A bit of a mixed review here. My partner and I have always found that the front desk staff, the vet techs and the vet have all been very warm and welcoming. Our golden seems to take to them well and is never scared. That being said we’ve had some poor experiences with VCA which are unsettling. We’ve had two acute issues with our golden and two poor experiences so far. The first was when he swallowed a jagged plastic piece of a toy. We called to try and access an emergency vet and we’re told to seek care in Kingston or Montreal at 11pm at night. The second was with a bothersome ear infection. We called to try and make an appointment, were told there was nothing for 3+ weeks, not given an appointment and told to cold call for cancellations. To leave a pet with a worsening infection for 3+ weeks doesn’t constitute good care to me. Understandably there is short staffing and high volumes. But in my books you shouldn’t be taking on pets you can’t care for. Use them for basic care. For responsive care when you need them, it doesn’t seem like a place to rely on.

Money hunger vet clinic: Told them my dog had a UTI and needed antibotics. They told me I haven't visited in the last 2-3 years so I should go somewhere else. previously, when I went to them with the same issue I also had a horrible experience. I told them my dog had a UTI, they did an incompetent review and told me she didn't have a UTI and it was something else. 3 visits later and -$800 dollars they finally figured out that it was indeed a UTI and finally prescribed my dog antibiotics. Because of this clinics incompetence my dog had to wait 3-4 weeks for basic antibiotics that I originally requested. If you are willing to blindly throw money at this clinic they will treat you with a bit of respect, otherwise basic decency is throw out the window when dealing with this vet. Edit: after reviewing the 1 star reviews I instantly noticed that this clinic has a on going issue with missing diagnosis results in pet deaths, trying to have over prescribe useless checkups for more money, and not serving clients in their most needed times if they have not generated enough money for them. I'd recommend reading all the 1 star reviews and seeing the running them of incompetence and money hunger related to this clinic. Avoid in an emergency, and for regular needs also avoid unless you have a lot money to waste.

Avoid for anything other than regularly scheduled visits and check ups. Takes multiple days to get an answer to questions from the Dr. I called about having my dog seen for an ear infection, received a call back two days later and was told that I either had to be there in two hours or that it would be months before he could be seen. No other solution or suggestion was offered by the receptionist. I understand that there are staff shortages everywhere, but this has been a constant problem for months. I will say, we’ve always had good care from the Vet and the team is very friendly. **Update: Received another call (shortly after posting this review, coincidence?) offering me my choice of two appointment times the next day. I was able to be seen quickly and have my dogs issues resolved. My advice, if you need appointments on short notice for acute issues look elsewhere or be ready to be pushy for an appointment.

Update: Molly passed yesterday. We are gutted and feel disappointed in this clinic’s service. I keep thinking if only we got an earlier appointment that wasn’t two months out when I called June 9 to book Molly’s annual; if only we got an emergency spot when my mom called yesterday morning. I hope no one else has to go through this. This has been my veterinary clinic for many years, however the service is inconsistent. My mom called the clinic first thing in the morning today because my almost 14 year old shih tzu appeared to have a seizure and breathing difficulty. Reception dismissively cut my mom off without asking any details about my pup’s condition, ordering my mom to take Molly to a hospital because they are busy. I am gutted. This is unacceptable service especially given my loyalty over the years. I will be looking for a new clinic and suggesting my contacts downtown do the same. I get that they’re busy and overbooked, but bedside manners is everything in a field where you care for sick pets. Also why emergencies are no longer booked into their scheduling is beyond me.

This was once a locally owned and wonderfully run clinic until it became a corporate entity. Since that time it has been my experience that patient care has taken a back seat to profits. Case in point I took my dog for a consultation for what I thought was a UTI. The vet recommended a urine test, blood test and ultra sound to be "very thorough". I thought that was excessive and I voiced my opinion. We started with a urine test, which I was told would take 5 to 7 days for results. It actually took longer because I had to chase the clinic down for the results. The results came back inconclusive and no other course of action was suggested. However, my animal was displaying the same symptoms. I sought a second opinion and while waiting for the results the vet proactively started antiobiotics. The test came back a few days later with a positive result. I know that this is a tough review. However, I am giving this review so that the people can make an informed decision and with the hopes that the clinic considers that they may need to address some of these concerns.

Professional and very friendly staff. I have only lived in Ottawa a few months and my puppy has been visiting the Pretoria Animal Hospital for his routine vaccinations. He had a small cut one of his toes I was worried was infective that I didn't notice, as he has been acting normal and running around as his usual self. I called and left a voicemail on a Friday night and received a call on Saturday morning with an appointment time that day. As a precaution I decided to have an x-ray done and luckily there is no infection or break, likely just from trauma playing because he is a little hellion, and told to watch it. I am very impressed with how friendly the staff is and how knowledgable they were, and the entire experience was very positive for my puppy, completely fear free, with lots of treats. I payed about $240 for the appointment with x-ray and am happy with that, but I will not I am a member of their care plan for puppies so his exam fee was covered. Very happy with getting such a quick response when I was worried there could be infection or a break. I will continue to come here with my puppy Mayhem and love the support:)

We had brought our golden here for close to ten years. I had been happy with the service up until this fall. In November she had some concerning issues (wouldn’t eat) and a lump was found. I called for 4 days in a row begging for an appointment and was booked for Dec 23rd, only to finally be told to take her to emergency at another vet. Sadly she was diagnosed with cancer that day and passed a couple of days later. It was very disappointing that I couldn’t get a cancellation or even speak with a vet after being a loyal client for close to 10 years. While I understand there are staff shortages I am very disappointed that there is no room for clients in these situations when you need them.

We‘ve been bringing our newest addition, Murphy here for all of his puppy needs. They actually caught 2 problems for our guy (itchy dirty ears and a UTI) that we may not have noticed otherwise. He’s always treated well, the staff are really friendly & he gets lots of treats. They explain the medications to us, care for after shots and discuss different options with us, as well as leaving my partner and I to discuss our thoughts in private (so you don’t have to say yes right away to treatments/shots/etc.). We’ve seen several vets and techs and have had no concerns with any of them, and they even remember our little guy when we come in. They’re very patient and kind and I’m happy we found them to ease the transition of becoming puppy parents and caring for Murphy!

I've taken my cats to this vet for 6 years, called today and they told me my file doesn't exist and they're not taking "new" clients because they're too busy. They said I must not have been there in a while then, to which I responded "its been maybe a year, do you just delete whole client files? I've had two cats be treated here for years and one of them has an infection and needs antibiotics." she said she didn't know what to tell me but they wouldn't be able to help me and to try another animal hospital. This feels surreal, truly absurd. I'm leaving my last review below this, when I was still on a one year plan with them for my second kitten. Super friendly and competent staff, they don't blindside you with fees and aren't pushy about them either. Dr. Peckham is wonderful and has been amazing helping my kitty with her many issues.

The staff is very knowledgeable, flexible and friendly. There have been a few instances where they have worked around my schedule in order to assist with my cat's particular requirements - it's always appreciated. Unfortunately, it is pricey...but it's worth it in the end due to their professionalism. The animal hospital is also very well-kept.

The staff are incredible. My dog gets great care and enjoys her visits. The staff go above and beyond expectations to make sure your pet is happy and healthy!

We’ve been going to this vet since we got our dog 12 years ago but over the last few years the service has been terrible. They are very expensive and NOT helpful at all. Today was the final straw and we will never go back here again. Our dog needs his annual flea tick and heartworm pills for the season and despite being customers for 12 years they can’t find an appointment for us until august but won’t give us the prescription without the vet seeing us…. For nothing I might add…. Every time we’ve brought him in for this all they did was weigh him. Their suggestion was ‘maybe you can find an appointment somewhere else’. Gee, thanks for the assistance after spending thousands of dollars here over the years. I get they’re busy, but really? So we are stuck with no tick pills… so I guess we don’t let the dog out of the house. I can guarantee we will never return to this clinic ever again and try to stay away from the VCA clinics in general. They don’t care about your animals… they just care about your money. I couldn’t give less than 1 star or I would have.

Amazing hospital! Couldnt say anything bad about my experience, not only did they heal my very sick kitten but, they love seeing him and make his experience at the vet amazing. We love our little animals and we want them to be safe and loved, this hospital truly cares about the animals and i couldnt recommend them more! Tubbin thanks you guys a million times! I attached a before and after of Tubbin!

Super friendly staff. The vet and the assistant were very nice and explained everything i needed to know. Also they follow up to make sure your pet is getting better. Highly recommended!

Dear Pretoria staff. Thank you for calling me on Monday March 13, 2023. And giving me advice to Take my beloved Piro to the Animal Emergency Hospital. I did not take Piro to the animal emergency hospital on Monday March 13. Due to he was constantly vomiting. I wanted to make him comfortable at home and not to stress him out. I wanted to keep him home in my arms making him comfy. He refused to eat the boiled chicken I made for him, and refused to drink chicken broth. The broth turned into jelly, I tried feeding him some but he kept turning his head away. So I understood he did not want it. Piro past away Friday March 17, at 2:50 pm. He lived with me for 17 years. When he past away, I took him to the Animal Emergency hospital. on Lola street near St. Laurent. around 4pm. March 17. 2023 I was impressed with the attention was given to me and my beloved Piro. They cleaned him up then brought him to me in the nice private waiting room. The quiet room with candles was very heart warming where I was given some time to say my goodbyes to Piro. Very impressed with the Animal Emergency Hospital. Thank you for all your help. Marie K.

The staff at Pretoria are warm, caring and very knowledgeable. They have treated my cats with excellent care and compassion over the years. They have earned my respect and gratitude!

If you are the type of consumer who enjoys getting cornered in an exam room with a debit machine that indicates you need to pay $600, then this is the place for you. Atleast present an invoice before requesting payment. Upon trying to make a return for an item that we did not request or agree to, I was told a return cannot be completed with out the manager present. Sounds like a get of jail free card. I really Hope this posts a red flag and a solution can be made in the next 24 hours UPDATE 02/02/2023 - product refunded and incident was debriefed with the Dr we interacted with yesterday. Glad to see a follow up was completed however unfortunately we are still skeptical with continuing on with VCA pretoria.

The best Veterinary clinic in Ottawa! Hands down! They really care about you and your pets! Shout out to Dr. Schroeder! I can't say enough good things.

I have received very good vet care at the clinic. Even with staff shortages and high patient demand, the clinic went out of their way to ensure that my pet was treated well and humanely put down at the end of its life.

I have tried several vets in the city and since I’m very picky most of them didn’t meet my expectations. I’m very happy to have found Pretoria. First and very important is that the staff at reception are ALWAYS friendly and very helpful. The waiting room is clean and never smelly. My favourite vets are Dr. Young and Dr. Peckham - they never “catastrophise” or jump to the worst possible conclusion (a trait I’ve found common in vets which makes me super anxious). They both usually have me laughing for much of the visit despite stressful health conditions. And they’re both willing to answer my endless questions and explain things in detail. I’ve even had staff chat with me on the phone about coping with a new pet illness and her tips and tricks she’ll learned over the years, really calming me down. Something she didn’t need to do and I wasn’t paying for. They’re just good people. Of course, like any vet … it’s expensive, prescription drugs are priced at shocking rates, and the prescription food is sold earnestly, but to me that’s the industry and not an issue specific to any location. It’s also just part of the privilege of owning a pet. This is the place in the city I feel most comfortable bringing my furry family.

I love this place!! I've been going with my kitty for years and just took my new puppy there. She's a very nervous dog and they were amazing. They made her feel so comfortable and won her over with cheese wiz. She had a gland expression and barely flinched because of the care and attention they put into making her first experience a good one. Thank you so much!!!

They love the animals and provide great care

Always a good service there. The gets and techs are warm and take the time to make nervous pets comfortable before any exam or procedure. Definitely recommend.

Great staff working here! Always very helpful and nice!