Alpine Animal Hospital

I was so grateful for Dr. Kim. My dog has her second episode of old dog syndrome after 3 years. This time, it went very forceful on her being 16 years old. She had a seizure and collapsed late in the night. I took her to emergency again. Knowing not much can be done for her, I declined the $ 2000 estimate from ER and accepted initial treatment ($ 350) so that I can take her to see our regular vet. The ER doctor insisted we signed a statement to refuse the treatment against the doctor’s advise (I think it is a guilt tactics). The next morning I rushed her to Dr. Kim and he read the blood test report and did his magic. he also explained to us our baby is so old that we need to prepare for the bad news. I took her back to Dr. Kim’s office every day for a week and now she is getting better and start eating a little. I was such a relief for me and I prayed to god that Dr. Kim will live long life :-)

Dr. Kim is not only a genius and skilled man when it comes to animals but a very compassionate human being. He will go above and beyond to do what he feels is the best possible treatment for your pet, without being deceitful or inflating the cost. He will get you in and perform an exam right away and his attentiveness is outstanding! I rushed my German Sheppard who was profusely bleeding from the mouth and he handled the urgent situation impeccably. We are forever grateful to him for saving our beloved dog and nursing him back to good health! Great Vet and caring Staff! They take care of the animals as if they were their own. True animal lovers, who really care!!!

The following is my review that I started awhile back and never finished…2014
Dr Kim has saved the lives of my two cats and my dog. He is realistic and will seem almost too direct at times but fear not– he is being real. Prior at other vets I was over paying for unnecessary things.
04÷25÷16
Katie below put into words exactly what Dr. Kim does… maybe it’s from his experiences? He is very knowledgeable and has great wisdom. and he does what he needs for the animals There is nothing that he has done that put any of my money to waste. He’s saved the lives of my two cats who ate the lily flower and nearly died. He’s also saved the life of my family dog. He’s treated my cats whenever they were ill. My most recent– lil Riley– I took him to another vet 1^st who said everything looked fine and it may be because of shock from some traumatic experience (? really?) … and charged me for doing nothing. Riley continued to get worse and so I took him to Dr. Kim who immediately felt him and noticed he had a fever and took his temp and gave him an injection and told me to come back the next day for a follow-​up. I mentioned that he may need an x-​ray cuz he looks like he is in pain and he shooed that suggestion away. And joked about it. He went on to explain that when humans have fevers their joints will ache, etc and that x-​rays would be a waste of money and would be totally unnecessary. I was doubtful yet put my trust in him. He said we needed to just work on getting his temperature down 1^st. After about a week of follow-​up. His symptoms went away and he’s all better now.
He is TRULY honest, sometimes brutally honest. Yet I prefer honesty over BS and the cost it takes of paying for the B.S.
There was another comment below that mentioned they brought their pet in for an emergency and he sent them away because he was on lunch. Yes, he takes his lunch at 1 pm every day (except on Saturdays because they close early). I am confident that if he did not think it would be okay/​life threatening if not immediately taken care of, he WOULD NOT have sent them away and tell them to come back after his lunch.
Just put your trust in him and let him do his jobs and make miracles happen.

Yes, Dr. Kim is unorthodox. He is also a great vet who takes great care of our animals. We go there for the care of our animals, not to have our hands held. On occasion, you may also get a great story to tell your friends and family along with the needed care for your pet or pets. I won’t go anywhere else if I have a choice.

to be honest with you, dr kim is a little bit odd. lol. but he just has a special way with animals, its hard to describe. he seems to have a good feeling of what is wrong with them, and he definitely doesn try to do spend unnecessary monies for things your babies don need. he is definiltey motivated by the well being of your animals, if you know what i mean. i just hope and pray he lives a good and long life because a great vet is hard to find. lol mr kim if you’re reading this. please for the love of god switch to vaping its healthier than your smoking like a chimney habit and also. spare your medical assisiting lady some headache and computerize your medical records
and some chinese girl out there is saying a periodic prayer to prolong your lifespan for the health of her kittykat
and i will keep on driving my shitty car around full of bumper stickers because you gave me a shitty car discount for my cats hospital stay

If you want an expensive vet who sugar coats everything, this isn’t the place. Dr. Kim will treat your pet fast and solve their problems without costing you an arm and leg. Sure his bedside manner is terrible but I’ve been coming here will all my pets for years and wouldn’t go anywhere else.

I am reaaaaally surprised by the 4 stars this place has. Like, how? I came here twice for my dog and first time it was an okay experience. I knew Dr. Kim knew his shit but the way he informed me about what’s happening to my dog was incomprehensible (very hard to understand his English). Granted, English is probably his second language.
But the realest happened the 2^nd time I visited, which was about 2 weeks ago. I came here with the same dog I brought previously and this time he handled him aggressively, which made my dog much more uncomfortable than last time. My dog has a skin disease and he immediately ripped off his dead skin and the fur along with it. His attitude this time was so heartless. Like he gave me much more attitude.
For instance, I asked if he can supply antibiotics. And he straights up yells at me and saying, «You don’t tell the taxi-​driver what or how to drive. Let him drive you around and don’t say anything.» Sure, it’s a good life lesson, but I was just asking if he could just give antibiotics… Ugh.
In the middle of the process of then calling me «blind» because I apparently do not know things? A Chow Chow escapes from his cage and he screams at the dog to go inside. The dog then comes in the room, and he is trying to get him outside. He wraps a leash around the neck and tries to pull the dog as hard as he could, very aggressively whereas my dog looked scared. I had to comfort my dog after this.
Later, towards the end… I asked if he can cut the nails because my Mother requested. But he was against it. Yes, it can be easy to cut a dog’s nails but my family wants it to be done professionally especially since my dog does not like it when family touches his nails, but likes it when a groomer or vet touches him. My dog loves to get pampered by others, but not just by my family.
And then I was asked to leave. I was wondering, wait that’s it? Okay, I’m going to pay. But Dr. Kim shouted at me, «JUST LEAVE!» Then I left.
Boy, what a traumatic experience not only for me but for my dog.

This Doctor has an amazing heart for animals. I take both my dog and cat here. He gave us medication for my dog’s congestive heart failure for such an affordable cost because he truly wants these animals to feel better. He also gave my cat stitches when he got attacked by an animal while he was playing outside. I also heard of my mom’s friend’s stories that brought their animals here, and he is always without a doubt an amazingly sweet man. i have never met a veterinarian that doesn’t care about how much money he makes. He is truly an inspiration, and my family really owes him. Please bring your pets here. He knows what he is doing.

Dr. Kim– Thank you for saving our dog! This is the third time you have come to our rescue. I don’t know what we would do without you. Not only are you a great vet but you truly care about the animals.
Thank you,
Tori Taki and Steve Pillman

Not a compassionate vet… Took our dog, Boo, to Kim because he was gasping for air and vomiting. He said go elsewhere because he is on lunch break. So we took our dog to another vet clinic whose staff was also on their lunch break. They admitted him in right away and stabilized him. The vet said Boo could have died if we waited any longer to have him get treated.

When it comes to getting my cats the care they need, when they need it, this is the place I go. It’s not luxurious by any means, but do I want to spend $ 300 for a service that should cost $ 30 just so the doc can furnish his office with sleek furniture, an espresso machine and the latest issues of 10 popular fashion magazines? Um no.
No frills, good service. I had a problem, called, he said come right in. Boom. Animals taken care of. And the personal way the vet talked to my cats — only someone who cares about animals would interact the way he did with them.
While it’s true the doc’s 1^st language is not English, guess what — that’s true for millions of people here. And really, it’s not that difficult to understand what he’s saying.
If you’re looking for a place to hang out and chat with a pal and expecting pampering and primping, for you or your pet, I suggest you hit up a $$$$ salon instead. But if you’re looking for decent animal care, give this place a try.

I wish I could give zero stars. My mother took my dying dog into this place when he was hit by a car across the street from the vet office. When I arrived shortly after I was sobbing in the room holding my dog (I had been there maybe 5 minutes). Dr Kim asked me how I wanted to take care of the remains and to let him get on with business. He told us twice to get on with it. There was no one in the office but him. I didn’t believe we were intruding.
Then as we paid him, he told us to just go get another dog. So insensitive. I called back to ask for his collar and he refused to assist. He said «why do you want it?» After insisting he said there was one there and maybe it was his. I went in and it wasn’t it. Just because I was waiting in his office to make a call he came out and said «I already told you it’s not here, leave». I was shocked at his inhumanity. A vet should not be this way, he deals with pets… If people didn’t love their animals enough to seek medical care he wouldn’t be in business.
The la Habra animal hospital on la Habra blvd is much better. They are courteous and compassionate.

I would give this vet negative a million stars if I could. It’s literally painful to write this review.
I took my very old cat with kidney failure here to be put to sleep. I was literally traumatized by the experience I had here. My cat was my best friend growing up. I had him since I was five years old and finally brought him to be put to sleep when I was 24. I went as soon as the vet was open. I was there before the Dr. or anyone else. He came in and completely IGNORED my crying self sitting in the waiting room and started talking to a couple with their dog that came in after I did and after he did. THEY were the ones who directed his attention to help me.
He seemed so annoyed that he had to help me and took me to the back room took my cat and put a shot in him. I had NO IDEA this shot was what would put him to sleep. HE TOLD ME NOTHING ABOUT THE PROCESS! Just injected my cat and handed him back to me and said «Sit!» and pointed to a chair. I watched as my cat faded away and started to flop over in my arms. Then the man (i can’t even refer to this horrible person as a vet) came over, took my cat and told me to go. My cat wasn’t even all the way gone yet! He said, «I’ll have a funeral service come get him, it’ll be very nice, just go»
WHAT THE FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF?! One of the worst experiences of my life. That cat was literally one of my best friends. I WOULD NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER RECOMMEND THIS HORRIBLE PERSON TO TAKE CARE OF ANYONES ANIMALS!

I have been taking my pets to see Dr. Kim for the past 15+ years. He definitely knows how to communicate with pets (not human though). Some people find him hard to communicate but I like him. He is experienced with dogs especially and doesn’t over charge people. By the way, he neutered our male pot-​belly pig many years ago. At that time, we could not find any vet who was able to perform the procedure except him.

My family has been going to Dr. Kim for over 12 years. He has always been our go to person for ANY medical issues whether they be vaccinations or a dog/​cat on his death bed after an accident. I remember growing up (10) I would go with my mom any time we needed to take a pet and he would always talk to us about leading a positive life (in broken English of course) but he always had something nice to say/​teach. Then when it came to the pets, he would always say something like «thirty dolla. You come back next week to pick up dog/​cat. Needs to heal. You go now.» Always straight to the point. Some people may say he is rude, but If youv been going to him as long as I have, you would know he is ONLY here for the animals. Customer service and small talk won’t make your pets better, he will.
There was this one time. I went to him last year for my own dog (I’m 20 now). She is a 7lb chihuahua and is the world to me. My baby. One day she had a lump in her tummy, and over the course of 3 days it became more prominent. I took her in and Dr. Kim told me it was probably a tear in her tissue and an organ slipped out. He quoted me $ 500 (another vet quoted me $ 4,000…) for immediate surgery, as if I waited any longer it would be fatal and was causing her alot of pain.
I went back in 3 days later to check in. Turns out it was a tumor that has grown at such a rapid pace that is had appeared and grown to the size of two side by side quarters in 3 days. When I came in he explained this to me, and he also said it’s usually a 1,500 procedure to remove a tumor, but he told me to still only pay $ 500. This was such a relief as I did not have alot of money at that time.
To break It down, he has helped me out more than a few times. He really came through when I needed him the most. And did I mention he charged me $ 40 for a complete set of shots? He really is an amazing vet. In fact I’m going back soon for another set of shots for my other dog! Can’t wait to be back there!

Personally, I feel like Dr. Kim really cares for my animal pal and I trust him, and that’s MY priority. There are no fancy machines, no unnecessary test, and it’s obvious that he does it because he is an animal lover, and not for the money.
Here’s my take of the place:
Loves animals: Without a doubt
Economical/​value: Phenomenal
Medicinal approach: Natural/​holistic
Experience as a vet: He says he’s been a vet for 50 years, and I have been going there for 11 years.
Customer service oriented: No, and can appear to be rude
Thick accent and hard to understand: sometimes
Upsell on services/​products: No

I’ve been coming here for years. Sometimes he’s very talkative and joke a lot, sometimes only a few words but he always gets the job done. One time my dog behaved very well he even asked my dog if he’s a cat or a dog?
His price is always reasonable and his hours are flexible, call him if you have emergency.

The Dr. saved my Pittbull’s life! She was attacked by another dog at a dog park and had massive injuries to her throat, neck and chest. The other dog ripped her skin from the muscle and she developed a hematoma. Her chest was filled with liquid and she was in a lot of pain. I rushed her to an animal emergency hospital and it was going to be $ 1,800.00 just to give her minimal treatment. She would still need surgery, pain meds, antibiotics, hospital stay, breathing machine etc.
A girl that was is in the waiting room told me about this Doctor. That he was a miracle working and his prices very reasonable. She suggested I pay to only make my dog comfortable through the night and go see the doctor in the morning. I paid the emergency room for my dog’s wound clean up and a pain shot. I walked out still paying $ 900.00.
The first thing in the morning I took my dog to Alpine Animal Hospital. My dogs chest had ruptured in the car and blood was coming out fast. I called the Dr. and told him I was on my way and needed assistance ASAP. As soon as I pulled up, he was waiting for me and my dog. He rushed my dog into surgery and saved her life! He kept her in the hospital for 7 days to watch over her and her wounds. He housed her, feed her and gave her medication with no additional charge. When it was all over he only charged me $ 500.00.
The Dr. cares about animals more than the cost of things. There is a bit of a language barrier, but your still able to communicate. Ive recommended him to all my friends and family.
Thank you so much Dr. for saving my dog!

My family and I have been there a few times, considering that we have a petting farm-​like atmosphere at home.
The doctor is a little rough around the edges, but knows what he’s doing! We’ve never had a problem with his techniques and his service has always been fast and remarkable!
One time we really thought that we were going to lose our baby boy cat named Cow, but this amazing doc came through. He’s really a life saver!
We recommend him to all of our friends and family and he’s never disappointed.
Thank you so much!

Dr. Kim saved our dogs life.
Two years ago, while out for a walk, our dog was stung by a bee. She was just a puppy when it happened, so the dose of poison venom caused her to go into an anaphalactic shock. Her tongue turned white and was hanging limply out of her mouth and she was breathing hard and fast at first and then just barely at all.
She was a limp noodle in the car seat. I thought she was going to die right there.
We called Dr. Kim and he told us he was ready and waiting for us.
We rushed there. He gave her some medicine and about 90 minutes later she was nearly back to her old self. Just dazed from the ordeal.
Another time there was blood in our dogs pee. We brought her in and he asked us me a couple questions, said, «urinary tract infection», gave her shot, and we were done.
In and out in less than two minutes.
He doesn’t have a «bedside manner», by the way. He cares but is blunt and direct. I like that. I bring my dog to him to keep her healthy, not to hold hands and sing Kumbaya.
His personality is really rough. He has a tendency of sneaking up on me my dog and injecting her with shots without giving anyone a warning about what he’s doing. He’ll leave the room, come back about 30 seconds later, pull out a needle and next thing you know he’s injecting her with something — I don’t know what — because he never tells me. Rough, indeed but he gets the job done.
I highly recommend Dr. Kim and Alpine Animal Hospital.