The Animal Clinic

I wanted to share my experiences because I think it would be helpful for others.My dog was bitten in the eye by a pet ball python that had escaped his tank. I had to find a vet on very short notice. Dr. Richardson was kind enough to accommodate an emergency walk-in. He was very thorough and I appreciated his candidness and professionalism throughout the process. He did not try to upsell anything we did not require. Luckily Max's eye had no scratches or serious issues, and Dr.Richardson suggested a simple antibiotic eye drop to ensure it would not become infected. We brought with us eye drops prescribed by another vet (Max had run through a bush and scratched his eye the year before) and inquired if that could be used for this situation. He was more than okay with us using the medication we had rather than recommending or insisting that we purchase medication from this clinic.  I would recommend Dr.Richardson to anyone who is looking for a vet that is not only great at what he does but also genuinely cares for your pets. Read Less

Receptionists are very nice and warm, tried their best to make my kitten Totoro warm & comfy at our first visit.Dr.Charlene is very precessional and considerable. She deals with Totoro in soft and firm. I really like her. I am happy I choose this clinic for my little Totoro. Read Less

The best care for animals from the kindest humans we could wish for. We moved two hours north a couple years ago and still bring our senior lab down for her vet visits because she’s so comfortable here and so loved by the staff. Couldn’t recommend them more highly! Read Less

I have been a regular client here for years. Today I brought my dog Sandy in to have her anal glands expressed. Good lord Dr John had his work cut out for him. I have a feeling he had to do an exorcism shouting "The Power of Christ Compels You!" Then we had to douse her behind in dog cologne like it was holy water. Excellent clinic. Read Less

The staff members here are so polite, and accommodating. I have been taking my cat here since I got him as a kitten 4 years ago, and every interaction - no matter if it was a neuter, or simple boarding they really take care of the animals. My cat spent 11 days in boarding and the transition of taking him there, and coming home is flawless. Thanks guys! Read Less

I'd just moved to Toronto and then went away for a few weeks...and of course my cat fell ill while I was gone. The doctors and staff at The Animal Clinic took my cat in, even though he'd never been there before. They were amazing at coordinating care with me and my pet sitters. They even let a friend visit him while he was boarding with them.Unfortunately, I ended up having to put my cat down shortly after I got home. The staff were amazing with helping me run through all the treatment options. They were so incredibly patient with me calling and stopping by to ask questions and adjust medications. They always found time to see my cat if something was happening. When it came time to accept that it was time to say goodbye, they handed it perfectly. I think they asked more questions about end of life care and the quality of life I wanted for my cat than my grandmother's medical team. They did a great job of explaining treatment options and potential outcomes and being realistic about expectations. They were kind and empathetic during difficult discussions.I spent a lot of time on the phone and in the offices over the course of several weeks and felt confident that my cat was in good hands. Read Less

Truly amazing people who love what they do! It is very clear that they have great hiring practices. Everyone who works there has a great attitude and clearly loves animals. They will always answer questions and they take the time to respond to email. Dr. John, Dr. Emily and Dr. Charlene are awesome. The techs are amazing especially with animals who really don't want to be there! Read Less

A great place to bring your animal for a checkup or anything you may need. Dr. Emily Chris is incredibly friendly, informative, accommodating, and also packs an incredibly bubbly, fun-loving personality.Read Less

I started going to The Animal Clinic 11 years ago and would never think of taking my dogs anywhere else. The staff are genuine and caring and make an effort to know both owners and pets. The veterinarians, Dr. Reeve-Newson, Dr. Richardson and Dr. Peng are amazing - knowledgeable, caring, always following up after a visit to monitor my pet's progress/recovery. Read Less

I've been taking my dog Parker there for the past 8 years, and have had excellent experiences with all the staff. I find them to be fair and open and honest with suggesting options for medical care for my dog. There usually is never a problem with getting him in right a way should something come up. Their prices are not the cheapest but not way over the top either. I've referred friend to them and they've thanked me with a discount or a voucher for $ off next visit - which is a nice touch. I find the staff to be professional and have a genuine concern for my dog. Parker doenst mind going their even if it's a place where from time to time he get poked and prodded at, which to me says the behind the scenes care is equally as good as the in front of you care. They offer day care and grooming and can board your cat or dog if you are going on vacation and cant take your pet with you. What I like the most is how clean place is and how friendly the staff are and most of all that my pet doesn't mind going there. I have total peace of mind when I have to leave my dog with them, knowing he is getting excellent care. Read Less

The staff here are amazing, all so friendly. The vets are all great. They tell you exactly whats wrong and dont make you pay for extra unnecessary things like most vets in the city (*cough* Downtown Toronto Animal Hospital). Read Less

ridiculously overpriced poor communication skill poor management *everything looks perfect outside and things can be pleasant when all is well, but when things go wrong, that's when they take off their masks. Read Less

This place is extremely overpriced!They have a good facility but I often find them too greedy. I feel like they try to take advantage of owners with pets who need extra care(eg. sick and senior). When things go wrong and you make a complaint about it, their reaction can be negative and undiplomatic. Read Less

We like the Animal Clinic, where we have taken my dog for nearly three years since we adopted her. We were recommended to this vet as being responsive and reasonably priced when compared other vets in the area. After three years and my recent experience, I have concerns about the continuity of care my dog is receiving. This is a large facility with many vets and I have rarely seen the same vet or technician twice in three years. We just had our rather stoic dog tested for urinary tract infection after six months of what seemed like behavioural issues with urinating in the house infrequently (as compared to never before). She is getting older, but we figured we had better rule it out. After finding bacteria in her urine, the vet recommended a course of antibiotics. Had she been paying attention, the vet would have realized that our pet had been on broad spectrum antibiotics within the past six months following dental surgery, and that the urination in the house started shortly after she finished them. The likeliest explanation is that the dental surgery antibiotics killed most of the bacteria in her urogenital area - good and bad - leaving only bad, resistant bacteria which then caused an infection.Naturally, I am concerned about the only option presented, which is more antibiotics. The vet I spoke with is unable or unwilling to recommend alternatives to help build up the good bacteria in her bladder again. Rather, we will add in another bacterial culture to ensure we know what kind of bacteria we are treating in order to be more accurate with the choice of antibiotics.Between the initial consult, the urine sample, the culture, the antibiotics, the second culture needed to confirm the success of treatment, and probiotics that she will need after this to regain her good gut bacteria, my dog's treatment for this infection will total more than $700. And we don't know that it will work, given the suspected origin of the issue.While I feel that the vet I spoke with honestly cannot do any better than to rely on tests and chemicals to treat my dog, I would be interested in finding a vet with more and broader knowledge, concern for continuity of care, and a respect for (rather than an entitlement to) my hard-earned money. My dog is lucky we can afford the treatment her vet is recommending.Please send recommendations for more knowledgeable, caring vets. While this vet is accessible and the staff are friendly, I want to do what is best for my dog. Read Less

Doctor John is great but very expensive. I see some of the other comments since writing my initial review and I can totally relate to people saying that the final price more doubles or triples the original estimate. They really are horribly expensive to the point where you walk out of there feeling really cheated! Read Less

horribly overpriced. take advantage of clients in desperate times. I've gone to many vets in my time... this was by far the worst. Beautiful waiting room though. That's whats important in a vet professionally framed pictures at the cost of the client P.S love the 5 star reviews of your "first time puppy owners" I wouldn't admit I got ripped off if I were them either. Of course how would they know its their first time Read Less

Our french bulldog loves the animal clinic and Dr. John Reeve-Newson!  The price is at the high-end but definitely worth the money. We have also been to another high-rating clinic in downtown Toronto, the vet there is also very nice but less knowledgeable about flat faced dog. I highly recommend the animal clinic if you have a french bulldog! Read Less

This is a wonderful vets office. We're living in Toronto temporarily from the States, and my kitty was really sick and we didn't have a vet. The overnight emergency vet was going to charge me a fortune and they still weren't really sure what was wrong. We waited til the morning and the Animal Clinic diagnosed him and he was better a few days later after the medicine kicked in. The man at the front desk is also very pleasant and helpful. Highly recommend. Read Less

A vet who was eager to go on vacation failed to properly diagnose and type up notes on my poor puppy's condition which caused a vet technician to over feed in error which caused the puppy's stomach to explode. They also thought they had her on pain killers through the IV but it turns out they were also missed due ti lack of communication. For an animal lover who thinks of a pet as a human part of the family...I have nightmares every night of the way my poor baby suffered and then died. They didn't take ownership and said said these things happen...well everyone who cares about their pet listen up: if these things "happen" here do not go anywhere near them with your beloved animal. Convenience and location are not good reasons to pick a vet if you truly care for your fluffy friend. Please, I'm begging you to reconsider. Read Less

A vet who was eager to go on vacation failed to properly diagnose and type up notes on my poor puppy's condition which caused a vet technician to over feed in error which caused the puppy's stomach to explode. They also thought they had her on pain killers through the IV but it turns out they were also missed due ti lack of communication. For an animal lover who thinks of a pet as a human part of the family...I have nightmares every night of the way my poor baby suffered and then died. They didn't take ownership and said said these things happen...well everyone who cares about their pet listen up: if these things "happen" here do not go anywhere near them with your beloved animal. Convenience and location are not good reasons to pick a vet if you truly care for your fluffy friend. Please, I'm begging you to reconsider. Read Less

I'm a first time pet/dog owner and the service and care that I and my puppy get here makes me feel like one of the family.  You'd expect that I have endless questions and concerns and The Animal Clinic is never too busy to answer them.  They've been wonderful with my little guy and he loves going back there.  They're careful and will always err on the side of caution-wouldn't any professional?  They do timely and regular check-ups and are always quick to remind for any upcoming shots, treatments, or updates. They accept pet insurance and do all the paperwork for you.  It certainly helps with some of the costs.  They also do boarding, we haven't used their boarding facilities yet, but will keep you updated if and when! Read Less

I took my cat in after being told to get in the same day would be 120 charge for an emergency. I was then informed of 3 xrays that would total almost 500 dollars.When I mentioned being between pay cheques, they then told me I couldn't afford the ongoing treatment for my animal...I can...and that having an animal is a luxuryI walked out, went to Blue Cross where I was charged 300 for a visit, xrays and steroids. She has asthma and will need a 20 dollar shot now and again.A luxury I can easily afford.Thanks for nothing Animal Clinic....and give that over worked little Matt a raise Read Less

I've been coming to the animal clinic for over six years, and I see Matthew Richardson. I have a Havanese who has had multiple health problems over the years, and Matthew has been nothing but kind, compassionate, empirically-based, and great about problem-solving. I really feel well-cared for. My dog had shoulder surgery recently, and did day boarding with the animal clinic. They really went above and beyond to make sure my dog was comfortable, even helping to try different foods (unprompted by me) to help him to eat when he had a very poor appetite. I have seen several vets during my dog's lifetime and the care at the animal clinic is stellar! I've seen John Reeve-Newsom as well, and think he is very good too. On a final note, the place is COMPLETELY friendly to queer/LBGT clients, which is just the cherry on the cake. I cannot say enough good things about the animal clinic! Read Less

This clinic is top of the line but pricey and Dr. Wong sells by making you feel bad which is not nice. i looked into buying revolution online and of course can't get it in canada without vet but it's half the price if u can get someone from u.k. or u.s. to ship it too u.I saw Dr. John once and I think I will go back to him. he told me different things then dr. wong like ways to prevent having a $3g surgury on one leg than a yr after that $3g on the other leg ass small breeds have bad back legs do to jumping. Dr. john was truthful and told me to see i chiro cause surgury is last option. if you need a chiro i suggest dr. rosenberg (i think that's his name) on dundas west, he goes to woofstock in june every yr so get a free assessment there, he is expensive but worth it. Read Less

WORST WORST WORST  EVER!  These people will ALWAYS tell you that they are fully booked even if you have a serious problem.  They love to tell you that they can accomodate you for emergncies but that's not true. It has happened to me twice.  The first time, my dog had a lung infection (and almost died).  The doctor told me himself he was 'too busy' to see my dog and would see her in a week.  Had I not taken her to the emergency clinic she would have died. The owner of this clinic (also a vet) assured me this would NEVER happen again after a face to face conversation. WRONG.Most recently (yesterday), I called to attempt an appointment for the same dog. Again, I expressed urgency regarding getting in  as soon as possible because I could tell my dog was in pain.  And again, I was told that the cilnic was 'fully booked' and that I would have to wait. I called a clinic (that is closer than the 40 minutes I would've had to drive to for the Animal clinic)that had never seen my dog before, and they saw her even though they were closing in 15 minutes!!! IMAGINE THAT.  Turns out my dog has another problem that could NOT wait and was treated. I have a follow up appointment for Saturday at the *new* clinic, which is when I was told I could have an appointment at the Animal  clinic but that it would be 'tight' and was it really that important.  Excuse me, WHAT?The person that answers the phone is usually an administrative person with little to no training in triage-which is probably the NUMBER ONE thing the person answering the phone should be skilled in.  The office manager is unsympathetic and defensive.  And of course, the owner is out of the country.  I am sure my request to speak with him upon his return will fall on deaf ears as well.  I am a person who loves my dog like my child and this is absolutely unacceptable treatment.  The staff/doctors need to WAKE UP and start servicing/scheduling appropriately.I have since called to transfer my dogs records to the clinic that actually has time to see her.  I do not recommend the Animal Clinic-especially if you have a sick animal.  The animal will get sicker before they decide they have time to see him/her. Read Less

Bonnie - my boxer and I are new in Toronto and we needed a vet. I searched online and this place seems to be a one of the best in Toronto. Also one of the ladies I met in dog parks told me that she goes there for 13 years now and highly recommends it. So we made an appointment - which was a bit hard due to their service being down and went there on wednesday.They were really nice. They gave bonnie a treat as soon as we walked in. Vet named John, really nice elderly man helped us and I am incredibly happy with them.I don't know the prices in toronto but it cost me about 260 $ (tax inc.) for a check-up, urine test and medicine. They will be my vet from now on for sure! Read Less

I go to this place because I have a French Bulldog who can have unique health issues and sometimes can't follow the same run of the mill remedies. I have heard of horror stories where these dogs were mis-diagnosed and created even more problems. This place is run by Dr. John Reeve-Newson, who (wink wink), used to breed french bulldogs.I have been going there since he was a pup and will keep going back. From the laser neutering to a free visit, I just feel very comfortable going there. The free visit was because we were only in the office for like 10 mins for a problem that the Dr said to just let it run its course. The other times have been regular checkups. I find they are good at telling you what you need and what you can go without.My comparison is more towards other emergency places (which I've been to), and you just don't get the same vibe. At this place I really feel like Dr. John cares about the dog's well being and cares about the owners to not gouge them.The pricing? Well I can't do too many comparisons because I'm only used to there and the emergency vets, but $80 for a wellness checkup seems reasonable. Read Less