?) Oh, and a couple days later the cats were fine. The exposure was cleared up, and we figured out what it was, tossing it from our home. However we had to buy a cone for one as they shaved his butt for one of the tests and he wouldn't stop licking it. No cone provided by them.

Fantastic experience: Loved the constant updates and pictures sent during Laddu's stay. Staff was calm and kind when I came in to drop off The patience when explaining what was happening and willing to break it down for me

Fantastic experience: I am overwhelmingly pleased with my experience. Every person I interacted with, from the initial phone call, to the front desk and the dogter, was so warm, kind, and willing to listen to me and help put my anxiety at ease in a stressful and emergent situation. I have a very loud, vocal dog and no one gave me the impression that this was a problem, rather she was welcomed with so much acceptance. Both my dog and I were treated with so much love and kindness and most of all, my dog was treated for her condition and is thankfully okay, safe, and healthy. Without being hyperbolic, we truly have not had this type of experience with any of our veterinary care before.

Fantastic experience: We received attentive care throughout the days of treatment. The communication about my dog's diagnosis and prognosis was clear and timely from all caregivers. It's a clean, comfortable facility for both pets and guardians. I was impressed that they were waiting for us at the door when we arrived and swiftly took my dog into the exam area. They keep me updated frequently that day as to what was going on and the timeline.

Fantastic experience: Called in to see which location I should go to and was sent to the shorter wait of the two. Location was great! Staff was friendly. Comfy rooms to wait in. Overall good experience. Up front about how long it would be and the comfy/cozy exam rooms to wait in.

Fantastic experience: I was frightened that our dog broke his leg. But your vet reassured me that he was going to be OK, it was just a soft tissue injury. Knowing our dog was not badly injured, I was so relieved. Note: we have brought many of our family pets here for emergencies over the years and have always been treated kindly and had excellent care. Even on the worst day when they helped our dog cross the rainbow bridge, they took their time and let us grieve. Thank you for this facility. We are extremely fortunate to have AERC in St Paul.

Fantastic experience: Staff was very kind and helped our pup to feel at ease. Hazel had chewed, digested some things that she shouldn't have. We appreciated how quickly she could be xrayed and seen. Many thanks to their staff!!

Fantastic experience: The staff took wonderful care of our dog. Frankly, they saved his life. We ultimately had to take him to the University of Minnesota for additional care and they stated that AERC did all the heavy lifting.

Fantastic experience: Bambi was seen in a timely manner and the staff was kind and caring. The kindness shown both to Bambi and us was truly appreciated. Her condition can be one of concern and the entire staff made sure she received the care she needed.

Fantastic experience: So grateful for AEMC. You fill a need when we don't know where to go. Care is always through and caring. All three of our dogs past and present have needed your services and had their lives extended bc of your care.

Fantastic experience: The people here are exactly what you want in an emergency pet service. They are knowledgeable, thoughtful, patient, and kind. My poor cat was struggling with what appeared to be upper respiratory distress. Turns out he had cancer and we were faced with life and death decisions. The vets and others were amazing. Happy Billy Cat had people who cared for him in his final moments.

Fantastic experience: They were wonderful and so compassionate when I brought my kitten in for fever and lethargy. They immediately got to work on her and I felt immediate relief knowing she'd be well taken care of! She is feeling so much better now!!!

Fantastic experience: I’ve not had a sick cat so I am new to vet care. I was pleasantly surprised by how easy the staff- front desk to MD - made my visit.

Negative experience: I’ve had both positive and negative experiences at AERC. In the past, when my previous dog needed emergency care and sadly passed away, I felt the team was incredibly compassionate and supportive, which I deeply appreciated. More recently, however, I was referred here for an orthopedic consultation with Dr. John Stephan and was very disappointed. He came in unprepared, hadn’t reviewed my vet’s referral notes, and was dismissive of my questions - often interrupting me. Early on he even declared my vet had performed the “wrong surgery” before reading the referral, then backtracked later. When I asked about success rates, his response was simply that this surgery “never fails” which did not inspire confidence given my dog’s history of failed surgery. After leaving the appointment room for 15 minutes to read the referral, he returned only to say he had other patients to see, leaving many of my questions unanswered. He never explained risks, methods, or possible outcomes, only recommended a $5,500 surgery as the sole option. This consultation cost me $250 and left me feeling rushed, dismissed, and unheard. While I respect the emergency team for their past compassion, this orthopedic experience was arrogant, unprofessional, and ultimately pushed me to seek care elsewhere.

Fantastic experience: Staff were very caring, I appreciated that the doctor gave me options for care. The estimate for services. I got a call each day about my pet's progress and they made some changes based on my feedback about food and litter preferences. I texted some follow up questions and got responses quickly. The personal touch from everyone was reassuring.

Fantastic experience: Our cat swallowed about 4 feet of kitchen string (trussing a chicken). Staff was very attentive and responsive to our concerns. Low wait time. Problem was quickly fixed. Couldn't be happier! Resolved the emergency health concern without any undue harm to our beloved Catboi.

Negative experience: Took my cat in because there were blood around his nose and mouth and saw signs of discomfort with breathing and his breathing almost sounded like a pig’s snort which is obviously not normal. They informed me that the exam could take hours and that was understandable but when I asked for updates I got no response. Called the place 5 times and still had no response. Ended up paying 255$ for a half assed exam because of his “behavior” and no treatment what so ever because they didn’t see anything wrong. PLEASE DONT BRING YOUR PETS HERE IF THEY DONT HAVE VISIBLE PROBLEMS!! I know it’s hard to diagnose problems when they aren’t visible but you can literally hear my cat breathing weirdly. My cat is still showing discomfort and is still breathing weirdly. Also told me that if your pet stops breathing and if they were to give CPR it would’ve cost a thousand dollars with no grantee of a success rate. Holy money hungry people, either you have the hands of a god or you have magical powers because who is gonna pay that.

Negative experience: I brought my 1yr old cat for an exam and dropped him off at 5:00pm because he was breathing weirdly/differently. 2 hours passed and I called the vet to ask for updates or if he was reason to be picked up but got no response. I called the vet 3 times and even stayed on hold for more than 30 mins, still no response. I had to go in and ask for updates in person. Finally when I went to go pick up my cat around 11:30pm they informed me that they couldn’t thoroughly complete the exam because of his behavior which is understandable but you have to understand that all cats will be scared of strangers and unfamiliar environments.They couldn’t sedate him? or calm him down with gas? The worst part is my cat is still breathing weirdly and is showing signs of discomfort. Honestly the worst veterinary experience I’ve had. Their communication was horrendous as well as their attitude towards a newcomers like me. I checked for wounds and cuts from my cat beforehand and saw a visible cut on the roof of his mouth but you’re telling me that they couldn’t find anything. Honestly for a price of 300$ with no treatment and a half-assed exam you can find a better vet.

Negative experience: DO NOT BRING YOUR ANIMALS HERE!!! December of 2023 my parents went to put their dog down who was in a lot of pain and suffering. The Male Vet working that night traumatized my parents so bad that they're still dealing with the PTSD from that night. The male vet didn't give the relaxing solution that is required before the stuff to put an animal down. The dog was fighting and struggling and almost fell off my father's lap and after minutes of this their dog finally passed. This place should be shut down and that vet should have his license stripped. Never bring your animals here for anything!!!!!

Fantastic experience: We recently experienced the very sudden loss of a beloved cat and the entire staff was professional, caring, and so skilled. They knew exactly what to say when, and provided solace during a horrific time. I’m so thankful.

Fantastic experience: We were extremely pleased with the assistance we received from the phone call made to get our dog in for emergency services to his discharge. Everyone was absolutely wonderful. The care and compassion everyone demonstrated during our visit assured us that our pet was in good hands. While we hope to never need emergency services in the future, in the event that an emergency occurs my first call will be to the Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota.