Animal Emergency Center

"The vet on duty (Carlynn McNulty) was very nice..on both occasions. Sadly, two of my three dogs passed away within days of each other. The first was Jazzmine, 7-year-old cocker and then Jafare, 15-year-old English Cocker. It’s too much to tell all the details in a review, however I would like to share the level of care I personally experienced at different emergency clinics, esp regarding end of life and cremation services. There is a BIG difference! The Animal Care Clinic fell short in a big way. The front desk staff is disheartening at best. I understand that you have to keep your feelings aside, but wow…won’t even help an owner at the door struggling to hold their 32-pound dog howling in pain. Then she stands there while I don’t know what to do, obviously in destress about my dog howling in pain. When I asked her what I do next she said, “I’ll take your dog.” Ugh. He passed over within hours of arrival. When I went to pick up the ashes, the front desk attendant barely acknowledged me. After about 20 minutes, she looked up the name and then handed me the “bag” as if it was some ordinary purchase. Not a “sorry for your loss”...maybe I expected too much, especially after the beautiful presentation, certificate and “bag” of memories I’ll have forever about Jazzmine after she passed at Coastal Animal Referral Emergency in Williamsburg. After leaving Animal Care Clinic I cried all the way home to Smithfield after picking up Jafare’s remains. I was overwhelmed by how little care was taken by his passing compared to the beautiful reminder of Jazzmine’s passing when picking up her ashes at Coastal Animal Referral Emergency. The staff at Animal Care Clinic just didn’t seem to care. The candle on the front desk? After Jafare passed, the candle wasn’t lit so don’t let it fool you. It felt more like a business than a caring environment. Maybe they are understaffed. I’m willing to accept circumstances, however it still hurt my heart. My snugglebug for 15 years is now a bag of ashes presented in a cheap cardboard box. Serious heart-jerk! I’ve included pictures to show the difference in the presentation."

"I can NOT recommend this emergency Vet if you are in need of having your pet euthanized. The Dr had other pets there to attend to when I brought my fifteen and a half year old pup that was in need of being humanely euthanized in last night to put him out of his suffering. He said my pup was seizing. The Vet gave him something for that. When he came in to euthanize my pet he had three syringes, he administered the sedative then immediately cleared the line then right after that administered the drug to stop his heart. He did not give him any time for the sedation to kick in. He waited a few seconds and listened to his chest with a stethoscope real quick and made some comment about him being gone, told me I could sit with him as long as I liked and was off to the next patient. Right after he left the room my pet gasped for air three times, never drifted off or closed his eyes. He just looked at me as he gasped his last breathes. I was confused and didn't understand what had just happened. I have been unable to sleep and in tears. The Dr never came back to the room. I was confused, came home and looked up are both drugs supposed to be given at the same time. I had to have another pet euthanized and the practice that helped my other pet was amazing and extremely compassionate. The staff at this office was very kind and was compassionate , but the Dr's actions made me feel like we were an inconvenience, like my pets comfort in passing meant nothing, because he had other patients to get to. I wanted his passing to be peaceful and I don't feel that it was. The fact that he couldn't give the sedation any time to kick in before he gave the drug to stop his heart has left me feeling racked with guilt for taking my pup there. I had told the girls at the front deck when I arrived that I wanted my pet completely sedated before the other drug was given. I just don't understand why that wasn't done.This was the only place I saw that was open at 1am. That is why I went there. Maybe overall this Dr is a good Vetrinarian but my experience last night has left me heartbroken and racked with guilt. Maybe this isn't the normal way he handles euthanizing pets, maybe he did things the way he did because he had other patients and didn't want to have to come back in to give the other shot. All I know is I left there with my pup with his eyes still open and I can't get that out of my head. My other pup that had been euthanized was sleeping soundly before the other practice gave the shot to stop her heart. I hope in the future this Dr will be more compassionate and give the animals he treats the time to be out before ending their life."

"We had to euthanize our dog today. We brought our dog to this hospital before the decision was made. The doctor was so caring and so was the staff. My daughter brought our dog in alone and was having a hard time. They kept watch over our dog until she came back to pick me up. The staff offered us comfort and support. The doctor evaluated our dog and gave us her prognosis. He was very honest and empathetic to our situation. The process was so comforting and calming. I love this place."