My kitty recently had a Very Bad Week and we had to make a trip to the vet. Her vet is Urban Vet way down in Interbay. I initially chose Urban Vet since the Yelp reviews of other Hill vets were pretty negative — e.g., too expensive, too pushy. (Note: Since they also operate the Downtown Dog Lounge at Denny and Olive, the vet also makes time for a few appointments there, which is fantastic!) So despite having to (usually) Zipcar there, I’m staying with Urban Vet because they are amazing with my *cat.
But I admit that I feel a little ridiculous going off the Hill when there are several full-time vets within walking-distance of my apartment. Are the Yelp reviews wrong? How are the Hill vets?
I go to the one at the corner of 15th and Republican… they are nice to my cats and me, and have been for the 3 years I’ve been a client. I guess that’s only 5 visits, but still!
i have had bad experiences with the vet on 15th and also the “broadway vet clinic” on 12th. especially the latter. I live almost right next door and from time to time I hear sad cries coming from terrified animals in that building. scary! As a former vet tech, i am very picky about what veterinarian I use. I am a faitful client of Dr Kraft. He is based in Snohomish but as a mobile vet, he makes house calls anywhere as far south as Renton. His prices are fair for the outstanding service you receive. He charges extra for a house call (I think 50 bucks) but he is willing to work with meeting you somewhere if he happens to be already making a call somewhere close to you and does not charge for this. His number is 428 482 6345. I have never ever had a negative experience with this vet and only have wonderful things to say!
I went to the vet on 12th avenue about 4 years back and had results very consistent with the online reviews I’ve read (expensive, overpriced). My cat had very minor symptoms, but I was told it was potentially grave and this place ran $450 dollars worth of tests “to be sure” it wasn’t cancer. Turned out it was a hairball problem. I hate to vent a bad experience online, but the experience I had there seems very common.
If your vet is half as awesome as you say, I’d stick with them.
for breaking the CHS ICHC embargo
Bway Vet and the Cap Hill Animal Clinic are very overpriced and I have found them to offer terrible customer service, as well as unnecessary procedures, and they tend to push questionable foods, esp BV, as there is a store downstairs that offers very grain heavy/by-product laden foods I would never consider using. I have been going to Urban Vet for a few years now and love Dr. Claire! My dogs are nervous and particular and they have taken to her well. Her prices are great and she never charges for useless services…she is very honest! Their Cap Hill hours in Downtown Dog Lounge are limited, but I feel it’s worth the drive to go to Interbay.
Not on the Hill but not so far off of it is Rainier Vet Clinic, on Rainier Ave just south of Dearborn. They are very affordable and Dr. Haino is really great.
Another vote for Capitol Hill Animal Clinic. I’ve taken 2 cats and a puppy there and they are very nice, accommodating, and friendly.
I’d highly recommend Aurora Veterinary Hospital. They’re around 88th and Aurora. Not tremendously convenient, but I’ve kept going to them in the 6 years since I moved to Cap Hill from Greenlake. It’s precisely b/c of all the stuff they don’t do (that all the others seem to) that I go back. Easy to make appointments, reasonable prices, separate cat/dog entrances (kinda nice), vets that don’t seem to recommend unnecessary stuff.
Not sure why all the Cap Hill vets are so sketch, but until I hear differently I’m sticking with my out of the way but not sucky vet.
We’ve seen both Dr. Claire and Dr. Kira at Urban Vet and they are both amazing! (And so are the techs!) My super small kitty could probably have an infinite number of tests, yet both vets have said that the most informative thing we can do is weigh her. I’m definitely sticking with them.
I have been taking my cat all the way over to lien animal clinic in *west seattle* for years. the are absolutely wonderful, good people over there and they are worth the trek. They have seen her through a dozen office visits and one Very Very Bad Day that she somehow made it through. They are also really great about talking things out over the phone – even when it’s the on-call vet on a sunday morning. Did I mention that I don’t have a car and I still take her there?
I love them and so does my cat.
Best vet in Seattle! My dad’s pets went her when he is a kid and it’s the only place my dog has ever gone. My roommate took his dog to Bway Vet and they wanted to do thousands of dollars of tests to make sure his testicle that hadn’t dropped wasn’t cancer. Only downside to Rainier is that they don’t take appointments, but it’s also cheap, no unnecessary procedures, and very skilled, educated, and friendly.
I would second what everyone’s already said about the vet on 12th- very expensive, pushy about ordering unnecessary tests, don’t seem to care for animals much. I go to CHAC on 15th now- I like the people and can’t tell if it’s overpriced b/c all vet services are pricey. The vet techs generally seem to really care about animals.
Shortly after adopting a stray kitten about three years ago, I had a bad experience at Broadway Veterinary on 12th Street. They accidentally overdosed her with some deworming medication and had to induce vomiting as a result. I understand mistakes happen, but their attitude about the whole ordeal was not particularly compassionate or apologetic. A friend recommended Green Lake Animal Hospital, and we’ve been happy with their service since.
We go there as well. Have for years with all of our cats. Not only are they extremely affordable, the Dr is very understanding and even when rushed will take the time to really talk to you. Most of my friends go there as well. They are very committed to animals and not making a buck like some of the other places.