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VCA Firehouse Animal Hospital

Updated 2026-07-08 · 946 reviewed · 172 listed · Scored from 451 Google reviews · How we rank ›

4.5(451) 77 composite score See reviews on Google ✓ Verified
General & Wellness Veterinary CareVeterinary DentistryEmergency & Urgent Care VetExotic & Avian Veterinary Care
VCA Firehouse Animal Hospital
Services
General & Wellness Veterinary Care, Veterinary Dentistry, Emergency & Urgent Care Vet
Reviews
451

What recent reviews say

Staff show genuine care and patience, especially with anxious pets and walk-in emergencies, with some vets earning strong loyalty. Pricing sits well above local alternatives; vaccines cost 4x what other clinics charge, and some reviewers report aggressive upselling and bills for untested procedures without upfront transparency.

Recent shift: One reviewer initially gave 3 stars over vaccine side effects and lack of informed consent, then edited months later to report overwhelmingly positive experiences after learning to advocate for their dog and building a relationship with a specific vet; suggests experience improves when continuity of care is established.

Praised for
  • compassionate, patient staff
  • goes above and beyond for emergencies
  • gentle handling of nervous pets
  • experienced named vets (Dr Calloway, Dr Farnsworth)
  • thoughtful follow-up (sympathy cards)
Watch-outs
  • vaccine side effects and lack of informed consent
  • significantly higher prices than competitors
  • high staff turnover, inexperienced vets
  • poor communication and record-keeping
  • upselling pressure and non-transparent pricing
compassionate-staffskilled-vetsgood-with-anxious-petscaring-bedside-mannerexpensiveupselling-concernspoor-communication
Best for: Owners of anxious or nervous pets who value compassionate handling over cost sensitivity.
Think twice if: Budget-conscious pet owners; those seeking stable, experienced vet relationships; families considering routine vaccines should get full informed consent beforehand.

Strengths

  • Staff goes above and beyond for anxious and emergency pets
  • Named vets (Dr Calloway, Dr Farnsworth) build loyal relationships
  • Willing to handle walk-in emergencies when other vets may turn them away
  • USDA certifications for international pet travel available

Worth knowing

  • Dr Calloway and Dr Farnsworth cited by name for consistent excellence
  • High staff turnover noted; one case of surgical mistake (ovarian remnant) from 9 years ago still causing issues
  • Vaccines priced at $80-$88 per shot versus $20 elsewhere
  • Handwritten sympathy cards sent to clients after pet deaths
  • One reviewer reports medications administered for behavior management were requested mid-appointment without advance planning

What reviews say by service

General & Wellness Veterinary Care
Strong care for wellness exams and established pets; concerns about staff turnover and communication gaps.
Emergency & Urgent Care Vet
Staff willing to stay late and treat walk-in emergencies compassionately; one reviewer called it exceptional.
Veterinary Dentistry
Website lists advanced dental care; no reviews directly address dental services.
Exotic & Avian Veterinary Care
Website lists service; USDA certifications for travel mentioned by one reviewer; no direct service feedback.

How it compares

  • Rated 4.5 against a 4.6 average across the 115 veterinary dentistry businesses listed here.
  • Has more Google reviews than 65% of the businesses in this directory.

How we scored this

Ranking Method
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 offer USDA certification for pets flying abroad?
Yes; one reviewer specifically noted they are one of the few vets offering USDA certification for international pet travel.
Can I bring my dog in without an appointment?
One reviewer reported being turned away despite the clinic appearing empty; another walked in as an emergency and was treated kindly. It depends on vet availability that day.
Are they open seven days a week?
Yes, the business publishes opening hours for all seven days.

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General & Wellness Veterinary Care

Last updated 2026-07-08