I recently stop bringing my cat to this place. I'm sure about the quality of the Vet but the people that answer the phone calls and make appointments are very incompetent. I rescheduled my cat's appointment for saturday. I called to say that I ll be late for 5 mins and they said that I don't have an appointment for that day. I was trying to explain that I rescheduled my cat's appointment but the attitude I received was horrible. I felt like I was talking to an ignorant police officer. She was very denial about the fact that they made a mistake and all expected was an apology and offer for a rescheduling. Instead she said " you don't have an appointment", "no, you can't come in". Somebody has to teach these people the customer service side of veterinary. This experience did make me question the credibility of the pet health care they give. I will never bring my cat this place. STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE!!! Read Less

We decided to take our family member to this facility due to a recommendation (who has since changed vets as well). Our baby is a 2 year old Lab and the sweetest, most wonderful dog. She means the world to us, especially our 10 year old daughter to whom she is like a therapy dog. Here's our experience over the last 1 1/2 years and you can decide if you want to bring your treasured loved one here.   Our dog was having what we thought were continuous UTI's and the vet (owner of Santa Barbara Pet Hospital) just kept throwing her on antibiotics (the wrong ones for a UTI) and she would seem to get a little better and then once again the symptoms returned. Now that we've changed vets we come to find out that her cultures have always been negative! Funny how the vet never said "hey something else must be going on here!"   I spoke to my husband and we agreed something must be wrong with Our girl due to all these reoccurring infections, especially after she had a special surgery to fix this possibility. My husband took her back to this vet again who ran blood tests and then called us to say her free thyroid was about 3x higher than normal (100 when it shouldn't be more than 40) but her base thyroid was normal. She said she was very worried since this could mean the possibility of a tumor and we should bring her in immediately for X-rays! My husband calls to tell me this and We are crying and panicking she might have cancer and I'm stumbling around some store searching the web for other possibilities, trying not to lose it entirely and praying to whatever might be listening. I came across a couple that I read were very common and told my husband.   My husband brought our girl in for X-rays and he mentions the possibility of hyperthyroidism or another condition and was told by this vet that that NEVER happens in dogs, only cats!! Nothing shows up on the X-rays and so she runs another blood test (we are paying for all of this by the way. We were told they used to retest for free but not anymore) and oopsey it's normal! Ok great but that was like $800 alone. **Here's the worst part: following this horror show We were told by two VERY reputable vets that this exorbitantly high number is an anomaly and never happens - also that the free thyroid number doesn't indicate cancer. They both said that the lab should have immediately run her test again because this always indicates a mistake on their part, and that the vet should have known this and had her blood retested BEFORE doing these unnecessary X-rays that cost us a fortune! Oh and that hyperthyroidism IS common in dogs as are other thyroid conditions that simply require a pill daily (thankfully our baby doesn't need this but once again a very misinformed "doctor")! We've dropped THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS at this facility due to an best negligent and at worst uneducated veterinarian, who decided to just administer one antibiotic after another OR ONE TEST AFTER ANOTHER without a second thought. She also put our dog on several rounds of antibiotics to cure her itchy face and the fact that she was chewing her feet incessantly. We found our own dermatologist and it turns out our dog has allergies and needs a shot once a month. How many wrong or unnecessary drugs have they put our dog on? Countless.   Suddenly the other day Our dog starts to have difficulty urinating again and now there's blood in her urine! We decided to find a vet that actually knows what he's doing and found a gem at Foothill Pet Hospital. This vet took pages of notes and spent 1 1/2 hrs talking to my husband today,  after calling us at home twice, studying Maggie's charts on his lunch break and fitting us into his totally full schedule. He is sending us to a specialist for blood tests and X-rays and a scope of her urethra. He promised to figure out what is wrong with our baby. It will cost us a ton of money again but at least we finally have a vet who cares and is dedicated to helping us cure Maggie. I'm more than angry at what this doctor at SB pet hospital put our dog and my family though!     She is our world and Santa Barbara Pet hospital either couldn't be bothered to actually figure out what is wrong with Maggie or is simply incapable. I fear it's both. I highly suggest you Save your money and go somewhere else! Read Less

I did not have a good experience at Santa Barbara Pet Hospital this morning.  I brought my cat in to have his ingrown nail(s) cut out and an ATB injection.  My cat was immediately taken out of my sight I assumed to treat him.  About 15 minutes later, the doctor came out and said that they would need to do an exam on my cat because it had been 2 years since his last exam.  I declined the exam as I only wanted his nails treated.  She came back a few minutes later to tell me that, after speaking with the owner of the clinic, it was their policy that he have an exam since it had been 2 years since his last one.  This was not told to me at the time I made the appointment nor was it told to me before they took my cat in a back room for what I thought was to treat his nails. I felt like I was being forced to engage in what I deemed an unnecessary exam.  I felt like she was just trying to find more things to charge me for.  I thought at the time it was happening that they had already treated my cat and thought of the exam as an afterthought.  I don't know if that is entirely true because they had already taken my cat out of my sight and were with him long enough to do a treatment before coming back and telling me I had to consent to an exam. Although I have taken my cats there for a few years, I won't be back.  I left feeling victimized and overcharged. Although, the owner of the clinic called me back to address my concerns and gave me a $20.00 credit for futures visits, it still did not change the fact that I felt bullied into an unnecessary exam because their policy was not verbalized to me before they took my cat into the back room. The $20.00 credit is for nothing as I won't be going back. Read Less

My cats are like my family, and everyone here has treated them as such. Dr. Sally Mobraaten in particular is one of the most gentle, compassionate, and calm people I've encountered despite her complete commitment to her many patients. Read Less

Thoroughly impressed with this place. I had just come back from a backpacking trip in Big Sur with my dog and I noticed she had these red bullseye looking welts all over her belly. After also finding a few ticks on her and doing some internet searching I decided not to fall into the trap of believing my dog had a chronic disease and just take her to the vet to be safe. Unfortunately her normal vet was booked all day which is what led me to give the SB pet hospital a call. I spoke to a lovely woman named Renee who gave me some advice and eased my nerves. She recommended a few easy topical treatments to rule out any bacterial skin reactions, to make sure the welts didn't get worse, and to watch her behavior to see if she was acting any different, and if I still wanted to bring her in I could. Sure enough, the welts have all faded or disappeared and Cora never faltered from her happy demeanor. It's not always that someone takes the time to give a pet owner such as myself the peace of mind just through a simple phone call. Thank you, Renee! Cora and I deeply appreciate you and we will surely be coming to the Santa Barbara Pet Hospital for any future maladies! Read Less

Santa Barbara pet hospital is the best. My cat was recently diagnosed with a serious case of diabetes and they gave me 360 degree service at a very reasonable price. When I called to set up an appointment the receptionist was very knowledgeable and seemed genuinely concerned for my cat's well being, she was even able to squeeze us in for an appointment the next morning. Dr. Hunter and the vet tech were great, they taught me how to check my cat's glucose and administer insulin injections by myself. I left with cans of prescription cat food, needles, insulin, everything I needed to take care of my kitty at home. Everyone was so friendly and nice. So thankful for Santa Barbara Pet Hospital! Read Less

Aside from my sister, Meredith, I never understood how something so horrible and mean could, at the same time, bring such joy to my life. That is until the day twelve years ago when I adopted my preciously terrible little dog Schmoodle. I'm not even sure what breed she is. I just imagine she was put together by a committee of people who couldn't agree on which redeeming qualities to give her so they decided not to give her any at all. Everything about Schmoodle is mean, from her mean spirit, right down to her mean underbite.  But I'm no stranger to mean things, just ask my ex-husband. However, my motto has always been "kill them with kindness." Yet, no matter how kind I am, my ex-husband and Schmoodle have yet to die (in fact, at this point, I'm beginning to think they might both out-live me). According to the law, I'm required to seek out veterinary services whenever something is ailing Schmoodle. Otherwise, I believe it's considered animal neglect. And the last thing I want added to my police record, is animal neglect. Oh, and murder. I'd prefer not to have murder on my police record too. Which is another reason I divorced my husband.But that's all beside the point. What I'm trying to get at is that over the years I've taken Schmoodle to various veterinarians and for various reasons (either too expensive or lack of bedside manner), I decided to look on. That is, until I found the trifecta of veterinarians in Dr. Anja Hunter at Santa Barbara Pet Hospital. And by trifecta, I mean, she's affordable, she's a genius in Western veterinary medicine and she also knows alternative veterinary medicine such as acupuncture, cold laser and homeopathy. Now, I've never known much about Voodoo magic, but I think Dr. Hunter is the closest you'll find to a real witch doctor in Santa Barbara. And I mean that in a very good way. Not like the witches of old Salem. More like the very likable and lovable witches played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy in the Hollywood film Hocus Pocus.Now, Schmoodle likes very few people. In fact, I can count on two fingers the number of people Schmoodle likes (which is also the number of fingers she's nearly bitten off). So, two. Schmoodle likes two people. And I'm not one of them. But Dr. Hunter is. Which is the reason my nickname for Dr. Hunter is "The Schmoodle Whisperer." For some reason Schmoodle loves her. And she loves Schmoodle. It makes me very suspicious. My point is this: Dr. Hunter knows her sh*t and more. She is always open to trying a natural approach before moving on to harsher Western methods. She is personable and pleasant and just a peach to talk with about everything that's ailing Schmoodle and even sometimes what's ailing myself.The staff at Santa Barbara Pet Hospital are also very pleasant people. They call me to remind me about my appointments because I still haven't figured out how to use this gosh darn calendar thingy on my iPhone thingy. They are very good at pretending to be pleased to see Schmoodle when she hobbles through the door. And they are just nice people all around. Go see them. Read Less

Called nearest vet when my dog got stung by a bee and was seizing.   It was during working hours. But they said they were too busy to see her.  So I drove 20 min to emergency vet, and luckily my dog was ok.  Sorry to give a bad rating without even giving them a chance, but I just don't think that was the right thing for them to do.  That 20 min. could have made a difference in my dog's life. Read Less

Wonderful front staff and vets. Very punctual, I usually get seen right at my appointment time. Very organized, well run front office, and easy to work with. They have a separate lobby and entrances for cats and dogs. That really helps to cut down on some of the stress for my cats when going to the vet. I have done general check ups at this office with all 4 of my cats, as well as 2 dental surgeries. I have done animal rescue before and been in many different vet offices in Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara Counties. This is probably the best vet office I have ever worked with. Thank you Dr. McKenzie Rasmussen for being so good to my cats as well as the whole staff for being so wonderful to work with. Read Less

Wonderful front staff and vets.  Very punctual, I usually get seen right at my appointment time.  Very organized, well run front office, and easy to work with.  They have a separate lobby and entrances for cats and dogs.  That really helps to cut down on some of the stress for my cats when going to the vet.I have done general check ups at this office with all 4 of my cats, as well as 2 dental surgeries.  I have done animal rescue before and been in many different vet offices in Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara Counties.  This is probably the best vet office I have ever worked with.Thank you Dr. McKenzie Rasmussen for being so good to my cats as well as the whole staff for being so wonderful to work with. Read Less

Many meds can be purchased elsewhere much cheaper from the pharmacy or over the counter. Needs to display better warnings before giving potentially hazardous meds. No warning sheet given with meds...be very careful of Deramaxx if prescribed...google the adverse reactions, and your dog will eat the entire bottle if within reach as they smell like steak. Read Less

I left my dog in their care to board, mentioning that he had a minor skin infection on his paws and that it should be monitored. When I picked my dog up his paws were covered in urine and feces. He also had urine on his face (how that happened... I don't know). I called to let them know of the unacceptable condition he was returned in and they offered a free bath and said they would ""investigate"". How considerate, I mean I only payed $134 for their services. The next day I called to ask for a refund, letting them know that I was concerned that if this was the type of condition my dog got returned to me in, did he get fed and walked while he was there? He did come home voraciously hungry. Additionally, I was concerned about how long the feces and urine had been on the area that had was irritated when I had admitted him and the possibility of infection. They did not refund my money. They did offer a complimentary exam, however based on the condition my dog was returned to me in I no longer feel comfortable leaving him in their care. I was told that the person that was in charge of cleaning my dogs feet was ""inexperienced."" Based on the basic care (or lack thereof) that my dog was offered there and the condition he was returned in I would not recommend taking your pets there. I will be filing complaints with the Department of Consumer Affairs Veterinary Medical Board and the American Animal Hospital Association. Read Less

The veterinarians and staff at Santa Barbara Pet Hospital are the best. From the front office staff to the technicians to the 3 doctors themselves they are very caring, professional and make you feel like you're the only customer and your pet is the only pet they have! I very highly recommend this clinic on the Mesa! Read Less