We'v been using Banfield for over a decade and the lack of care has been a long, slow degrade. The quality of care took a major dive when we moved and switched to the St. Louis Park Banfield location with the worst of it kicking off about two years ago. During a routine exam with vaccinations two years ago one of our dogs had a reaction to an injection and formed a large cyst on her shoulder. We took her in to Eden Prairie for an emergency visit (SLP was full). The entire visit was the staff refusing to believe that an injection could have caused this cyst at the injection site. They also messed with some of our coverages on the wellness/insurance plan so the two dogs we had on the same plan that had the same coverage dates and payments for over ten years were now on different schedules. When we next went to St. Louis Park they told us they would get the plans to match back up. We just found out at their last visits in April that they indeed were not back on the same schedule so we had a surprise extra bill for some routine services that should have been covered. With constant billing, scheduling, and quality of care issues slowly building over the last two years we have finally dropped Banfield. Not to mention the overdose of drugs they give elderly dogs for dental cleanings even after we repeatedly alerted them our dogs are in their teens and need what they call a "senior mix" of knock-out drugs for cleanings. Read Less

I have to give a mixed review of this clinic. I initially brought my dog for a neuter because it was the best price and the staff was really nice. During the pre-op appointment and the neuter I was really happy with the care he received. Then the upsell started. They insisted he have a cone to protect his incision and I told them I have never put a cone on any pet of mine and haven't had problems. It was a struggle. The next phase was to start paperwork to have my dog exported to New Zealand where I now live, I grew up in Minneapolis, but plan to return to NZ. It is a complex and expensive process and they switched vets because the one that did the neuter isn't USDA certified to do the tests, paperwork etc. One of the things I need is a breed declaration to bring him to New Zealand. NZ does not allow Pit Bulls, Rottweilers and one other breed, so you need a declaration from a vet that your dog isn't any of those. My dog is a purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The vet said I needed to do a $300 genetic test done in order for her to sign it, as he may be part Pit Bull. (I didn't know if I should laugh or scream at her.) I shipped my other Cavaliers from California and it was never questioned, but Banfield just has to throw anything and everything possible on your bill so you really don't save money in the long run. Read Less

Having had a great experience with Banfield in Edina, I tried a Banfield a little closer to home with a newly adopted cat that developed a quick and severe upper respiratory infection. I suggested a URI to the vet in the first place, but the doctor was so concerned with listing off what preventative tests and X-rays and procedures I should get done (to the tune of $960) that they didn’t even take a moment to try to genuinely diagnose anything. It was apparent that the doctor either had too much workload or just wanted to get to another patient whose wallet they could try to gouge, as she couldn’t wait to leave the room, and leave me with a tech to get me onto a Banfield wellness plan as soon as possible to get all this work done. I went to the Golden Valley VCA for a second opinion; both the tech and the doctor there walked in and said, “Looks like your guy has an upper respiratory infection.” They got him fluids, kitty pain meds and antibiotics. The bill was $200. The VCA is an 8 minute drive from this Banfield, go there instead of you can. Read Less

have an account in collections through banfield hospital. A veterinary representative signed me up for a membership without my knowledge (I assume so they could hit a sales goal). They then had me electronically sign on a keypad and lied to me about what I was signing, telling me that it was only routine safety disclosures for my cat. Even though I have disputed this with IC System several times, they refuse to remove it from my credit report and have done nothing to reach out to me to even discuss it further. I am now in contact with an attorney to resolve this as well as recover my legal fees from Banfield/IC System for failing to ensure that the debt was valid. Read Less

I've been taking my three dogs here for a few years and have been pleased with their service. I used the wellness plan which is definitely worth it. Recently had to put one of my pups of 15 years down and they made the process as easy as possible - no waiting, very patient, allowed us to take as much time as we needed and we're very kind. The vets take their time explaining issues, answering questions, etc. Read Less

Love Dr. Kolander, she called from home several times on her day off when my dog Coco got sick. I felt like we worked as a team to figure out what was going on and how to make the best decisions going forward. Banfield is not cheap but the monthly plans help a lot (I save literally half every time I go) and I don't think the prices are any more expensive than other vets in the area. I really feel they take good care of my babies.Read Less

We brought our puppy in here twice because of convenience and the vets here are awful. They talk so fast are rattle of memorized lines of care and don't really like to address concerns and specific care. They care way more about up sales than my pet's life Read Less

I only went to Banfield out of necessity, as my pet's normal clinic was packed yesterday (Saturday) and not open today (Sunday); Banfield had an opening. I will NEVER bring my dog back. Not only did the vet tech make the left ear bleed on my 8 year old dog, she also wrote INCORRECT information for how to use her ear cleaner... this is a topical solution for use on the skin. So why does the label say "Give by mouth only?" Don't believe me? Check out the picture of the instructions given by this place! I wouldn't trust this place if my dog's life depended on it.... wait an extra day and see your normal vet before going to this place. Read Less

I only went to Banfield out of necessity, as my pet's normal clinic was packed yesterday (Saturday) and not open today (Sunday); Banfield had an opening. My dog's ear infection was bad and couldn't wait... So I got into Banfield....I will NEVER bring my dog back. Not only did the vet tech make the left ear bleed on my 8 year old dog, she also wrote INCORRECT information for how to use her ear cleaner... this is a topical solution for use on the skin. So why does the label say "Give by mouth only?" If I could post a picture on yelp I would, but this same review is on google, so I welcome you to check it out. I wouldn't trust this place if my dog's life depended on it.... wait an extra day and see your normal vet before going to this place. Read Less

If you want to see your pet in pain and suffering this is the spot. I brought my dog to them. Not only did my dog have a hard time coming out of their anesthesia. I got the extra special bonus for the next 48 hours she wasn't herself. She struggled to be active. I've never been so scared for my dog. It seemed like it was amateur hour and when I started asking questions. They didn't give me any answers and we're really just weak and not sympathetic. I had a doggie insurance plan and cancelled it since they couldn't pull their heads of their asses. Then they still pulled the remaining two months out of my bank account. Their was no attempt at making things right. Personally I love my dogs and don't want to see them in pain, so I went to a small vet clinic where they treated me and my pets humanly. Long story short F#ck these a$$ hats Read Less

I took my cat to get a "free exam" posted in the adverts. The minute I got in the room my cat freaked out. The room was not clean and we had to leave but before that the vet assistant insisted on going through the "plans" when my cat was hissing and terrified. I've never seen a vet so money hungry. I will never go there again. I hope they shut down this location. P.S. All should leave reviews on Yelp as well. Read Less

If you're reading this review, I know it's a long one so if you get anything out of it, let it be this: please do not bring your animal here. If you love them and want affordable, quality pet care- literally go anywhere else.My cat was experiencing eye irritation in one eye. He was squinting, it was red and quite swollen. I work a job during normal vet hours so Banfield's extended hours were convenient enough for me to ignore the numerous terrible reviews and give them a shot. I mean, they can't be that bad, right? No, they definitely are that bad. After doing a 30 second eye exam on him, the vet left the room so we could go over our "options" with her vet tech. Immediately, I was being sold a wellness package of some sort. Some annual membership priced at just a mere $311. I've owned my cat for his entire life and taken him for vet checkups consistently and $311 is probably more than I've spent in his 7 years alive (before now...) but that probably has been because I've been to way better and more legitimate vets than this. But wait...aren't we here for his eye problem?? Why are you talking about this? After that uncomfortable 5 minutes and a hard pass on the membership, we were told that our visit today would be $171. An array of various and unnecessary tests were laid out before me. We (my boyfriend was accompanying me) asked the vet tech if we could fore-go this ridiculous amount of testing and just do the one test to find out if it was an eye infection or an ulcer. We were told no. That all of these tests were necessary. The vet came back in and after a heated discussion between her and my boyfriend we were finally able to convince her to start with just one test (as it should have already been...). One of the worst parts of the experience is the vet continually insisting that they were just trying to be thorough. Listen, I've spent a large amount of time around great, thorough vets. You m'am, are being money hungry. Anyway, they say we need to leave my cat here and come back in about an hour, but they would call beforehand. First of all, that sucks. Never heard of a vet telling the owners they have to leave, it just feels so shady. I said I'd prefer to stay and the vet tech informed me I wouldn't be able to be in the room anyway so that's not really worth it. Okay then. We leave and after about an hour goes by, I get a phone call. The vet found two ulcers. Great. She wasn't very happy though (despite saving us nearly $100 in unnecessary testing). She wasn't happy because now she has to go back and do another test to determine the type of ulcer. I'm sorry, did I make more work for you? Pretty sure I just saved you from doing 4 more different tests. After about another hour we come back to pick up my scared, wailing cat. Trying to get out of this place as quickly as possible, we go to pay immediately. The bill is over $200. I look over and see my boyfriend becoming increasingly angry. How? How after not doing the four tests we were originally quoted for is the bill more? Ah, is it perhaps because of this $70 medication? It still didn't really add up. The receptionist herself had literally no idea what we were being charged for and told us that herself. I'm willing to spend boatloads on my animals health and care, but this place is taking advantage of people. They are providing below average care for an unbelievable price. My blood boils at the thought of how much it would be had we made our cat go through that insane amount of testing. Not to mention how bad I would have felt leaving him for one minute longer in this joke of a vet clinic. Never, ever again, Banfield. Read Less

I recently got a kitten and wish I would have know about the kitten wellness plan Banfield offers sooner. Unfortunately I wasted money at a more expensive vet clinic that I wasn't very comfortable with to begin with and it didn't feel like they were very welcoming. As a first time fur parent and not knowing all of the procedures and vaccinations needed in the first year of a cat's life this is a great plan that works with my kind of budget. With the kitten wellness plan it has saved me hundreds of dollars for his shots, office visits and surgeries. Banfield has been so great! The staff has great customer service and it feels like they care about every pet that walks through their door. Dr. Edenloff has been more than patient and helpful with all of the questions we have come across and is very professional.They provide you with detailed information and instructions with the receipts for reference which is great! I also appreciate that they call the next day for follow up on how your pet is doing after surgery, shots or what ever the office visit was in regards to. I would easily recommend this place to first time pet owners. Read Less

There's a reason this place has a 2 star rating. We have been part of their pet wellness plan for 2.5 years now. What a waste of money. And not to mention the vets will give you all different types of information regarding your pet that will contradict one another.  This place is all about $$$. NOT your pets wellness. Don't let them fool you. Of course the vet techs are all great and actually kind. But watch out for the "chief of staff" vet. She's a real peach. The kind of hands you don't want your pet in. Read Less

I brought a stray cat in that my friend had found to ensure that he was healthy to be around my cats should I keep him. Paid $40 for an exam that the doctor took 3 minutes to do. She deemed him healthy despite my concern of his bloody eye goop. Brought him home and he continued sneezing and producing eye goop. Called Banfield and was told by the practice manager that I would need to pay an additional $40 for another exam. Not even 48 hours had gone by! I called the Coon Rapids Banfield for a second opinion and told them the story to which they stated that what Saint Louis Park was stating was completely inaccurate and not ok. I will be calling corporate. My experience with the Saint Louis park branch was extremely unprofessional and uncaring. I will not be returning. Melissa and Andrea were especially rude and unhelpful. It felt like this location was more money-orientated rather than animal health-orientated. Read Less

My regular vet was booked, and I've gone to Banfield in a pinch in the past, and I just needed a heartworm blood test so I could continue Heartgard - simple enough, right?It took an 11-minute phone call and being placed on hold six times and audible sighing from their representative at their St. Louis Park location (along with someone else who kept picking up the phone with a snotty tone) to finally be told that yes they can do it, but it would be an office visit charge that would be between $49 and $82 plus a $29 heartworm test fee plus a $29 blood collection fee. $140 for something my regular vet can do for $40? Yeah, no thanks. Read Less

With the exception of one assistant at the reception desk who was very friendly and kind, I found the staff here to be extremely patronizing and rude. My otherwise healthy dog was suffering from some acute, mysterious anxiety, and this was the only place that could see him right away. Although he was shaking uncontrollably and hunched over in the exam room, the vet & vet tech exhibited no empathy or concern for what, in human terms, would be a severe panic attack. It was absolutely bizarre--not a single "good boy" escaped their lips. I've never seen a vet examine a dog so brusquely, even a non-fearful one. I'm generally a reasonable, non-alarmist pet owner, but it seems to me like one would want to be extra careful and soothing around an unknown, terrified, 70lb pit bull....?The vet & tech asked me pointedly if I wanted to step out of the room while they did a rectal exam, and again when they drew blood, and acted... resentful? confused?... when I declined to do so. I have no idea why. I clean up my dog's shit daily; I think I can handle you sticking your finger in his ass?They basically force people to buy their bullshit "wellness plan" (which covers almost nothing) by jacking the bill waayyyyyy the fuck up if you don't buy it. I bought it because I couldn't afford a $400 bill (for basic bloodwork and six Xanax... lol lol lol). Too bad, because I'll never be going back there to get my "money's worth" out of the plan.They didn't recommend Science Diet, accommodated us same-day, and the Xanax has returned my dog to his normal happy self. These are the only reasons I gave them two stars. TL;DR: I wouldn't recommend this place unless you have no other options, and be ready for rude staff and a pocket-gouging bill. Read Less

Banfield's best feature is their hours.  They're open on evenings and weekends, even on Sunday, when virtually no other vet clinic is open.  But they have a poor reputation, their vets are typically recent grads, and the Wellness plans are their worst feature.  Based on a convincing marketing scheme; they tout providing overall pet health through preventative, comprehensive care thereby addressing the illnesses and injuries pet insurance does on the front end because they were foreseen and thus avoided.  They further claim this makes their Wellness plans superior to pet insurance because BanWell plans maintain and improve overall pet health while P/I just treats an illness or injury after it's happened; and you will actually use their health plan whereas you may never use a P/I policy.  "Proactive, not reactive, veterinary care."  The problem is that veterinary care includes 3 areas: Accident, Illness, and Wellness; with Wellness being the least of a pet owner's financial worries.  Wellness care doesn't prevent Accidents or Illnesses, and the fact that BanWell's health plan will be used doesn't increase its value.  Veterinary care includes 3 areas: Accident, Illness, and Wellness.  Pet insurance covers Accident and Illness and BanWell covers Wellness.  Wellness is essentially routine care: an annual check-up with updates and maybe getting sick once a year (ie. ear infection).  Most pet owners can afford this or they wouldn't have gotten a pet to begin with.  Accidents and Illnesses are unexpected occurences; such as a pet getting hit by a car, developing a medical/hereditary condition, or ingesting something harmful at home; with hefty pricetags.  Examples are $4 - 5,000 for surgery, $20 - 250/ mo. medications/diets for the rest of their lives, and $1 - 2000 for foreign substance removal.  While Wellness expenses are meager compared those of Accidents and Illnesses, P/I and BanWell plans cost the same amount ($25/mo).   A's/I's are what could force a family to prematurely put down a pet because they couldn't afford to treat, and where the help of a third party to help cover costs would be greatly beneficial-- not basic care.  BanWell plans claim that to treat the same illnesses and injuries that P/I does because they're foreseen and thus prevented-- just not the unpredictable/ abnormal ones.  But that's what Accidents and Illnesses are-- unpredictable, unfortunate incidents and a deviation from the normal (abnormality) functioning of body/mind.  This is artfully deceptive because they make it sound like BanWell covers Accidents and Illnesses too, just not in extreme cases.  They just plainly don't cover Accident or Illness because Wellness care can't prevent either one.  The fact that a pet owner would indeed use a BanWell plan does not add to their credibility.  Pet insurance is there to provide financial assistance in circumstances you hope WILL NEVER happen-- the extremely costly and life-threatening.  If you never have to use pet insurance that's a good thing!  BanWell plans are guaranteed to be used every year because they don't cover very valuable/expensive services in comparison to what P/I covers.  The only instance where Banfield's plans might be useful were if you lived month-to-month and needed to spread  the cost of those 2 vet visits/year over the course of the year, or during the first year of owning a puppy or kitten to help budget the many vaccinations and spay/neuter.  The latter reason could be especially useful if you lived in an area where veterinary care is overpriced.   Banfield's plans make me mad because they lure people in with a seductive philosophy while providing nothing more than routine care-- and at a subpar, overpriced level. People aren't paying $25/ mo. for a health plan for their pet under the premise they're getting basic services in return.  They think they're getting something extra. Their plan holders could be spending the same amount of money on pet insurance, which might actually help them out someday, but instead were hoodwinked by a corporate moneymaker that will never deliver.  Unfortunately people typically neither look into pet insurance nor realize their BanWell plan is all smoke and mirrors until something bad happens.  And by then it's usually too late.   In summary, use Banfield and their Wellness plans only for what they're good for: BANFIELD1. If your pet needs something simple on an evening/weekend and you can't wait to get him seen.  WELLNESS PLANS2.  You live month-to-month and need it to budget routine care 3.  The first year of owning a puppy/kitten and you live in a place with overpriced vet careBut never rely on them as your primary vet, and almost NEVER buy a Wellness plan. Read Less

Today was my first time going to this location, sadly because my rabbit had to be put to sleep.  I cannot say enough great things about how fantastic the staff were with helping her however.  Typical for rabbits and other prey animals, she had been totally spunky and fine one moment and then a few hours later, it was apparent she'd had a severe neurological event (likely a stroke).  Seeing the severity of her symptoms and that she was 11 1/2 years old, I did not want her to have prolonged suffering and knew that it was time.First off, the vast majority of vets consider rabbits (and similar small pets) to be an "exotic breed," meaning that it is difficult to find someone to see them on short notice, particularly in an emergency scenario.  This also happened on a Saturday so I was scared of her having to suffer needlessly over a prolonged period of time until I could find a vet to help her.  I had to call around a number of vets this morning and the fact that Banfield in St. Louis Park immediately agreed to take her and help her was an extreme relief and comfort to me.  I was really impressed not only with the fact that we could come right away, but that they also included cremation and burial services as well.  The staff was so compassionate, kind and caring and did so much for her in preventing her suffering from being prolonged.  I am absolutely heartbroken and devastated, but I will never forget what Banfield did to help Harriet.  I will always use them as my vet in the future. Read Less

I think this is first poor review I do on Yelp but I was furious today. I have been using Banfield for 2-3 years and am on the wellness plan. Usually Banfield is an overpriced vet but I like the convenience and quality so I've kept it.I went today with my dog because she had loose stool and was feeling down. First of all I was told I had to drop her off which was fine so I did that. The drop Offaly was sweet which is the only thing that saved the entire affair. I then was told that I should come back "around noon" but that the vet would call me when they ran her stool work . I was quoted about $200 which was steep but my girl felt ill so I had to do it.First of all, I didn't even get a call near 10 am and got worries. I called and was told they hadn't worked on her yet. Fine. Called back at 1230 and was told the doctor was at lunch. Called back at 230 and was told the doctor was busy and she would call me back. Finally near 245 she called me back and told me she needed to stay an additional 3-4 hours for fluids. I had an event at 7 PM and told her no way that I would bring her back. So then she told me that fine they would do the fluids on the dog itself.When I went to pick up My girl my bill was close to $500!!!! I was so angry. After some "hmm let me check that for you" they gave me an oops that my bill was overcharged for $130 of bloodworm that was never performed. Regardless my bill was +100 for some probiotics and other BS that I know will help my dog marginally at best. I baby her like a child and already had probiotics and prescription food.Long story short- poor experience and check your bills!!! I'm canceling my wellness plans for both of my dogs and getting a family vet. Very disappointed with Banfield today. I understand that things may run long, but the lack of communication with a concerned dog owner is unacceptable!! Read Less

This location is horrible. Twice now I've had the same vet mis-diagnose my dog. The first time, she told me to use his ear wash to clean out an irritated paw. Brought him to the Maple Grove location and they were shocked when they looked at his record that she told me to do that, he had a terrible yeast infection in his paw that ended up clearing when I FINALLY got the right meds/diagnosis from Maple Grove. Second time I went was because my dog was making a horrible hacking noise, to which the same vet diagnosed as allergies. A day later I brought him to Maple Grove only to have the vet tell me he has severe pneumonia. From now on I'll make the extra drive to Maple Grove Banfield because they seem to know what they are doing there. Read Less

Overall, I've had a great experience at Banfield. My first dog was sick, and it seemed like we got sucked into a lot of extra charges. This time around, I'm a bit smarter. I know to turn down anything unnecessary that would be an extra charge (like nail clipping...I can do that myself!). Making sure to clean the dog's teeth so they don't have to do it professionally is a good idea too. Read Less

Okay, so here is the deal...Recently I received a coupon for a free exam at Banfield.  I thought "great, I can get my dog (Charlie) up to date on his vaccines and a free exam too, cool"...Not cool.Things just didn't start off great for me...So, I get there on time, with my appropriate "first visit" paperwork filled out.  They had me weigh Charlie, and they unenthusiastically asked me a bunch of questions like "why are you here today, blah blah blah"...but I have no idea why they asked me anything because they weren't really listening to me.  SO, I wait in the "waiting room" for a good 15 minutes, then we were finally escorted into an exam room...where we continued to wait...and wait....and wait.  I waited for another good 15+ minutes before the vet tech came in.   She asked me the same questions that they asked me up front, talked to me about/tried to sell me their Wellness Plan, and then she left the room.I waited.  And I waited.  And I waited.  And I waited.I should mention that I have a pretty decent case of ADHD, and I had previously downed 3 big cups of coffee.  ADHD + a lot of coffee + having to wait in a small (not clean) exam room with my 100 pound dog (who is now farting because he's nervous) = I'm getting antsy & a little pissed off. Finally, the vet comes in - talks to me for a few minutes.  Tells me that Charlie's ears are infected & need to be cleaned before any meds can be administered.The vet leaves the room - never to be seen again.The vet tech prints out an "estimate of charges" for me to sign (there was a dollar amount range, it seemed a little steep to me, but I was stuck).  At this point, I'm like "fine, do what you need to do"...I mean, I'm not going to let my dogs ear infection fester...obviously I am going to get his ears cleaned and whatever else he needs...So, they tell me that I need to "leave him there" for his ear cleaning & come back for him later.  I told her to forget it, Charlie is a rescue dog, and has some separation anxiety + significant anxiety when it comes to being kenneled.  I'm not leaving my dog anywhere.  Plus, we (me and Charlie) had an appointment to get to (Charlie is a Therapy Dog at a nursing home) that afternoon.So they decide that they can clean his ears then & there.They took him in the back room (where I could hear him howling as they cleaned his ears.  Nice touch Banfield) to do their work on him.  I would have preferred they kept him in the room with me - but whatever.  A good half hour goes by & my dog is still howling (seriously, how the fuck long does it take to clean a dogs ears?) and I am still waiting (and we are getting dangerously close to being late to our afternoon appointment at the nursing home).  Finally they are done.  He comes back to me - they didn't give him a treat or any kind of affection.  This bothered me.She tells me that she will print out my invoice & get me his meds to take home and that I should head up to the front counter.  I go to the counter & pay.  $180.  Really?  For a "free" exam and an ear cleaning & some ear meds (and anxiety meds)?  $180?  My bill breaks down like this:Anxiety Meds (for the 4th of July) = $11Ear Cleaning = $28Ear Swab & Microscopic Exam = $36Ear Cleaner (to take home) = $24Hospitalization-Ward Fee = $30Ear Ointment (to take home) = $27Rabies Vaccine = $17Medical Waste Disposal Fee = $3Tax = $5So, I ask about the "Hospitalization-Ward Fee" and they tell me that usually for an ear cleaning they require the dog to be dropped off for the day - so they charge that "boarding fee".  I'm like "I didn't board him"...and they tell me that they have to charge that anyway.  Fucking bullshit.I know it is only $3...but what the hell is a "Medical Waste Disposal Fee".. ?I see how they made up for their "free exam"...Charlie's ear cleaning cost me a total of $94.  That's outrageous.I have other pets, and I have been to other vets.  I know what things should cost, and I know how my dog (and myself) should be treated.I wanted to give Banfield a try (because I was honestly considering using their Wellness Plan for my pets)...I should also say that I am okay with spending money on my pets, I have no problem paying for quality/compassionate care & services that my pets genuinely need.So, I did not enroll in the Wellness Plan, I paid my bill and grabbed my meds from the tech.  She never bothered to explain how to use them or how much ointment I should put in my dogs ears...so I guess I'll just figure it out on my own...Because of how things went yesterday - I will not be going back to Banfield.  Ever.  On top of that - my exam room was dingy as hell.  The floors were visibly dirty.  Gross.Oh, and their Wellness Plan, sure - that's all fine & dandy - but to use any of the services - she told me that I would have to drop off my dog for the day with them & the vet would see them as they became available.  Ummm....no. Read Less