Ladysmith Animal Hospital

So disappointing. I arrived at the clinic today at approximately 4:55 (unfortunately I'm unable to get there any earlier) I tried the door, it was locked. I assumed it was because there was a customer already inside and due to COVID only 1 was permitted. I waited patiently for my turn. The door opened at 5pm, the staff member said we are closed! I replied, I'm just here for food, I pre-ordered. the response "its 5, till is closed" I explained my dog had no food left. She shrugged and said "we are closed" went inside and shut the door. So Disappointing.

Early in the morning , when walking my dogs in the forest in chemainus, I can across a tiny barely 3 week old kitten. It was in the middle of the forest, approx 500-1000m away from the nearest house. He was scared, and whining, with no mother nearby, no other kittens . Not too mention there was a cougar sighting 1 km away. So I made the decision to bring him to the vet as it was going to be 30degrees our and I couldn’t leave him there. I consulted with the central island vet and they told me to bring him in as he would need to be fed hourly, by the bottle. On my way to Nanaimo, I made the unfortunate decision to stop by the Ladysmith vet. They took me in on short notice which was nice, but once I was inside it became clear to me that getting me in quick was a nice as it was going to get. Once in the exam room, the vet began treating me extremely poorly, telling me that since the kitten wasn’t extremely malnourished and not severely dehydrated that I should have left him there, in the Bush, in 30 degree weather , Incase it’s stray mother decided to come back for it. She told me that either I keep him or to go back and put him right where I found him. In the freaking forest , while he was scared and crying. I was honestly shocked and appalled at the level of rudeness and lack of compassion she showed for this poor kitten. She gave him a quick 3 min check out, called me out for making a bad decision, then proceeded to charge me 90$ for a 3 min check on a kitten that wasn’t even mine. And then they refused to refund my money,.All is was trying to do was the right thing. I went outside, cooled down, then tried to get my money back cuz I was absolutely furious at the treatment I was given. Not to mention, the 2 girls at the front desk both said I did the right thing, and also agreed that the lady vet was extremely unprofessional. I then called the Nanaimo vet, who once they were told what had happened, confirmed that I did make the right decision and that they couldn’t fathom a vet telling me to do such a thing. They told me to come and drop him off with them as they would take him in, free of charge and care for him. They kept apologizing for the Ladysmith animal hospitals poor treatment, and reiterated that I did the right thing. Later on in the day I found out that the nice lab technician in Nanaimo took the little guy home and was going to keep him long term. I’m having a really hard time trying to make sense of what that vet told me to do, which was put the helpless kitten in the Bush and mostly be responsible for it’s death. DO NOT BRING YOUR ANIMALS TO THE LADYSMITH ANIMAL HOSPITAL . JEN BULLER (DVM) YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF.

The receptionist was very helpful and friendly. She even gave me some tips and suggestions. I was 15min early and they took me in right away and took great care of my pup! My mom has been coming here for years with her dogs and no complaints yet. Thank you!

I have been coming here since I moved from Ontario in 2006. Most of the time my animals were looked after by Dr. Jerome who was the epitome of caring and professional treatment. It was also heartening to see most of the same front office staff and technicians which indicated a well managed business. However, for the last few years, I hardly recognize the place. There has been a huge turnover in staff and I hardly recognize anybody. I seem to get a different vet. each time. Even though they have the files, it is not the continuity which gives me as much confidence. After some research, I now know that this clinic is now owned by Mars!! Mars is a US conglomerate best known for manufacturing Candy aka junk food. The location is perfect and so far the service is OK but I have to ask myself if a company such as this really has the health of pets uppermost as its goal. I am not planning any immediate changes but am on alert.

I have not had a bad experience here ever, from the moment you walk in to the moment before you get the bill (however much it might be) is always great.

This animal hospital has been a God-send for my family and our cat. They are really devoted to their patients to the point of staying open late to help my cat and then barely charging us for the visit. The receptionists are really kind and helpful and it's a relief to be able to call and have someone answer right away. Great work team at Ladysmith Animal Hospital and thank you again for taking such good care of Mischa!

Truly the best vet in the area. Really love animals and it shows. We tried another vet in the area when we first moved here and they acted like it was a chore just to look at our pets. This animal hospital is full of kind and compassionate animal lovers and we are very happy to bring our dogs and cats here.

Thank you so much for the wonderful care for our 3 little mittens. So knowledgeable and so caring. After 3 provinces and 6 clinics, you are by far the best! ( from a former veterinarians daughter)