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VCA Firehouse Animal Hospital

Updated 2026-07-09 · 1,137 reviewed · 177 listed · Scored from 451 Google reviews · How we rank ›

4.5(451) 77 composite score See reviews on Google ✓ Verified
General Veterinary CareVeterinary DentistryVeterinary PharmacyVeterinary SurgeryEmergency & Urgent CareExotic & Avian VetSpecialty & Referral Care
VCA Firehouse Animal Hospital
Services
General Veterinary Care, Veterinary Dentistry, Veterinary Pharmacy
Reviews
451

What recent reviews say

VCA Firehouse earns strong marks for kindness and gentle handling, with reviewers consistently praising staff warmth and Dr. Calloway, Dr. Farnsworth, and others by name. The clinic stayed late for an emergency patient and sends handwritten cards after pet loss. However, pricing draws sharp complaints: vaccines run $80–$88 per shot (versus $20 elsewhere), office visits top $120, and routine care costs roughly double nearby clinics. Several reviewers report poor informed consent, high staff turnover, and occasional record errors that fuel frustration.

Recent shift: One 3-star review initially critical of vaccine side effects was edited five months later to note "overwhelmingly positive experience" after the reviewer learned to advocate better for their dog and saw the same vet consistently. This suggests relationship and communication may improve with continuity.

Praised for
  • compassionate and patient care
  • knowledgeable and experienced vets
  • staff go above and beyond
  • gentle handling of anxious pets
  • thoughtful follow-up (cards after pet loss)
Watch-outs
  • significantly overpriced vaccines and visits
  • lack of informed consent on vaccine side effects
  • staff turnover and inexperience
  • inconsistent record-keeping and communication
  • aggressive or dismissive treatment of certain clients
compassionate-staffknowledgeable-vetgentle-handlingoverpricedpoor-communicationemergency-availabilityfriendly-front-deskfollow-up-care
Best for: Pet owners prioritizing compassionate, gentle care and not price-sensitive; those seeking specific named vets.
Think twice if: Budget-conscious owners should compare vaccine and visit costs; those sensitive to staff consistency may want to ask about provider stability.

Strengths

  • Named vets (Dr. Calloway, Dr. Farnsworth) praised for compassion
  • Gentle approach with anxious or fearful pets
  • Emergency willingness (staff stayed late for walk-in)
  • Modern facility and thorough explanations

Worth knowing

  • Dr. Calloway and Dr. Farnsworth named for compassion and patience
  • Staff sent handwritten cards signed by team members after patient deaths
  • Offers USDA certification for pets flying to foreign destinations
  • Stayed late to help walk-in emergency patient
  • Vaccine charges cited at $80–$88 per shot; office visits at $120
  • One reviewer reported ovarian remnant tissue left after spay (nine years prior)

What reviews say by service

General Veterinary Care
Compassionate and patient; pricing significantly above market.
Emergency & Urgent Care
Staff willing to help walk-in emergencies after hours; treated patient successfully.
Veterinary Dentistry
Advanced dental care listed on website; no direct review feedback.
Veterinary Surgery
Performed spays, but one reviewers reported surgical complication (retained ovarian tissue) nine years later.
Exotic & Avian Vet
Offers USDA certification for pet relocation; limited review evidence.
Fear-Free / Low-Stress Handling
Multiple reviewers noted gentle handling of anxious and fearful pets.

How it compares

  • Rated 4.5 against a 4.59 average across the 98 emergency & urgent care businesses listed here.
  • Has more Google reviews than 68% of the businesses in this directory.

How we scored this

How We Rank
Star rating 67
Review volume 100
Review recency 100
Review sentiment 48
Profile completeness 100
Verification 30

Rating breakdown

5
359
4
28
3
11
2
14
1
39

Common questions

Do they take walk-in emergency patients?
Yes; a reviewer reported the clinic helped an unscheduled emergency patient and a vet stayed late to assist.
Can they help with paperwork for relocating pets internationally?
The clinic offers USDA certification for pets flying to foreign destinations, according to one reviewer.
What is the typical vaccine cost?
Reviewers report $80–$88 per vaccine shot at this location, compared to $20 elsewhere.
Request a quote

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Last updated 2026-07-09