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VCA Central Park Animal Hospital

Updated 2026-07-07 · 1,215 reviewed · 182 listed · Scored from 375 Google reviews · How we rank ›

4.4(375) 75 composite score See reviews on Google ✓ Verified
General Veterinary CareEmergency & Urgent CareVeterinary SurgeryVeterinary DentistryLow-Cost / Affordable Vet CareExotic & Avian VetLarge Animal / Equine Vet
VCA Central Park Animal Hospital
Services
General Veterinary Care, Emergency & Urgent Care, Veterinary Surgery
Reviews
375

What recent reviews say

VCA Central Park wins genuine praise for quick scheduling, calm handling of anxious pets, and deep compassion during euthanasia. Yet many reviews report sticker shock: dental cleanings quoted at $1500-$2000 versus $900 elsewhere, basic labs billed at $240, and diagnostic testing prioritized over affordable treatment. Staff turnover and inconsistent care plans frustrate long-term clients, while some felt dismissed or misled about medication options.

Recent shift: Several reviews note a decline since the business converted to VCA corporate ownership (formerly privately owned); reviewers describe rising costs, staff turnover, and inconsistent care, though compassionate end-of-life care remains a consistent bright spot.

Praised for
  • quick appointments
  • compassionate end-of-life care
  • gentle handling of animals
  • skilled and kind staff
Watch-outs
  • significantly overpriced
  • expensive diagnostics over treatment
  • poor communication and records management
  • billing inconsistency and defensive doctors
compassionate-staffskilled-vetsoverpricedgentle-with-animalspoor-communicationfriendly-front-deskhard-to-get-appointmentthorough-examssurprise-fees
Best for: Pet owners seeking quick specialist access and compassionate end-of-life care for seriously ill pets.
Think twice if: Budget-conscious owners should expect costs well above independent clinics; some report 50+ percent markup on procedures available elsewhere for far less.

Strengths

  • same-day or next-hour appointments available
  • multiple specialty services on-site
  • compassionate euthanasia and end-of-life support

Worth knowing

  • Dr. Rice and vet tech Stevie praised for floor-level gentleness with anxious dogs
  • Dr. Moon noted for compassionate diagnosis delivery and follow-up calls
  • Vet tech Zelle recognized for diabetes care support
  • Same-day appointment available within one hour in one case
  • Long wait times (6 hours) without communication reported for dental procedures
  • Staff would not email prescriptions; required in-person pickup with vet signature
  • Quoted $1500-$2000 for dental cleaning and extraction versus $900 elsewhere (Banfield)

What reviews say by service

General Veterinary Care
Praised for quick same-day appointments and gentle exams; criticized for inconsistent vets and high prices.
Veterinary Dentistry
Marked up 50-100% higher than competitors; lengthy waits without updates reported.
Emergency & Urgent Care
Capable of same-hour scheduling and responsive to urgent concerns, but costly.
Low-Cost / Affordable Vet Care
Reviews consistently describe this as expensive relative to independent and chain competitors like Banfield and 1-800-PetMeds.

How it compares

  • Rated 4.4 against a 4.57 average across the 104 emergency & urgent care businesses listed here.
  • Has more Google reviews than 61% of the businesses in this directory.

How we scored this

Scoring Method
Star rating 61
Review volume 100
Review recency 100
Review sentiment 48
Profile completeness 100
Verification 30

Rating breakdown

5
287
4
36
3
6
2
9
1
37

Common questions

How quickly can I get an appointment?
One reviewer got in within one hour; others report difficulty scheduling routine care, though emergency access appears faster.
Do they handle diabetic pet care?
Yes. Staff praised for managing diabetic cats, though some long-term diabetic clients switched away over medication prescription policies.
Can I use outside pharmacies for prescriptions?
They require vet signature and in-person pickup; they do not email prescriptions to outside services like 1-800-PetMeds.
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Last updated 2026-07-07