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RiNoVet Animal Emergency Care

Updated 2026-07-08 · 946 reviewed · 172 listed · Scored from 214 Google reviews · How we rank ›

4.3(214) 78 composite score See reviews on Google ✓ Verified
Emergency & Urgent Care VetLow-Cost & Affordable Vet ClinicsGeneral & Wellness Veterinary CareExotic & Avian Veterinary CareVeterinary Dentistry
RiNoVet Animal Emergency Care
Services
Emergency & Urgent Care Vet, Low-Cost & Affordable Vet Clinics, General & Wellness Veterinary Care
Reviews
214

What recent reviews say

RiNoVet built a strong reputation for emergency medicine and surgery, with reviewers praising veterinarians like Dr. Chip Gallagher, Dr. Ryan, and Dr. Roca for their expertise and willingness to work at odd hours. Families felt genuinely heard and supported during their pet's crisis. Still, a meaningful minority flagged missed diagnoses on first assessment, unpredictable wait times, and occasional front desk friction that dampened care impressions during stressful moments.

Staff skill at handling anxious pets and explaining treatment tiers (must-have versus optional) stood out. The clinic owns weekend ultrasound and emergency surgery capability. Some reviewers noted it as the more affordable ER option locally. The 1-star reviews centered on diagnostic oversights with serious consequences, not negligence in care once conditions were clear.

Praised for
  • skilled emergency surgery and diagnostics
  • compassionate, patient staff
  • genuine care and follow-up
  • good communication about options and costs
Watch-outs
  • missed diagnoses on initial exam
  • inconsistent front desk professionalism
  • long waits despite urgent situations
  • cleanliness concerns in waiting room
compassionate-staffskilled-vetslong-wait-timesresponsive-emergency-carecaring-bedside-mannerpoor-communicationclean-facility
Best for: Pet owners facing late-night or weekend emergencies who value thorough surgical care and transparent cost breakdown.
Think twice if: Concerned about initial diagnostic accuracy; some reviewers report missed findings on first exam, with serious consequences. Front desk care variable during peak stress.

Strengths

  • midnight emergency surgery availability
  • experienced surgical team (Drs. Gallagher, Ryan, Roca)
  • weekend ultrasound with radiologist review
  • transparent pricing and payment options

Worth knowing

  • Dr. Chip Gallagher and Dr. Ryan praised by name for emergency surgery and compassionate approach
  • Performed emergency surgery at 1 a.m. for a dog; successful outcome after second opinion overturned euthanasia recommendation
  • Dr. Roca and team found and removed two foreign objects during one emergency surgery
  • Dr. Brenda Francis noted for professional, loving care even with difficult patients
  • Tech Arka and staff member Anna mentioned as exceptional
  • Weekend ultrasound with radiologist review available
  • Offers payment plans through third party to spread emergency costs

What reviews say by service

Emergency & Urgent Care Vet
Skilled at life-saving surgery and urgent stabilization; some reviewers report missed initial diagnoses with delayed consequences.
Veterinary Surgery & Orthopedics
Praised for midnight emergency surgery and complex procedures (foreign object removal, follow-up discovery of secondary issues).
Low-Cost & Affordable Vet Clinics
One reviewer cited it as the most cost-effective ER option locally; transparent about optional versus necessary procedures.
General & Wellness Veterinary Care
Limited evidence; one review mentions after-hours assessment of a senior asthmatic cat.
Exotic & Avian Veterinary Care
No specific evidence in reviews.

How it compares

  • Rated 4.3 against a 4.59 average across the 100 emergency & urgent care vet businesses listed here.
  • Has more Google reviews than 47% of the businesses in this directory.

How we scored this

Ranking Method
Star rating 56
Review volume 100
Review recency 100
Review sentiment 61
Profile completeness 100
Verification 30

Rating breakdown

5
171
4
0
3
4
2
5
1
34

Common questions

Do you accept walk-ins or only appointments?
RiNoVet operates as an emergency-only clinic with no scheduled appointments; walk-ins are seen on a first-come basis. Reviewers report seeing a vet within 5 minutes on a quiet evening, though some note long waits during peak times.
Can you do ultrasound and surgery on weekends?
Yes. One reviewer's dog was admitted for emergency ultrasound with radiologist review and emergency surgery to remove a foreign object on a weekend.
Do you offer payment plans for emergency costs?
Yes. The clinic offers payment flexibility for unexpected emergency expenses through a third-party provider, allowing you to spread the cost.

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Livewell Animal Hospital of RiNo
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Dog and cat owners consistently walk out feeling cared for and heard. Same-day appointments, staff who remember pets' names and adjust handling to their comfort, vets who explain decisions and follow up by phone after surgery-these details add up to a clinic that feels personal rather than transactional. Two guests reported coldness from one receptionist, and one long-term client disputes an eyelid treatment decision that he says left his dog with permanent eye damage; the clinic's reply suggests the client ultimately chose not to proceed with their recommendation. Most reviewers feel the difference the first visit and stay. Dr. Kramer and Dr. Hoppe lead the team (also vet techs Camryn, Olga, Kevin, and receptionist Teresa noted positively). The business opened in 2024 and serves RiNo, Five Points, and Auraria. They offer wellness, diagnostics, surgery (including orthopedic work like TPLO), urgent care, and exotic pets. Pricing comes across as fair and competitive, though one review flagged concern over add-ons.

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Sploot Veterinary Care - RiNo
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Sploot Veterinary Care - RiNo

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Most reviewers praise the vets and staff as patient, compassionate, and genuinely invested in pet welfare. They highlight quick emergency access, skilled surgical care, and staff who go out of their way for anxious animals. A minority of one-star reviews express serious concern about billing practices: high no-show fees sent to collections, surprise emergency charges for same-day visits not disclosed upfront, and appointment communication that shifts or goes to spam. The clinic claims a Fear Free approach and low-cost positioning, yet several reviewers found exam costs over $200 without tests, and felt blindsided by policies. Private equity ownership draws criticism in one review. Staff patience and clinical skill earn consistent praise, but billing transparency is the sharp divide in customer experience.

Low-Cost & Affordable Vet ClinicsGeneral & Wellness Veterinary CareVeterinary Dentistry

Last updated 2026-07-08