Emergency Vets in Redbridge

## Summary Animal Ark Veterinary Centre is accredited under the **Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Practice Standards Scheme** and is listed as a **veterinary nurse training facility**. Clinic data also indicates **emergency veterinary services (24/7 or extended hours)**. From the latest reviews, owners describe a mix of experiences: some report **clear explanations and options being discussed** (including a dog needing **full dental extractions**), while others report being **pushed toward invasive, expensive procedures with little explanation** and say second opinions elsewhere did not support those recommendations. Practical policies also come up—one reviewer states they were **turned away for arriving 15 minutes late** due to a **5‑minute grace period** and **15‑minute consultation slots**, while another says they **missed an appointment but were still accommodated shortly after**. One review claims the practice is owned by **Linnaeus (Mars group)**; this ownership isn’t confirmed by the other information provided here. ## Services Services and capabilities mentioned in the provided information include: - **Emergency veterinary services** (listed in clinic data as *24/7 or extended hours*). - **Dentistry**, including **multiple tooth extractions / “all his teeth out”** for a dog (review). - **Vaccinations (“first jabs” / vaccine schedule discussion)** for a puppy (review). - **Treatment planning and options discussions** (reviews describe being talked through options and plans; other reviews dispute the appropriateness of proposed procedures). - **Care around end-of-life**: one reviewer describes support and time given during a dog’s final visit, including a nurse helping them say goodbye (review). - **Veterinary nurse training facility** (clinic data). ## People - **Victor (vet)**: mentioned by name in a review for trying hard to help an elderly dog and for supporting the owner through the dog’s final illness. - **Nursing team / a vet nurse (unnamed)**: one reviewer highlights a nurse who “took time” with them and their other dog to say goodbye during an end-of-life visit. - **Front desk/reception team (unnamed)**: experiences vary—some reviews describe smooth visits with no waiting and friendly reception, while another describes a rigid late-arrival policy and an unaccommodating interaction. ## Reviews **4.3 stars from 774 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - **Communication and explanations are a major divider:** several owners praise being talked through options and having procedures explained clearly (including a full dental extraction case), while others say explanations were rushed or dismissive. - **Disagreement about treatment recommendations and costs:** some reviewers explicitly say they did *not* feel pushed into paying for unnecessary treatment; others report being steered toward invasive, expensive procedures and say second opinions found them unnecessary. - **Scheduling/appointment handling is inconsistent in the reviews:** one reviewer reports being refused for arriving 15 minutes late (citing a 5‑minute grace period and 15‑minute consults), while another says they missed an appointment but were still fitted in shortly after. - **Serious complaints are present alongside positive experiences:** one review alleges malpractice/neglect and another recounts a traumatic case involving a cat after an accident; these sit alongside reviews describing professional handling, calm pets during visits, and supportive end-of-life care.

## Summary Goddard Veterinary Group Fremantle Road Barkingside is part of the Goddard Veterinary Group (a multi-branch practice) and is set up for routine care plus in-house diagnostics and surgery (the website mentions on-site blood testing, X‑rays and operations). For out-of-hours emergencies, the practice states it refers clients to Wanstead Veterinary Hospital (open 24/7, 365 days a year). Recent reviews give mixed decision-relevant signals: some owners describe smooth surgical outcomes and feeling kept informed throughout an operation, while others report problems with pricing transparency (including end-of-life care quotes that didn’t add up) and abrupt telephone manner. ## Services Based on the clinic website summary and the latest reviews, services and capabilities mentioned include: - Consultations (vet and nurse appointments are referenced on the website) - Surgery/operations (owners mention a pet operation with a good recovery) - Dentistry - Neutering - Vaccinations (including a puppy/kitten vaccination course) - Microchipping - Parasite control (flea and worm treatment) - Weight and diet advice - Nurse clinics - Diagnostics: blood testing, diagnostic imaging and X‑ray - Wellness health screen - Free new pet health check (website) - Healthcare plan: “ProActive Pets” (website; also discussed in reviews, with one owner alleging difficulty using what’s included) Emergency/out-of-hours: the practice states that emergencies or pets unwell outside practice hours are referred to Wanstead Veterinary Hospital (24/7, 365 days). ## Pricing Only specific prices were mentioned in reviews, and one owner disputes the clarity of these figures: - Euthanasia enquiry: quoted **£134 + £94 (= £228)**, but the caller says they were then told the total would be “around **£300**” with “additional/hidden costs” not clearly explained. ## People - **Dr Poppy (vet)** – mentioned by name as “amazing” by an owner who also valued being offered alternatives to fit their budget. - **Alexandra (receptionist)** – praised for being “incredibly informative,” answering questions in detail and not rushing visits. - Not all feedback is positive about front-desk/phone interactions: two separate 1‑star reviews describe an abrupt or dismissive tone on the phone (one of these reviewers notes they had called the wrong branch). ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.4 stars from 117 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - **Surgery experience and communication:** one owner reports an operation went smoothly, with the team keeping them informed and reassured, and a strong recovery afterwards. - **Pricing and transparency concerns (conflicting experiences):** one owner calls out unclear add-on fees (especially around end-of-life care). Another owner says prices were “reasonable” and that the team offered budget-fitting alternatives. - **Healthcare plan frustration:** one reviewer alleges they paid monthly but were asked to pay again or book what they felt was an unnecessary health check to access plan benefits. - **Phone manner:** some reports of rude/abrupt telephone interactions, contrasting with other feedback describing friendly, welcoming service.