I have been going to Newington Veterninary Clinic for 5 years and I was happy with them. Until…read morenow. This is the 2nd time that Dr. Fortin has left me with a very bad taste in my mouth, feeling very underwhelmed by the "care" provided and way over charged for anything and everything. I have rarely seen the same vet twice (I don't think I'd know Dr. Fortin if I fell on her). I will be switching to a new vet and, on my way, I'm telling everyone I can about my recent experience with them because it was completely avoidable. Sorry, but this is lengthy... On 6/11/21, my dog had an acute event that, in my eyes, was an emergency since it's happened before and I wasn't going to sit on it. I called the vet at 8:18 A.M. for an appt. I conveyed my anxiety to the receptionist, Hallie (?), that answered the phone. I was told that she didn't know if she could get my dog in for a visit since she might have just given away the last appt, could she put me on hold. I asked, "So, are you telling me I should go to the emergency vet?" because I would have gone. She very testily responded "No, I'm asking to put you on hold right now". She came back on to tell me the doctor wasn't in yet, she would give my info to the doctor and they would call me back when the doctor got in in about 30 minutes. Seriously? I'm freaking out and you tell me you'll call me back in 30 minutes? I thought she might've said something like "If you feel you can't wait, then yes, I'd go to the emergency vet" or some disclaimer like that. Nope. So, I justified the wait by saying to myself that it'd take me much longer than that to get to the emergency vet. However, I was less than happy about this. Oh. And they're still doing "curbside" so no one is allowed in because 1 employee wasn't fully vaccinated. So, I was told that I couldn't go in with my dog if they did have an appt. And Hallie who answered the phone? She became even more testy when I balked at not being able to come in to the office. I even offered to show them my vaccination card. I have followed COVID guidelines to a T since March 2020 and still do. Now, the entire country is opening up, you don't have to wear a mask in Starbuck's if you're vaccinated, but this place isn't allowing people inside still? Even though other vets have opened back up (yes, I checked)?? More on why that's an issue coming up... I received a return call at 9:07 A.M., almost 50 minutes after I called the first time. I was given an appt for 11:30 so I let the 50 minute wait time slide. I show up at 11:30, I call upon arrival as instructed to and then have to wait for another call to again explain what happened to yet another person. I repeated that he vomited only once before 8:00, he hadn't vomited since and this wasn't a current symptom. First, the vet didn't get the entire story straight with my dog. Why? BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T HEAR IT FROM ME. I was told that my dog was given an injection to help control vomiting. I just listened to the vet as she spoke, taking everything in and I would process it later since I was still pretty revved up, concerned about my dog. The total bill? $166. I thought, ok, not bad since it's cheaper than the emergency vet. Then I saw the invoice AFTER I paid (even if I asked them to review the bill with me before I paid, the injection was already given and I'd have to pay anyway. Nice, huh?). MY DOG WAS GIVEN A $91 INJECTION OF CERENIA TO STOP ANY FURTHER VOMITING!!! This was about 4 hours after he had vomited the 1 and only time. Ninety-one flipping dollars to fix one of the symptoms my dog DIDN'T have. And not a single answer as to why. Would this be as much of an issue for anyone else? Maybe not. While I did get over the receptionist's lack of social skills and professionalism and the 50 minute wait time for a return call, I can't get over the vet. When you are emotionally charged and feeling vulnerable because your dog is sick - you need to get to the vet, you want answers, you want your dog to be ok - it's very easy to feel taken advantage of. Especially by someone you're supposed to just trust with your pet since you can't see what's happening when they take them inside. All of that anxiety leads to a very poor experience from beginning to end if not handled correctly. That all leads to a really long, negative review on Yelp. Sure, curbside is ok for routine exams since you usually already know what's going to happen with meds, vaccines, boosters, etc. But for acute episodes? It's an epic fail. During my f/u call the day after my appt, I let the girl who called know about how upset I was. No return call which shows indifference to my experience. For routine care, Newington Vet is fine, but expensive. Stay away for anything other than routine visits. Why? Because the past 4 people I've mentioned these issues to immediately echoed the same sentiment in regard to Dr. Fortin.

deplorable service and care, I call Newinton vet. clinic last wk. for my dog not feeling well…read more waited four days for them to tell me, they could not take care or see my dog. which it could have been done on the first day. Instead of letting my dog suffer for such a long time. I'll tell MATEO to go to hell, he did shit to help or comfort in serious and Unpredictable situation. Very poor Assessment and judgment for someone in distress.

Super caring for our pets, great service. All the employees are super nice. Highly recommend.read more

The level of caring for my dog, Z, was always good but especially so in his older age. I got…read morehonest advice and great support from the entire staff!

This used to be the greatest place to take your pet in the local area. Now that Dr. Hal Mooney is…read moregone and someone else has taken over, it's dirty, the staff isn't nice, and they called my anxiety-ridden dog in for services he didn't even need because they were confused.

I adopted my friend's cats during the pandemic, and no vet could see us because everyone was…read morebooked. Hopmeadow accepted us as new patients, and we truly hit the jackpot! From the very beginning, we've had big medical issues, and they have been amazing. Their front desk staff is the sweetest - communicative and caring and always asks about my pets' well-being. My job schedule does not allow for easy appointment booking, and they've always been accommodating. Dr. Mooney has always been our primary vet there and one of my favorite people on earth. He's knowledgeable, caring and follow-up care has been incredible. We're so lucky Hopmeadow took us in!!

Excellent service, procedure was explained in detail, exceptional staff very friendly. My pup went…read morein for surgery I was kept informed as to when he was going under and about how long it would take, and was called after his surgery, the service went above and beyond my expectations, I even received photos of my pup after his surgery. Would highly recommend, the professionalism was out standing by all staff members

Very helpful and sincere. Patient. Listens. Answers all questions. Highly rated. Explains…read moreprocedures and recommendations.

This review is a long time overdue! My wife and I have been bringing our 3 elderly rescue dogs to…read moreStar Meadow Animal Clinic for over 10 years. Our main doctor is Dr. Tanya Battiston, who by far is the best we have ever come across. What is even better than that is the fact that if we have ever needed to come in and Dr. Battiston was not there, we have always had the best care from each of the Dr's and Techs working at Star Meadow. I can't recommend this practice enough. They truly put the care of the animals ahead of everything else. Let me explain: There was an incident where we had an emergency with our Chihuahua at 6:00 pm. We called Star Meadow and Dr. Battiston was getting ready to leave. After taking our call, walking us through a few things to check and assessing the situation, Dr. Battiston did not recommend for us to take our dog to the Emergency Vet. Instead, realizing the severity of the situation, she told us to come in immediately so that she could see our dog. We got there and within minutes she had diagnosed our dog with blockage in the bladder. After tests to confirm she managed to dislodge the blockage and empty the bladder. The very next day she performed successful surgery! She saved his life! This is the type of care and attention she and the rest of the Doctors and Staff at Star Meadow have always shown all three of our dogs. I have read some of the other reviews where people complain about the wait time, etc... To me that seems a bit ridiculous. I look at it as a positive. This practice is busy at times because they are that good! I would rather wait a few extra minutes (which rarely happens) because I know the Doctors are making sure the animals are being well cared for than enter a factory that pushes the animals in and out to simply make money! This is TOP NOTCH PRACTICE!

Wow they sent me a very offensive text message after I made a first new patient appointment that…read morethey received the previous vets notes on how I didn't do bloodwork for the annual wellness visit this year and told me they r not a low cost clinic and I should go to the humane society or east Hartford vet because they do a lot of bloodwork there and they r assuming I can't pay. They know nothing about me and my pet . Wow just wow so they cancelled my appointment

Dr Churchill is very knowledgeable, and explains things well. Dr Churchill called right away with…read moreabnormal results for my dog and got her back in right away to discuss and start the plan of treatment. This is very reassuring about her expertise and commitment as well as that of the organization.

Both Dr. Scudder and the vet tech were amazing with Poppy. They were very patient with her. All…read moregreat people!

I cannot say enough wonderful things about the entire staff at this facility! I have been bringing…read moremy cats there for decades and have always received professional, empathetic care for me and my kitties. Just yesterday, I discovered that my elderly cat had end stage kidney disease. Dr. Haviar and his staff were so kind, allowing me to stay in the examining room while I waited for my daughter and son-in-law so they could say good-bye before putting her to sleep. I know that we jammed up their schedules and exam rooms while they patiently waited for us to say our good-byes. There is a special place in heaven for these kind caregivers of my kitties! I highly recommend that you entrust your fur babies to this practice!

They are always amazing with me and my pets. They treat us like family and have great adviceread more

I would love to say I was beyond pleased with my experience at this place both times I went. The…read morestaff is outstanding. Dr deSagun was incredible. She explained everything about my cat's condition and how to care for it long term. Unlike vets that my cat had been to in the past, the animals are truly cared for here. I had to come back because unfortunately my cat wasn't thriving and it was his time to be put down. While the experience itself is hard no matter where you go, I was beyond touched by how supportive the entire office was during that painful moment. The staff here are angels. I cannot understand how they have 1 bad review because this place is where i will bring future pets. I'm so happy that my baby got to be handled by a place where they all have pure hearts and souls. While I'm heartbroken for having my future pets come and be seen here since I'm beyond satisfied with the way they are. I've never encountered a pet clinic like this one. If you are looking for a pet clinic that will look out for you and your pet, bring them here because you won't regret it. I sure didn't.

I went to pet care in July of 2026. I had a terrible experience there. This woman met me…read moreimmediately at the door with a mask on her face covid is over why did she have this mask on that was intimidating from the start. She was unfriendly and did not really seem to care whether I was there or not. Then the vet came in and he laughed at everything I was saying and I had to change my tone and get very serious for him to stop laughing in fact I asked him to stop laughing. I brought my dog in because she was panting and I wanted a second opinion regarding that and instead he took a swab in her ears and marched out of the room with the woman behind him abruptly and I had no idea why or what was going on he came back in to say oh she had bacteria in her ears well this was nothing new I knew this this and and I didn't even ask him to do this. In the end she told me I owe $200 I said what what? I couldn't believe it for something I didn't even ask them to do and she said $100 of it was to do that to examine what was in her ears I said I already know about that I was astounded I I was shocked I should have walked out of there and not paid the bill that would have been my right and I should have done it. I advise not to go there my experience was terrible just terrible!!