Many customers expressed dissatisfaction with the high costs of services, feeling that they were overcharged for basic procedures.
Mixed Experiences
While some customers praised the compassionate care and professionalism of the staff, others reported negative experiences, particularly regarding treatment and communication.
Staff Competence
Feedback highlighted a mix of competent and caring staff, but also instances of unprofessional behavior and lack of knowledge from some team members.
Customer Service
Several reviews noted issues with customer service, including difficulty in communication and perceived patronizing attitudes towards pet owners.
Emergency Care
Positive remarks were made about the clinic's handling of emergency situations, with many customers appreciating the prompt and compassionate care provided.
MQ
Michael Quillen
Nov 13, 2025
5.0
Brought my cat. Very professional, friendly, & knowledge. Plus they gave me cat treats. Thank you!
DH
Deborah Huertas
Oct 28, 2025
1.0
VCA is all about corporate greed. What they charge is highway robbery. I am done with VCA.
SE
Sylvia Estela
Oct 16, 2025
1.0
I was charged $900 for an annual physical. Stay away from this place!!!
HC
Haotong Chen
Oct 1, 2025
1.0
My last visit is two years ago. As I finally found a good vet, I could post my experience here.
I don’t know why the google rate of this vet is high. I wish I could give a negative star. After reviewing a couple of comments I think this vet might be good at surgery or treating severe diseases. But the pets with light syndromes like my cat also deserve good treatment! Here are some facts that I think they are not professional, discriminating and disrespectful.
1. The medicine on their prescription is discontinued on all online pharmacies. The nurse/assist in VCA does not know or spell the name of the medicine.
My cat’s chin acne is getting worse and bleeding. I treated him with 3 medicines from pet store but none of them worked. Then I seek help from VCA. After a full body check ($138) the doctor gave me a prescription and asked me to purchase it online like chewy.com. This is ridiculous because I bring my cat to vet is for immediate treatment. I don’t want to wait for a week for shipment. But I have no choice. The handwriting of the prescription is horrible so I asked the nurse/assist for help. Clearly she doesn’t know anything about it. I said if you can’t recognize, how could I? Then they gave me another medicine which is totally different from the prescription without telling me the ingredient, toxicity and how to apply. I rejected. Eventually I figured out the right name of the medicine, but found it’s discontinued, I cannot get it anywhere. Finally I got an ointment with same ingredient on Amazon.
2. They reject to fax prescription to online pharmacy.
I purchased antibiotic ointment from chewy.com, which requires prescription. VCA provided me the prescription (with the name spelled wrong), but when chewy.com contact them, they said they don’t fax prescription to online pharmacy. But this is required for chewy.com to ship the medicine. If they don’t fax, I have to mail the prescription to the physical address of chewy.com and then wait until they ship the medicine, which might take at least 1 week. I think VCA is lying, because if they don’t carry most of the medicines, they have to work with these online pharmacies. And they did mention it before that I could get the medicine on chewy.com when they gave me the prescription. So they must know how it works. I guess they just don’t want to provide it for me, cus their attitude made me feel discriminated. I checked with other vets, all of them confirmed that they would fax chewy.com. If this is not discrimination, I suggest VCA to consider about working with chewy.com, otherwise your efficiency is very low. Who knows what will happen during the long waiting period. If anything happens you will likely get sued.
3. They don’t provide document for pet insurance claim.
Again, maybe it’s just to me.
4. I never ever get any help from this vet.
The first time I visit is because my cat has a light syndrome of vomit and soft stool. He got body check, $138 of course, but no prescription, no medicine. I followed up twice, but still, no response. Then my cat recovered by himself.
Second time I brought him for vaccine. They charged me $360 for rabies to cover 3 years. That’s ridiculous. I rejected and bring him to vetco, got rabies to cover 3 years just for $36. No kidding. If any pets owner read here, try vetco for rabies.
Third time is for his chin. And I will never ever come here anymore.
My cat’s chin acne made me anxious, Vca made me feel even worse. I spent so much money but didn’t get any help, instead I feel myself and my cat being discriminated.
RS
Robert Suchomel
Sep 18, 2025
2.0
Helped me with other clinics on the phone and offered me an appiontment same day but then said "theres nothing we can do for your cat becuase you havent brought him in, in a few years". Yes its been a year and a half since i could afford to have my cat checked up on but i think thats kindof harsh to turn me away when my cat could be dying and im still financially struggling. Everything was cool until they figured out i couldnt bring my cat in for over a year????
Frequently Asked Questions About VCA Kirkwood Animal Hospital
What are the operating hours of VCA Kirkwood Animal Hospital?
VCA Kirkwood Animal Hospital is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Friday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. It is closed on Sundays, but the boarding desk is open from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM for boarding pets on Sundays.
What types of pets does VCA Kirkwood Animal Hospital care for?
They care for cats, dogs, pot-bellied pigs, and rabbits.
What veterinary services are offered at VCA Kirkwood Animal Hospital?
They offer a wide range of services including parasite control, annual check-ups, boarding, digital radiology, flea and tick control, grooming, medications, microchipping, dental care, pain management, preventive care, puppy and kitten wellness, senior pet wellness, spay and neuter, vaccinations, weight loss programs, dentistry, heartworm treatment, surgery, diagnostic services (MRI, CT Scan, Radiology), and diet and nutrition counseling.
Where is VCA Kirkwood Animal Hospital located?
The hospital is located at 1501 Capitol Trail, Newark, DE 19711, USA.
Is VCA Kirkwood Animal Hospital accredited or affiliated with any organizations?
Yes, the hospital is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).
Does VCA Kirkwood Animal Hospital offer any promotions for new clients?
Yes, new clients can access a Free First Exam coupon by visiting their website.
What should I know about the health and safety protocols at VCA Kirkwood Animal Hospital?
Each VCA hospital, including VCA Kirkwood Animal Hospital, follows health and safety protocols based on best practices as well as state and local regulations to ensure a safe environment.
What nearby places can I visit before or after my appointment at VCA Kirkwood Animal Hospital?
Nearby, you can visit Golden Palace Chinese Restaurant for meals, Shops of Red Mill for shopping, and This N That Bakery for desserts. These places make for convenient stops around your veterinary visit.
Are there any nearby health and wellness services close to VCA Kirkwood Animal Hospital?
Yes, nearby you can find Alert Mind Mental Health Services and Coras Wellness and Behavioral Health offering counseling and medical services. Pike Creek Chiropractic Center also provides chiropractic care in the vicinity.
What pet-related services or stores are located near VCA Kirkwood Animal Hospital?
Concord Pet & Food Supply, a pet store, is nearby for pet supplies. Additionally, there are other pet services and veterinarians in the area for various pet care needs.