We've used VCA Albany as our vet for the past 28 years and I'm extremely satisfied. We started taking our cats there when it was a small private practice run by Dr. Floyd and we're still going there with last year's kittens. Plus I've taken our friends' cats there when they were traveling and emergencies cropped up on my watch. Having worked in several vet practices while I was studying to get my State license as a Vet Tech (post retirement indulgence) I know that very few vets are always on time. Just as very few doctors are on time for every appointment for exactly the same reasons: emergencies, more complex cases than originally expected, phone calls to & from patients that have to be handled ASAP, and most frequently, patients/clients who are late arriving for their appointments. So I always take something to read to every medical appointment, no matter who the patient is. What I love about VCA Albany is their very genuine concern about their patients. And it's not a show for the human owners which happens at some vet practices. These folks really do care about the cats and dogs that come through those doors. A friend of mine learned that from the followup calls Steve Gardner made to her about her mother's elderly cat. And they work just as hard as any internist with human patients to get the correct diagnosis and treatment plan. Are they successful 100% of the time? Of course not. Neither is any internist or surgeon or specialist. Every living creature is unique and responds to treatments individually. So what's worked on the last 98 cats/dogs may not work on the 99th. That's why I so value Steve Gardner's and Tom Reed's considerable experience. They've seen things that no young vet has imagined yet. I always strongly suggest VCA Albany to anyone I know who's looking for a first/new vet for their pet(s).

Terrible place to go. Will never go back. My dog had a broken arm, was told to come in a month. Took the day off to have him come in and later find out from another person in front desk that I was supposed to be verbally informed that my dog was supposed to be brought in weekly to get checked up on. Wow, talk about so.e big miscommunication. I highly recommend to go elsewhere. Don't come here. Over priced too.

Female rats tend to get tumors as they get older, so I wasn't surprised when Leela got a big lump recently. I called VCA Albany and they set me up with an appointment with Dr. Reed for the very next day. Front desk staff was courteous and friendly and I was shown to a room rapidly. Dr. Reed was excellent -- great cage-side manner and even chatted amiably with Leela's human escort. Obviously knowledgeable about rat health, he made a quick diagnosis, told me about the prognosis with and without surgery, and informed me of the risks. We went ahead with the surgery which was finished that day and I was called promptly when Leela woke up. At the front desk, Jessica (I think was her name) was personable, fun, and full of life. Yep, surgery is expensive, but I've checked prices and the deal I got at VCA is actually well below the average rate, and a downright steal for the Bay Area. Bottom line: Great experience, friendly and knowledgeable staff, good rates for the area, timely service.

Every appointment with this place, I've had to wait for extended periods of time past the appointment time. For this last appointment, I booked a early slot, thinking "how late could they possibly be at that hour?" I arrived on time. Was put in a room. Waited 20 minutes (listening to the staff telling each other stories...). I walked out. I'm looking for another facility. That's the last time I'm going to waste what little time I have on a Saturday, my one day off to do errands.

I never write reviews but the service I received was so great, and I wanted to help others who are worried about finding the right vet for their pets. I did so much research before I chose a vet in the Berkeley area, and I was very troubled by all the reviews stating price gouging and bad service. VCA Albany has a great office, I like the two separate doors for dogs and cats. The front desk service was good, the people were really nice but I did wait 15 min to get a room and another 15 min for the doctor (although I arrived early so maybe that's why I waited before getting a room). Most important to me was the service and visit with the doctor. I saw Susan Martin who was AMAZING! I mean she gave my dog a full exam. She checked her ears, paws, heart, stomach and more. She got full history on my dog and was SO patient. She was so thorough she even shaved an area on my dog, at no charge, to inspect something I was concerned about. She answered all my questions and did not try to sell me anything, even though others in her situation might have. It was the perfect combination of attention to detail without over medication or service recommendation. This is definitely my new vet. Also i got the first visit free so I only paid in total $25 ( which was for having my dogs glands expressed).