Animal Emergency Center

I had to take my small doxie to Emergency vet last night because he was attacked by a big dog. They took great care of him and did everything they could to keep my bill down because I don't have a lot of money. He's hurt pretty bad, but he's still alive and they are still watching him to make sure he doesn't have any more problems.

They do not even rate one star in my opinion. I brought my baby in she was very sick, to make a long story short they let her choke to death while in their " what they call the critical close observation area" beware don't take your pet there I will never own another animal while I live in Columbus ga because unfortunately this is my only option if they become sick after hours I would never put another baby in jeopardy by this place being my only option .
S ramsey

As a consumer I really wouldn't advise you bringing your animals here. They know you'll pay whatever you can to help your animal, and I think they try to order a lot of unneccsary tests and labs to make money for the clinic. Do yourself a favor and shop around for another vet clinic for your own peace of mind.

I gave 3 stars because I don't want people who's pet has an emergency to not bring him or her to the emergency center due to terrible reviews. I've been bringing my babies there for years & years, and their lives were saved because of it.



It's true, there seems to always be a long wait (sometimes an immediate life or death case comes in and, as it should be, is put in front of others that aren't as urgent). However, there's always a long wait, even when it's not crowded. The seating is terribly uncomfortable and it always seems to be cold, so bring a sweater.



Their pricing is higher than any other vet because they're open at night and on weekends when all other vets are closed. They're the only option in town and they know it. They shouldn't take advantage of desperate pet parents, but because they're the only place available to save the lives our furry / feathered / scaled babies, they know we'll come anyway...and I always will.



All of that being said, please don't let your pet suffer (and you, if your pet dies before your regular vet opens @ 7am) by refusing to take him or her to the emergency center.



Like I mentioned above, over the years they've saved the lives of my babies. So, sitting on hard benches, being cold, waiting for what seems forever and paying a higher price, is more than worth it when you bring your beloved pet home alive.



Hopefully, one day soon there'll be another all night / weekend emergency vet to open, and Animal Emergency Center will have to compete for our business.



Until then, PLEASE take your pet for emergency care when needed. :)

This is a negative star. This is the worst place to take a suffering animal. Please stay away or you will be sorry i promise. I went in this sorry place of business and was told someone will be right with you. After 2 hrs i left. The only reason they are open is because its the only one around. Keep reading the reviews.

This place is a joke. Horrible staff. Horrible customer service. Outrageous pricing. You would be better to see if you can "tuff" it out the night and see your regular vet the next morning. Short story... 9 Hours of emergency care = $1500 bucks. Your normal vet will charge you for the same service and acually fix the problem for $300. AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE

What do I do my dog has a really deep cut on his back

I called to ask about ear mites & the tech (so he said he was) kept referring to him as a cat... Highly do not feel that I will recommend them... :-( just glad it wasn't a real emergency!

Avoid this place if at all possible!



My dog was hit by a car this morning, and we rushed her to this clinic. We called at 7:30 while on the way, and were told that "the vet usually leaves at 7:30". The posted hours show that they provide emergency services until 8:00 am, so it was clear to us that they didn't really want to see us. With no other option (or so we thought at the time), we pleaded with the receptionist to ask the doctor to see our dog. With obvious reluctance, she said that the doctor was still there and would see the dog. After a 5 minute (and $70) evaluation of the dog, we were told that the dog's leg was broken, which was obvious, and that we'd need to wait until our normal vet opened to get x-rays. I asked the vet if the dog was stable enough to wait for our normal vet, which opens at 9:00 am, and was told there is no way she can tell that just by looking.



I called around looking for a solution, and was lucky enough to happen upon Northside Animal Hospital, who said they would see the dog right away. Relived, we told the receptionist that we need to leave immediately, but were told we'd have to wait for them to fill out some paperwork. We waited 15 minutes for them to do their paperwork, growing more upset by the second. They basically held our injured dog as collateral until they could get their paperwork filled out and get paid. I even offered to leave my drivers license and a credit card to return for payment later, but they refused to give us our dog. At one point I walked in the back to get the dog, and was told that they were going to call the police if I didn't return to the lobby.



This place is a joke. In my opinion, the only reason they are still in business is because they have the word "emergency" in their name. In a non-emergency situation I would have taken the time to research this place and would have discovered its many terrible reviews. I've since discovered that this clinic has an "F" rating with BBB, and in my experience that rating is well deserved. I find it interesting, however, that they still display a BBB sticker in their window. When I first saw this I was hopeful that perhaps something could be done to address my concerns, but it looks like they just ignore BBB complaints.



At this point it looks like our dog will survive, although she does have major trauma to her leg and pelvis. We are very thankful to the people at Northside Animal Hospital for being so kind and helpful.

I would first like to say that they do not even deserve 1 star!!! Take your fur babies to the Auburn University Animal Clinic! The Animal Emergency Center is a poor excuse for animal care. On 8/1/12 we rushed our female Boston Terrier to be seen for a rattle snake bite. We had to bang on the doors and then it took 30 minutes for the vet to show her face. I should add it appears that we woke her up :( After a brief look at our fur baby she told us our vet was going to open in 2 hours and to take her there. This was precious time we were talking about for the sake of our pet !! This place should be shut down and the vets on duty should be removed of their ability to practice!! I ask - What compassionate person that is there to love and care for animals would turn one away? I will add that our baby girl passed the next day from the snake bite. Perhaps it could have been a different outcome if the vet would have done her job!!

"Animal Emergency" my @ss! False advertising of the worst kind!

Around 10pm on Sunday 21 October, I found a conscious yet seriously injured young cat in the road. It was in shock, bleeding from the mouth, and seemed paralyzed in the back legs.

I did not necessarily want to save this cat. I am not in the position to adopt another animal and I do not have the money for expensive medical treatments. However, there is NO excuse in letting an animal suffer a painful death in the street. With this in mind, I drove the short distance to The Animal Emergency Center on Manchester Expressway.

When I arrived, there was no one in the lobby or at the front desk. I had to loudly yell "Hello!" about five times before a young woman came out from the back. I explained how I found this cat bleeding and in shock. I also made the mistake of saying that I do not have money for treatment, but the cat should be taken out of its suffering. The young woman immediately told me that she could not help me. She never even looked at the cat. I asked her if she had a cardboard box to put the cat in, since it was struggling and bleeding all over my lap. She said, "sorry." She told me to call Animal Control. I thought Animal Control closed at 5pm. I pleaded with her to call for me since, obviously, I had my hands full. She at least did that and said Animal Control was coming to pick up the cat. I looked at this young woman and asked, "No one will even look at this suffering animal because I said I have no money?" She looked at me and literally walked out of the room without a word!

I waited about ten minutes before an older woman in scrubs walked into the building. I told her the whole story. She never looked at the cat, either. A man who was a customer brought me a cardboard box from his truck. At that same time, Animal Control called back and said that they are NOT coming to pick up the cat. I was told to take it myself. So, this cat suffered, bleeding and in shock, inside The Animal Emergency Clinic for about twenty minutes. I told the young woman, "Thanks for nothing." And she cheerfully replied, " You're welcome!"

DO NOT GO HERE!!!!! This place is AWFUL!!! I have had to use it a few times over the years and have NEVER had a good experience.



Last night, I tried to take my sick cat, and the wait was going to be at least three hours. There was one couple in the waiting room that had been there for 2 hours!! I took my cat home and waited on our regular vet to open at 7:30.



I found out that my vet tells his own staff to NOT GO HERE!! He has told them to take a longer drive to Auburn University's ER. They are staffed well, and have the best doctors in the region.



I also found out that a new after hours clinic has opened in Opelika. It's called Fur Buds. The lady there told me to call before I left home, and there would be a room waiting for me.



I'd rather drive 30-40 minutes to Auburn/Opelika than have to wait 3 and 4 hours.



Also, if you ever see someone at this place in Columbus, the care is awful!!!! It says a lot that my regular vet sends his staff out of town than to the local place.



DO NOT GO HERE!!!

I have had to use this vet clinic twice (and I use the term "vet clinic" loosely). They were the only clinic open for an emergency on a weekend/holiday. The first time was 3 yrs ago when we had a cat with an abccess on her back near her tail. The staff took the cat back and the vet proceeded to lance the abccess with no sedation or lidocaine to numb the area. I tried to intervene and was locked out of the room. The vet came out and tried to explain that it was not painful and that the cat was just scared. She also said she did not want to put me through the expense of the sedation and possible overnight stay. I told her that the decision should have been left up to me, not her. She could just not understand this.

The second time I used them was the 4th of July weekend 2010. My cat (5 yrs old) was not eating, drinking or using the bathroom. After 6 hours of waiting to be treated, I was informed at 7:30 PM that my cat was constipated. I was told that the cat needed an enema, fluids and antibiotics. I was told to call at 9AM the next day to arrange to pick her up. At 7:30 AM the following morning, I was called and told my cat was having difficulty breathing and not doing well. She was in heart failure and in an oxygen tent.

She had a history of a heart murmur but was otherwise healthy. I think that the staff either overloaded her IV fluids or punctured something while doing the enema.

DON'T TAKE YOUR PET HERE. Go to Auburn or just wait it out until you can get in to see your regular vet.