VCA Care Specialty and Emergency Animal Hospital Santa Barbara, California

My dog Luna is my world and she is mildly medically challenged, when I moved to Santa Barbara I was worried about finding the proper care and specialist for her. I am so grateful I found Dr. Bowman at VCA! Working in the field, any time I …

Today my little dog Pikachu had an accident. His injuries were so severe that we end up having to let him go. The vet and all the personnel we encounter was very profesional and gave us great support. We appreciate everybody In this difficult time. Rest In Peace

Deanna of VCA must have been having a bad day for she brought me a negative experience today.

Not a fan of this VCA. Deanna Soto their office rep, yelled at me rudely in an unprofessional manner. They need to hire more professional people willing to represent VCA in a more dignified manner.

I called the day before to ask when I could come in for an urgent visit. They told me to show up at 6am on a Sunday. I got there and the place was closed, although the sign outside said the doctor will arrive at 6am. I waited till 6:30 am and then went to AVS.

When it was time to put down my older kitty, the doctors and staff at VCA were extremely helpful and compassionate. Thank you so much! My kitty's final moments were peaceful and serene.

Sometimes there is a bit of a wait, but what a relief to get vet care in the middle of the night! Very reassuring to know they are there 24 hours. They are compassionate. I don't like that they take the dog away from me to go to another room. I came in for an ear infection, and although I know they needed to clean her ear, it was pretty clear she was in pain when they did it . She was returned to me with a very, very sore ear, (albeit clean and plucked) with medicine. My dog was clearly shaken. Again, I don't like the idea of going into another room to treat my dog. I would rather be there to see what is happening. Bottom line, she is better, and I'm grateful for the treatment and care. Thank you VCA

A deposit of 100% of an $1840 estimate was required with the disclaimer that a diagnosis may not be provided. I had provided my signature for a pain killer but turned down the estimate. My dog was returned to me an hour and a half later in an overmedicated condition.

Very friendly atmosphere with a thorough analysis and treatment of my pet - thank you!

I needed a quick consult on whether I needed to bring my dog in to the dog ER or not. The lady on the phone was super rude. I asked why a certain unique symptom might be occurring in my dog and whether or not it was serious. She started laughing and saying “Well how am I supposed to know?!” A different vet in SB quickly gave me 3 of the most common reasons a particular symptom occurs in dogs, what to look out for, and his best advice on what to do in the hours moving forward. Don’t even bother calling this place- go to different dog ER in Santa Barbara.

In the 3.5 hours I waited, only 1 dog was treated, with a blood test for a urinary tract infection. There were still 3 dogs ahead of me when I gave up. People brought in a dog with a broken leg and were turned away. This is not an emergency vet, in no way do they run this like an emergency facility. There appeared to be 3 techs and they were the only ones dealing with owners for intake, no one interacted with the vet, which is not at all appropriate or effective.

Waited for 3 hours and then they told me they couldnt see my dog. Uncaring, unprofessional, condescending.

I went in not to long ago to take my cat sweetness when I got there we got told there were some things wrong with her health, immediately we get really worried for her and we got very devastated at the fact that we had to put her down, the vets there tried to do everything they could for her and we really appreciated that, they saw how devasted we were to let our beautiful best friend go and they were really supportive to let us spend as much time we could with her. At the end of the day we didn’t want sweetness to be suffering even after all the medical things they were going to do with her but the vets there were very comforting and supportive, we ended up going back to get sweetness’s ashes and later we got mailed a letter from the clinic. It really shows how much they care for not only your pets, but the pet owners as well, thank you

My pup has Pulmonary Hypertension and Dr. Bowman was extremely thorough and responsive throughout the entire process. She really does care about your pets! I trust her completely with my dogs future and life.

They were helpful and in particular Luke the vet technician is what made my experience go from a 3 to a 5 star for his genuine care and support of my animal.

The bad thing with this place is that they don’t have doctors on Saturday you have to wait for the next day. I don’t why this hospital is called a 24/7. My poppy is sick and no one in that hospital can call a doctor to help him.

I want to share that sadly you will get Really poor customer by front Service Staff and unable to have anyone answer your questions while you wait for hours. You will be charged just to wait and walk away with no answers. Be prepared to be spoken over and hung up on. If you can go someplace else. I highly recommend you do.

I will never come here again! After bringing my cat in for treatment for an abscess, I was given an excessive and costly estimate, when I declined the treatment plan I was told I could get the antibiotics from the diagnostic plan and let the cat recover at home. When I called the next day to pick up my antibiotics they refused to give them to me without performing the same costly exam done the day before. When I asked for the doctor on call to return my call, they refused. This clinic is obviously not interested in the welfare of the pets they treat. Their first priority is how many times they can charge for overpriced treatments. Worst veterinary experience of my life! And I've been caring for animals over 30 years.

Visiting family from out of town and needed some emergency care for an ear infection. I immediately felt the love from the staff, and despite COVID protocol, felt my dog was in great hands. Wish I could have met the Dr. in person (great on the phone very thorough and thoughtful) and want to express my sincere appreciation for both the nurse ???? I met at intake and discharge, as well as the receptionist. Thank you! -Quantum

They saved our rabbit from fly strike, after another place strongly recommended for the bunny to be euthanized. It was 2 years ago, our beloved pet bunny has been fine ever since. Competent highly skilled doctors, great service.

We just brought in my brothers dog Ziggy because he ate a brownie. ???? Kate was lovely and helpful on the phone. Cynthia was great retrieving Ziggy from the car and Dr. Lee was very thorough! We’re very pleased with the service we received especially during COVID-19 and not being able to go in with our pup. Thank you to the entire VCA team for your help and taking great care of our Ziggy! ????

While I am very grateful that you were open on Mother's Day I do have some major discomfort with the doctor that euthanized my cat. First off I was under the impression after having several other animals euthanized in my lifetime that my …

This place is so great. I had to take my cat in to be seen urgently--the nurse and admin staff were friendly and accommodating, and the doctor on staff (Dr. Wayne) was very caring and treated my baby well. Definitely go here if you're in need of urgent pet care! (I also recommend their sister location in Goleta, VCA Noah's Ark , as a general veterinarian.)

This Admin. staff is GROSSLY unprofessional, uncaring and rude. NO stars is NOT an option..

We have 2 bulldogs and have our share of vet visits, so when we were referred to VCA and Dr Bowman we expected just another vet. But to our surprise the experience was amazing! From the friendly and helpful people at the front desk to the Amazing Dr. Bowman!! She has this awesome love for animals and her expertise helped our dog back to his normal self! He’s like a new dog! We were at the point where we were about to have biopsy’s, and she had the knowledge to cure him without!! You just want to hug this vet in appreciation!! So thankful! Then, to top it off our bulldog was rolled by another dog in the park a few hours later, tumbled and was limping, and she said just come by and I’ll take a look right away!! 5 sparkling stars for Dr. Bowman!!

I did not drive down the mt to have it written up that I declined treatment on the report sent to my vet. Why would I go to Emergency to decline treatment? I would have done anything to save my dog who I had to have put to sleep 3 hrs later. Was told she was given liquids. I thought it was an IV which I wanted for her in her condition. I will not go back!

I loved they were the best and I would recommend going there again

I took my dog there over the weekend after finding a large lump on his neck, next to his trachea. I was told by staff there that it would need to be treated ASAP, as it could not wait the three days it would take for us to return to our hometown. While I understand that his was not an "emergency" per se, and this is an emergency vet, I still expected to receive treatment that I felt confident with, especially since they were the office that told me it couldn't wait to be treated. The receptionist took him back after a 2.5 hour wait in the waiting room, and then she brought him back after the procedure. The receptionist was the one to explain how the procedure went, how to give meds, and talk about the drain coming out of his neck. I never saw the doctor who performed the procedure or a vet tech. I was supposed to receive the culture results in 2-3 days, but after 5 days of hearing nothing, I had to call to find out the results. After getting back home and seeing our own vet, they said everything was healing fine. But the experience at VCA left a horrible taste in my mouth. Again, I understand that there are far more urgent cases than ours, but as a paying customer... and one that apparently needed to be handled sooner rather than later... I was left feeling upset by the whole situation.

Staff & doctors are excellent! My dogs get great care here. Love this place!

Bad service, the prices are very high, extremely high!!! Don’t go there!