Berkeley Dog & Cat Hospital

Experiencia fantástica: We moved and STILL stay at this vet, they’re so easy and helpful. Micah the vet tech was tremendously kind and helpful when I had to come with my two children and my dog. Thanks for helping the chaos, Micah!

Experiencia negativa: We came home to find our small dog had eaten our bathroom trash this evening. We called this hospital to see if they recommended coming in - they did, said we needed to induce vomiting in the next couple hours. We brought our dog in 15 min after talking with them. The two folks at the front desk were absolutely delightful! We were pretty quickly roomed and triaged. Unfortunately I think they may have forgotten about us after saying “I’ll be right back”, because after waiting another hour nobody came by. We asked the front desk for assistance twice and were told that team left and they couldn’t tell us when we’d be seen. At this point we were outside the window where the treatment would be effective. So we left with no services rendered. Would not come here in a time sensitive emergency. I’m mostly upset because they ate up all the time that was available to get the treatment, and now I’m at home hoping my dog is okay. Also, there was nobody else in the waiting room when we arrived so I honestly didn’t anticipate this.

Experiencia fantástica: We are so incredibly grateful to the entire team at this hospital for the care they gave our 4-year-old cat, Porkchop, when he needed emergency services. From the moment we arrived, everyone was kind, compassionate, and genuinely supportive during what was a very stressful time for us. They took the time to answer every question we had whenever concerns came up, and their updates were efficient and reassuring. We especially appreciated how they communicated—straightforward and matter-of-fact about his progress and what it meant, without causing unnecessary worry. It made a difficult situation much easier to navigate. We’re happy to say that Porkchop is now back home and doing well. The home care instructions they provided were clear and concise, which gave us confidence as we transitioned him back home and continued his recovery. My husband and I truly appreciate everything they did for Porkchop. Every single person we interacted with was absolutely lovely and took such good care of him. We felt confident he was in the best hands possible. Thank you all for your professionalism, empathy, and dedication. We couldn’t be more thankful.

Experiencia negativa: I've been going to Berkeley Dog & Cat for almost a decade. In the past, they've provided solid care. With my cat's most recent health issues, however, they have fallen very, very short. They misscheduled surgery twice, booked unnecessary appointments, and promised to cover costs incurred because of their negligence, only to refuse at the last minute (I guess I should have gotten that promise in writing). If you’re looking for clear communication and prompt service, look elsewhere. The quality of care has gone way downhill, and now I have an end-of-life appointment at a different clinic for my beloved kitty. Steer very clear of this place.

Experiencia fantástica: Berkeley Dog and Cat is a wonderful veterinarian hospital. I have been coming here for over 20 years after taking my dog to numerous other vets to find out what was wrong. They figured out her health problem right away and she went on to live a long happy life. Now I take my cat there. The vets are top notch and the front office staff are kind and welcoming.

Experiencia negativa: This place is the biggest rip-off I've ever been to they rip you off by trying to charge you all sorts of money without even knowing what's wrong with the cat we got ripped off by blood blood work fees $400 $17 to throw away the needle from the blood work and they gave us no results they didn't care once they got the money my cat is still sick they obviously knew what was wrong with my cat but pretended they needed to run further tests to get more money and then after that they wanted me to pay an extra fee to pick up my cat in which I didn't even know what was wrong they still haven't even called us to give us the results of the blood test so I don't even know what's wrong with my cat these people are crooks I'm taking them to small claims court they are the biggest criminals in the cat or dog industry because the simple fact that all they were concerned was their charges $200 to bring my cat in $436 to run blood test and they gave us no idea what was wrong with my cat I have to go to Montclair hospital now to see to seek other help because this place this person whoever they are do not care about your animal all they want your money they're going to overcharge you every time they think we're stupid and I know they're taking advantage of all old people

Experiencia negativa: I’ve been to this clinic for 4 years but I asked a rabies certificate with microchip number in it to be certified by usda. The doctor in charge was “not comfortable” to sign because he was not the one to give the shot even if it’s the same clinic. The microchip was put in France, I got all information in it, they were able to scan it. So the only missing things was the signature. Of course they proposed me another appointment with check and rabies vaccination! Doesn’t make any sense expected to get more money… I don’t recommend this place. Go to Gateway hospital in Dublin. They helped me a lot to get the certificate to travel because Berkeley dog and cat hospital are not even usda certify

Experiencia negativa: We did not have a good experience at this veterinary hospital. Dr Olson was rude and condescending. There was a clear gap in communication and what could have been simple conversation about the pet’s history turned into the doctor berating us. If you have a pet that is from a different country, please do not bring them here.

Experiencia fantástica: Our dogs face started swelling up on Sunday evening, we were very worried..called ahead, arrived 5 mins later, got seen immediately and out within 30 mins. Staff were super helpful, and dealt with our huge dog who is scared of strangers very well. Also felt like an absolute bargain to only be charged $187 out of hours for the piece of mind to know what to do (big dose of allergy meds). The receptionist was super helpful and friendly while we were waiting.

Experiencia fantástica: This was my first visit, a wellness checkup, and I had great first experience with Dr. Buxbaum. Can definitely recommend.

Experiencia fantástica: I’m so grateful for Berkeley Dog and Cat hospital and the kind and attentive care they have been providing my elderly cat. Dr. Olson is so kind and patient and really listens to every concern. She’s my favorite vet there (I had an experience with another vet that wasn’t so positive but Dr. Olson more than made up for it). They really went out of their way for me today to get my sweet old gal in for an urgent care appointment and I’m relieved that things weren’t taking a turn for the worst as I had thought. I’m confident that my kitty is in the best of hands. Also, Keisha, who handled my calls and acted as a liaison between me and Dr. Olson, was wonderful, helpful, and very kind as well. Thank you Berkeley Dog & Cat for a positive experience today that has given me peace of mind and my kitty treatment that will bring her more comfort. Much appreciated!

Experiencia fantástica: I cannot speak highly enough about this hospital. I had a late-night scare when my cat ingested something she shouldn't have and I called around to multiple after hours vets, drove to a few, and ultimately BDC confirmed they could see her that night. Everyone proactively communicated and communicated clearly, from the front desk staff to the vet techs and ultimately to the vet. They were kind and compassionate, just all around lovely people that helped me feel at ease during a stressful time. Their customer service is worth their weight in gold. My cat is doing much better now thanks to their care.

Experiencia fantástica: Best place to take your loved pet to ! They are amazing and very compassionate no where else is acceptable for your loved pet . When I went there they were very nice and very sweet definitely recommend to anyone who needs to see the vet.

Experiencia fantástica: These guys are the best. Used them for multiple dogs and cats, emergencies and regular visits. Most recently we had to put our cat down and they were incredible during the whole process. Highly recommend!

Experiencia negativa: I had a deeply upsetting experience at this hospital a while ago, but at the time I was undergoing cancer treatment and my father was dying, so I didn’t have the capacity to post about it. I’m speaking up now because a friend of mine just recently had a similarly horrible and overpriced experience with her dog, and I feel people deserve to be warned. When I brought my cat in for an urgent issue, I gave clear directives about how he should be treated (hydrated and medicated before taking urine), which the staff ignored. I was pressured to make decisions under emotional duress, denied adequate time to consider options, and Dr. Harpaul Sanhu yelled that my cat might "bleed out" if I didn’t immediately agree to further treatment. After I ultimately agreed to move forward, they suddenly refused care — even after taking my cat away and having me sign an updated invoice. This clinic prioritized money and control over patient care. I have since filed a formal complaint with the California Veterinary Medical Board. If you are considering bringing your pet here, please think twice. Their treatment of both animals and guardians is not what you would expect from a place claiming to offer compassionate care.

Experiencia fantástica: I was able to get my injured dog care first thing in the morning (7am on a weekend) with only half an hour of notice to the clinic. They were warm, friendly, accommodating, and very professional. My dog got her injury cleaned and stapled, and we were back home just over an hour later! I highly recommend this clinic!

Experiencia fantástica: I took my puppy in after he got bit by a dog. The staff and the doctor were super friendly and helpful. :)

Experiencia fantástica: Berkeley Dog & Cat Hospital has been my go-to place for over 10 years. They saved my puppy's life, cared for my dying cat with expertise and compassion, and have provided the best service on all of my appointments. The doctors, staff and technicians have all impressed me over the years. I discovered the practice in an emergency and wouldn't go anywhere else afterwards.

Experiencia fantástica: Dr. Minter is a wonderful vet. My dog has some behavioral issues but she’s been so comfortable with Dr. Minter. The staff are friendly and helpful from the front desk to the vet techs. Although there are severable reputable vets closer to me, I make the drive for my dog’s care.

Experiencia fantástica: I always have a good experience at Berkeley Dog & Cat vet hospital. I find minimal wait times and good reception and care once my pet is followed and discussed with me.

Experiencia fantástica: My experience was very short but effective. I’m out of the country and my cat has been going through blocked bladder issues for a few days that’s been mishandled by my vets office due to contract drs (east bay vet). My friend brought him here last night out of fear of re blockage. They said he wasn’t blocked because his bladder wasn’t full and were trying to save me the ~$3000 dollars it would be to admit him put a catheter in (again) and board him. His bladder had just been drained at the vet, so I wasn’t convinced by their reasoning however. After talking on the phone with me and hearing my story with the vet (will post in a couple days on their review page), they did a quick exam (and charged me fairly) to express him and he expressed which is crucial. They prescribed him some pain meds and he got to go home.

Experiencia negativa: My two cats have been clients here for 10 years. Overall service has been pretty good. I called today because I needed help for my cat because they hurt their leg and are limping. I told the person on the phone that I needed to speak to a vet because our cat will not allow us near her to get her into a carrier. The person on the phone said “There is nothing we can do unless you get her here”. I asked if she could help me by recommending something to help relax her so I could get her into a carrier or pain meds, anything to help. She curtly said “no” then asked for the cat’s name. When I told her she said “Oh no, she hasn’t been here since 2022 so there is definitely nothing we can do” Nothing? No advice whatsoever to help my cat in pain? What kind of vet’s office is this? Who else am I supposed to ask other than the vet that she has been going to for 10 years?

Experiencia fantástica: I can't thank this vet enough for the care and compassion they showed during one of the hardest moments of my life. Saying goodbye to our dog was heartbreaking, but they helped us through the process with so much empathy and kindness. It’s rare to find people who truly feel with you, but everyone here showed a level of understanding that went beyond just professionalism—they genuinely cared. They were gentle with her, and with us, explaining everything clearly and giving us the time and space we needed. They were also incredibly considerate when it came to cost, never making us feel uncomfortable or pressured. There aren’t many people like this. If you’re looking for a vet who leads with heart, this is the place.

Experiencia fantástica: Been having issues with my cat, Piglet for the past few days that got scary tonight. Called the hospital, mistaking it for one I took her to a year ago. When I was on the phone I was warned that the wait could be long. I was balling my eyes out already as my baby showed signs of a seizure. By the time I arrived at the office, I was informed that the wait would be at least six hours. But the angels that worked at Berkeley Dog & Cat Hospital had called ahead to other emergency clinics in the area to see which one had the shortest wait times. They found me a great one in San Rafael. When I informed them I was almost out of gas, they pointed me in the direction of the cheapest and safest gas station in the area. This is a clinic that understands what we need in an emergency for our babies. Another woman was in the same waiting room and got the same results and I later saw her at the same ER, both thankful for being redirected and saving our babies lives. This clinic didn’t need to do this but they did. The workers need hugs and more recognition because they could’ve easily just left me in the waiting room. Definitely good people who are doing it for the animals and the people who love them.

Experiencia negativa: This place is a joke. They let me schedule an appointment for my dog which I needed asap. They said no problem. I leave work early to get her to the appointment and they tell me they can’t do the vaccine because she hasn’t been seen by them in over a year. Mind you, I have her vaccination records from her current vet. This means that I’m out another $200 for the appointment she has scheduled and can’t go because she needs the vaccine. I would have scheduled somewhere else if I had been made aware of the policy. What a scam that she has updated wellness check and they bring you in and then try to charge an extra $125 for a wellness down by them. Major ick. They should be ashamed of themselves.

Experiencia negativa: Our experience wasn't good. Our dog had fever, wouldn't eat, was clearly in pain, walking stiffly, couldn't rest, and seemed to have difficulty breathing. They not only diagnosed acute arthritis, but spoke with great confidence. We aren't doctors, but we were incredulous simply because we didn't think sudden acute arthritis was a thing. Our instincts were right. The next day we got her to our vet in SF, and we are now treating her for Pneumonia and she is improving. Why two stars instead of the minimum one? It must be hard to diagnose a dog you have never seen, and they were fast to forward the blood test results to our vet when requested. We came on a holiday and they may have had less competent staff willing to work that day. All that said, I would not come back. The main function of a vet is to diagnose and treat effectively.

Experiencia fantástica: Everyone here is so helpful and welcoming when I can in on a Saturday. They couldn't see my dog right away because they had sicker animals to see first.... Sucks for me but that's life and they did an excellent job helping us feel comfortable and keeping me updated about how long I would need to wait. Everyone took their time with me, even the vet, he did a great assessment, and he answered all my questions. I think I found my new permanent vet!!!!

Experiencia fantástica: I came here about 3 years ago when my childhood dog of 18 years passed away. They attend me right away and asks me what I wanted to do, they handed me flyers with cremation options as I had mentioned we wanted her cremated and wanted her ashes. They were great with providing me options and respecting me and my families wishes. I went once against in 2024 due to my male dog having issues as well and they were very patient with him as he’s very cautious when around people he doesn’t know and tends to bark and in some occasions bites and the staff and primary care taker were patient and understanding and allowed me to be in the exam room at the time that they were giving attention and care to him.

Experiencia negativa: I used to bring my cat there. I just tried to get pricing info for basic testing for senior cat. (Chem 27, TT4, and Urine analysis). They would not give it over the phone. Pathetic. I will never go back.

Experiencia fantástica: Wanted to publicly thank the staff Dr. Koss, Hannah, and Rey who provided such compassionate care for both my geriatric cat and me during a crisis. Highly recommend Berkeley Dog and Cat for pet emergencies and can't thank you all enough!

Experiencia fantástica: Words can hardly capture how grateful we are to have found this vet clinic! Dr. Shimura saved our cat's life by performing an emergency surgery — she is an excellent surgeon and a compassionate doctor. She even checked up on our cat on her days off to ensure he was healing properly. Dr. Kassie gave the initial x-ray and ultrasound and was equally kind and professional. They both laid out all the options for us and helped us arrive at the best care plan for our cat. The whole staff was so supportive and accommodating throughout the multi-day process, and every employee we interacted with was willing to help how they could. The front desk kept us entertained with heartfelt conversation whenever we had to wait. A visit to the vet is rarely fun for people or pets, but Berkeley Dog & Cat made the process as seamless as possible. This is top-of-the-line care and we are so appreciative of this staff for their compassion!

Experiencia fantástica: My cat Mia was passing blood when she tried to urinate. I called around for vet services and most places would not take her in because she hadn’t been seen there before and I wouldn’t be able to get her in for a month or so. Then I called Berkeley Dog & Cat. The concern and sincerity in the receptionists voice was genuine and she told me to bring Mia in. The staff team members were amazing… very supportive and polite. In my past experiences with other veterinarian services, they were more about money and lacked compassion. This was not the case with Berkeley Dog and Cat. I wish I had known of them before this incident. True dedication to the animals. Thank you all.

Experiencia fantástica: A large and always excellent veterinary practice. I have used regular appointments and urgent care for my cats. I have seen different veterinarians, all of whom were smart, kind, thoughtful, and knowledgeable. Each of my cats had some puzzling serious medical problems that they figured out successfully. As a retired physician, I appreciate this. All the front office and vet tech staff are also skilled and efficient.

Experiencia negativa: Went to Berkeley Dog and Cat Hospital for an urgent visit because my dog got a large laceration that required stitches. This vet hospital says it provides 24/7 emergency care. I waited from 3 PM-7 PM and was told they were busy but the new doctor coming in at 7 PM would see me. When the doctor arrived I was told that this new doctor does not feel comfortable with performing procedures including stitches. They then told me I should go down the street to another emergency vet hospital. This is simply ridiculous. First off, what type of emergency vet facility can’t do simple sutures and why would they hire an emergency vet that does not feel comfortable with performing procedures. The staff were lovely and super apologetic however will never be coming back here.

Experiencia fantástica: I came into Berkeley Dog and Cat Hospital on a Friday evening for their emergency services and the staff was outstanding. I called ahead and was able to give some info and warn that the dog I was bringing in was a foster that I didn’t have too much info on and that was super shy. The staff was super kind the entire night and went out of their way to help Roxy and I. They were so good with Roxy who is incredibly fearful. I can’t express enough how grateful we are for the care they gave and genuine effort to help me navigate the night! Dr. Kassie, Techs, and staff were amazing Roxy had a bite would that needed stitches. Far from life threatening but still shook us up.

Experiencia negativa: Early morning on March 5th, my dog had a seizure after falling off the bed, and I rushed to this emergency clinic in a state of panic. When I called, the woman on the phone insisted on asking unnecessary questions rather than confirming if they were accepting new patients. Upon arrival, she was cold and dismissive, insisting I pay the exam fee upfront and provide my Care Credit account number to verify I had enough funds—something I’ve never encountered in over 15 years of using the card. I was then asked to fill out a DNR or CPR form, and when I took a moment to thoughtfully consider such a harrowing decision, she became impatient, sucking her teeth & rolling her eyes. She referred to my dog as “she,” and when I corrected her, she appeared annoyed. When I tried to accompany my dog into the exam room, she rudely said that, for privacy reasons, I was not allowed to go back—though I later saw another pet owner allowed to do so. While Dr. Bosire was kind and professional, I shared my concerns about the woman’s rude behavior. Unfortunately I did not get her name, but told him I would be leaving this review. Her lack of empathy during such a vulnerable time left a lasting negative impression. I cannot, in good conscience, recommend this clinic based on the unprofessionalism I experienced.

Experiencia fantástica: I took my dog to Berkeley Dog And Cat hospital yesterday. At first I was hesitant, as I had read a couple of negative reviews on another site. I had taken other pets to Berkeley Dog And Cat, but it had been a few years. I met with the Paula at the front desk, who was pleasant, competent, and so friendly. I was quoted a 2 to 3 hour wait on the phone but actually, my wait was about an hour. The visit was a recheck. The dog had seen my usual vet the day before, but told me that if he still had bloody diarrhea, I should take him to the ER the next day, so I followed her instructions. I then met the tech. I think their name was April who was also friendly, personable and Knowledgeable. They took Eddie to see the vet, came back shortly after. I had given her the description in detail of Eddie’s situation. When she came back, she offered me the option of buying some probiotic canned dog food. That puzzled me a bit. I asked her if she was suggesting this purchase instead of being examined by the vet for $175. She said yes, that was an option. At that point, I felt extremely grateful for this option, Since I had been to the doctor the day before. My daughter and I have lots of animals and we are used to paying a lot to keep them happy and healthy. I saw this gesture as unusual, because I’m usually asked to do and pay more than I feel is necessary. What I can say is all around this was probably the most positive experience. I’ve had at a pet clinic and I plan on making Berkeley Dog And Cat. My dogs regular veterinarian. Chris

Experiencia fantástica: Best 24/7 hospital in the East Bay. We've been going to this hospital for urgent and emergency care for a few years now. It's one of the few that are open 24/7 with enough parking spots. Staff are overall great compared to places like Modern Animal. Management is caring and will talk to patients, if available (yes, it's true). Vets like Dr. Leon are A+ in communications (will make it more detailed for the more literate, and can dumb it down for those that need it).

Experiencia fantástica: Our dog was in a very bad state. He ate some plastic that was lodged in his intestines. He wasn’t eating, was occasionally yelping, and couldn’t sit still. We took him to Berkeley Dog and Cat Hospital in the middle of the night and they saved his life. He had emergency surgery and the veterinarians kept us up to speed on all they did. The vet techs, reception were all so kind, caring, and understanding of how frightened we were. Dr Shimura had to cut dead parts of his intestines. There were so many people involved in saving our dogs life. We are so thankful to the staff here. It was very expensive unfortunately, but we had some help with insurance. Again, So much appreciation and thankfulness to the staff at Berkeley Dog and Cat.

Experiencia fantástica: Brought my 6month old corgi here due to a limp on her hind leg. Staff were friendly and accommodating, the place was also clean and had good ambience. Kassie, her vet, was exceptional. She made sure I was reassured and talked me through the process the whole time! Shout out to her kind nurse as well. Everybody was great!

Experiencia negativa: Do not, I repeat, DO NOT go to this hospital. I brought in my cat who was clearly unwell (stumbling when walking, not eating or drinking, etc.), but mere minutes after they'd taken her back, a nurse came out and said that per her previous check up (this was the second time they had seen her) she needed to do an ultrasound, which they couldn't even do. Mind you, I don't even think they looked her over or took any vitals or tests. They basically showed me the door, shrugging their shoulders. I went to OakVet Hospital (thank god for them!) soon after and it turns out that if I hadn't brought my cat in, she would have DIED from heart failure!! I'm beside myself with rage and sadness that I nearly lost my cat because of the ineptitude and uncaringness of the nurse who works here. If I could post zero stars, I would.

Experiencia positiva: I really like this place, and—for some strange reason—my dog does to. SMH. Lol. They are a bit pricey here. Service wise, you get what you pay for, but the price of prescription medications, over-the-counter products, and certain services are dramatically inflated. For example, Animax topical ointment is $28.30 for 15mL yet closer to $15 from places like Chewy, Amazon, and Petco (-1 star for that). The front desk staff are personable and knowledgeable… many of the vet techs are friendly and highly skilled… and Dr. Thomas Minturn is EVERYTHING!!! I would certainly recommend this veterinarian facility to a friend. Thank you, Berkeley Dog and Cat Hospital.

Experiencia negativa: Uncaring facility, poor attitude of front desk staff, extraordinarily overpriced. Took my beloved little dog there for a painful distended belly. I worried she had eaten something that was blocking her intestines. After 6 hours in the front office, the vet ordered an X-ray, $2,800 later, nothing was found. They sent us home with some pain killers. As soon as we left, my little girl pooped in their parking lot and felt better when she got home. I will never go back to this place, and bring her to Vet Emergency Care in Larkspur, or Urgent Pet in El Cerrito who would have cost a few hundred dollars! Follow up : I tried calling the 510 number the "owner" keeps suggesting and it's a large corporation, long hold times and scripted telephone service providers. Now that I know that there are other local pet hospitals that charge a fraction of (a friend brought her dog to Veterinary Emergency Group for surgery to remove a foxtail. With anesthesia, the bill was $280). Plus she couldn't say enough about the warmth of the vets and front desk people.

Experiencia fantástica: We returned back to Berkeley Dog and Cat with our second dog, Dani, a Shepard mix. I can't say enough about Berkeley Dog and Cat. The front desk is organized, helpful and very caring. The vet techs are very attentive - one vet tech did a quick check on my dog's gums (I thought she wss pale) when I was concerned. Instead of making me wait for an appointment and charging me emergency services, they did a quick check and confirmed I did not need to be worried. Our vet during our wellness appointment the next day was sweet, attentive, thorough and all around wonderful. I've spoken to many others who love this place as we do!

Experiencia negativa: Avoid, predatory billing!! Been a patient here for many years with multiple cats, they do provide quick emergency care however their rates, while alway high, have gone through the roof recently. Their staff is nice and do seem to care but they are stretched thin and takes a very long time to get a very high cost estimate. Billing seems predatory and not in line with other vets in area. Do not recommend

Experiencia fantástica: 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.

Experiencia negativa: 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.

Experiencia negativa: 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!

Experiencia fantástica: 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!

Experiencia fantástica: 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.

Experiencia negativa: 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.

Experiencia fantástica: 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.

Experiencia negativa: 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.

Experiencia negativa: 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?

Experiencia negativa: TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE!! I took my pet in at 8:00 a.m. for a scheduled surgical procedure. I was told that they would contact me by 2:00 p.m. about when to pick him up. I didn't hear from them and learned at they hadn't even started the surgical procedure on him. The Technician Director was both rude and unprofessional when I inquired about how this could've occurred. I have requested that the a senior member of the management team contact me to discuss asap. POOR SERVICE FROM THE SURGICAL TEAM. THE FRONT DESK REPRESENTATIVES ARE OUTSTANDING BUT THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.

Experiencia negativa: On Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at approximately 6:30pm, my partner and I took our beloved dog, Nia (a 3-year-old Rottie) to Berkeley Dog and Cat hospital because she was limping and in obvious pain. When we arrived, we spoke with a woman named Nayely at reception. She checked us in and let us know that there was 1 patient ahead of us. My partner asked about how long the wait might be. Nayely then went to the back to check. When she came back to the front desk, she informed us again that there was only 1 patient ahead of us and that it shouldn’t be long. Her exact words were that it wouldn’t take long. Shortly after that, a technician came and weighed Nia and took her vitals. He led us to a room in the back and took her temperature. He then informed us that there was 1 patient ahead of us and that there was going to be a doctor switch at 7:30pm. We patiently waited in the cold room with a dog that was uncomfortable and in pain for approximately 2 hours at which point I asked my partner to go check with the front desk for an update. When he checked with the front, Nayely was apparently surprised that we had not been seen yet. It took another 15-20 minutes for a doctor to walk in the room. The doctor that came in was Moses Bosire. I asked him out of curiosity, how come it had taken so long. He then angrily told me that he was seeing other patients. So, I told him, I thought there was only 1 patient ahead of us. That was the point at which he started saying that I had an attitude. This surprised my partner and me. I am entitled to ask a question. I was not rude in asking the question and my tone was calm. I was simply curious as to why it took so longer than expected. He then proceeded to inform us that he was not going to see Nia because I had an attitude. I offered to step out of the room because clearly, he had a problem with me not with her or my partner. He simply refused to see her even after I offered to step out. We then walked back to the front with Nia, still in pain and discomfort. At this point, I had become upset. When I went back to the front. There was another woman who came to the front. She told us that Moses Bosire was not going to see Nia and when I asked why they would send us home with a dog that was in pain and discomfort she said that they would give us a referral to another clinic. To refuse care to an animal in pain and discomfort because you did not appreciate a question is insane. It leads me to conclude that Moses Bosire and Berkeley Dog and Cat Hospital do not care about the animals that walk through their doors. If he can get upset about a simple question that could have been answered in several different ways like “we got a critical condition, so we had to push your wait time” or “the patient I had took longer than expected” or “we forgot about you” is not okay. Evidently, his communication skills are lacking. This makes me think that if we had medical questions about Nia, we would not have gotten clear answers or any answers at all. This visit to Berkeley Dog and Cat was our last. We have found Nia another vet and we know where to take her for emergency care now.

Experiencia negativa: These folks, as individuals, may care about pets, but their bottom line does not encourage that. I trusted them to treat my cat for sudden onset vomiting and appetite loss. After thousands of dollars of tests and invasive procedures, their prescribed medications were not fulfilled by their pharmacist for an extended period because “he was not a regular patient” and when I requested a referral to a different pharmacy it took them weeks to do so. I was ready to pay whatever it cost for his medication, but they wouldn’t even provide it and were negligent in referring it. He passed away in 2021, yet I still can’t forgive this place for their negligence in prioritizing flea treatments for the regular patients over chemotherapy.

Experiencia negativa: My German Shepherd dog was whining for 2-3 hours straight,he never whimpers. He hadn't been injured, so he had to be in pain. He's 12 yrs old & now has bad hips, which must've been hurting him. They were. Due to the time at which we took him in, it was considered an ER visit. For that reason we never were able to speak to the vet, unless we pay $2,000. for x-rays & blood work. They gave him a shot for the pain & pills to bring home with him...which alone was close to $500. They refused to give an estimate of cost if we were to have blood & x-rays during normal hours. So the above is the reason for the low rating. He might be eligible for hip surgery but they refuse to give us an estimate, I have never heard of such a thing... Has anyone heard of this before? Thanks, DB

Experiencia fantástica: God bless this place, honestly they saved my puppy's life 2 nights ago when she somehow got into something she shouldn't have - my best guess is gum with xylitol in in from sniffing around my workplace after hours. I work in a jazz club in the evenings so it was 1 am when she suddenly started showing severe symptoms, everywhere else I called had a 4-6 hour wait time which I did not want to risk. So when other places referred me to Berkeley Cat and Dog Hospital and she was seen almost immediately I was beyond relieved. Now it cost a tremendous amount of money to save her, but it was worth every penny. I had just gotten this dog to help heal from a relationship that had turned abusive so I could not lose my new baby even if it was more money than I could possibly afford (thankfully family was able to help me out) - the lesson, get pet insurance, immediately. But regardless of the cost (which says more about American medical care than this vet hospital), I'm so thankful to this place for saving my dog life (a 3 month old beautiful giant schnauzer).

Experiencia fantástica: I love this place. Unfortunately my first encounter was while bringing my lab in while he was ill and needing to euthanize him on the spot. As terrible as this night was for me, the employees were so kind, going above and beyond to make the process go as smooth and humane as possible. I appreciated their honesty and heartfelt care throughout the experience. Each subsequent visit with my other dog has been great. From the front staff, to the vet tech’s, to the vet; all were wonderful, and I never felt rushed. It was only by chance that I stumbled across Berkeley Dog and Cat, but I’ve since made them my primary vet office. Great service and kind hearts!

Experiencia fantástica: This business is like family , yes I know they are expensive but they are the best! They have always treated my animals and myself so kindly I Can’t imagine going anywhere else. We saw Dr. Brown yesterday And he treated my little pug with such love and kindness. She just completely relaxed for him. I hope they are able to continue their 24 hours seven days a week emergency vet. It gives me peace to know that they are always there if needed.❤️

Experiencia fantástica: Always friendly at the reception desk and no problem with my pet when clipping her nails, and that's a miracle.

Experiencia fantástica: I have been going to Berkeley Dog & Cat Hospital for over 5 years taking my rescued senior dog and the level of care and service the team here has given us has been exceptional. Sadly I had to put her to peace this week which was a really hard decision but I felt supported by the team and they handled everything with such grace and kindness. To top that I got a hand written personalized sympathy card from them which warmed my heart. They are a great group, highly recommend.

Experiencia negativa: Bringing our beloved 3yo dachshund to Berkeley Dog & Cat after he was sideswiped by a car is the biggest regret of our lives. He had no external signs of injury and was initially stable but was denied the chance of life due to the inadequate care he received. He had significant internal bleeding that was evident from his blood tests but the “full-service” hospital could not perform a CT scan as we were told they had no one to operate it, they had no surgical capability (not even for a simple chest tube), and were staffed primarily by relief vets with no continuity of care and differing opinions. They do not keep blood yet did not recommend transferring him to a facility that did and instead he was left to bleed out until he eventually had a cardiac arrest. Despite the merely palliative care he was given, we were charged $13,214 over two days and my wife (in floods of tears at 1am) was asked to pay additional charges just minutes after holding his dead body and later that morning when she picked him up to take him for an autopsy. There were no signs of any medical leadership and the medical director they had listed on their website was taken off after we filed a complaint. We later learned that this once storied practice was quietly sold to private equity (PetVet Care Centers, who are owned by KKR) in 2017 and if you read the reviews on Indeed/Glassdoor/Reddit you will see how employees feel about the management and workplace environment they foster both at this location and nationally. We don't see how emergency care can be safe under these circumstances. Despite bringing up our concerns we have been completely stonewalled. Please do the research we wish we had done and know your other options locally, especially for emergencies.

Experiencia fantástica: Berkeley Dog and Cat is the place to go for emergency or critical care for your cat. I have been a client for over 15 yrs and they have helped me with critical care for several cats. Their vets do not "up sale" you but honestly explain your options with the cost. They do not pressure you for a decision; I found Dr. Minturn particularly helpful. He recommended caution and patience with some medication before making a final life decision. My cat Leon recovered and is alive and healthy today because of his recommendations! I highly recommend them.

Experiencia negativa: They charge 3x other vets. Most of the communication was not about the health of your pet, but how much they would like you to pay. They will also try to prescribe unnecessary tests whenever possible, like a giardia test for an accident ingesting foreign object? What the heck. Two simple x rays cost $3000 which is ridiculous. Similar x rays cost a few hundred at a different vet. Only upside is they are open late.

Experiencia fantástica: Our dog had scratched her head bloody trying to deal with a hotspot. She was resistant to our attempts to treat it at home, and the wound was getting badly infected. We were lucky enough to get an early (Sunday) morning walk in appointment at Berkeley Dog and Cat, and we're really impressed with how they treated our large (92 lb), powerful, skittish, difficult to sedate and frightened dog. Everything and everybody there was great: the urgent care vet, the front desk staff, the vet techs. It's now 5 days later, and our dog is doing well again, thanks to Berkeley Dog and Cat

Experiencia negativa: I have taken my dogs to several vets in the Bay Area (have had her for 4 years and many issues over the years). Berkeley Dog & Cat consistently disappoints us with their rude and condescending staff and unconscionable prices. We have seen several different vets here and noticed the same behavior. Also, if you research prices for some standard procedure for your pet here in California, you will find the invoice to always be roughly 50% above the *higher end* of the range compared to other places in California (including LA and when I have gone to San Francisco). We brought our dog in for a UTI and the urinalysis cost ~$400. The vet then mentioned an episioplasty for recurring UTIs in our dog may be suitable if the infections come back. My friend's vet in El Cerrito, whose dog had recurrent UTI issues, was recommended some cranberry supplements, that were very effective in not bringing back infection. One has to wonder why a $2000 surgery was mentioned and not these supplements by this vet. We were also quoted roughly $2000 for a tooth extraction and blood work for a broken canine - I will certainly be "shopping around". In the past, I would get some medication filled through Chewy but something in the system making it much more challenging to do so - not sure if it on their end of Chewy's but they charge 10x the price for medication compared to Chewy's pharmacy. Fortunately, we are in a position to pay and the price itself is not that bothersome, but we do not trust that the service providers are acting in our best interest. Vet clinics should post prices for standard procedures on their website to allow for a transparent pricing system. Berkeley Dog & Cat - please do so in the spirit of all things Berkeley.

Experiencia fantástica: Im a returning client from many years ago. I am just as impressed now as I was back then. The vet Dr gave me so much useful information on my lab's upcoming surgery, she took her time with me. The vet tech was the best in working out a budget that would work for my visit. Lovely people all the way around! I was greeted warmly by the receptionist. Thank you everyone!

Experiencia negativa: Edit—I called the vet office one final time after they left the response to this post, but I got the same response as always. After some investigation I realized that they have been bought by the same corporation as the PetVet food store and making the food prescription incredibly difficult to get was their way of steering my sales toward their franchise rather than Chewy (online.) This purchase of the vet office by PetVet also correlates with when we saw a notable change in quality of care. Please be cautious and aware when proceeding with this vet, they are not the same vet they used to be. Original post— After taking my cats here for many years and recommending this office to many people, it is unfortunate that I am having to get my cats established elsewhere. My complaints are first about quality of care. I don't think they've ever seen the same vet twice, so at no fault to the vets, the lack of continuity has affected how well they have been able to diagnose and treat. There was also a particularly bad experience when a traveling vet misdiagnosed my cat who had an emergency blockage. My second concern is for reliability and trust. After weeks of calling and not hearing back and an appointment just to get a prescription renewed for special cat food, they only will give a physical copy of the prescription. For food I buy through an online site (Chewy) that they don't sell in their pharmacy. They used to just contact Chewy directly, but this new policy of not working with other pharmacies came with so much hassle and lack of transparency that I question if this office could be relied on to be there for us in a reasonable way when we really need them. I think they're putting their desire to sell more from their pharmacy above the care of the animals and fairness of the service.

Experiencia negativa: We have been taking our dog for regular checkups at the hospital, staff are friendly. Even though I prefer to talk to a veterinarian vs. a technician, I didn't let this issue be a problem. Last time that I took my dog, I was told that the test results were abnormal and the doctor would contact me. We were very concerned about the results and expected to get a call back in matter of couple of hours. That never happened, I called them 3 times in the next few days to finally got a respond. I lost couple of nights of sleep worrying about my pet. They are quick to accept the payment and slow to get back to you. What is the point of telling your customers the results are abnormal and keep them anxious for 3 days, when you don't have enough staff to support your foot traffic? Switched out.

Experiencia fantástica: Last week, I had to very suddenly put down my dog of 15 years. It came out of nowhere, and understandably he has been a huge part of my life, for pretty much the entirety of it. Earlier this year, I also had to put down my other dog, taking him to Emeryville vet, which was their normal vet. This was a terrible experience, they were insensitive, and gave me a hassle with obtaining the remains. Obviously, this made my grieving process so much worse. I felt taken advantage of and that my pet meant nothing to the people caring for him. So I was nervous about how this was gonna go, and I was dreading another terrible experience. Of course, this was an awful experience, but this clinic made it as easy as possible. They were so sensitive to my pain, even when I wasn’t very responsive to it due to shock. They took care of the remains, and even sent it to my home. When I received him back it was accompanied by nose and paw prints, as well as a ceramic paw print with his name. This was so kind and went completely above my expectations. I cant thank you guys enough. And I can’t recommend this place for your pets enough either. Thank you so much for your help and consideration. This has made things so much easier for me, and I needed it because this was one of the hardest experiences of my life. Thank you guys so so much.

Experiencia fantástica: Short wait times, great service, nice people. After euthanizing two dogs there, it's my "favorite" go-to place for pet emergencies.

Experiencia fantástica: I was so lucky! I had a cat in need of being seen pronto. It was luck in that I called in just in time to catch a cancellation. But it wasn't just luck that got me in to see Dr. Minturn. What a nice, reasonable, compassionate doctor! And all the staff that I encountered were super sweet. I am so thankful (and lucky) that I live close to Berkeley Dog & Cat Hospital!

Experiencia negativa: I was a non-urgent care customer for about a year & saw two different vets during that time. Because there are so many full time & relief schedule vets, it didn't seem possible to get any continuity of care. As a result, the 2nd vet we saw failed to follow up on diagnostic work that the first vet had started for our senior cat. It felt like there were too many cooks in the kitchen and also no communication between vets, techs, receptionist and pharmacy, so the convenience of having all those in one spot was never realized. Neither vet really took the time to listen to us or the cats' full history either. The additional star is for the vet techs, who were always lovely and gentle with the people and animals. At our last visit, the vet we had never seen before diagnosed our cat with periodontal disease, even though he had been seen just a few months ago by the other vet who didn't mention anything about that. The vet immediately recommended anesthesia and $1600+ procedure and didn't spend any time explaining the risks, benefits, but made it sound very urgent and life threatening. We just saw another vet for a 2nd opinion, who said while the cat has some plaque, his gums are *healthy* and putting him under would have been riskier than the benefit of cleaning his teeth. It was always very hard to get anyone on the phone about prescriptions or follow up care. However, the final deal breaker for us was when the pharmacy staff failed to record our payment for medication that we absolutely did pay for. That was the only time they called right away & left multiple rude messages basically accusing us of stealing & saying all services rendered will have to be paid for up front. When we called back with the transaction number and proof of payment, they claimed to have recorded the payment for our other cat, who isn't on any medications and hadn't been seen there recently. I would not trust this place to accurately diagnose or distribute medicine based on these errors in care that I saw while a patient. They charge way too much for the substandard care they deliver and there are much better options in the East Bay.

Experiencia fantástica: Awesome experience. Fast , friendly & most importantly genuinely concerned for my furry friend. Great attitude from all the staff . I will definitely recommend taking your pet to Berkeley, dog and cat Hospital. Thanks a bunch

Experiencia fantástica: We went there with a very sick, very ill dog, and had to make the ultimate decision that was extremely difficult. The doctor was very warm and truthful, which helped us make the heart-wrenching decision. The staff was excellent, especially the receptionist. We will not see our baby again, but I'm glad we found Berkeley Dog and Cat Hospital. Thank you for getting us through a very difficult decision.

Experiencia negativa: Took my dog here because she had a number of issues… One, she wouldn’t let the vets at east bay SPCA examine her anymore ever since I took her there to have her spayed a few years ago so we’ve been looking for a vet who could successfully examine her without needing heavy sedation drugs every visit. Two, she had itchy paws and inflammation causing her to lick it constantly. Three, Advantix flea and tick medication I applied on her made her very sick and lethargic causing her to vomit, have bloody stool, urinate inside the house, loss of appetite and she was visibly trembling. Her gums were also visibly pale. During our visit at Berkeley Dog & Cat, we were seen by Dr. Thomas Minturn and spent at least 5 minutes discussing her issues and what I’ve tried with other vets. She previously got a cytopoint injection at the small clinic at pet food express a couple weeks ago, however Dr. Minturn kept trying to sell me on another shot which I had to refuse multiple times because it won’t treat the root cause of her itchy paws and inflammation, it would only inhibit her urge to lick. The vet was quite persistent in his effort which I really did not like… My dog would not let the vet examine her in front of me however she allowed them to take her into another room away from me in hopes that she would allow them to examine her then. Vet said she allowed them to examine her successfully and that she was fine and she would get better over time. He then suggested we apply a topical steroid to help with the inflammation on her paws which I agreed to purchase. 10 days later after that vet visit my sweetest and most loyal 11 year old pooch passed away in my arms one early morning after a night of vomiting and urinating inside the house again. My dog was clearly dying from the Advantix flea and tick medication I applied on her and the vet didn’t even acknowledge the fact that I had mentioned it so he didn’t even bother addressing it. I ended up calling them back a few days later to ask for some antibiotics but it was already too late as my dogs body was starting to shut down from organ failure. I feel like I failed to react a lot sooner and have been in complete regret, heart broken and devastated. It’s been a few months now without my sweet and loyal pooch but the void in my heart still remains the same every day… We used to come here a few years ago whenever we couldn’t book an appointment with east bay SPCA and we always had good experiences before but this place has changed a lot over the past few years, especially after Covid. Extremely pricey and just feels like they want to sell you on whatever they can now. After refusing another cytopoint injection, the vet even suggested we give her a monthly injection to help with the paw licking…umm no thanks!! I eventually learned that my dogs paw issues were diet related and the kibble that I had been feeding her was the main culprit which was causing the allergic reaction on her paws. If you truly care about your dog / cat don’t feed them kibble. That’s like feeding yourself potato chips every single day for the rest of your life. No wonder why dogs and cats get cancer and die a lot sooner than they should!!! Do yourself and your pets a favor and take them elsewhere. They’re only concerned about making money here!

Experiencia fantástica: I went here last spring when my rescue dog appeared poisoned. They took her in immediately as they are both a regular vet and an emergency vet. They induced vomiting which I felt was the right way to go. They kept her for hours to watch her and make sure she was okay. When I got her back she was doing better and the rest was non eventful. They were extremely compassionate and kind and understanding to me. These guys have been around forever. It has a real atmosphere of love there. I read the history of the place and felt it was right for me as I just moved. Also I didn’t get ripped off. The fee was completely reasonable and I was grateful as vets can charge an arm and a leg and they know most of us will pay for our beloved pets. I am happy to call then my new vet as I just moved.

Experiencia negativa: I've taken my doberman here twice, and both visits were awful. I don't write reviews often, but I am going out of my way for this.This clinic's rating is 4.5, but it's actually a 3.0. I came twice because I though, well they're so well reviewed, maybe I need to give them a second chance. They lost my business today. The bottom line is that this clinic is unprofessional. The vets who work here are apathetic, inexperienced, and the office staff is rude. I suspect there's some bad office culture here? Not sure what's happening. The first vet was an older lady, who never owned dogs. I should have immediately requested a different vet, but we already waited for a while to see her. We brought our pup there for a string of issues we were experiencing after getting our pup from the shelter. It was her first vet visit! It felt strange getting advice from someone who never owned a dog before, and had a general air of indifference towards both us as clients, and our dog. She stated she was a cat person (!!). We were advised to give her more baths and feed her omega 3 oils, which they tried selling to me for $14 more than market cost. A few months later, the omega3s gave my dog sebaceous cysts. We discontinued use. It turns out, for dobermans (if this woman knew anything about dogs!) dosage is key — for oils it must be low, because short haired dogs are prone to developing pimples from oil excretions. That visit cost us $250 out of pocket (because our insurance has a $500 deductible). The second visit was for a wound on the end of her tail. For this visit, I learned that after they charge you for the consultation, you have to sit in their waiting room until it's your turn. Even if there's a 2.5 hour wait, you must stay in their waiting room. I decided to come again early in the morning at 7am to avoid the wait. I think it's unprofessional that this clinic takes your money before providing any service, and then doesn't have the courtesy to give you a call if you have a long wait. During this visit, which lasted 10 minutes — I was serviced by a junior assistant vet to the main vet. This was at 7am when it wasn't super busy (why didn't we receive the main vet??). She looked at the wound and basically said it wasn't anything to worry about. I had touched her tail and could feel her bone. Still, she looked again, and insisted it was minor. Nothing about how it happened, what to avoid to minimize future wounding, other avenues for treatment. Simply, to keep it clean and give her an antibiotic. She also tried to sell me some pain killer meds and an injection, which seemed unnecessary and costly, so I declined. The women at the front desk for this visit were just *so mean and rude*. They didn't bat an eye at me, charged me and didn't smile or say thank you. Zero kindness or warmth. I want to add that, I am a nice person and value kindness. What got me to say "never again" was how rude and apathetic everyone was. Rude, condescending, and apathetic. Do not take your beloved pet here. One star, not worth it.

Experiencia negativa: Do not come here. They are only interested in making money. Go to pets referral instead. I brought my cat here and they did nothing for her and tried to charge me $2000 for a variety of painkillers etc. That she didn’t need. They didn’t even diagnose her properly. I took her to pets referral the next day and they diagnosed her with a permanent paralysis and I had to put her to sleep. These people do not care about animals; just money. The vet was horrible and had the worst bedside manner. I regret ever taking her here

Experiencia positiva: Long story short: Dr O’Neill is GREAT. Our kitten was having seizures and he advised us on how to take care of her both short- and long-term. He is clearly so knowledgeable and cares so much. The girl working the front desk (Serafina, I believe) was so sweet and kind. We took off 1 star for how rude the tech with the scooby tattoo was. She seemed to immediately have an issue with us before we even spoke to her. She berated us for not wanting to keep our kitten there overnight, and tried to make us feel horrible for not being able to afford $2000+ of care. It was so strange because she seemed nice to everyone else there, and she made our experience so much more distressing than it needed to be. I also work in emergency care, and never once have I spoken to customer the way she spoke to us.

Experiencia negativa: I’ve been here 3 times and they lie to you here. The care is fine but the costs are inflated 10x and they push extra procedures, tests, and services to extract money from you. It’s horrible to deal with when you’re dealing with a health crisis of a pet and don’t know what to do. An x-ray is $700. An IV is $100+. They prescribe 3 different medications that all do the same thing. When you ask what a test actually does, they talk in circles and emphasize how critical it is for your pet instead of actually informing you. They’re just out to make money. On top of it all, they tell you that they credit the emergency exam fee to the treatment plan. Under any normal understanding of English, that means that $180 fee is taken out of the final treatment cost. But this hospital tricks you and just charges $180 separately while wording it like you’ll get that money back.

Experiencia fantástica: Everyone we interacted with was great. They took care of Penny and really tried hard to keep us updated. These folks are BUSY and the wait times can sometimes be long, but from what I understand there’s a massive vet shortage in the Bay area, so it’s slim pickings. The last time our pup had to see an emergency vet, we went somewhere else and we waited 6+ hrs. Going to the emergency vet is never fun nor wanted, the folks here were kind and understanding.

Experiencia negativa: We left. After waiting more than an hour we decided to make an urgent appointment with our vet. The Vet made good recommendations but then, having to wait so long for follow-up procedures (blood draw) and being told they had to then triage other animals without an estimate of when we would be seen. My only comment is that they seemed under staffed if they couldn't handle the number of pets and provide the care. .

Experiencia negativa: Absolutely the worst experience I've ever had with a vet. They completely misdiagnosed my dog. The dr didn't listen to anything I was saying. He gave me false reports verbally on blood and pee lab work, based on him thinking I wouldn't take it to other vets to get translated for me. Charged me 1000 and would have let my dog die instead of doing his job. I found a vet that actually diagnosed my dog in 5 min correctly. Actually did the proper blood work to confirm. He had me out with a $ 200 bill and meds that are fixing him up. He said my dog could have died and he may have permanent damage because it was so advanced. THANKS TO BERKELEY DOG AND CAT HOSPITALS LACK OF CARE AND RESPONSIBILITY TO DO THERE JOB, MY DOGS LEGS MAY NEVER BE THE SAME.

Experiencia fantástica: Very thankful for the team at Berkeley Dog & Cat Hospital! I had to visit for an emergency - my cat was having mobility and gastrointestinal issues. They helped diagnose and gave him meds, and he's doing great now. The intake process was easy and painless, and the visit was efficient and informative. Everyone was very kind and empathetic throughout. I highly recommend this place!

Experiencia negativa: I recently took my cat here (twice) for emergency vet care. He was lethargic, had stopped eating, and was vomiting and coughing. I had no idea what was wrong with him and could not get into any other emergency vet (or my own vet soon enough) without waiting at least 12 hours! Long story short, I explained everything I could explain to them on the first visit, they gave him fluids and some meds and sent me on my way. The next day he was no better so back to the emergency vet again. This time they gave him more fluids, more meds took a blood sample for tests and did xrays to see if there was an obstruction. Everything came back negative and their conclusion was that he had an upset stomach and to give him pepcid ac. The next day, my cat was no better (and I gave the pepcid mind you). I then called my vet again to see if I could get him in sooner. I was able to get in the following day. I explained the EXACT same thing with EXACT same background context to my own vet and he took the more obvious route of checking for a respiratory infection which is what my own intuition thought it was. They treated him with antibiotics and an appetite stimulant. This worked! By the very next day he was nibbling at his food and drinking and showing signs of improvement. A week later he was fully back to normal. I spent $2000 at Berkeley Dog and Cat for them to tell me my cat had a tummy ache! When all along he actually had a bad infection that needed antibiotics to clear. He went a week without eating and got extremely ill. I could have brought him back every day and he would have eventually died and I would have spent thousands more for nothing. This was my first experience at an emergency vet and also at Berkeley Dog and Cat. I've realized these places are only good for obvious injuries like broken bones etc etc and not mysterious illnesses that require a good vet to diagnose and treat. While I was there, I heard an irate woman say that she was there 13 hours the previous day and her dog was NO better today. Seems like a pattern here. I would never go to this vet again. They took a lot of money from me and did not actually treat the issue. The only reason I gave this place two stars is because the woman at the front desk and some of the others I dealt with (vet techs etc) were extremely nice and helpful. The vets on the other hand were pretty useless in my case.

Experiencia negativa: I came in without an appointment with my healthy dog for some anxiety meds for the fireworks. They said they were taking my dog downstairs just to check her vitals and bring her back. They didn't bring her back, they held her for over 4 hours. I'm not mad that I had to wait that long, I'm just mad that they held my dog away from me and without telling me. I only got updates when I asked the the front desk personnel (who were both lovely. The only saving grace of the entire experience). Then before anybody actually talked to me about what the plan was and before they let me see my dog, I got an email with an invoice estimate for $600. They finally agreed to give me enough meds for two days and knocked the bill down to $200. They didn't give me the meds I asked for, but I couldn't argue with them anymore. The meds they did give me, as suspected, did not even work.

Experiencia fantástica: I took my tortoise here when his shell got cracked. Scheduling an appointment was easy, and the staff was really helpful. The vet talked me through taking care of my tortoise, and was generally very nice. I was super worried and panicked when I noticed the crack (lol) and everyone I talked to there was patient and helpful. Edit 2 years later: I got a dog, and took him to this vet as well. Everyone I have interacted with is extremely patient and empathetic. They are all clearly passionate about the animals, and very professional.

Experiencia fantástica: I’ve used Berkeley Dog and Cat since our eight year old dog was a puppy. The practice is responsive, responsible and always puts the pet first. I trust the medical staff and the support staff makes visits go smoothly. I’ve had no problem getting medical advice including when my dog ate almost two pounds of fertilizer. They could not treat him due to an emergency overflow there but referred me to an emergency practice and poison control, instructing me as to how to get coordination between both. Even though they couldn’t see him I felt they provided a path to excellent emergency care.

Experiencia positiva: Expensive as most Bay Area Vets and a bit inconvenient. Better as a Hospital than ordinary Vet. Takes a couple months sometimes just for a check up. Staffing has been inconsistent but we are coming out of COVID. Why then 4 stars? The doctors will do an excellent job of supporting the decision process regarding your pets care. Informative and caring...the entire team deserves an a top grade. I am sure they will navigate they way to being 5 stars across the board. Look for an update in 2024.

Experiencia fantástica: Was on SF for a holiday when my English Bulldog was in distress... All the local pet hospitals were either fully booked, or were disclosing that there was up to a 6 hour wait time before a doctor's might see him. Called Berkley and they said they had two emergency cases back to back but likely within two hours he could be seen, but triaged right away. When I arrived, it was not busy at all. The facility was extremely clean and the staff that recieved me were extremely friendly and helpful. They were very clear about the range of possible treatment and costs. In the end, I found them to be very thorough and thoughtful. My dog was under observation and treatment for about 12 hours. They were very sensitive about the fact we were just tourists, and made sure to do everything they could to ensure we all would be comfortable, prepared, and our minds at ease for the long drive back to Canada.

Experiencia fantástica: I have taken my dog to Berkeley Dog & Cat since I got him 11 years ago. Since I'm a senior on a fixed income, I appreciate so much that they discuss treatment alternatives with the goal in mind of keeping costs down. I also appreciate that when the need arose, they've taken care of me while treating my dog. I'm remembering especially the time my dog and I were attacked by two off-leash dogs. While they were checking on my little guy, they made me a cup of tea and put me in a room where I could cry out my fear and panic in private.

Experiencia fantástica: What a great emergency vet experience during a scary time! By far the best one we've had in over 15 years of caring for cats. The staff, the vet, everyone was caring, helpful, and a clear communicator. You can wait inside the lobby or wait in your car. If we didn't already have a fantastic home vet closer to us, we'd probably come here for regular vet visits too. Everything ended up OK for our elder kitty by the way :)

Experiencia negativa: After 15 years of being a loyal customer to Berkeley dog and cat i am done. I rushed in with a sick dog several times, racking up multiple thousands of dollars in bills and they found nothing, one trip to another vet and they found cancer by a simple rectal exam, not expensive xrays and blood tests that BD&C recommended and charged a bunch for. Before petvet bought BD&C it was an amazing vet but now that its owned by an investment firm, predictably, the quality of care went way down and the prices way up. Petvet just seems greedy and cost my dog valuable time as i caught this cancer late because BD&C wasted time and drained me of money I could have used for treatment. Avoid Berkeley Dog and Cat at all costs!! Update: Not sure what it means when y'all escalate something. I did reach out and just got apologies from the floor manager, who was nice and attentive but seemed to be unsupported by the company and wasn't able to offer anything substantive.

Experiencia fantástica: I was so thankful to be able to make a same day appt. for our sick cat. The staff were professional, supportive, and gave clear information. The Dr was welcoming and we left feeling confident that our cat would have good care.

Experiencia fantástica: Everyone has been kind and supportive. It was easy to make a timely appointment and we were seen on time . Dr. Demirdjian was kind, knowledgeable, and had time and answers for all my questions. It was not good news, and both the doctor and the tech/nurse Jen were compassionate. Dr D called me with test results the following day and again was kind and answered questions, did not rush me. I was really impressed.

Experiencia fantástica: My 15.5 year old cat has an abscessed tooth that 2 other vets preferred not to extract, and ultimately I was referred to Berkeley Dog & Cat Hospital to meet with Dr. Sirkis. Dr. S. was gentle, patient, and truly listened to everything I said. She presented 3 treatment plans and estimates in the exam room and we spoke at length until I felt comfortable choosing a treatment. All of the front desk staff and the techs I interacted with were friendly and just generally amazing. There were 2 emergency/ walk in type situations that occurred while I was there and the Team was compassionate and quick to respond. My appointment was in now way delayed by these emergencies as the hospital seems well staffed and highly experienced. I am looking forward to my future appointments!

Experiencia fantástica: Excellent doctors and staff Tiny parking lot. Its the whole f iids of vets perfect but pricey