Review for River Road Animal Clinic (I know I'm writing this from a place of deep grief, but I've done my best to make this review as honest and accurate as possible.) We began using River Road Animal Clinic about two years ago, after switching from Weems Road Animal Hospital in search of quality care at a more reasonable price. At first, we were impressed. Dr. Houston was kind, attentive, and wonderful with our anxious dog, Luna. She also did great with our senior girl, Rudie, even getting on the floor with them to help them feel more comfortable. We truly believed we had found a new veterinary home for our furbabies. But on June 20, 2025, everything changed. Our senior dog, Rudie, started refusing food, which was very unlike her. That morning, she ate only half of her usual meal and some sweet potato. By early afternoon, her breathing had grown labored and her belly seemed to spasm with each breath. I knew something was seriously wrong and that she had to be seen immediately. I called River Road at 1:30 p.m. and spoke to Savannah and described her symptoms in detail. She called back around 2:00 p.m. and told me they wouldn't see her because Rudie likely needed emergency care or a quality of life assessment and they referred me to Auburn. (Almost an hour drive from our home.) I called Auburn and they warned me that Rudie might wait for hours and may not even be seen in time as a walk in. (Meaning she would lay there in pain during the drive there and then who knows how long of a wait she would have had to be seen. She would have probably died in our laps/arms in pain.) I called River Road again, desperate, begging them to reconsider. I knew Rudie was dying. I was terrified. They still refused. They were less than 10 minutes away, and it was only early afternoon. But they wouldn't make time. They turned us away when our Rudah Girl needed them most. We ended up at Northside Animal Hospital, who despite being busy; welcomed us in. Within thirty minutes they took her blood samples, took an Xray, and drew some of the fluid from her belly, they confirmed she was in congestive heart failure. They gently recommended euthanasia. We knew it was the right thing. Rudie passed away surrounded by love, comfort, and dignity but only because we found someone else willing to care. The entire process took less than 90 minutes!! And that includes the time we took sobbing over the loss of our baby! We checked in at Northside Animal Hospital at 5:05 p.m., and upon our departure my credit card receipt was time-stamped at 6:08 p.m. In just over an hour, their team made time to evaluate Rudie's condition and compassionately help her pass peacefully. River Road's refusal to help not only caused us immense emotional pain, it prolonged Rudie's suffering. I will never forget the helplessness I felt, holding her in those final hours, knowing she was slipping away and that the people we trusted to help take care of her when she was sick or in pain had chosen not to. I can no longer recommend River Road Animal Clinic. Our pets are family, and when it truly mattered, they weren't there for Rudie. No one should have to go through what we did! If your pet ever has an emergency, which they all do at least once in their lives, don't count on them to be there to help. Hopefully your dog only gets sick when it's a convenient time for them. read more

River Road Animal Clinic - Rudie - June 2, 2025 - Veterinarians Near Me - Columbus, Georgia

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First of all, I want to say I do not trust anyone with my cat. This vet came up on google maps & I decided to give it a try after reading reviews. Since the first day I took my cat, the ladies have been so sweet & helpful. They have taken their time to explain to me everything. This place is always busy but, only because they are amazing. The vet Dr. Houston is super nice & sweet & you can tell she loves her job. They love my cat & that's extremely important. The care so far has been great! & I will continue to take my cat here for any wellness, dental, or preventive care. read more

River Road Animal Clinic - Veterinarians Near Me - Columbus, Georgia

I wish I could give more than 5 stars! We LOVE River Road Animal Clinic. Dr. Houston and her staff are amazingly wonderful. As a new dog owner, she spent additional time with me to make sure that all of my questions were answered and I was comfortable with the flea/tick & heart worm medication. In addition, I cannot speak highly enough of their boarding staff. I was terribly nervous to board him for the first time. They loved on my sweet doggie the whole time. They even wrote little notes on all of his food bags! "I miss you mom but I promise I'm being a good boy! I've made lots of new friends and love camp!" Now he wags his tail when he sees them and practically runs to the back! If you're looking for a vet that feels like family, THIS is it!! read more

One of the worst, most unprofessional experiences. I made an 8am appointment, first patient to arrive with as a new client, came prepared with all the paperwork... we have moved several times, and I liked that this was a one doctor clinic, however they overbook her. At 845, still not seen, I kindly asked how long it would be, and overheard the vet tech and doctor making comments about me and being the 'impatient one'. Given I made all the efforts to be there at 8am (without the kids) but with a sick 14 year old cat dear family cat, I was devastated to hear this. I do want to mention the front office staff heard my concerns and understood ( as if this has happened before). I went down the street to 2nd Ave and they worked me right in, heeding my concerns, and treated me with respect. read more

River Road Animal Clinic - Veterinarians Near Me - Columbus, Georgia

Wonderful customer service! As a single, dog owning military officer, I feel like I'm constantly searching for a new veterinarian and place to board my dog. Each time I move, the hunt is on. Like most dog owners, I don't trust just anyone with my puppy. I usually don't settle on the first pet boarder or vet I stop at. Or the second. Or the third. For these reasons, finding River Road Animal Clinic brought great peace of mind. Not only are they incredibly professional, friendly, and understanding when treating your pet, they offer boarding services as well. The ladies who look after the boarders are wonderful and will accommodate any special requests that you have. It's also somewhat comforting to know that if, God forbid, there is some sort of health emergency, the vet is not far away. If you would like your dogs to be socialized while boarding, you'll have to look somewhere else. Also, they are not open Sundays and so can't facilitate Sunday pick ups. These are my only two criticisms of their boarding. I've never left my Red Heeler there and not been 100% sure that she was in great hands. read more

River Road Animal Clinic - Veterinarians Near Me - Columbus, Georgia

My puppy was the most sweetest animal and they wouldn't help her they just denied her and said their doctor was busy and there was another doctor doing nothing. DO NOT GO THERE UNLESS YOU WANT YOUR ANIMAL TO DIE!!! SHE IS DEAD BECAUSE OF THEM. read more

Dr Houston genuinely care about your fur babies. Highly recommend this place. I refer all my military friends to this vet. They will not recommend surgery unless it is absolutely needed . read more

The best most consistent costumer service. The doctors and staff always display professionalism and concern for both patient and owner. If your a responsible owner River road Animal is the place for your pet care. I am a demanding owner in the care of my pets, with great confidence in my choices of who I trust to care for them when regular check ups or emergencies may arise. River Road Animal will help you be a better pet parent through every step of proper pet care and owner responsabilities. read more

They are wonderful! And I love how they have adapted to covid! They come out and take your pet in, check them out and then the doctor returns to give you a run down of your pet! You can tell they really care about your fur baby being and feeling healthy and happy read more

I have been going here for serval years after not being totally pleased with some other veterinarian offices in this area. We would not consider going anywhere else. Not only is the staff knowledgeable and accommodating but they seriously care about the pets and their owners. You can have the upmost confidence in River Road Animal Clinic. Cannot recommend them highly enough. read more

Professional staff manages appointments & walk-ins better than any vet I've been to. The front desk is always active with work but never drops the ball. Cost is about the same as anywhere else, on the low-end. When you bring your pet, they genuinely care about the health of the animal and perform comprehensive exams to assess their injury/illness. They explain the differential diagnoses so anyone can understand, making both patients comfortable (pet & owner). read more

Called for a 1st appointment for my dog but was told it would be nearly 2 weeks before he could be seen. Person answering phone had no compassion for me and my pet's problems, she was not very friendly or helpful. First impressions you know.....left a bad taste in my mouth. Decided I will find another clinic who is able to work in your pet when there is an issue especially as a new customer. read more

The staff at River Road are all wonderful, caring people who are happy to share their knowledge of animals with you! We have cats and a dog and the services we have received from RRAC have been effective and affordable. I'm so glad we found them! read more

Dr. Houston and her staff are wonderful! We have been using them for 10 years and our pets have become quite elderly. In recent years, we have spent considerable time with them and have been extraordinarily satisfied with the service we have received. She and her staff are compassionate and friendly and never make you feel rushed. Thank you, Dr. Houston, for what you have done for us! read more

This is the worst vet in town. My family has been using this vet for a bit, and with every visit we learned to dislike them even more. Eventually we moved all of our animals over to Schomburg Rd, we love it there. If you want swift professionalism, you won't find it here at River Rd. I was sitting in the next room as my cat was being tested for ear mites and proceeded to overhear a bunch of grown women talking about how they were trying to take videos through the microscope of the ear mites, giggling saying they would become millionaires off of said video (???) and that the ear mites are camera shy. I was livid. First off why are you goofing off on your phone when my cat is clearly sick, second of all, you should be getting medicine for my cat and getting back to me with results. I shouldn't have to hear you joking about my sick pet through the VERY thin walls. I wanted to give that vet tech a piece of my mind. Today was the last straw! Another thing, it has taken them MONTHS to mail me my previous pet records. I do NOT recommend this place at all. read more

river road animal clinic is an assert to the columbus community. originally began when an angel named claire dunn opened this animal hospital with her heart and soul. the level of customer service outstanding, the staff is well trained and there is nothing this hospital will not do for you and your pet. the staff is exceptional, not only in their mission "to provide knowledgeable medical services", but their concern for each and every animal (and owners) is definately the very best in columbus. this facility and staff are professional and they truly care about their customers. they make you feel as you are the only customer they have....to each and every animal they are loving, compassionate and concerned. this facility offers and delivers dependable, affordable loving care. i call them "the saint jude/ronald mcdonald house of animal care. claire dunn has retired from this facility..but the vetrinarian who now practices at rrah is an angel also...so dont be alarmed at the kool breezes you will feel when you walk through the door....because that many angel wings in one spot will definately have the breeze blowing. wish i could rate rrah (river rd. animal hospital) with ********** stars...because you can bet your paws they truly care about their customers. t wilborn read more