I have been a client of Critter Care for several years now. The personalized service and care has been exceptional from day one. When I originally started with the practice, I had 4 dogs, and a cat. My old girl was nearly 14 at the time and I was in such denial about her quality of life. This was understood, and respected by the practice, and they helped me prepare and planned for her peaceful passing. Anyone who knows this struggle, can understand how much it means to have personalized care during this time. My other fur babies, continued with their care as usual. The vet even helped me understand their grieving process as I noticed changes over the following weeks and months. I called frequently for tips and advice, and was always well received by the practice. My girls (dogs) and little old man (cat) have been regulars having visited for everything from well visit exams, to ongoing weight management, grooming, teeth cleaning, thyroid ongoing care, all being thoroughly treated and cared for. I'm beyond grateful for the exceptional and personalized customer service to me as the client and to my fur babies. You can most definitely tell that Dr. PORTUGAL and her staff love the career field they are in. read more

Update 2/15/19. A lot has changed for Watson since I wrote my initial review but the quality of care for Watson at Critter Care has not. He will be 17 next month and was diagnosed with kidney disease last year. Recently, his health has worsened but the staff at Critter Care has accommodated last minute appointment requests, phone calls for advice, and just been an overall comfort. Meg taught me how and kindly answered all my questions about sub-cutaneous fluid administration so I can take care of Watson at home and less frequent trips to the office. Sarah has been a sympathetic shoulder to lean on and offer encouragement. Most recently, he stopped eating, and the doctors and staff worked with me and Watson to find ways to get him to eat again. I am so grateful, there are no words for how much I appreciate all that they've done. Previous review: I'm sorry to see such negative reviews. I have been taking all 3 of my cats to see Dr. Portugal for years and can't imagine taking them to anyone else. If she ever retires, I'm in trouble! My 14 year old cat has had a lot of medical issues, from his teeth, anxiety and inappropriate marking, arthritis, allergic reaction to a medication, hyperthyroidism--he's been my lovable mess. Dr. Portugal always takes the time to find a solution and work with me to ensure it's affordable and manageable. If you spend any time in the waiting room, you can see her in action and see how much she cares about every animal in her care. read more

Critter Care has been great. Our regular vet had gone out of business when government shut everything down, Critter Care was there to help us though our Bernese Mountian Dogs Cancer and has since been great with out new dogs puppy care. read more

Both Dr. Portugal and Dr. Schroeder are very thorough in their exams and treatment of all the cats I've taken there over the past 3 years. I not only use them for my personal animals but also the animals from my rescue. Sarah, the office manager is VERY accommodating, flexible, helpful and always friendly and has a pure, genuine love for all animals which makes her a perfect fit to run the office! The lobby is always clean and well-organized and of course I love visiting with the Spay and Save rescues, when the lobby was still open pre-COVID of course. This is a great local vet that always goes above and beyond in my opinion. All these negative reviews are really old and things have changed a lot so I would highly recommend Critter Care to anyone needing a good place to take their pets for excellent care. read more

Best vet in Coatesville very caring Dr. and Staff ,Pets and their families are in the he best hands

Critter Care helped us figure out what to do with a stray cat family that was dumped on my parent's property. The staff immediately started with vet care for the cats and quickly gave us updates on their condition. Sarah was very helpful with answering all of our questions and making recommendations. Everyone we were in contact with was professional and friendly. read more

When people take their sick pet to the vet, they need comfort and understanding, not nasty comments and passive aggressive remarks. The office is dingy and dirty, and I've never before been forbidden to come into the examination room with my pet. The vet sent us home with a still very sick kitty, and we were concerned/still are concerned that he didn't get the care he deserves. Also, the vet pushed us to buy a fur brush for $40. Found the exact same thing on Amazon for $8.99. NEVER returning to this vet ever again. Wish I read other reviews before we went. read more

My boyfriend took his 11 year old black Lab here two years ago because she had developed some breathing problems. He didn't like how his dog was treated here, she was yanked around on a leash, among other little things that made him feel as though a few of the people here may not care for the animals as much as they should. The vet who looked after her recommended that he take Sally, his lab, to a cardiologist because she had a heart problem and didn't expect that she had long to live. My boyfriend then took Sally to a cardiologist and he said that nothing was wrong with her heart whatsoever. The smell and feel of this place was off. When looking at reviews online I am scared that this place still is up and running. I read many, many negative experiences people had here at Critter Care with their pets. We have since found another vet who is absolutely wonderful, and recommend them to everyone. I don't suggest you take your pets to Critter Care. Sally lived two years longer and died due to a breathing condition common in Labs. read more

Critter Care is a unique experience. It has been a very special place for our pets. Maybe this is hyperbole, but I think Dr. Lorie Portugal is a genius, who charges less than half of what she deserves for her level of skill and intelligence. Twice she has saved our pets through emergency surgery, when we couldn't afford to take them to our regular vet. Now, Critter Care is our regular vet. They have a laid-back office, and you get a sense that everyone enjoys working there and feels relaxed and comfortable at their workplace. The vet assistants connect with the animals on a personal level. They have gotten to know our pets and I sense that when I call, they know immediately who I am, and what my pets need. Critter Care seems to me to be a uniquely different, low-stress and NURTURING environment for pets and employees. I love Critter Care and recommend it to anyone and everyone for their pet care needs. read more

If you don't care about the well being of your pet then by all means take them here. This vet is ONLY interested in money & not caring for animals. I brought my dog in only to be diagnosed with Renal Kidney Failure. I never received a written quote until I arrived to pick her up. Was only told verbal quotes over the phone, which changed when I arrived and the amount was larger. When questioned about the reason for the change the staff was uninterested in going over the bill with me, all the while keeping me from seeing my dog whom I was told was still in bad shape. Now the practice has refused to see her for a follow up & has bashed me to the new vet that I am hoping to get my dog in before the holiday. All the while, they never asked once how my dog is doing but definitely going out of their way to keep me from taking her elsewhere. Who does this ... certainly not a practice that loves animals. I am happy to move on, however, think twice before taking your beloved fur baby here! read more

Dr. Lorie Portugal is great! I've never had a Vet get down on the floor and talk to, calm and examine my pets. Excellent with diagnosing and caring for all pets. Critter Care also boards. read more

They say they offer exotic pets and reptile care but when making my appointment they referred to my bearded dragon multiple times as an iguana and when I corrected them that he was a bearded dragon they asked "is he the normal color? Green?" Then when the appointment came they had me set him by the door for what seemed like an extremely long time in 39 degree weather. The doctor referred to brumation as "reptile hibernation" and constantly tried to dumb down everything for me. They also cut his nails too short making him bleed. They assured me he is 100% ok and everything is fine but I requested a fecal test and the results came back with severe Coccadia, a parasite. They then informed me that his medication wouldn't be in for a week or two and told me to just force feed him until then. They definitely did not seem like they knew much about reptiles. Won't be going back there anytime soon read more

Critter Care and their staff have been excellent in my experience. I have 3 dogs ... a St. Bernard, a Golden Retriever, and a Miniature Schnauzer. All have been under Dr. Portugal's care for the past year. Our experience could not have been better. read more

My dog has been brought here only because this was my husbands dog's vet. I never liked the waiting room visits! I recently had my dog groomed here, she's been dragging her butt ever since, shes obviously having problems, even walking, I can't imagjne what they did to her. I also scheduled a visit to have her ears checked. I had been in a work meeting, and was not there at the time of the apt. However, I called to let them know I was running behind. I got to the office, my dog was panting and shaking so bad. They told me they couldn't see her, and to leave her there, and I could pick her Up later, they'd look at her ears after the surgery. Just to look at her freaking ears. Yep, money I'm sure. OMG. This tiny dog was shaking, like I've never seen before. Just makes me wonder, why? Thank God, she will be brought back to her vet in Delaware. Never again, friends beware of this place... read more

Pet owners Beware! Took our 16mo dog there for a emergency visit due to stomach issues.explained to the vet on duty our concerns due to the dog eating things outdoors and his recent issues that had developed after ignoring most of what we were saying they proceeded to run blood test on the dog.this was the first concern we were not allowed to observe his exam or bloodwork which was made us suspicious.so after some back and forth the Vet on duty came back and diagnosed our dog with liver disease and iron oxide Poisoning from eating the mulch.we requested xray or mri be done because we suspected a obstruction and was ignored and showed a thrown together printout of a blood test which honestly the vet was more interested in talking about his sperm count which somehow was showing on his blood test. At that point we were sold hundreds of dollars in meds and told we would work on the other issues later. So we left and did NOT trust a thing this vet had done at this point. The next day we went to a Real Veterinarian Hospital the first 2 things they did was bloodwork and a Ultrasound and try to match the printout for bloodwork we had from this vet which was Not even close to the 2 different test the hospital did they said to the point this can NOT be from the same Animal it was impossible! Our Puppy Did Not have liver disease or Iron oxide poisoning and a Real Blood test or even a Xray would of shown the real problem.Our Puppy was given a week to live and he passed away on Saturday .this vet was a Scam he seen desperate hurting people and took advantage and even had the nerve to send a email to buy more useless and unneeded medications as well as a phone call to refill for medication that wasnt even needed from the start! read more

Dr Lorie and her team at Critter Care have always been there for my dogs, whether a phone call to ease a concern (and there's been many over the years) or a visit to Critter Care. My family has been going here since we moved into our home 15 years ago and wouldn't think of using another veterinarian. It's a win when you find someone that treats your "kids" like you do, and you trust them with their well being and health, and Dr Lorie is up front and only recommends what she would do if the patient was her own, all I can do is say Thank you Dr Lorie and the Critter Care team for being awesome! read more

I've been taking my dog here for several years. I'm handicap and they do everything they can to make it easier for me to make sure my dog is treated and taken care of. Whenever I take my dog in, it's always professional and always in a timely manner. When something is wrong the Dr takes her time to explain everything to me, and in a way you can understand it. Their is no other veterinary that I would take my dog to. I would refer everyone to Critter Care Veterinary Hospital. read more

The worst experience ever, The most rudest receptionist. Did not like the female vet she also very rude the male vet was very pleasant. PRICES WERE OUTRAGES. LOOK SOMEWHERE ELSE FOR A BETTER VET read more

On 04/05/21 I brought my cat into the office to be seen for abnormal breathing, not eating or using the bathroom, and his change in behavior noticed the Saturday evening prior. Now I can understand a full schedule and the difficulties that come along with that, but when an animal is in distress, specifically compromising his breathing, is that not an emergency? Does that not take precedence over elective procedure or annual exams? Would you not put a person who is in respiratory distress ahead of someone coming to get their physical? I sure would hope so, but apparently not at Critter Care. I was told that they would try to squeeze him in between appointments, and to just drop him off for the day. I dropped him off around 10:30am and around 1:30pm I got a call stating the obvious, your cat is in distress , body temp down 10 degrees, and we need to do bloodwork and chest X-ray. I agreed for them to be done and was told it would be completed and results communicated to me within the hour. It was now 2:41pm and I still have not received a call with an update, so I called the office and was told the dr was in with him now, they'll call back shortly. 3:30pm hits and I finally get the call with the results. His labs came back relatively normal and his chest X-ray showed fluid in his chest. They jumped to the conclusion of congestive heart failure. Didn't think of or rule out any other issues, just made and assumption and went with it. They gave him medication through injection in the office to drain the fluid in his chest. Was told that he'd have to take 3 meds once daily to help, but most cases, the meds help the issue even though it's not curable. Even mentioned to me that after the injection you provided him, he was up walking around and doing better. I was told to give him his meds, make sure he eats (even though YOU knew he didn't eat in 3 days already), and to come back for a follow up with the medicine on Thursday 04/08/21. When I picked him up at 4:30pm on Monday, he was still in the same shape that I took him there in. I know medicine isn't magic, but you just told me that he was up and moving around, and the cat I got back could barely lift his head up. So you're a liar! Despite all that, cause I wrongly trusted the competence of the staff and doctors here, I gave him his medicine and tried to provide as much comfort as possible which included trying to get him to eat and drink, but failed to no avail. Well it is now Wednesday 04/07/21 and my cat passed away early this morning. He showed no signs of improvement in the time that he came home up to his last breath. If he was in that much distress and you couldn't get his body temperature up, you had a duty to observe and take care of him. YOU FAILED!!!! Any respectable hospital or office would have held him for further status and care/treatment. YOU DID NOTHING! This office and its doctors failed my cat and now I have lost my furry friend. I will not be taking my other pets back to this establishment. read more

There are a lot of polarized opinions on this yelp page. Some users claim a terrible experience, while others give 5 stars. With that said, there is something significant and factual that should be reviewed by anyone looking to form an opinion here: From the PA State Department's public records at https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/VerifyaProfessional/DisciplinaryActions/Pages/Disciplinary-Action-Archive.aspx#.VKxOoDscQy8 : Lorie D. Portugal, license no. BV007338L of Thorndale, Chester County, was assessed a $2,000 civil penalty and her license was suspended for six months. Portugal failed to conform to the standard of acceptable and prevailing veterinary medical practice by refusing to release a pet to his owners when medically appropriate. (08-30-07) Lorie Davida Portugal, license no. BV007338L of Thorndale, Chester County, was ordered to pay a civil penalty of $2,000, have her license indefinitely suspended for no less than one year, stayed in favor of probation with certain terms and conditions, and, within 12 months of the effective date of the Order, complete 12 hours of continuing professional education credits which shall not count towards her annual continuing education requirements because she failed to conform to the standard of acceptable and prevailing veterinary medical practice. (05/20/11) Lorie Davida Portugal, license no. BV007338L, of Thorndale, Chester County, was suspended for a period of three years, paid a civil penalty of fifteen thousand dollars and the costs of investigation of five thousand dollars, shall attend and complete remedial education, and have a public reprimand placed on her permanent disciplinary record with the Board, because she engaged in illegal practices in or connected with the practice of veterinary medicine, and failed to keep the equipment and premises of the business establishment in a clean and sanitary condition, engaged in incompetence, gross negligence, or other malpractice, or the departure from, or failure to conform to, the standards of acceptable and prevailing veterinary medical practice, abused or neglected an animal and failed to consider the welfare of the animal for the purpose of relieving suffering and disability while causing a minimum of pain or fright, failed to inform the client, while keeping their animal while the practice is closed, what level of monitoring the animal will receive during that time, failed to maintain required veterinary medical, surgical and/or diagnostic procedure logs and/or medical records, and aided and abetted the unlicensed practice of a profession, occupation, or business. (5/12/17) read more

The Dr. was amazing and so were the vet techs and assistants. Receptionist had no compassion and was quite rude. Would highly recommend if receptionist Theresa was replaced!! read more

Dr. Lori is great vet. I have know her about less 18 year. My parent go there too.. We never have problem with her. She is very honsety person and care. She save Rosie. She was planning spayed her but she had bad ovary. GOOD THING that Dr. Lori did right thing rush to remove it. she tell us turth.. She is loveable person and who caring for any pet and animals. Alot people say bad thing to her.. She is excellet VET... No matter what!! All vet not perfect.. No one is perfect. I would go back to Dr Lori. I live 1 hour from her.. She is great Honsety... thank you Dr Lori read more

If you love your pets do not take your animal to Critter Care located in Thorndale, PA. I took my cat there on Friday and they gave me all the medicine to give to him. When I work up the next day the cat had died. This is the worse veterinary hospital in the Chester county. My animals now go to Animal Clinic which is also located in Thorndale,PA and they are the best. read more

Honestly, I just read the three reviews below, and it's pretty obvious to me that there are axes being ground - everything they say would be impossible at Critter Care. I've been going for almost twenty years, and have never been disappointed with anything at Critter Care. Not only is the office clean, the staff is kind and courteous, but also the professional expertise of Dr. Portugal is second to none. Also, other vets charge an arm and a leg, but Critter Care keeps their costs down by purposely having a small office. Wouldn't go anywhere else. read more

Dr. Portugal and her staff have always been friendly and accommodating to the needs of my pet cat. My cat had some digestive issues and Dr. Portugal and the staff were very sweet, kind, and gentle with him. I trust their practice and knowledge in helping whatever problem I bring to them. read more

I was taking my pets to Dr Portugal for over ten years- im completly flabbergasted by wat happened today- my beloved dog had a procedure done today-went in she had her annual physical n shots- had to leave her there for the laser surgery till 3 my daughter in law n 2 grandbabies wanted 2 meet me in parking lot of vets office so we can go have lunch n coffee n go shopping while I was waiting for my baby to get done- I come back 2 n half hours later n my truck was gone!! They had it towed!! Said they thought it was abandoned!! Huh?? It wasnt even in Parkin lot for 3 hours!! They actually had the B@ll$ 2 say it was my fault for not coming back into the puffing n telling them that me n my girls were goin to go for lunch!! I got no offer to pay even 10% of the towing fee- all I got was 3 different versions of how it was my fault!! I had jyst paid EVERYTHING I had on my credit card to pay for her operation! I called everybody I knew 2 get the money to get my truck off the lot- I did get threatened with a lawsiut tho from the secretary if I don't pay the 65 balance on her surgery in a timely manner-now that's wat I call CUSTOMER SERVICE! read more

Our dog was among Dr. P's first clients back in 1997. At that time, the doctor was very attentive, happy and we felt very confident in her ability to take care of our newest family member. She was confident in her consultation, attentive to me and my pet and visits were an upbeat and positive experience. My dog seemed to like the doctor and assistants. We even used Critter Care for boarding during vacations. After a few years, the practice grew and the Dr. went through some changes. Looking back, I think that is when things started going downhill. The place started looking very dirty, smelled bad and the attitudes of the staff and Dr. became cynical and less concerned about the dog. The last time I left her for boarding, my dog was visibly upset when I picked her up. I think the clincher was when they were trying to get a blood sample from the dog. Right in the waiting room and instead of shaving a spot and finding a vein, Dr. just stuck the needle in and rooted around until she found a vein. I was having a hard time keeping it together during this and I couldn't imagine how my pet felt. After that visit, I started looking around. During my search for a new vet, I found that there were multiple occasions of disciplinary action with the licensing board and multiple complaints. This is public information on PAs licensing board website. read more

I actually just obtained shot records today and will go to a new vet. Theresa at the front desk is MISERABLE and is rarely pleasant. The office is dirty and smells horrible. I've been to other vets through the years and theiroffice is unhealthy. My last visit there Dr. Portugal was on the phone in a back room with a Lab who had apparenlty lost her lab results. She yelled and screamed at the person on the phone like I've never heard before. She was irrational, loud and had no regard for people that were sitting in the waiting room. The staff apologized but i knew as soon as i left that i would never return. If she treats people like that i can't imagine how she will treat an uncooperative dog on one of her bad days -- and why does she insist on taking animals in the back without their owner!!!??? Very suspect. Two of my dogs are HORRIBLE about getting their nails clipped -- horrible with everyone!! Well they took both dogs in the back and said they were "fine" no problem at all -- I DON'T BUY IT!! Something is just lacking in that office. If Dr. Portugal wants to increase her business she can start by cleaning up her office and replacing the miserable girl at the front desk. There are too many choices in this life to put up with bad customer service. read more

I`m not sure why there are negative comments. I have been going there since they opened and have always felt I received the best of care. I used to go to a vet in West Chester. They were high tech and expensive. Dr. Lori tells me what she feels is wrong and starts treatment, that wouldn`t hurt if she was wrong,and is helping relieve symptoms immediately. Some people don`t like not going in an exam room, my dogs and cats hated those sterile rooms and tables. They`re much more comfy on the floor in the waiting room. It`s clean. They have rooms if you request one or for a more serious problem.I was going away for 2 weeks and was worried about my dog, they assured me they would go pick her up if there was a problem. I don`t feel any different than going to the more expensive, high tech vet.The staff has always been kind.Perhaps the negative comments were from people who didn`t like what they heard, sometimes the truth hurts. read more