Critter Care Veterinary Hosp

I have dealt with Critter Care for many years now. I have mixed feelings about the clinic. I first started going their with my parents dog. She has never had a problem and even seems to enjoy the visits. On the other hand my parents have had her boarded there several times during vacations and she always seems to come out with some type of infection. I took my cat there for her de-claw and I must say that they did a really good job. She was back on her feet in less than a day with little side effects. When I take her their for annual check ups the assistants there seem to be a little rough with her. I warned them that she does not like to be held (especially by strangers), but the assistant took her right out of her carrier and was holding her up while she hissed and growled. He acted like he knew my cat better than I did. Then the assistant was upset when the cat peed and pooped on him because she was scared. more

We took our cat to this vet. The place was totally disorganized. We go to a ver because we expect a clean environment and for the vet to peform the exam and shots. Well, we so the vet initially come out and give some womans dog shots on the floor of the waiting room - which seemed a little odd. Next, as we were waiting for the vet to call us back to an exam room some high school kid came out with a needle and nail clippers and tried to pull our cat out of the cage in the waiting room. I told him no way because we didn't want our cat to bolt out the front door and second he was not a vet nor did he look trained. \r \r We were then told to give them our cat and wait. Again, I said no way we were going back with her. After 5 heated minutes of this back and forth they reluctantly let us go to an exam room. At this point the vet proceeded to tell us that our cat had tooth decay and a gum infection and that she would need teeth pulled. Well, that was it for us. We got the rabbis shot more

My wife and I have been going to Dr. Lorie Portugal since we got our first cat some 10 years ago. I'm not sure what vet some of these reviews are talking about, but it's certainly not Dr. Lorie! I'll admit, some may not like her style, but I think it's much more relaxing for both the patient and his/her "parents" to be seen in the wide open front area, rather than a small examination room.\r \r Not only does she remember each of our cats' names (all 4 of them), she remembers details of our personal lives as well (including a visit right before my wife gave birth to our son). You don't feel like just another patient when you're there.\r \r Finally, recently, one of our cats ate some leaves on a lily plant, and we were concerned that they might be poisonous. We called the office to see if they were open so we could ask about it, but they were closed. So we called the emergency number on the message, and Dr. Lorie herself answered. Now that's dedication. (The cat is fine, by the way.) more

I have read and reviewed everything everyone has said about Critter Care Vet Hospital. Some I love and some I disagree with! Personally I have been a client of Dr. Portugal for 6 1/2 years. My animals love her and she always greets them like their her own kids! She also saved my dogs life without the cost of thousands of dollars. The price was very affordable. The staff was also kind and I love the family style atmosphere how Dr. Portugal comes right out and sits on the floor with your pet! I truley believe she is a great vet with a great staff behind her! more

Dr. Lorie Portugal is a brilliant surgeon with a very busy practice. Upon entering the facility, you'll notice an entire wall of tear-jerking photographs, thank you notes, cards, and letters from grateful pet owners. I'm not on that wall, as I never thanked her via "the written word"; so when I ran across these reviews, I decided to share my gratitude here instead.\r \r Two of my precious felines had life-changing surgery at Critter Care, with zero complications in both cases. After methodic testing, and careful consideration, their quality (and quantity) of life was returned to them. I smile, and think of Dr. Lorie, every time I see them jumping, playing, and chasing imaginary friends and foes; something they were no longer able to do before surgery. At times, they appear "out of nowhere" so suddenly, I'm sure they have a molecular transporter hidden around here somewhere; but that's a story for another time and place. more

I should have known from the smell when I first walked in but I had no choice. My friend had to cancel last minute and my flight was leaving later that evening. \r \r My poor white dog was filthy when I picked her up. I was only gone for four days. She still had food left over and poop was caked to her bottom. It was disgusting. I felt like a bad mother. They say they walk the dogs for a long distance, even showed my how long, but that's not what I observed. I arrived early and saw them taking the dogs out for there scheduled walk (as told to be by the staff) so I parked across the street. Long walk...NOT. They walked for a three minutes (I timed it) and brought the dogs back.\r \r I will never take my dog back there again. more

Brought my Scottish Terrier there for boarding Friday night through Monday morning. She gets fed twice a day-- 3 oz servings each time. Her boarding stay meant six, 3 oz meals which I provided in indivdual packages in a plastic container displaying the feeding instructions. When I picked her up Monday morning there were 2 packages left. They had not fed her twice during her stay!! Should have figured they couldn't handle it since it appears most of the hands-on care seems to be done by people barely out of (or possible still in) high school. Never again! more

I took my puppy there for her spaying and the staff was GREAT. They called me before and after to let me know how my puppy was doing. Wonderful HOURS and I think there pricing is GREAT compared to other locations in this area. more

The people are rude and very unprofessional especialy the receptionist..The vet talks to you like your an idiot..and when our dog passed away while under thier care which may or may not have been able to be prevented we went in to pick up our deceased beloved pet so that he could be buried by the family imagine the horror we and our children felt when we opened up the bag to put him in his grave and IT WAS THE WRONG DOG!!! We had to go back with another families beloved pet thawing out in the back of our car in the summer heat to get the right one.So when we refused to pay the remaining $75.00 we were sued by her. more

My cat has never tolerated going to the vet. He's hissed and scratched the two previous ones I've taken him to, and nearly bit one. But when I started taking him to Dr. Lori, he actually lets her hold him without much fuss. I love how she meets with the pets right in the waiting area--sitting right on the floor with them. She has a wonderful "bedside" manner with animals and definitely knows her field. more

Dr. Lori Portugal sits on the floor with her patients, the critters, and calms them down with expertise and her own aura of patience. She knows her stuff and the animals love her for it (as do their owners). She is not the closest vet, but she is so much nicer than the others I've used that it's worth the extra minutes of driving with my cat howling away next to me in the car. more

I have been taking my dog to Dr. Lori Portugal for many years. My dog is very difficult to deal with and gets aggressive when in her office. She has always been very good with him and I am so thankful that she understands how he is and is able to treat him. Her staff is very young and yes, it seems like there are always new people there, but I think it is because the business is growing so fast so she needs to hire people on a regular basis. I also know that she brings in students who are learning and are enrolled in an animal care class at CAT Brandywine. Dr. Lori gets down on the floor to examine your animal and doesn't hide anything from the "animal parents." She is not the kind of vet who does things behind closed doors. I like this quality in a vet. I would recommend Dr. Lori, especially if you have a dog who bites or is terrified to go to the vet. more

I thought the people including the doctor were very rude and did not seem to care for the animals. The employees do not seem to be certified to perform many of their tasks and they are very young. I have heard them shouting at the dogs for barking, when it isn't there fault. My question to them is, if the animals get so untolerable, why do you work at a vets office? more

I would not reccoment this vet for many people. It is overpriced and they sell you things you don't need. They are not thorough and I wouldn't go back. The communication is poor and the staff is ever changing. I know of several people that have actually been in lawsuits with this vet. They do have flexible hours and an easy to reach location. more

We brought our dog and cat here on several occasions, but we switched after realizing they weren't providing the best service possible. They rarely took our animals back to the actual office and would often give them shots and examinations right in the waiting area. While the vet seemed to be comfortable enough with the animals, she was almost a little too rough with them. My cat got sick and was throwing up after having his teeth cleaned here. I am not sure if this was normal or if it was something they did that was unusual. Although this vet is conveniently located along business Route 30, we now bring our animals to a different practice. more