Do they handle emergency walk-ins, or appointment-only?

Reviewers report staff stayed late to help unexpected emergency patients without an appointment, though general services require scheduling.

How much more expensive are they?

Vaccine shots run $80-88 versus $20 elsewhere; office visits cited at $120. Vaccination and check-up costs described as nearly double nearby clinics.

VCA Firehouse Animal Hospital

Updated 2026-07-08 · 1,063 reviewed · 177 listed · Scored from 451 Google reviews · How we rank ›

4.5(451) 77 composite score See reviews on Google ✓ Verified

General & Wellness Veterinary CareLow-Cost / Affordable Vet CareMobile & House-Call VetVeterinary DentistryVeterinary SurgeryEmergency & Urgent CareExotic & Avian Vet CareEquine & Large Animal Vet

Services: General & Wellness Veterinary Care, Low-Cost / Affordable Vet Care, Mobile & House-Call Vet
Reviews: 451

What recent reviews say

The team at VCA Firehouse wins consistent praise for their kindness and willingness to stay late for emergencies, with several reviewers naming Dr. Calloway and Dr. Farnsworth for their calm presence with nervous pets. However, pricing runs 50 to 100 percent higher than competitors for the same services, and some reviewers report they were not fully informed of vaccine risks before administration or experienced surgical follow-up problems years later.

Recent shift: Mixed signals: one reviewer's negative-to-positive arc (3 stars to positive reflection) shows potential for staff learning; another recent complaint (1 star, 5 days ago) about vaccine pricing and billing transparency suggests ongoing pricing frustration.

Praised for

compassionate and patient staff
kind bedside manner
goes above and beyond in emergencies
gentle handling of anxious pets
excellent continuity of care

Watch-outs

high vaccine and check-up prices
poor informed consent on treatments
staff inexperience and high turnover
surgical complications (ovarian remnant)
inconsistent care quality after vet changes

compassionate-staffgentle-with-animalsgood-with-anxious-petscaring-bedside-mannerknowledgeable-vetsexpensivepoor-communicationsurgical-skill

Best for: Pet owners who prioritize a gentle, caring environment and can absorb premium pricing for that experience.

Think twice if: Concerned about vaccine side effects or surgical outcomes-some reviewers felt rushed into treatments without full disclosure or discovered surgical complications years later.

Strengths

Staff willing to stay late for walk-in emergencies
Named vets known for compassionate care (Dr. Calloway, Dr. Farnsworth)
Offers USDA certification for international pet travel
Sends sympathy cards and follow-up notes to grieving families

Worth knowing

Dr. Calloway and Dr. Farnsworth named for exceptional patient care
Team sends handwritten sympathy cards after pet death
One reviewer reported ovarian remnant tissue left after spay, causing lifelong health issues
Vaccine prices cited at $80-88 per shot versus $20 elsewhere; office visit at $120
Staff turnover described as high; one reviewer noted nine-year discovery of surgical complication

What reviews say by service

General & Wellness Veterinary Care: Praised for kind, patient care; criticized for high prices and poor informed consent on vaccines.
Emergency & Urgent Care: Staff willing to stay late for walk-in emergencies and provide fast treatment when needed.
Veterinary Surgery: Praised for surgical skill by most, but one reviewer discovered ovarian remnant tissue nine years after spay.
Veterinary Dentistry: Advanced dental care listed on website; limited direct review evidence.

How it compares

Rated 4.5 against a 4.57 average across the 99 emergency & urgent care businesses listed here.
Has more Google reviews than 67% of the businesses in this directory.

How we scored this

Our Rubric

Star rating 67

Review volume 100

Review recency 100

Review sentiment 48

Profile completeness 100

Verification 30

Rating breakdown

359

Common questions

Do they handle emergency walk-ins, or appointment-only?: Reviewers report staff stayed late to help unexpected emergency patients without an appointment, though general services require scheduling.
How much more expensive are they?: Vaccine shots run $80-88 versus $20 elsewhere; office visits cited at $120. Vaccination and check-up costs described as nearly double nearby clinics.

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