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Highlands Animal Clinic

Updated 2026-07-07 · 1,215 reviewed · 182 listed · Scored from 526 Google reviews · How we rank ›

4.6(526) 79 composite score See reviews on Google ✓ Verified
General Veterinary CareVeterinary SurgeryVeterinary DentistryLow-Cost / Affordable Vet Care
Highlands Animal Clinic
Services
General Veterinary Care, Veterinary Surgery, Veterinary Dentistry
Reviews
526

What recent reviews say

Highlands earns praise for compassionate vets like Dr. Drake and Dr. Anderson, who spend time explaining options and building trust with pets. Several long-term clients report nine-plus years of care and feel genuinely supported, especially during end-of-life decisions.

Recent reviews reveal a sharp divide. Several clients switched away after an ownership change, citing rushed visits, skipped diagnostics (bloodwork, sample tracking) on senior pets, and front desk staff perceived as rude or unhelpful. Two tragic cases describe missed warning signs that may have prevented deaths. Those experiences sit uncomfortably alongside the current praise from recent visits.

Recent shift: Ownership change appears to have driven a notable shift in service quality and culture. Reviews from 2+ months ago consistently praise continuity, care, and vets by name. Reviews from 1+ month ago are split: newer clients praise staff warmth and clear communication, while long-term clients describe service as rushed, impersonal, and less thorough post-transition. Two tragic cases (pet deaths after missed diagnostics) were triggered by incidents in this later period.

Praised for
  • caring and patient vets
  • knowledgeable staff
  • clean, comfortable environment
  • thorough surgical outcomes
  • strong rapport with pets
Watch-outs
  • inconsistent care quality after ownership change
  • rushed appointments, insufficient diagnostics
  • poor front desk communication and follow-up
  • unnecessary procedures and repeated testing
skilled-vetscompassionate-stafffriendly-front-deskcaring-follow-upclean-facilityrushed-appointmentspoor-communicationhard-to-get-appointment
Best for: Long-term owners of dogs and cats with established rapport; less ideal for new clients or seniors needing comprehensive diagnostics.
Think twice if: New client with a senior or brachycephalic pet. Ask upfront about senior bloodwork, sample follow-up, and appointment policies for refills to avoid surprise costs or gaps.

Strengths

  • Vets with nine-plus-year track records of genuine care
  • Surgical expertise (clean scars, successful procedures)
  • Calm, welcoming clinic environment

Worth knowing

  • Dr. Drake: nine-year relationship, sends flowers after loss, praised for senior dog care and thoughtful guidance
  • Dr. Anderson: first visits noted as very friendly and informative
  • Dr. Dredla: patient with questions, tumor surgery with minimal scarring
  • Ownership transition cited as point of decline in recent negative reviews
  • Front desk staff: named in at least two reviews as dismissive or unhelpful to new clients and for medication follow-up gaps

What reviews say by service

General Veterinary Care
Long-term clients praise continuity; new clients and seniors report rushed exams and insufficient diagnostics.
Veterinary Surgery
Surgical outcomes praised (minimal scarring, successful procedures); two reviews cite possible over-recommending surgery.
Veterinary Dentistry
Website lists Pet Dental Care but no review text directly addresses it.
Low-Cost / Affordable Vet Care
Described as 'overpriced' and 'expensive' in recent reviews; one long-term client notes Dr. Dredla does not price-gauge but discusses necessity.

How it compares

  • Rated 4.6 against a 4.57 average across the 143 general veterinary care businesses listed here.
  • Has more Google reviews than 75% of the businesses in this directory.

How we scored this

Scoring Method
Star rating 73
Review volume 100
Review recency 100
Review sentiment 50
Profile completeness 100
Verification 30

Rating breakdown

5
456
4
19
3
8
2
7
1
36

Common questions

Do they offer emergency care?
Their website lists Pet Emergencies as a service, but review text does not confirm availability or hours. Contact them directly to confirm coverage.
Can I refill medication without a new appointment?
Recent reviews indicate they require appointments and may charge for refills on existing prescriptions, even for senior dogs on ongoing pain medication. Confirm their refill policy before enrolling.
Do they do senior bloodwork at wellness visits?
One review describes a senior brachycephalic dog who was not offered CBC or chemistry panel at a wellness visit, only a heartworm snap test. If you have a senior pet, ask explicitly about full bloodwork during initial booking.

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Berkeley Animal Hospital
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Last updated 2026-07-07