Shively Animal Clinic & Hospital

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OPEN NOW - Closes at 4:30pm

Don't ever take an animal here. Tried to make us pay 1000 dollars for doc to even look at my dog. 13 year old Boston terrier. If you love your dog go someplace else

I have been seeing Dr. Joyce since 1997. I trust her with my babies. She never does anything that’s not necessary. Have called them at 2am and they meet me there. Last time was a very small after hours charge. Before I found Shively I went late at night to Jefferson animal cost me triple.
Also used another vet. Pup was sick had all paperwork with what was going on. She got sick at night took paperwork to Jefferson animal they refused it. Said they needed to do the same test again. Left.
Wait is long but Dr. Joyce is worth every minute of it

They shaved my cat and gave him his shots

First thing to know...
They don't do appointments. But you can come in, give them your cell number, and they'll call you when you should come back. Go at 7am if you can, on a day you don't have to work, give them your number, and come back when they call.

2nd...
They don't do cards. They cut costs by not investing in computers or card machines. There's an ATM across the street, and their records are on paper.

There's a long wait, sometimes 4 or 5 hours, but here are the benefits:

This clinic is all about the patient, and the care is first rate.

They are open 7am to 7pm but if you have ever been there with an animal before, they are a 24-hour service in case of emergencies for previous customers. If nothing else, take your baby in for a checkup some time so you can get on their books!

I am leaving this review because if not for Shively Animal clinic my rabbit would have had an amputation to save his life. My rabbit broke his front arm. Rabbits have very very fine bones. Dr Joyce
was very straight forward about what the cost could be and asked what I wanted (what I was able to spend) before proceeding. The surgeon put in some very tiny pins to some very fine bones and my rabbit is hopping just fine today. They saved his life AND his front leg. Follow up appointments were free. The only additional charge was a final x-ray to confirm bone repair. When I told another vet how much it all cost, he was shocked. At Shively you pay with time but save money and could save a life.

As a director with an animal rescue with extensive experience with veterinarians, I can confidently say that if my rabbit needs emergency care, he's going back to Shively.

If anyone from Shively Animal Clinic is reading this review... Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, especially Dr Joyce. You were worth the long waits. I know your job can be hectic and your days are long, but my precious bunny hops on 4 legs, and you all did that for us. ❤️

This clinic is still firmly in the 20th century, say 1960! Not only are they not modernized and computerized, they still write things by HAND and with MANUAL typewriters! I feel sorry for the staff who have to deal with this antiquated equipment! And they don't take appointments! For heaven's sakes, who has time to wait four or more hours to have your pet seen to???
When last we were there, and it will be the last time, there was a long-time client whose little dog was dyiing and having convulsions, and she had already been waiting almost 3 hours when we arrived. I felt awfully sorry for both of them. This poor baby threw up all over the place while we were waiting together, and just looked absolutely miserable.
Our regular vet on Hursbourne would never have allowed that to happen, and that woman woujld not have had to wait more than a few moments to see someone, either.
Another waiting client told us that if you offer to pay an extra "fee", you might get seen earlier, say about $70? That sounds like extortion to me, to have to pay extra for what you should expect in the first place. We will go to a vet who accepts and meets appointments next time.
Who cares if the fees are "reasonable" if you have to spend a whole day waiting to be seen???

Bad kitty!

The lady that brought us back never introduced herself. She didn’t show any interest or compassion for my kitten. She simply said she would take her back to see the doctor where she would get her shot and declaw consult. I asked if I could go with her but she said my appointment didn't allow for that. I've never heard of having a consult where you don't meet the doctor. I was uneasy about this because my kitten hasn't been around many people so I wanted to be with her to make her feel safe. Reluctantly, I agreed and she picked up the carrying case and left the room. While waiting I looked around the room at the all cards, photos and gifts received by the doctors and staff for their many years of caring and service. This helped to ease my mind a bit.

When the lady returned my kitten was in a state of panic. I tried to console her but she was too upset. I told her I’ve never seen this side of her and wanted to ask, "What did you do to her?" I felt that would be rude so I refrained. She told me my kitten hissed at them as they unzipped her case. She also said due to her behavior, she would be a difficult case and as a result I would pay more. Basically, instead of paying $120 for the front two claws I would now have to pay $170. Meanwhile, my kitten looked as though she had been possessed and I couldn’t calm her down.


I couldn't believe we didn’t receive a better introduction to the clinic and from the tech or that the doctor wouldn't even come in to meet myself or my kitten. Doesn't a consultation consist of a conversation between the doctor and the patient/owner to discuss the procedure, risks, options, recovery time, expectations and cost?

Suggestion, don’t treat your people or pets like a number. Show a little compassion and patience and treat new patients as if you want them to come back regardless of how busy you are. As for me, I’ll never bring another animal back to your "take a number" clinic.

It was my second time out there. May have a long wait time but people are friendly and prices are worth it

This has to be the biggest disappointment in any vets office I’ve ever been to. To start things, don’t plan on going for a visit here with your pet unless you can clear out your entire day, as it will take all day for any procedure they do here. Second, all of their files/records/etc are all on paper. There isn’t a computer in this place, so they frequently misplace/lose files and important records for your animals, which could result in injury, or even death to your pet! Lastly, (although I could continue for days and days), the staff here is completely inexperienced and unprofessional. It seems like they have new people every other day, and no one seems to know how to do their job efficiently. Took my dog in for a broken tooth, and was told to come back another day for an X-ray because they were “too busy”... are you serious? I thought this was a vets office, here to help animals? Not leave them in pain and suffering longer than they have to be. Not sure how this business has so many positive reviews, my guess is they’re from the employees who work there.

I took our three pets , Lily, Layla, and Tilly, to Shively Animal Hospital yesterday as I have been doing
For the last several years. Elizabeth was wonderful with our two dogs and cat. She was very calm and professional. We had their shots and nails clipped and I bought heartguard for the two dogs. I even had a question about a growth in one of the dogs and she was able to answer all of my questions and was very pleasant and helpful. They are very reasonable also.

My Wife purchased a mixed beagle for me for Christmas off of the Craigs List! When we received her we were advised that she was the runt and she was 8 weeks old and she was very timid and will grow out of it. The first night she became very sick and had several seizures. I contacted the Shivley medical center and was told to get her in there asap! When we arrived they took one look at her and rushed her back for treatment! Our new pet was on deaths door and we had to leave her there with the thought that we would never see her again. Well she was there for over a week and Dr. Joyce and her wonderful staff saved our Missy and now she is a normal healthy little girl! We also discovered that the lady that sold her to us lied Missy was around 4 weeks old and very sick before she sold her to my Wife. Thank you Dr. Joyce for everything Larry & Angie P.

My son brought his sick dog to Shively for treatment. He called me because he didn't have enough money. They only take checks or cash, i had the flu so I sent his brother with a check. He made out the check for the amount needed and they refused the check without an id. I told him to leave, he broght his dog to Blue Pearl and they treated his dog. In the haste he left my check they refused. Shively Animal Hospital cashed my 600 check they refused, now they are saying he owed 350 and see no problem with their deceitful behavior. DO NOT TRUST THIS BUSINESS!!!!!

I personally got a call from Mary Janee concerned that I was ok with the service provided. I lost a dog due to a neighbor feeding him antifreeze. I could not have been treated better not my dog been taken care of anywhere than with Shively Animal Clinic. They not only care about your pets they care about you as an owner. I would not take any of my animals to any other clinic. The wait is well worth it to know my furbabies are getting the best treatment possible.!

Wow.. can't say enough Great Positive words...I was so happy with my 1st visit there, in comparison with other veterinarians and clinics ..very happy and satisfied..Yahoo .....finally found a vet I feel that"s honest..Oh yeah ..cleanest animal clinic ever..When I pulled in ,,saw.the parking lot was..clean ..lotsa parking space..they do have technology...so many people have negative reviews..not sure why ...cause this the best animal clinic I've been to. Thank you Melissa... Brad..
Dr. Joe and all the office staff,,oh and one more thing , people who were negative about the technology..I'm sure the sweet lady on the typewriter preferred the typewriter ,, she was very nice..Thanks Shively for taking care of my new puppy.

This clinic isn't for everyone. They don't take appointments and you have to stand in line and wait for hours to be seen. So why do I give this clinic five stars? Because I love my dog dearly, and I will gladly make sacrifices to see her well. In fact, we've tried seven different vets, and Mary Jane is the first one I've found that makes me feel like she cares for my dog like she would her own.

My dog had a severe allergy case, and the treatment she received not only relieved her allergies, it made her immediately comfortable. The vet also explained why other pricey services (allergy tests and annual electrocardiograms for an enlarged heart) were not needed. This was a breath of fresh air after her last vet wanted $200 to do blood work before she'd administer the vaccinations for her to get her dog license. This is after completing a full-panel of blood work three months prior, and not finding any abnormalities.

They provide a tremendous service to the community by providing affordable care, which I am sure enables animals to be seen that might not otherwise get to see a vet.

I had an absolutely awful experience with this vet.

Bad enough my pet died while in their care, but their billed price was more than their quoted price, then their office manager, Melanie, told me I was "lucky not to be charged $500 more" when I pointed out the discrepancy. She then called my friend & I liars when we voiced disappointment at waiting for 32 minutes to pick up a deceased pet while sitting in a waiting room full of other people cuddling their still living pets. She said the wait was very brief, then proceeded to call my 30 year old friend a "little girl". Compounded by 3 call back promises that were not kept as I tried to find out the condition of my pet earlier that day. If I could give a negative star rating, I really would.

This place doesn't deserve a single star! THE ABSOLUTE WORST vet. Just for my dog to get an exam...I waited over two hours. Then the vet called me two hours after I left because "it was my turn"......so four hours! Then....I was called multiple times and even text by several people in the office apologizing and asking me to give them another chance. So I schedule. And once again, I've been waiting for two hours.
Ridiculous. Awful. Never again.
Time is money. I'd rather pay more money for better service.

i took my cat here and they ruptured him. they were supposed to neuter him instead they ruptured him. don't go here

We are so lucky to have Shively here. These doctors care so much, and they forego a lot of the perks that many vets in the area enjoy just to help as many animals as they can possibly help. I have seen them take squirrels who were hit on the road, free of charge, and any person who needs help for their animals is seen, regardless of ability to pay. They accept cash and check and do prefer to get payment at the time of service, but my brother was offered a payment plan for a VERY expensive treatment that wd not have been possible anywhere else. I used to take my cat to The Cat Clinic, who insisted on expensive blood tests, vaccinations, and overnight stays just to give her an x-ray that I wanted bc of a cough she couldnt shake. I went in 3 times in 2 months, telling them she was sick and asking for a diagnosis. They saw me for 10 minutes each time and prescribed drugs without knowing what was wrong. They pushed prednisone on me every time, without even bothering to do an xray. They charged me over 300 for blood tests and then wanted to charge hundreds more and put her through more shots and stress before they would even consider an xray. It was like they didn't want to listen to me, almost out of spite. I was always very polite and obedient with their nonsensical directives. That is a red flag to me in dealing w a vet-when they won't even bother to let you ask questions. They were also rude every time I went in. I never thought it was a big deal until my cat needed actual care. I took her to Shively after getting treated like crap by Cat Clinic for 2 months, and within 15 min of getting her back to the vet, they had done an x-ray and confirmed lung cancer. Imagine what time and money I would have spent and what trauma she wd have endured if I had stuck with the crappy vet at Cat Clinic. Shively gave her fluids, b12, and supported me til the end. I paid a whopping 65 for the 2 xrays and vitamins and fluids. That is a steal. The vet, Dr. Robin, actually cried a little with me when she gave me the bad news. She offered me a much-needed hug and more than that, she provided gentle loving attention to my sick cat. I also have lovebirds and Shively is one of the few places who will see birds. They saved my baby girl's life when she was egg-bound. I cannot say enough wonderful things about this place. You should always expect to wait several hours when you go. They don't take appointments bc they want to see as many needy animals as possible, so they essentially work a triage system. You will get seen, however, and you can leave or wait in your car and they call when it's your turn. And rest assured that when you get in, the vet will be attending to your animal-not a tech. You will get the best care anyone can find, and at about 1/2 the price of most any vet. I trust them 110%. People come from all over the area for good reason. I only wish my boyfriend had done so when his 6 month old kitten was killed by a negligent country vet who botched her spay surgery. Our animals are too important to put behind our own comfort. Shively is just what it should be-a true animal lover's hospital. Get to Shively about 10 min before they open and it will significantly expedite your visit.

Shively is awesome. The hours work, the vets are top notch, and they make treatments affordable. My jewels of cats are never happy unless they do something stupid on the weekend. I know that my emergency vet will be familiar with my animal's records. The vets always call back to check on my animals. And the staff is nice under pressure.

These guys are great! The wait and the drive to Shively are well worth it. It is impressive to see the lengths they go through to pass savings on to their patients! My pet loves them and they love him