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VCA Central Park Animal Hospital

Updated 2026-07-09 · 1,245 reviewed · 181 listed · Scored from 375 Google reviews · How we rank ›

4.4(375) 75 composite score See reviews on Google ✓ Verified
General Veterinary CareSurgery & Specialty CareDental CareExotic & Avian CareLarge Animal & Equine
VCA Central Park Animal Hospital
Services
General Veterinary Care, Surgery & Specialty Care, Dental Care
Reviews
375

What recent reviews say

VCA Central Park earns strong marks for kindness during difficult moments and quick scheduling, but reviewers consistently flag high costs and communication gaps. Praised for compassionate euthanasia care and attentive techs like Stevie and Zelle, the practice struggles with corporate inefficiency: slow treatment decisions, long waits without updates, rotating vets, and reluctance to work with outside pharmacies. Costs run $500 for simple UTI diagnosis versus $100 elsewhere, and a dental cleaning quote of $1500-2000 was undercut at Banfield for under $900.

Recent shift: Long-time clients report decline since VCA took over from independent ownership. Staff turnover and cost increases cited as accelerating over the past few years.

Praised for
  • quick appointment availability
  • compassionate end-of-life care
  • gentle and attentive staff
  • knowledgeable vets
Watch-outs
  • expensive compared to independent vets and Banfield
  • poor communication and lack of follow-up
  • inconsistent care and staff turnover
  • prioritizes testing over treatment
  • difficult prescription handling
compassionate-staffgentle-with-animalsexpensivepoor-communicationlong-wait-timescaring-bedside-manner
Best for: Pet owners who prioritize kindness and surgical expertise over cost.
Think twice if: Budget-conscious owners; those needing reliable communication or long-term consistency should compare independent practices or Banfield.

Strengths

  • Same-day or next-hour appointment availability
  • Dedicated compassionate care during euthanasia
  • Experienced surgical team
  • Separate cat waiting area

Worth knowing

  • Dr. Rice and Dr. Eury Rice named as compassionate vets
  • Vet tech Stevie and Zelle noted for exceptional care
  • Can schedule same-hour appointments
  • Offers cremation with engraved ash box
  • Diabetic cat and dog care available
  • Separate cat waiting area mentioned
  • Long wait times for dental procedures (6 hours reported without updates)
  • Staff turnover described as revolving door

What reviews say by service

General Veterinary Care
Quick access and kind staff offset by high costs and communication failures.
Surgery & Specialty Care
Experienced surgical team praised; pricing significantly above independent competitors.
Dental Care
Quotes $1500-2000 versus $900 elsewhere for similar work; long waits reported.
Exotic & Avian Care
Website lists service but no review evidence.
Large Animal & Equine
Website lists service but no review evidence.

How it compares

  • Rated 4.4 against a 4.59 average across the 167 general veterinary 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 45
Profile completeness 100
Verification 30

Rating breakdown

5
287
4
36
3
6
2
9
1
37

Common questions

How fast can I get an appointment?
Same hour or same-day scheduling reported; one reviewer brought a dog in within an hour of calling.
Will you work with online pharmacies for my pet's prescriptions?
No. VCA does not communicate with external prescription companies and requires in-person visits and vet signatures to release prescriptions.
What happens during end-of-life care?
Staff are reported as unhurried and compassionate. They offer cremation with a name-engraved ash box.
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Last updated 2026-07-09