Commonwealth Animal Hospital

Dr. Shebel and all the staff here are amazing! My puppy had some problems and she was all booked up but made the time to hear our case! They are all so loving! And our girls love them too! We will always come here first! Read Less

We had been two years at another vet spending tons of money trying to find out what was wrong with our dog. After one visit with Dr. Hendren we were not only given a diagnosis but a treatment plan. She is incredibly smart and the staff was wonderful! Read Less

We have had to make several visits now and have been so pleased with Dr. Hendren's care. First visit was with the local feral cat, Dummy, who refuses to become an indoor cat but has earned the adoration of me and my neighbors. They were so gentle with this scared boy during his visit. After finding a terrible infection with his teeth and mouth, Dr. Hendren worked with me and the neighbors on dental surgery pricing since she knew he was a stray that we are just trying to help... as much as we can. The care and communication was just amazing and I am happy to say that Dummy is extremely happy and healthy today due to her care. My husband and I took in two stray baby kitten siblings and, without a second thought, established them both at Commonwealth. Their treatment of these sweet babes is just amazing and I feel like Dr. Hendren truly cares about my pet. She called to check in on the one who wasn't feeling well and needed antibiotic and also communicated clearly about the best care for both. The compassion and care shown really makes me feel like my money is being spent in a worthwhile manner. As we all know, vet visits are not cheap. When the care is as excellent as the care I have received for my lil buddies, it makes me feel like every penny spent is worth it. Really appreciate you all! See more Read Less

Everyone working there was so kind! I missed my appointment for my dog and they squeezed me in that same day at 4:45 when they closed at 5. It's very cute & clean inside. It's awesome knowing someone truly cares about your animal the way you do! Read Less

These folks have big hearts, they care about what is going on with you and your animal and do a great job. Have been going here for over 10 years with two cats and the docs and staff are very caring in an uncaring kinda world. Read Less

This animal hospital has wonderful staff and a very clean and professional facility. My dog gets very anxious around other animals and they are always very patient with her and gentle when she is in their care. Read Less

Dr. Shebell and Dr. Watkins are fantastic. So is the entire staff. They took care of Stella Blue for years and now they are taking care of Jack. I definitely recommend them for anyone needing vet care in and around plaza midwood. Read Less

Dr. Hauser is caring and considerate. Her care for my pet, who was at the end of her days, was touching. I felt she treated my pet as she would her own. I highly recommend her. She listens to your concerns. Read Less

We sent our two dogs here for about 6 months. The prices are almost double what our new vet charges, and every visit we made to commonwealth felt like unnecessary charges purely to make money. Disappointing! Read Less

Horrible service, they never called back for blood work results, I kept calling every week and the receptionist said the doctor is busy, and that she would call back and never did, it has been a month, I gave up. They wanted to put our dog down, but we had a second opinion at the ER Vet that they referred us to, had we listen to Dr. Hauser, we wouldn't have our dog today. Also, they always mess up our appointment, saying we had the wrong date or time. Read Less

Being so blessed by having found your clinic many years ago, I would like to especially thank Dr. Clayton Watkins and his team for excellence in meeting my little dog's needs. Commonwealth deserve 5 stars for professionalism, reliability, compassion and devotedness to animals, sanitation grade A+!Read Less

We bring our dog and 4 cats here and couldn't be happier.  Our pup has gone through some skin issues due to allergies and Dr. Shebel was able to get everything under control, most importantly without any steroid treatment.  Everyone we've dealt with here has been fantastic and I'm very happy we chose them to care for our pets. Read Less

I have had nothing but wonderful experiences here. All staff has always treated my pit so wonderfully and with excellent care. When I brought him in recently after he was attacked, I was incredibly impressed with the care Dr. Haver gave him. Read Less

being going here about 6 years. took my dog for a routine yearly exam back in November. paid over $200 for an exam then a month or so later they start emailing me saying he is due for a bordetella. i call and tell ask them why this wasn't done during the exam and they can't answer. i tell them that i don't want to have to pay the exam fee just to bring him in. the receptionist on the phone said she would talk to the doctor and that it wouldn't be a problem to just do the test... and that she would call me back Wednesday morning. she never called me i made an appointment and still came in.got there and everyone acts like they never talked to me even the person who said she talked to me said that it's required he do an exam which she never communicated to me. came in and the doctor insisted on doing an exam event though i was there less then 3 months ago and charge me a $54 "exam fee". all they care about is money, switching doctors ASAP See more Read Less

This place is TERRIBLE.  Extremely unprofessional.  My lab was in for a routine bordetella vaccine and the vet and vet tech were having difficulty giving the vaccine to my dog.  They asked my wife to help hold her and even asked her to administer the vaccine.  Extremely unprofessional.  It is their job to administer routine vaccines and be able to handle pets that don't like trips to the vet and not enlist the assistance of the owner.  I don't blame my dog for not wanting to be here.  I will never go back.  Also- do not use their independent "pet sitting" service from one of the receptionist.  I did on short notice and came home to my dog in her crate where she was standing in her own diarrhea.  This place is the closest thing I've ever experienced to a scam. Read Less

I couldn't be happier with Commonwealth Animal Hospital. They saw my last dog Elliott there until he passed away. They were very thoughtful and considerate of my needs and feelings through his last few months. I now take my dog Buddy there and they show him as much love and respect as they did Elliott. I always feel confident that Dr. Watkins and team will take care of my little furry friends. Read Less

SCAM and neglected my pet. My 8 year old Maltese fell off my 3 ft high bed in the middle of the night. I could tell right away something was wrong. I would be leaving town the following day and planned to leave Riley with a sitter- but wanted to know how to best treat him.  Commonwealth is not my regular vet but they were the closest and had an available appointment (I now know why). Dr Shebel was very sweet and listened to my concerns. She ordered x rays- and found that his hip was dislocated- I immediately thought that it could be put back into place- but Dr Shebel immediately recommended me to a 3rd party orthopedic surgeon Dr Hasse. She said I would hear from him in about 48 hours. When I didn't hear from him I called Commonwealth several times and Dr Hasse from my work conference. I heard back from Dr Hasse 6 days later- he called me from the blue tooth of his car- I could barely understand what he was saying- but I did hear the surgery would be upwards of $1000. While waiting for Dr Hasse's call- I sent the ex -rays to a veterinary surgeon friend of mine who is out of the area but has been a vet for 30 years. He said the vet should have immediately put Riley under and  put the hip back into place within 24 hours- instead at this point a week later Riley had already developed a 'false joint'- the surgery Dr Hasse was recommending was considered 'salvage surgery'- much like surgery performed on dogs who has been hit by a car- very invasive.I took Riley to a second local vet and which confirmed my vet friend's diagnoses. It's odd to me that Dr Shebel referred me to a third party vet and that he took so long to respond- long enough that the hip just couldn't be put back into place. This would have been the least invasive procedure for my pet. I can't help to think that there is some kind of money scam here- I KNOW that my dog's health was certainly not the priority. Asking around about Commonwealth after the fact I have heard SOOOO many similar stories. I'm not sure how this place is still in business. If you love your pets find a different vet. Read Less

Absolutely the worst service I've ever seen. My dog ingested some sort of poison and fell into a cardiac arrest. This animal hospital was the first I called and the male who answered the phone spent more time trying to stroke his own ego rather than tell me what I could do to attempt to resuscitate my puppy. He, in turn, continued to tell me how my my diagnosis was incorrect, rather than spare any advice. Long and short my dog died as a result of this operator/dispatchers ego and lack of caring. I do not recommend that anyone leave their pet in this company's hands. The pet hospital on monroe rd, although they couldn't revive my puppy due to the amount of time I wasted on the phone with this company, rushed my dog in to the O.R. and attempted to revive him. Read Less

Dr. Haver and the staff at Commonwealth are kind and compassionate, and provide quality care for senior mini poodle Jake. I can be a nervous "fur mom" when it comes to things such as having him anesthetized for dental procedures because of his age and his heart murmur, but every time the staff has been so helpful and informative and made sure I feel comfortable, calling me to update me throughout the day. They really go above and beyond, spending extra time to give me detailed instructions and notes when sending him home with medications. I have never had a problem getting same-day appointments. They are wonderful, I am grateful I have found such good care for my Jake. Read Less

WARNING: they over-vaccinate and only care about money!!!! They lack compassion and the basic quality of care to double check your pet's records. Let me rewind and tell you the whole story. I relocated to charlotte 2 years ago and this clinic was recommended to me by a family friend. I GAVE THEM A COPY OF MY CAT'S RECORDS THE SECOND I WALKED IN THE DOOR. (A point I will return to). The appointments here always felt rushed once we were in the room and I never felt hurt. When I brought my cat in for one reason (eg: breathing issues) they always addressed something totally different (how I should bring her back for a teeth cleaning!) I felt like it was always absurdly expensive and like I had no resolution. In January of 2015, I was looking to foster a dog about to be put down. The SPCA called commonwealth to be sure I was a good pet mom. Commonwealth said my cat was not up to date on her vaccines. I brought her in immediately and faced a $96 bill. (Luckily, the dog about to be put down for adopted in these few days!!!)Fast forward to July. My cat nalla is sick and I decide is enough is enough with these rushed appointments  and I transfer her to a cats only clinic in charlotte. In reviewing her records at the new place, we discover she had a 3 years rabies vaccines prior to my move to CTL and was actually NOT due back in January (and was not due until 2016)! When I called commonwealth to confront them about failing to check the Pennsylvania records they gave me extreme push back. Their excuse was that the Pennsylvania vet typed "canine 3 year rabies booster" therefore they ASSUMED this meant she had a FELINE 1 year booster and told me she was due and this administered another shot. Without calling the clinic in Pennsylvania to check the clerical error, they changed the species of my animal and the number of years her vaccine was good for. The vet who owns the entire clinic got on the phone and when I told her it is unacceptable her clinic never called to clarify a previous typo and her clinic then over vaccinated my cat, she didn't care. They would not refund me for the visit. They said the visit "STILL TOOK TIME AWAY FROM THE VET!" The "best" they could do was offer me $25 back for the rabies shot if I drove down there to get it. Its not even about the money. My cat is my baby and they showed no remorse for their actions. How about the fact that the staff did not take the time to read my cat's medical history? Sure, the rabies shot didn't kill her but what if it was another shot? It could have been deadly! I wouldn't recommend this place, ever. Read Less

Exceptional service, and friendly staff. My senior dog is very thankful for the treatment of her flea allergy/hot spot. They fixed her right up and was very informative. I was in and out in 30 mins, and the cost was about what I expected. Read Less

I came to Commonwealth to get my cat a Rabies shot for a new place I am moving into. I had practically given up dealing with her behavior problems, due to bad experiences with other veterinarians. Dr. Haver met me and my cat and he was the first person to show a true interest in her case and did everything he could to try to figure out and solve the problem. I am very thankful that I made the choice to come to Commonwealth. Dr. Haver truly cares about the animals he takes care of. I am very happy with the care that my cat got, and at a really great price! I had many tests done on her and it cost the same as what one blood screen cost at another animal hospital. I have recommended my mother and a friend to start coming to Commonwealth because he went above and beyond. Read Less

Entirely too expensive.  Call around and get quotes from other vets.  Commonwealth's quote for neutering and a tooth extraction was $1,000 higher than several other places I contacted.  They also acted as though my 11 month old puppy was unruly and strongly suggested a dog trainer.  I took the advice, paid the $575 for training to be told my dog was way ahead of the curve - we jumped straight to intermediate training.  They have absolutely no respect for your money. Read Less

The scenario was this:I have been in the hospital for eight days and my dog was so upset and worried about me (he is a rescue and I only had him in his furever) for eight months was chewing on skin.  I was appalled when I walked Thursday the door, as they wanted to charge me a emergency rate because he had never been there; and they wanted to put me on a waiting list.  I felt as if was being treated like there, and I did not belong there.  Also they were looking for was money and not to care for my dog. I have written this review not to trash this vet clinic but to truly share how I was treated. On the side my Best friend will get stray dogs whenever someone takes in the Commonwealth they say that they can't take any stray and they recommend them to going to her shop which is right around the corner.  Lastly I was told they had only 2 vets at the time, and that was why they wanted to charge me for an emergency rate; it was a Thursday walk in not a weekend; I left think wow is this Saturday or Sunday? Plus it was it was around 2:30pm. In conclusion I'm sure they have their good points.... But my initial walk in was horrid experience. Read Less

Honestly, this is the one and only vet that I've had extensive experience with.  I never had my own pets until after I graduated college and this place is convenient to where I live now.  I can't comment on pricing as I haven't shopped around for different services, but I always leave feeling good about whatever I paid for.  The admin girls, techs, and vets are great, but they're all animal people so that's probably a given!  Love that ying yang sign too. Read Less

What a wonderful vet.  They are so kind, from the front door to the Doctor.  I'm a crazy pet person with 3 dogs and 3 cats.  They all have their own special needs and requirements.  I frequently need to bring in more than one pet in at a time.  And the visits are smooth and convenient.  They are great at explaining the diagnosis and the follow-up treatment. Or recommendations during wellness visits.  I am always given options for treatment with their own positives and negatives. I am never pressured in one choice or another.  My pets have seen every Doctor there, and I would recommend you find the one you like that fits your personality.  Although, I have never had a bad visit with any of the Doctor's there and they are all professional. Read Less

As a lifelong pet owner, I've been to my share of vets but Commonwealth is hands down my favorite. Drs. Haver and Shebel are tops, not just in treating my pets but in going the extra mile time and time again!! Read Less

We recently switched from Coddle Creek animal hospital up in Concord to Commonwealth animal hospital due to our move. I was incredibly nervous to have to start all over again with a new set of doctors after such great care for the past eight years. I don't know what I was worried about! Dr. Watkins and Dr. Haver have been incredible. While our mixed breed has very few needs, our old Min Pin comes with a book of records that one would shake their heads at. Recently, we set up an appointment to have Chewy's teeth cleaned. Dr. Watkins put me at ease that my 13 year old could handle the anesthesia. Between the time that the appointment was set up and surgery today, Chewy developed a large mass on his toe. Dr. Haver jumped in to care for him I'm Dr. Watkins absence, and conferred with him during surgery. What a great team! Follow up is quick and communication is impeccable. They let me ask questions and take the time to answer them. One review said the pricing has gone up. I honestly don't notice the difference in pricing between here and Coddle Creek. I know my bill is going to be absurd, but that's what you get for not having pet insurance and having a geriatric and needy family member! I am so thankful to have found such great care for my boys, and I know that they will take care of any future pets we add to the family. Don't hesitate to give this practice a shot. They have a great team in place to take care of your family members!Read Less

We recently switched from Coddle Creek animal hospital up in Concord to Commonwealth animal hospital due to our move. I was incredibly nervous to have to start all over again with a new set of doctors after such great care for the past eight years. I don't know what I was worried about!Dr. Watkins and Dr. Haver have been incredible. While our mixed breed has very few needs, our old Min Pin comes with a book of records that one would shake their heads at. Recently, we set up an appointment to have Chewy's teeth cleaned. Dr. Watkins put me at ease that my 13 year old could handle the anesthesia. Between the time that the appointment was set up and surgery today, Chewy developed a large mass on his toe. Dr. Haver jumped in to care for him I'm Dr. Watkins absence, and conferred with him during surgery. What a great team!Follow up is quick and communication is impeccable. They let me ask questions and take the time to answer them. One review said the pricing has gone up. I honestly don't notice the difference in pricing between here and Coddle Creek. I know my bill is going to be absurd, but that's what you get for not having pet insurance and having a geriatric and needy family member! I am so thankful to have found such great care for my boys, and I know that they will take care of any future pets we add to the family. Don't hesitate to give this practice a shot. They have a great team in place to take care of your family members! Read Less

OK. I feel torn about this place. I used to love it. Really, really, really love it. I told everyone about it. I trusted them. I love the location.However, I have noticed that over the years the prices have steadily gone up. Also, we had an issue with boarding (they weren't there when they said they would be for us to pick up our dog and we waited for hours)I'm giving them 4 stars though because I'm not a jerk. I think they genuinely do care for the animals. I also think they have priced themselves out. Read Less

This is the 3rd veterinarian in Charlotte in 5 years.  I chose this clinic out of convenience because my dog needed urgent care and CAH is the only place near Noda that is open on Mondays.  They have great hours that work well with my 50+ hour work week.In hindsight, I don't think my dog would be alive right now, had I not taken him to see Dr. Haver and his staff.  My dog ended up going through 2 surgeries, several complications, and ended up staying in the hospital for 10 days.  Dr. Haver called me at least twice a day with updates and even emailed me summaries of my dog's progress every day.  It was an extremely emotional time for me, and he and his staff made the experience bearable.  They didn't belittle me when it came time to discuss the bill, and they truly understand the tough decisions that pet owners have to make based on their expendable income.  They worked with me, they saved my dog's life, and I will never take my pup anywhere else. Read Less

I will never take my pets anywhere else. Amazing doesn't even begin to describe how awesome everyone here is. Dr. Shebel is the sweetest, most wonderful vet I have ever had. Kendra and Crystal at the front desk are awesome, all the techs are amazing as well. Hands down the best vet office in Charlotte. Read Less

No one likes to have to take their furchild to the vet, but if I must I appreciate the ways Commonwealth Animal Hospital tries to make things as painless as possible for pet and owner. Every time I have called for an appointment they have been able to fit us in on the next business day. They open at 7:30 and close at 6:00 so there is plenty of time for drop off and pickup without having to take time off from work. I also love that they have Saturday hours in case I have something that can't be easily explained and want to be there for the appointment. They will always tell me if my kitty's normal vet will not be able to examine him (there are several doctors on staff) although everyone I have ever seen interact with him has been great. I am always asked thoroughly about what is wrong or (on follow up visits) how the treatment went. The treatments prescribed have always been effective even when I brought him in with vague complaints like "He seems more aggressive than normal".Nowhere near the top of my reasons for liking CAH but still nice is the increased parking that was just added right outside. Parking in Midwood is not always the most fun, so I'll take convenience when I can get it. Read Less

We recently transferred to Commonwealth Animal Hospital because of the horrendous service we were getting at Animal Medical. Equipped with an amazing staff, Commonwealth has done a great job at administering the shots to our two new cats. They've also done what Animal Medical failed to do multiple times (resulting in the deaths of one, maybe two, cats), and diagnosed a parasite in our kitten and successfully treated her. All of the vets we have gotten here have done a good job. After the loss of two cats this year, the terrific service at Commonwealth Animal Hospital has come as a welcome experience in our house. I'm positive that my family will continue to take our animals here. Read Less

They are opportunists. I have two pets 16 years old  that can barely eat and are skin and bones. I have decided its time to put them to rest. This vet wants to charge an extra $60 each for an "exam". Then the cost of euthanasia $60 each. I called the NC Vet Board to see if this is a requirement. It isn't. It doesn't take a doctor to know when your pet is at the end of its life. Some people can't afford $220. This is unethical practice at work. Read Less

They were recommended to me when I moved here in '97 and I would never go anywhere else for my fur-babies! My animals may be great in my eyes but I must admit they don't love going to the vet! (That's a reflection of stool samples not the staff!) With CAH I get to decide what procedures my animals will undergo. I trust them to tell me what I need to know to make the most informed decisions for my beloved pets. Simply put, I trust them. Read Less

I have been taking my dogs to Commonwealth for 15 years. My dogs are big and not friendly to people they do not know unless they are told my me to behave. The staff and doc's trust me to make my dogs behave while they are being exam and that saying alot because my dogs are as big as I am. The doc's give me about the infomation about by dogs medical needs and the let me make the chose for there care. When on of my dogs had a very small cyst on her chest I decided to have it removed and found it was cancer. She was seven at the time that dog is now 13 and still doing great. I send all my friends the them because I know the will get the best care possible. Thanks and keep doing the great job the charlotte sled dog team Read Less

Receptionist was extremely rude. When I asked who the person I needed to speak to for information on the procedure I was going to have on my dog, she said it was her, but then said she had no idea when I asked her questions about it. Then finally after several questions she said, I'll have to pull the chart (Maybe she could have done that 10 minutes ago when I first asked her). Then, because the vet that I had scheduled the surgery with was on maternity, she told me that they would not honor the estimate and had no idea what the price would now be. (Could be anything, the sky's the limit?)Told me I could make another appointment to bring the dog in and have another vet look at him but would be charged again for the new estimate. This woman was very rude, sarcastic and reluctant to the term "customer service". I said maybe I need to find another vet, and she said you go right ahead. WAY TO KEEP A CLIENT, LADY!!!!I WILL NEVER BRING MY DOG TO THIS PLACE AND WOULD HOPE NO ONE ELSE DOES EITHER!!! Read Less

I could not be more pleased with the service and professionalism of Dr. Watkins at the Commonwealth Animal Hospital. I have recently become a cat owner and was very concerned when she became sick. Dr. Watkins quickly diagnosed her problem and she is now back to normal. I am so appreciative of the care she received and the compassion the staff and Dr. Watkins showed to us. I would recommend the Commonwealth Hospital to any pet owner! Read Less

Dr. Watkins has been my dog's veterinarian for the past 11 years. I've never met a kinder, more compassionate vet. He genuinely loves animals and has wonderful people skills as well. He takes his time with my dogs and treats them as if they are his only patients. He always explains options, listens to my endless questions and concerns, and has never once made me feel that money was more important that my dogs. I've never know him to recommend tests, procedures, etc. that weren't necessary. He is both knowledgable and open-minded. I trust him completely. Read Less

We rescued a young dog from the pound who had a severe case of kennel cough, and Dr. Schacht and his staff were instrumental in her recovery. This poor dog was so sick that she wasn't eating or drinking, just coughing and sleeping, losing a lot of weight. I was afraid we might lose her. A visit to Dr. Schacht put her on the road to recovery. Now she's healthy and active, has regained the weight she lost-- and a whole lot of playfulness too-- and is a great addition to our family. Thank you, Dr. Schacht and staff! Read Less

I have spent over $2,500 trying to cure my dog's skin issues. I have been to 5 vets who have tried different things and diagnosed different problems. And the best part is he was healed with natural medicine and better food and vitamins than fed steroids for the rest of his life. These people know their stuff and TRULY care about you and your pet! Read Less