Banfield Pet Hospital

I felt like we were in a bait and switch situation during our first visit., the doctor, Dr Bell, was very nice and dealt with our puppy professionally but the tech was a high pressure salesperson who tried to up sell us at every turn. The main reason we went there was I bought the pet smart puppy book that included a free first visit, well that didn’t matter if we bought the plan which they sold hard… The vaccination record from the rescue society wasn’t good enough for them either … Then when we tried to get flea and tick meds they said it would be available for pick up in a few days only to be told we don’t carry it for dogs over 5 lbs. So we ordered it from petmeds and dr bell denied the script and the desk at Atlantic Ave told us they would order it for us if we wanted it after they said dr bell was too busy to talk to us to explain why she denied the script plus at 3pm the location manager was gone for the day
To me it seemed like all the Atlantic Ave location wanted to do was sell sell sell not serve a potential long time patient and client…
To top it off when I called the national office they refused to credit the initial visit that I had a coupon for insisted I must call Atlantic Ave for the credit and refused to credit me my membership fee that I had for 14 days. Again deal with the Atlantic Ave location.
We will never frequent them again …

You truly get what you pay for. I would never allow my dog to set a paw in a place like this. First off I had an initial appointment for vaccinations, for a Sunday afternoon and the receptionist called and asked to reschedule due to the severe weather we were having. She supposedly rescheduled the visit for the following. When I arrived after over an hour travel time, the receptionist told me that my appointment was not for that day but for the following week. I asked then if it were possible to see a vet due to the length of travel time I had already endured and the error on their part. The receptionist came back with a supposed vet, but he looked like he was on drugs. He told me, they have their final client of the day coming, and the animal needed a gazillion scans and test, and that my appointment would be rushed and he would not be able to go over payment plans or wellness care plans. I was there for 3 vaccinations, and nothing else. It would have taken at most 20 mins, and I had cash to pay the bill no payment plan necessary. I explained this but to no avail. He was just a lazy SOB and just didn’t want to do it. If I were at Chelsea Animal hospital or a high priced private vet the vaccinations would have been given. I will never go back to this place and I will make sure anyone I know with an animal will never go here.

I have a plan with them costing me appr 35/​mth.
Called to get cat neutered. Next available appointment in driving distance — 3 months in future.
Cat got pregnant. LOL.
Called to cancel. They said to use them when cat is sick/​needing service. That’s what they are there for.
Cat started bleeding day after giving birth. Next available appointment within driving distance — 9 days.
They do provide consultation for members — «you should find a pet hospital that can see your cat. This might be a serious matter.» This was coming from the banfield corporate number.
Policy cannot be transferred to other animals. Even if my cat is dead waiting for them to see her. Might diagnose dead cat as dead…
Vets were highly skilled in weighing my cat and giving them shots though.

0 stars if I could. Banfield is nothing but a money making business… their so called vets have no idea what they are doing. They are trained in nothing but how to charge pet owners for unnecessary procedures… and somehow always have to consult with the other doctor in the back office for simple stuff… so what do YOU know… if they had their way they would charge you for the oxygen you breathe while ur sitting in their office. I jus called to ask a simple general question about my dog and the first thing they suggested was to bring the dog in, he could have an obstruction… I then called two other vet hospitals, asked the same question and the vets there said if he’s acting nothing n eating normal he should be fine… jus watch for any changes. Banfield… Never again!!!

We love Dr. Bell and her team at Banfield. Our dog, Griff, is a rescue dog who had moderate separation anxiety. Dr. Bell was sensitive to our needs and they have all been very caring and helpful with minor issues. Our dog is settling in after 9 months. Highly recommend their excellent service and affordable wellness plan.

After posting my last review, I obtained Banfield’s client advocate number from other negative Unilocal reviews. I called and spoke with a representative who listened to my concerns and advised that they would forward my complaint to the manager at the Brooklyn Banfield location. I did not find this helpful since I had already left a vmail for the manager earlier that day. I expected more out of a «client advocate.» That afternoon, the manager from the Brooklyn Banfield called me. In fairness, she did work to try to resolve my concerns and there was a fix to two of my short-​term concerns — getting my dog’s medical records and a renewal on her wipes. However, this does not remedy the fact that my dog was seen by different doctors without a final cure but continued billing. The manager stated that different vets have different treatment philosophies and admitted that by my dog seeing 3 different vets, it may have hindered the treatment process. Apparently, my dog could have been given a primary care vet but this was never told to me before my telephone conversation with the manager. This also would not have guaranteed that I could have gotten appointments within a reasonable time frame. While I appreciate the manager’s attempt to resolve the issue, it is too little, too late. I will no longer be bringing my dog to Banfield.
I should point out that after my first review, Lisa from Banfield responded and asked me to call the Client Advocate Team — the same team that did nothing but forward my complaint to the manager.

They don’t even deserve one star! But that’s the only way I’m able to post this review. Where do I begin with this terrible experience I had with my dog. So my dog had a small lump on her back so we decided to speak with the vet to find out how we can have it removed. As any vet would, they proceeded to examine her, take blood work and etc to see if she was fit for surgery. We brought her in for surgery and came back hours later to pick up my dog only to find the horrible stitch work located on her back side with a gash She was bleeding from. The vet proceeded to tell my mom she nicked her self on the crate she was in. What doctor would send a dog home who is bleeding from a «nick» under his supervision. From there we should of known something wasn’t right. We took my dog home to find the stitching still bleeding. We waited it out in hopes that the following day would heal. About two days past and around the stitching started turning blue and black and if it wasn’t for my mother working in the medical field we wouldn’t of known that the skin where she received the stitching was rotting aka dead skin. It started to harden up. We called Banfield explaining to them what was happening and they proceeded to tell us to send pictures through email. We sent the pictures and NO ONE RESPONDED TO US. At that point I wondered if they knew what happened was something they couldn’t handle or they new it was something serious. My dog turned red under her belly and she wasn’t herself. We had to call the vet and let them know that we were bringing her in because we knew it was an emergency. The Vet examined her and explain that it was beyond his medical expertise at this point. So you mean to tell me you lacked the knowledge as a veterinarian to correct what you did to my dog. So my dog turned into a lab rat in other words .The doctor then referred us to blue pearl vet because they specialized in these cases. So why the hell in the first place perform a surgery if you weren’t sure about it from the beginning. When we took her to blue pearl they were able to help her. Sadly they had to cut the dead skin off, put her under anesthesia every other day and keep bringing her back for wound care. When I say the staff at blue pearl were so amazing ! I cried of joy because they healed my dog back to her old self .It was the longest most miserable month of my life Cleaning up blood every night, feeding her multiple medications and making multiple visits to the vet but Blue pearl helped us with the whole process and did everything they could to get biscuit back to herself. She received 40 stitches on the outside and the vet couldn’t even count how much he gave her on the inside. I would post pictures but Unilocal would probably take it down because it’s so graphic. To make a long story short please do yourself the favor and bring your pet to Blue pearl. They know what they are doing unlike these people at Banfield. If you want to bring your dog to a slaughter house then Banfield is the place! Taking up a surgery they had no clue what they were doing .we waited for days for someone to get back to us about this case from Banfield. The vet cost us over $ 2,000! Instead of ban field refunding us back for their incompetence they explained it wasn’t their fault. This guys veterinarian license should be revoked.

I had a very unpleasant and troubling experience with Banfield’s head veterinarian. In the middle of a crowded waiting room and in an incredibly condescending voice she proceeded to berate me on my pets vaccine status and then summarily terminated my longstanding arrangements (since the hospital opened four or so years ago) for monthly nail trim for my pet as she was concerned for the safety of her staff. She then proceeded to lecture me (incorrectly) on NYS law. My pet is incredibly sweet and he has never once caused trouble for the staff. He also has longstanding health issues that would be compromised with meds and boosters. Not only was this outburst incredibly unprofessional — she violated my privacy rights as a client by loudly discussing the issue in public. I would be seriously concerned in trusting this doctor or her staff to listen to a pet owner’s concerns and incorporate said concerns into compassionate treatment. She is unseasoned and takes the my way or the highway approach in dealing with people and has little empathy for their concerns.

More visits to this location and I am still happy.
Basil my cat is indoor-​outdoor and he got bit by someone so we had to go back and get him treated. The first doctor we saw was very young and inexperienced it seems. She did clean his arm and shaved the area and then recommended some antibiotics and pain medicine as well as the awful plastic collar… but did not have a good explanation as to why she wanted to give him an antibiotic shot versus me giving him pills for 2 weeks which we have no problem doing… She also did not offer a cleaning solution for his wound, I am glad I asked for it.
Back 2 days later we met Dr. Brisbane –Cohen. Highly recommend her!!!
She explained that Basils wound should be cleaned each day and even kept from closing off for a few more days-​so the infection inside could drain out. WHO KNEW! I am glad I asked for the solution.
I believe there is a bit of turnover of staff and a big variety of skill and experience. I am happy with the new vet, she seems very professional, nice and knows her stuff!

I am new to Brooklyn and my dog needs his shots, heartworm, and flea prevention. I called to check pricing and make sure they carry trifexis. First I was placed on hold for nearly ten minutes, then I could not get the cost of the vaccines, according to obnoxious young woman, its not policy to give prices. So, I called another banfields in the general area. I was able to get the exact cost of shots and the cost for the visit. NOT IMPRESSED BROOKLYN watch this banfields people!!!

I’m am so pleased with Banfield! I live in Manhattan and have been taking my cat to the location on Broadway (which is great), but when she needed dental work done I was referred to the Brooklyn location. I’ve also found Banfield’s prices to be extremely reasonable, but the reason I give them five starts is their excellent customer service and the peace of mind I have with knowing that my pet is in extremely good hands! We have been working with Dr. Bell, who is great with both people and animals, but all of the staff are wonderful! They have walked me though every step of each procedure and why they are doing/​recommending it, and made sure to get my approval for each thing. During her dental surgery, I received multiple phone calls throughout the day updating me regarding how my cat was doing. The staff is always patient with answering questions, and I cannot say enough how happy I am to have found a vet that I trust without having to pay the prices I was quoted elsewhere! The one thing I would say is, the insurance plan doesn’t really seem worth it (I would have saved about $ 50.00 on my bill if I had it, but I’m sure the premiums would be at least that much).

Dirty and disorganized. High veterinary turnover so don’t expect to see the same doctor twice. They’ll keep you waiting in the exam room for an hour with no apology. Very profit driven, so beware of unnecessary costs. My personal dog goes elsewhere, I’ve had the misfortune of accompanying my roommate’s dog here and the only plus is services are covered by a Banfield insurance plan.

I really want to thank Dr. Smith for being so caring and professional. She is an amazingly warm yet extremely educated veterinarian, which is exactly what we needed after our cat Beau went to the charlatans at hope vet who charged my husband 125 $ to not diagnose our cat, not even suggest blood tests (!) when he was brought in due to extreme rapid weight loss. With Dr. Smith’s encouragement, I had Beau do blood tests right away at Banfield, and it turns out he has Chronic Kidney Disease!!! We have been treating him with Dr. Smith’s advice, and he seems healthier all ready, perfectly happy again, and we now have some peace of mind knowing what his illness is, and how to treat it.
The staff, Louis, Areola (sorry if I misspelled your name), and Bernadette were all extremely professional and helpful as well, and knowledgeable too. I will never bring our two cats anywhere else as long as everyone keeps kicking animal health derrière at Banfield, I seriously appreciate it, and so do my cats. Thank you, thank you, thank youexponetitially from the bottom of my animal loving heart.

I only came here because our Banfield vet from Staten Island called me one morning and told me our puppy needed some medication and I couldn’t go all the way to Staten Island that day so she told me I could pick it up in Brooklyn. I got there and it took forever before I was asked how they could help, when I the guy at the front desk he couldn’t find any info in the computer. I had to call Banfield in Staten Island and they told me everything was in the computer she didn’t understand why they were having a hard time. To make a long story short I waited over 1 hour just to pick up medication. It seems to me that these people here are incompetent. I will continue going to Staten Island.

In February, we enrolled our puppy in the «Wellness Care Program,» for which I pay approximately $ 38.00 a month. This includes vaccinations and neutering/​spaying. At first, we received great, fairly timely care.
Unfortunately, now that my puppy needs to be neutered, I’ve been told, for over two months, that all of the clinic (s) are «understaffed» and that this location is 4 month’s (!) behind on surgeries. They cannot schedule appointments for said operations in advance, and they also reported that this was the case throughout all of New York.
When I asked how I might be compensated in the event that my puppy cannot be neutered within the given timeframe (1 year) for the plan I pay for every month, I was told that this was a matter that «corporate headquarters» had yet to resolve and that the issue needed to be taken up with them. Everyone at the location seems to be as in the dark as we are regarding the mess.
The people who work there are great, but apparently overworked and not very knowledgeable with the exception of a tech, one receptionist, and Dr. Platt. But, there is a case of horrible mismanagement going on at the top.
Big waste of money and time. I will most l likely find a local vet/​return to my former one, report to the BBB, and ask for a refund. Don’t waste your time with Banfield. What if you have an emergency? They will not be available.

We enrolled our pet in a Wellness plan and have been very disappointed. 1. They do not remind you when vaccinations are due. Our doggie daycare informed us that one of our dog’s vaccinations was overdue. When I tried to schedule an appointment for a simple shot, they told me they could not schedule me for over a month and a half for the middle of a work day. 2. When my dog was sick and vomiting, they told me was nothing they could do because they don’t do same day appointments. I told them no problem, and we scheduled an appointment for the next day. They cancelled it without telling me and offered to reschedule again in 2 days. 3. Every time I have an appointment, I usually wait anywhere from 45 minutes– 2 hours to be seen and need to poke my head out multiple times to the receptionist to ask if they have forgotten.
We are cancelling our Wellness plan. It isn’t that the actual staff there don’t care about the pets. I believe they do. But, it is so poorly run that it just doesn’t make sense to make them your veterinarian.

Had a very positive experience at Banfield Brooklyn. The receptionist, the vet tech, and the veterinarian Dr. Platt were all very helpful and friendly. They answered all of my questions, and I felt like my bulldog Toby was well taken care of.
However, it is very clear that this Banfield is severely understaffed. The poor receptionist had to deal with the phone ringing off the hook. She was doing her best to check people in and out, weigh animals, pull medicines, and answer the phone all at the same time. Somehow she did all of this with a smile on her face!
Come on Banfield! This is Brooklyn, NYC. You could triple the size of your operation here and be booked solid for a year based solely on name recognition. Add a few more staff members, be more efficient, and see your profits soar and less frustrated reviews online. No-​brainer!

Would have liked to have given a better review.
1^st visit: (3.5) stars.
My cat had a UTI. Her intake exam was professional and great. Her test was in house and the doctor called back right away. I even received a followup call from the assistant at the reception. The 3.5 if for when they gave me the liquid antibiotics, no one reminded me that it had be refrigerated. (The font on the bottle was less than .5 and I couldn’t read it)
Overall experience was professional clean. but a sense that it was understaffed. When it got busy — it was apparent the the staff was overwhelmed.
2^nd Visit (0.5 stars)
Went back because we thought she had another UTI. The visit was ok, even though it was a weekday and was the first appointment. We were early and on time — waited a while because of under staffed… or not enough doctors at the time.
–Asked about a consult for spay an neutering. (that didn’t happen)
–the doctor prescribed an expensive test. ($ 200)
Cat couldn’t pee for the test so they held her till I got off from work. That was all fine.
The overall visit was $ 450. Super expensive.
The 0.5 stars is for the lack of followup. Seriously?
No one followed up on the test after much persistence. (The doctor called out sick for more than a few days) After repeated calls /​/​I was left on hold for a long time… And Overheard ALOT of unprofessionalism on the phone from the conversations with the Assistant at the desk very nice/​professional — with one of the Drs? really nasty and mean unprofessional. After much persistence… the ‘other’ Dr told me that the test was clear… and there was nothing wrong with my cat.
So I am out $ 450 for an unnecessary ‘visit’ and could have used this to spay my cat.
I can’t go back. Sorry Banfield. Not very happy.
The facility has lots of potential… brightly lit, clean — the understaffing lack of follow up… Blows

They misdiagnose my dog for over 6 months, sent him to a specialize vet whom misread the whole sonogram, whom i came out of pocket for. Months later come to find out my dog had diabetes and cushing’s disease and almost died from diabetic coma. And I found all this out with a different vet that has no affiliation with this hospital within a week.
STAY AWAY!!! Go to Steinway Corp Vet, they’re pricey but they saved my dogs life.

Unfortunately, I wish I had a better experience with Banfield Pet Hospital at Atlantic Avenue. First off all, just getting your pet to be seen is a difficult task, and then when they’re supposed to be caring for your pet, they just brush them off quickly if they are not one of the regulars. After having below par service here with my dog, I opted to go to Brooklyn Cares instead. They are much more nice and personable with your pets and work hard to ensure that they are really being taken well care of.
Honestly, I think the people at Banfield would pay more attention to your pet if they were on one of those monthly plans where all they want you to do is pay.