South Orange County Animal Hospital

I went to this Vet for years. It was great until it was sold to VCA. Then, I never saw the same Vet twice. The Vet's didn't know my pets at all. The last straw was when they mixed up my dogs pathology report with another dog. They told me my dog was fine and the other dog had cancer. I went to another Vet for a second opinion and he realized there was a pathology report mix up. My dog had a large cancerous tumor. VCA refused to give me a recommendation to an Oncologist and insisted on doing the surgery themselves. My new Vet gave me a referral to a board certified Surgeon and Oncologist. more

After this hospital became a VCA, and so many of their staff, especially doctors, came and went, I felt like I didn't know anyone there anymore, and they didn't know my pets, so why bother going to that particular vet? But after several negative experience at other vets in the area, I decided to try them again, and I am impressed by their current staff (which seems to have been there a while). Dr. Giannone is great, very knowledgeable, and really takes the time to find out what my needs for my pets are. They also see animals other than dogs and cats now, one of my friends took in her guinea pig and thought they did a great job (she saw the female doctor there, don't remember her name). Prices are a little high, but the care is great, and the staff is usually willing to work with you to get the care your pet needs. I do wish they were still open Sundays, but, can't have everything, I guess! more

I love taking my dogs here. I found this place from my neghbour after I moved to Lake Forest area. They do have that pet touch and they offer great care. I would recommend to schedule appointments before you go in. more

My huband and I have been taking our German Shepherd to Dr. Giannone at VCA Saddleback Animal Hospital for just under a year now. He is a very kind, understanding and patient vet. He answers all of our questions and always seems to know what he's talking about. The staff is very friendly and everytime I call for an appointment I am able to get one right away. If I'm ever concerned that something may be seriously wrong with my dog, I have always been encouraged to bring him in that day. We have already recommended VCA and Dr. Giannone to two other couples that have German Shepherds because he seems to be so good with ours. Other vets seem to be concerned with getting us to come in multiple times for one issue, so that they can charge us for each visit. Dr. Giannone doesn't do this unless it is actually necessary and has even personally called to check up on our dog twice (once after he was fixed and the other time after a surgery). He let us know over the phone whether we needed to come back in (as it turned out, we didn't). The only reason I gave VCA Saddleback a four instead of a five star rating is because I haven't seen any of the other vets in action. However, I would definitely recommend Dr. Giannone. Pros: Friendly Staff, Convenient Appointment Times, Knowledgeable Vets Cons: May be a little (very slightly) on the pricey side, but definitely worth it. more

My huband and I have been taking our German Shepherd to Dr. Giannone at VCA Saddleback Animal Hospital for just under a year now. He is a very kind, understanding and patient vet. He answers all of our questions and always seems to know what he's talking about. The staff is very friendly and everytime I call for an appointment I am able to get one right away. If I'm ever concerned that something may be seriously wrong with my dog, I have always been encouraged to bring him in that day. We have already recommended VCA and Dr. Giannone to two other couples that have German Shepherds because he seems to be so good with ours. Other vets seem to be concerned with getting us to come in multiple times for one issue, so that they can charge us for each visit. Dr. Giannone doesn't do this unless it is actually necessary and has even personally called to check up on our dog twice (once after he was fixed and the other time after a surgery). He let us know over the phone whether we needed to come back in (as it turned out, we didn't). The only reason I gave VCA Saddleback a four instead of a five star rating is because I haven't seen any of the other vets in action. However, I would definitely recommend Dr. Giannone. Pros: Friendly Staff, Convenient Appointment Times, Knowledgeable Vets Cons: May be a little (very slightly) on the pricey side, but definitely worth it. more

I used them many years ago when Dr. Jansak was there all the time and he was pretty good. However, two of the vets that used to be there misdiagnosed two of my dogs and each of them almost died as a result. They gave my Ragdoll cat medication that was on his chart NOT to give him, and we almost lost him. Additionally, they overcharge for basic things and routinely order more tests and services than are necessary. They have a large staff turnover. They have gotten larger and affiliated with a large organization, I which is why I think their care and dedication has deteroriated. I would not recommed them to anyone. Pros: pretty facility.Large and fairly new. Cons: Quality of care. Office staff. Incompetence. more

Dr. Trope is a very skilled and caring Vet. He took wonderful care of my Sheltie when he was quite ill. Dr. Trope is no longer working at Saddleback Animal Care Center. more

I have used this Vet for years. When I first went there, I had an older dog with multiple issues. The various Vet's put their heads together and resolved her problem. Now that Dr. Jansak is gone and VCA owns the hospital it has changed quite a bit. It is still pricey (which was ok in the past because of their exceptional Vets). Now, every time I go there, there are new Vets. I never see the same Vet twice so the Vet's don't know my dogs. On weekends there used to be multiple Vets, now there is usually only one. When I had a problem an hour before they were scheduled to close, they told me to go to the Pet ER in Mission Viejo. That never would have happened. They would have had a Vet available, or for an emergency they would have stayed open a little bit longer to take care of a long time pet customer. more

I have used this Vet for years. When I first went there, I had an older dog with multiple issues. The various Vet's put their heads together and resolved her problem. Now that Dr. Jansak is gone and VCA owns the hospital it has changed quite a bit. It is still pricey (which was ok in the past because of their exceptional Vets). Now, every time I go there, there are new Vets. I never see the same Vet twice so the Vet's don't know my dogs. On weekends there used to be multiple Vets, now there is usually only one. When I had a problem an hour before they were scheduled to close, they told me to go to the Pet ER in Mission Viejo. That never would have happened. They would have had a Vet available, or for an emergency they would have stayed open a little bit longer to take care of a long time pet customer. more

Our experience with Dr Jansak has been the blueprint of what one would want in a vet - client relationship. Dr Jansak is the ultimate blend of skill and kindness -- we cannot say enough good about this vet. Pros: State of the art facility more

Our experience with Dr Jansak has been the blueprint of what one would want in a vet - client relationship. Dr Jansak is the ultimate blend of skill and kindness -- we cannot say enough good about this vet. He added five years to our diabetic dog's life by carefully training us in the procedures we needed to follow with our pet to keep him living a good life. That's all we wanted and we got it. During the years Dr Jansak owned Saddleback he built a fine organization employing other people much like himself. It's always great to see a good person build a business that reflects their values, and Dr Jansak did exactly that. Pros: State of the art facility more

This veterinarian has lost his heart. Unfortunately, the quality of care at saddleback care center has dropped significantly in the last two years. Pros: Good parking, Good hours Cons: Poor veterinarian, Overly Expensive more

This veterinarian has lost his heart. Unfortunately, the quality of care at saddleback care center has dropped significantly in the last two years. Pros: Good parking, Good hours Cons: Poor veterinarian, Overly Expensive more