Central Toronto Veterinary Referral Clinic

Expérience négative: [Response to Owner’s Response] Lindsay, your response below confirms exactly what I experienced: a dismissive, defensive attitude toward post-op complications. Calling our experiences "disparate" is a classic gaslighting attempt to minimize clinical reality. The facts speak for themselves: After moving my cat to another clinic that prioritizes compassion, his "stalled" wound had a dramatic turnaround. In just 4 days of proper care elsewhere, granulation tissue—which failed to grow at CTVRC—completely covered the bone. This rapid recovery validates that your post-operative care quality was the primary issue. [Original Review] Do not be misled by the rating. This hospital selectively solicits feedback while ignoring problematic cases. Management’s recurring pattern is defensive gaslighting that blames the owner to deflect from clinical failures. I am sharing my 12.5-year-old cat’s journey to warn others. 1. "Gaslighting" & Refusal of Accountability When my cat suffered a post-op infection due to vague wound-care instructions, management’s response was not concern, but aggressive defensiveness. They weaponized my "attitude" as a concerned owner to avoid admitting flaws in their protocol. They would rather argue for an hour than admit a mistake. 2. Aggressive Upselling vs. Quality of Life Specialists pushed for high-revenue options like full-limb amputation and chemotherapy for my senior cat. It felt less like a medical consultation and more like a sales pitch prioritizing the bottom line over a senior animal's peace of mind. 3. The "Emergency" Illusion I witnessed a dog parent wait 3+ hours on Feb 12th only to be sent home due to "lack of availability." On Feb 26th, I heard a doctor loudly exclaim "Everything looks bad!" before even closing the door—performative alarmism designed to pressure parents into high-cost decisions. 4. Transactional Professionalism Compared to my local vet (Juno), CTVRC is heartless. Their "free rechecks" are merely a funnel to pressure owners into unnecessary, billable tests. To CTVRC Management: I anticipate your canned response: "You could have brought him in for an emergency check." But after seeing how you treated other patients and dismissed my concerns, I knew returning would only feed your revenue stream without benefiting my cat. God and Karma see the truth. Regardless of your polished PR responses, the universe knows whether you truly care for animals or just the transactions they represent. Save your money and your pet’s dignity. Read their defensive responses to other 1-star reviews—the "blame the victim" style tells you everything you need to know about their ethics.

Expérience fantastique: 24 hour emergency care. I was there on referral for specialist care. Excellent service and care. Friendly staff.

Expérience fantastique: Recently my wife and I had to rush our beloved elderly cat Lucy to the emergency clinic, very late on a Sunday evening. Sadly, Lucy did not recover, but the care and compassion shown by all clinic staff members was outstanding, which we very much appreciate.

Expérience fantastique: They were great and fixed up my kitty. Staff is very friendly, helpful, efficient and keep you up to date on your pets status. The vet gave an easy to understand explanation of what was going on, treatment, costs, follow up etc... Overall good experience (despite kitty needing emergency care) and would recommend this place.

Expérience fantastique: I ended up at CTVRC twice in one night with my dog, Brooklyn, and I want to highlight the exceptional care we received from a vet assistant named Sam. On our first visit, Sam triaged Brooklyn right away. She checked her vitals, caught that she had a fever, and explained that she needed to be seen by a vet but unfortunately no vet was available at that moment. We went to another emergency clinic, got assessed, and went home. Later that night, Brooklyn suddenly became unwell again. I panicked and drove straight back to CTVRC. Sam was there again, calm and steady, and she immediately took Brooklyn’s vitals and helped me understand what was going on. Both times, she did this free of charge. Her kindness, professionalism, and cool demeanour genuinely kept me grounded during a very stressful night. I can’t thank her enough for the care she showed both to Brooklyn and to me.

Expérience fantastique: Caring staff. Dr. Ho was very knowledgeable and made us feel reassured about the next steps needed to assess our cat’s issue. It can be a difficult time when your fur baby is feeling so sick, but having good people in your corner goes a long way.

Expérience fantastique: We have brought our cat and dog for urgent care. They are really careful and kind. Doctors are knowledgeable and always explain everything before doing any procedure. I will describe them as transparent.

Expérience fantastique: Dr Rattray was excellent She was able to diagnose the problem and recommend eye drops that should correct Kevin's corneal trauma Thank you!

Expérience fantastique: It can be a scary experience to bring your pet to the emergency clinic but the expertise and care the bring is always so reassuring and comforting. Great team!

Expérience négative: Won't answer the phone - they immediately hang up on you without saying anything. Not even for emergencies - trying to book an appointment after being referred by my vet and they won't answer.

Expérience fantastique: Great emergency vet!!!! I came here on a holiday weekend after my dog ate chocolate. I called them beforehand and they told me to come in. When I arrived they were attentive and quick. They took wonderful care of my dog, gave me updates, and thankfully she is fine! I’m so thankful for their care and kindness! I would come back here for any pet emergency.

Expérience fantastique: It’s not the first time I have been to this vet in an emergency. The care is top notch and the nature of the vets who cared for my dog was professional and helpful in making difficult decisions.

Expérience fantastique: Talked to John over the phone to get an estimate of wait times after hours and he honestly went above and beyond to assess the situation and calm me and my partner down about our cat! Shout out to John! ⭐✨ Update: it seems this clinic makes it a point to hire top tier staff! Talk to Annalise over the phone to see if I can get some gastrointestinal food for my sick little guy on a holiday since everything else was closed and she made it happen and was super helpful too! 11/10 would recommend this place!

Expérience fantastique: Excellent experience. Vet answered all of questions - was a pre- surg appointment. Took care of insurance. Great care for our dog. Parking was a challenge but more because of area not fault of business.

Expérience fantastique: Absolutely fabulous care and support! Everyone took their time in every interaction to ensure I understood every aspect of my beloved pup’s hospitalization. She was so well cared for that it was hard for her to leave! 3 days of hospitalization was truly a deep reset with love and very meticulous treatment. Truly outstanding!

Expérience fantastique: Our baby Ally, developed a serious uterus infection. This was diagnosed accurately and quickly by there team. They didn't try to sell me on getting the full treatment there as they are an emergency clinic and the surgery would have been quite expensive there understandably. When I did find a clinic to take her that same night the veterinarian at CTVRC disscused the situation directly with the veterinarian that would be doing the surgery. The surgery was touch and go but she pulled through and is now on the road to a full recovery. Thank you to the team at CTRVC as time was of the essence and you delivered accurate answers in a timely manner, leading to our babies life being saved. ❤️❤️

Expérience fantastique: Staff and surgeon were excellent. Appointment on time, clear communication. Parking is very limited and Eglinton is busy so that was a bit of a challenge. Give yourself time to find parking if you are driving. But the inconvenience is worth it for the quality of care

Expérience fantastique: The expertise is unmatched at CTVRC, as is the care and compassion. This is a place I always feel comfortable leaving my pets if I need to. I can’t recommend them enough.

Expérience fantastique: Front desk / Vet Tech was incredibly kind and welcoming and we were seen quick by the vet. I would definitely go back to this clinic over any other clinic in the city. Only have good things to say.

Expérience positive: Was impressed with the genuine interest in my dog which was shown by the doctor, Andrew

Expérience fantastique: I am very happy with the care my cat received from Dr. Rattray and her team. Everyone was extremely friendly, professional, and welcoming. Dr. Rattray is very knowledgeable and always responds quickly to questions by email or in person. My cat had blocked tear ducts, and the flushing procedure went very well. What truly stood out was the caring follow up,the team continued to check in and ask how my cat was doing afterward. I am very satisfied with the results and highly recommend Dr. Rattery and her ophthalmology team. Here is before and after photos.

Expérience fantastique: Dr. Rattaray and her team Toby and Wanna are truly amazing. They take the time to listen and decide the appropriate course of action. We really appreciate their help. Thank you

Expérience négative: greedy and heartless they want your money. if they cant sell you chemo they will lie and tell you your dog is suffering and needs to be put down. they scared my friend into killing their dog when he had years ahead of him because they didn't want to slowly poison him with their chemo treatment. they told them there were no other treatment options... greedy liars

Expérience négative: The clinic makes you pay the full amount of the service UPFRONT before your appointment. I can understand a deposit amount to avoid last minute cancellations, but the full balance paid seems excessive. Sadly, I felt rushed and not great bedside manners. I would not recommend.

Expérience fantastique: Wonderful clinic. Saved me money as they were a second opinion and had a (more informed and) counter view to our first opinion.

Expérience fantastique: It was late in a Sunday night, we brought our dog in for an emergency stomach pump, after he ingested some raisins. The staff were caring, efficient, and were great throughout this ordeal. The attention paid to him, as he is a rescue with multiple issues, made it less stressful than it could have been.

Expérience négative: I brought my kitty in by recommendation from another vet because they thought I would get better service since we thought it could be an emergency. My kitty at stopped eating and was having trouble pooping and peeing. When I arrive I told the reception what was happening and she said I will take him back right away. I said please tell them hes feral and very scared. You will need to use sedation before you can examine him. Almost 2 hours later someone finally comes out to see me and the first thing the tech says is we could really do a physical exam because hes really scared. My poor cat had been back there for 2 hour and nothing had happened .. now I needed to wait so they could sedate him and perform more tests. I was there almost 5 hours for blood work and an xray and was basically told hes fine. A week and half later he started to have same issue. I called and asked the clinic if there was any meds or anything I could pick up for him as he was suffering again.. the reception said someone would get back to me. I heard nothing and 3 days later ended up taking them back to my vets who helped him wjth exceptional care. On the 4th day this clinc called and said oh were returning your call about meds.. I was so angry. I said your a bit late I had to take him to a vet again because you didnt get back to me. They were just like ok thanks and hung up.. I would not recommend this place to anyone.

Expérience fantastique: The staff were extremely friendly and helpful! They took the best care of my cat while we were there! Thank you!

Expérience fantastique: Thank you to this Clinic for taking care of Luke Skywalker for me

Expérience fantastique: Highly recommend this clinic for all your emergency and specialty needs. About 4-5 years ago our cat saw their internal medicine specialist which helped confirm his diagnosis of IBD. The specialist was very informative and reasonable in terms of cost. A few days ago, one of our cats started limping all of sudden and off we went to their ER. Again, our visit was very informative and reasonable cost. The doctor presented all management options as well as her recommendations (which was the cheapest option). We never felt pressured for more tests and in fact during both visits the recommendation were the options that did not require further tests. No one wants to go to ER but when you this is the veterinary clinic to go.

Expérience fantastique: 10/10 - I called and they didn't waste any time making sure my dog didn't need to come in sooner. The front desk recommended I register while I frantically looked for other emergency clinics. When I worried dog was getting worse, I called, explained I was in the cue, and they said they'll triage her just to make sure we weren't waiting too long. The whole ordeal made me feel reassured that my dog was going to be okay.

Expérience fantastique: We are fully satisfied with CTVRC. Our cat ‘Anubis’ is feeling much better. Staff and veterinarians are very caring and professional. This is the only emergency vet clinic we trust with our beloved pets.

Expérience fantastique: Wonderful receptionists at the front desk, Valerie and Stephanie, who are warm, caring and compassionate, on the phone and in person - very patient and knowledgeable, even though it was a very busy and hectic holiday ER time. They are often the first point of contact with patients and worried pet parents, so they really help set a safe and understanding environment. The staff and doctors are caring as well!

Expérience fantastique: Wonderful experience. We had a service dog that we suspected had a uti on Boxing Day. There were some critical cases they were dealing when we arrived but everyone was calm, attentive and patient. Dr. Catalina Contreras was so helpful and was so thorough with explanations and helped put our worries to rest. All of the staff were so kind and knowledgeable. Most grateful. Thank you.

Expérience fantastique: I have been to this hospital twice - once for emergency care and once to see Dr.Ho for my dog's IBD. Both times I laughed extremely satisfied, comfortable and confident that my packed is being taken care of. Dr Ho in particular I switched to on the high recommendation of my primary care vet. I was previously seeing Dr Mason at VEC and was not comfortable with his lack of attentiveness in his approach. I also found the administrative staff at the reception desk very rude and unapproachable. When you are looking for a specialist for your pet. It is so important to ask around for the best hospital and doctor to go to. I unfortunately made the mistake going to the hospital that was the closest z with the highest Google reading which unfortunately led me to VEC.

Expérience fantastique: I had to take my dog in on Boxing Day. Their system of txting to let you know they are ready worked great. Eve though it took several hours at least I didn’t have to wait at the clinic. Everyone was amazing and they took great care of my dog.

Expérience négative: This clinic will let you down! My dog JJ (a 15-year-old golden retriever) has been in this hospital several times over the past year some visits for major surgeries like removing his cancer, and some for less serious issues like pneumonia. I never hesitate to bring him there, and I have spent $$$$$ at this hospital and been a loyal client. They were referred to me by VCA Secord Animal Hospital and have full reports on JJ. They know that due to his arthritis he must be continually a painkiller for his condition. Their own doctor, plus my own vet, recommend that he needs to be on it for the rest of his life.Three nights ago, on Saturday night, when I was going to give him his night dose, I was opening the capsule over the sink. The capsule pack fell into the wet sink, and because it’s a capsule, it quickly got wet and became unusable. I was desperate and didn’t know what to do, because JJ is old and I didn’t want him to be in pain until Monday when I could get more from our regular vet. I contacted this clinic, who knows him better than anyone else other than his own vet. I explained the situation and said I needed two doses of his med, one for sun morning and one for sun night, because he would be in pain without them. After some back and forth, they said no, they couldn’t do that since he needed to come in to get them.I explained that I live 25 minutes away from them. JJ is so old that it’s hard for him to stand up, let alone walk or sit in the car for long. I also told them that I knew if we came there, since this wasn’t an emergency (like usual), we would have to wait more than two hours to be seen, plus additional time for the medication to be filled. I kindly explained that it would be really hard on this poor dog when he can’t even stand well for that long, and he starts panting and panicking. They said, “Sorry, that’s how it is,” and they couldn’t do more. I was so devastated. I felt so used when they needed my money they were kind and helpful, but now they just didn’t want to help. Their explanation was that they hadn’t seen JJ since August and didn’t have his recent history. I told them they could arrange a phone consultation (which I was gladly willing to pay the emergency fee for) and go over his history. I even offered to send his doctor’s notes, which explain everything, they knew his vet and the clinic and could easily call them on Monday to verify. They refused and said, “If you finished your medication, that’s an emergency, so you and your dog need to come here to get them.” I actually cried. Not because I’m overly emotional, but because I couldn’t believe how unwilling they were to help and how little they cared about the stress this would put on an old, fragile dog. I was desperate and started searching for emergency vet clinics. A clinic in the north suggested I send them all the doctor’s notes I had so they could try to help — and they did. To my surprise, when I went to pick up the medication, they didn’t even charge me. I was willing to pay any price to get the dose for my poor dog, and they said they didn’t want to take advantage of the situation. They said they understood what I went through and were more than happy to help. I was beyond grateful. A vet a real, animal-loving doctor — was willing to come to the rescue when they understood the situation and reviewed all the files and notes. Meanwhile, another clinic, one I’ve spent so much money on and brought so much business to (keep in mind, I have three dogs!), let me down and shut me out. I requested a call from their manager because I wanted to give them a chance to hear what happened. To this day, no one has called me back, and I’m not sure if they even care. I was told the manager’s name was Lisa, so I’m still waiting. **Follow up : 2 weeks later, and no one ever called!! Very sad that they care to answer here but not care enough to call me! **Pls read their “Dec 16, edit to add” what they wrote says a lot of how they’re punishing their client for using the review as the only way to voice their concern!

Expérience fantastique: Dr. Lisa Rattray was very thorough and gave us a clear understanding of what was happening with our fur baby… She was also able to perform a procedure the same day that is expected to clear up our fur baby’s right eye…

Expérience fantastique: Always friendly and on time. Thank you for looking after our pets so well. Dr Rattray is the best!

Expérience fantastique: Excellent facility with a very professional team that addressed my concerns with empathy and compassion. Performed necessary surgery and then took very good care of my puppy post surgery! I felt that my puppy was in the very best hands throughout this traumatic experience.

Expérience fantastique: Took incredible care of my Tulip. ✨ entire staff was friendly, efficient and compassionate. Dr. And technicians had excellent bedside manner. Tulip was very comfortable with how they handled her with tender love and care. A very big THANK YOU for putting my precious on the road to recovery. ❤️‍‍⚕️

Expérience fantastique: They were prompt to take action on this unexpected emergency situation. The doctor and support staff were excellent. They worked hard in the middle of the night to save my Sheppard’s life. I am very grateful to them.

Expérience fantastique: Our 3 year old cat Luna was recently hospitalized for 3 days. The expertise, patience, compassion of the team at this hospital made a very scary and stressful experience as positive as it could be in the circumstances. All of the veterinarians that we had contact with spent ample time with us, answered our questions, and never made us feel pressured or rushed to make decisions. Dr. Morris was absolutely wonderful. She spoke with us on the phone multiple times during Luna’s stay at the hospital, and took the time to update us in detail on Luna’s status each day, review the diagnostic steps that were taken each day, and review options and next steps. We also met with her in person, and she kindly gave us her time on a particularly short staffed day. Dr. Posedowski met with us the night that we brought Luna to the hospital, and she spent almost an hour with us, late at night, explaining Luna’s care plan and next steps. Finally, while we didn’t meet Dr. Claydon in person, we spoke to her on the phone twice. She was lovely and compassionate, taking the time to explain everything that we needed to know about Luna’s care. We also heard that Luna seemed to take a little bit of a liking to Dr. Claydon! We did not note the names of the vet techs who were involved with Luna’s care, but we are so grateful for each and every one of them. Finally, we wanted to give a special shoutout to the lovely staff at the front desk. In particular, we wanted to thank Valerie, who was particularly kind and attentive. We hope to never experience another emergency like this one, but if we do, we would feel that our cat is safe and in great hands with this the veterinary team and support staff at this hospital. Thank you again for caring for Luna!

Expérience fantastique: Very caring, compassionate and experienced vet, tech, nurse and staff. Thank you for taking prompt actions to save Jaxon’s life by scooping out the ball from his stomach. Thank you so very much

Expérience fantastique: I was a little nervous, taking my Dog to a cardiologist for a heart murmur. I am so glad that I did. I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Andrew Chong, who was simply amazing. The staff were so friendly, very very knowledgable and everything moved very quickly, they were on time, but again took the time to really explain what was going on in terms that I could understand. I would highly highly recommend this facility and Dr. Andrew Chong

Expérience fantastique: Great place - my cat loved them, and they love him. Really good advice about his condition and next steps

Expérience fantastique: We had a great experience at CTVRC. It was very quick to get an appointment after the referral from our regular vet. Dr. Probert was INCREDIBLE, taking the time to explain all of the diagnostic and treatment options to me. We opted for a conservative approach to manage my dog's injury, on her recommendation after thoroughly explaining all options and the pros/cons of each. I am so grateful for Dr. Probert's expertise and compassion in managing my dog's case. I would recommend Dr. Probert and CTVRC to anyone! The waiting room is quite small, however I was always able to wait outside with my (reactive) dog until our appointment time.

Expérience négative: If you are seeking a clinic that practices genuine trauma aware, client centred care, please be aware of our experience. Our 10 month old cat Toby was brought to CTVRC twice in recent weeks. The first was when he suddenly and unexpectedly collapsed at home from congestive heart failure, and we returned six days later when his symptoms surfaced again. We lost Toby during that second visit. What we encountered on both visits was not a failure of medical skill, but a complete lack of compassion, trauma awareness, and basic human sensitivity at the moments when we needed it most. From the moment we walked through the door (both times), the first thing requested was a $900 deposit, followed immediately by a treatment plan delivered with minimal explanation and no discussion of alternatives. My partner and her son were in visible shock and overwhelming distress as they were faced with potentially losing our beloved orange tabby without warning. Yet there was no time, no space, or emotional support offered to help them process what was happening, understand the options, or absorb the financial implications. Here is where we see that the CTVRC failed us: - No separation between delivering devastating news and requesting payment - No trauma informed communication, despite obvious emotional collapse - No discussion of tiered or incremental treatment approaches, even to explain why they weren’t possible - No effort to ensure informed consent, despite the clients being clearly unable to absorb information When my partner followed up afterward to explain how overwhelmed she had been with the experience, she was told she “should have asked questions,” despite barely being able to speak through her shock. The burden was placed entirely on my partner, rather than on the clinic’s responsibility to adjust communication to a family’s emotional state. We feel this is something every emergency veterinary hospital should be trained and policy-aligned to do. We’re sharing this because families in crisis situations deserve compassion, clarity, and time. Instead, we were met with a payment terminal and a rushed treatment plan at the height of panic and grief.

Expérience fantastique: 2 nd time to this place in 1.5 years, my dog Max hospitalized for 3-4 days due to major bleeding and vomiting. Took care of my pooch and he is now at home making a recovery. Doctors and technician are truly amazing, had call back twice a day with follow up. They care for pets as if they are their own. Hopefully My dog doesn't have any unforeseen issues in the future. I will not hesitate for one minute to take my pet to them . Truly amazing team. Thank you, from vito, Amy and Max.

Expérience fantastique: I took my dog to Dr Rattray to take her right eyelid mass out. I was referred by my vet in Burlington. I had a great experience, Dr Rattray and her team are very professional and nice. Melanie was the technician and I want to give shoutout to her, she was so kind and sweet with my dog and I. She helped me bring my dog to the car. Attached before and after surgery her work is so neat and you can barely see the stitches . Highly recommend her!!!.

Expérience fantastique: Great experience. Had to seek after hours care. Other clinics stated 3-4 hours before I could even see a vet. This place had us assessed, treated, and out within 2 hours. Cost was reasonable for after hours. Like extremely reasonable. Like - closer to a regular vet cost. I will absolutely be returning to this place. Staff was all amazing and friendly. I've been to after hours vets where everyone is angry but you deal with it because you just want the care. NOT HERE. Everyone was so kind and sweet and it really made me feel like my dog was in good hands. Call ahead of time to find out if they can see you, as they take emergency on a case by case basis. Thank you staff at Central Toronto Vet Referral Clinic. You saved me from a sleepless night and more importantly, you helped my puppy when she needed it. I appreciate it so much and (hopefully not but realistically) will be returning.

Expérience fantastique: took my cat olivia here late on a sunday night bc she had trouble breathing (40 breaths per min) i did the check in from home and got a call from the hospital immediately after asking me to bring her & my eta. I really appreciated the mobile check in bc they were able to take her the second i got there with no wait. The entire visit took an hour and by luck there was no one else waiting to be seen. The vet who took care of my Olivia was very professional and knowledgeable. I appreciated her transparency & honesty with the cost of additional tests and if it was necessary for her right now. Especially since Olivia’s issue self resolved and her vitals were all good. I didn’t feel pressured and made the choice to have those tests done at our family vet. Front desk vet tech was very professional and informative. Relieved Olivia is doing fine & i have peace of mind that I can trust Central Toronto Veterinary in case of an emergency (knock on wood)

Expérience fantastique: Wonderful and kind staff. My pup was very well treated and enjoys coming here to see the staff. ❤️

Expérience négative: I lost my beautiful angel of a dog and there is nothing that can bring him back so writing this review is hard and feels pointless but maybe you’re reading this because you also have a pet who is more than that and they were also diagnosed with cancer and you don’t have a lot of options for pet oncology so you look up this place and find yourself reading about one family’s pain and anger and maybe this 1 review will caution you just enough to NEVER EVER bring your pets here because this place is awful in ways that words cannot describe. We spent at least $10,000 over less than 3 months and although they charge hundreds of dollars for mandatory tests before each chemo session, he died within days of his last dose and they were the personification of unhelpful and unsympathetic. For full transparency, we do not know with absolute certainty that the chemo killed him. What is absolutely certain is that if these “professionals” had any idea what they were doing and were not acting out of malice and financial motif, their tests should have shown that he was in his final days and they should not have administered unnecessary chemo (which comes with gruelling side effects which they of course downplay). Cancer is awful, but being tricked into thinking he is getting better and not knowing when you have only days left, is worse. Unfortunately with pets it is much harder to prove negligence and there is very little regulation but since you’re still reading please save yourselves and your pets and do not fall victim to their “oncology department” it is not only a scam but the worst kind of scam that feeds on desperate people and the pure love they have for their animals. Personal shoutout to Dr Bernstein who was the “doctor”, hope she reconsiders her career path amongst other things.

Expérience négative: On Saturday, November 1, 2025 6:30pm, I brought my 11-month-old Vizsla, Torin, to CTVRC after being referred by video chat with Juno vets due to changes in his breathing. When we arrived, the vet tech who greeted us did not perform any triage. She did not take vitals, did not touch him, did not count his breaths, did not check his gum colour, and did not physically examine him. She shamed me for bringing him in because she said it wasn’t an emergency. She watched a short video of his breathing and told me adamantly “This is not an emergency,” and sent us home. I trusted her because I believed the visit was out of an abundance of caution. I didn’t know how to assess respiratory distress, that’s why I came to an emergency clinic in the first place. Only later did I learn that the video I showed her captured 9 breaths in 10 seconds, a respiratory rate of 54 breaths per minute, which is an emergency-level sign of respiratory distress. Had she followed normal triage protocol, this would have been identified immediately. The next morning at 8 a.m., Torin was seen at another clinic. Three hours later, I rushed him back to CTVRC, unconscious in my arms. His oxygen saturation was 75%, and he never woke up again. Days later, when I finally received the medical records from both clinics, I discovered that the same vet tech who turned us away Saturday night was also present at the Sunday morning appointment, something never disclosed. The Saturday record also stated he hadn’t been fully “triaged” but his breathing was 30-32 “normal,” which was not true. What makes this even more devastating is that Torin was a healthy, active, energetic young dog right up until the day before. He had only just started showing mild lethargy and slightly laboured breathing. Because I didn’t know how to interpret these signs, I did the responsible thing and sought emergency care and that care was never provided. When I tried to speak with clinic management, no one returned my calls. Instead, I received an email saying the matter had been forwarded to their liability insurer. CTVRC is owned by NVA (National Veterinary Associates), a large international corporate chain. Their insurance representative called from Texas, told me there would be no admission of responsibility, and immediately asked me what compensation I wanted. There was no accountability, no empathy, and no transparency. As a pet owner, this was horrifying. I am sharing this so that others know to insist on a proper triage, especially in corporate-owned clinics where decisions seem influenced by liability concerns instead of patient care. I truly hope my experience prevents another family from enduring a loss like this. I am going through the complaint and legal process and hope the vet tech is held responsible for her negligence.

Expérience fantastique: They took wonderful care of our new Kitten. She went in barely alive and came out with a renewed health and some new fans.

Expérience fantastique: I cannot say enough good things about the incredible team who saved my dog Cheddar’s life. He had a very complicated medical emergency and ended up needing to stay at the clinic for 9 days. Throughout the entire ordeal, the staff were nothing short of exceptional. Every veterinarian, technician, and support team member treated Cheddar with such care, patience, and compassion. They kept me updated constantly, explained every step clearly, and made me feel confident that he was in the best possible hands. Their level of expertise and dedication was evident every single day. Cheddar is back home now because of their skill and commitment, and I will forever be grateful. If your pet ever needs specialized or emergency care, I can’t recommend Central Toronto Veterinary Referral Clinic highly enough.

Expérience fantastique: I recently brought my senior Yorkie, Sonya, to see Dr. Andrew Chong for a cardiology recheck, and I can’t express how grateful I am for the level of care he provided. Dr. Chong is an exceptional specialist — thorough, knowledgeable, and incredibly compassionate. He took the time to review Sonya’s the most resent complicated medical history, explain everything clearly, and make sure I understood what was truly important for her heart health. What I appreciated most was his calm, thoughtful approach. He never rushed, answered every question with patience, and focused only on what would genuinely benefit Sonya. She was treated with such gentleness and respect, and I left feeling confident that she is in the best possible hands. It’s rare to find a specialist who combines expertise with this level of kindness. I would highly recommend Dr. Chong to anyone whose pet needs cardiology care. He truly cares about both his patients and their families, and I’m deeply thankful for the excellent care Sonya received!

Expérience fantastique: Appointment on time and efficiently handled. Answered all questions and explained the treatment. Every staff member I interacted with was professional and nice. No complaints.

Expérience fantastique: Friendly, understanding staff. They were thorough in assessing our dog's situation. The recommendations were clear and communicated well. We felt really good about having accessed this emergency vet clinic.

Expérience fantastique: Thank you Dr. Manning for seeing us in emergency tonight and making sure my boy was okay. The vets and techs were all very reassuring and I felt confident in the care he received.

Expérience négative: Horrific! Don't take your pet here, especially if you don't have insurance. They drag out your poor dying pet's existence while they play on your emotions just so they can make another thousand+ bucks. They kept my cat here initially for 12 hours because they thought not much was wrong with her and felt other patients were more critical. Diagnosed her with ibd and sent her home with meds without taking xrays. She still kept vomiting after being medicated. Had to take her back in within 12 hours.Ran her through multiple tests offering a huge possibility of reasons for her illness. We were approached with cancer, ibd, stenosis, and more. They had no clue what was going on with her. They are incompetent and money driven. They give you hope and drag you down by another test, a 10k surgery for a 15 year old cat that shows no signs of recovery. They do not care about your pet. Their focus is money.They are liars and callous corporate monsters. I hope karma bites them in the butt.

Expérience négative: I took my 4 Year old Cat here on November 7th because he was peeing Blood, I paid all the fees I was Charged $1600 or $4000 for him to stay overnight and told my Cat would be ok to go home with medication So I paid the $1600 1 day Later I had to bring him back just for them to tell me there was Trauma to his kidneys and he was too far gone to save why was this not in the Initial report instead of me paying $1600 and now my cat is dead.

Expérience fantastique: They took good care of my boy, helped me to ensure he gets his drops. They seem to have a great rapport with each other which made me feel really happy that Butters (my boy) came here to be treated, thanks Dr Rattray!

Expérience négative: Terrible experience — please do not bring your pet here for eye emergencies. On October 26, we took our dog to this emergency clinic right after noticing discomfort in his right eye. The doctor said it was either a scratch or an infection, and after checking, said there was no scratch. They prescribed antibiotic eye drops and told us to continue for five days. However, when we went to our family vet for a follow-up, we were told it was actually glaucoma, and our dog had likely already gone blind. Today, the eye specialist confirmed that if the emergency vet had been more professional and had checked the eye pressure that night, a simple laser treatment could have slowed down the blindness. The most basic step — measuring eye pressure — was never done. This level of care is completely unacceptable for an emergency clinic. If your pet ever has an eye issue, please don’t come here.

Expérience négative: I had a disappointing experience at this emergency vet clinic, particularly with the ophthalmology department. The initial consultation with Dr. Rattray seemed promising, and I was persuaded to schedule a procedure to flush my cat’s tear duct. We were instructed to drop off our cat at 7:00 AM, so we arrived at 6:50 AM. However, no technician appeared until 7:35 AM to receive our cat. If the clinic isn’t prepared to accept patients at that time, they shouldn’t ask owners to arrive so early and waste their time. Later that day, I called around 4:00 PM to check on the surgery status, only to be told it hadn’t even started yet and might begin around 5:00 PM. At 5:15 PM, Dr. Rattray called to inform me they were unable to perform the procedure and that I would need to book another surgery to open the tear duct. I was stunned. I contacted my primary vet for a second opinion, who disagreed with their approach and referenced notes from Dr. Strong at Animal Eye Clinic stating that surgical rerouting of tear ducts is typically not recommended except in very severe cases. Thankfully, we stopped before proceeding further. On top of that, the front desk staff was unhelpful. When I requested a hard copy of the invoice for insurance purposes, the receptionist repeatedly insisted she had emailed it and claimed there was no point in submitting it because our insurance doesn’t cover exam fees. She said this without even reviewing the invoice, which included a breakdown of multiple charges beyond just the exam fees. Her attitude came across as dismissive and condescending. We’ve visited several emergency clinics before, including VEC, MOVEH, and TAHP, and unfortunately, this was by far the worst experience we’ve had.

Expérience fantastique: We had an amazing experience here! Dr. Kry and the entire team were amazing. Our golden retriever needed TPLO surgery due to a CCL tear and we received a detailed explanation of the surgery, the after care and the potential expenses related to the procedure. Every step was handled with professionalism and care. Would highly recommend!

Expérience fantastique: Although I wasn’t in the clinic for a long time…. My phone conversations and interactions with staff were amazing! Dr Rattray is a beautiful and compassionate vet and absolutely loved her

Expérience négative: Last week (Wednesday) I brought my dog here after she chewed on a marijuana cigarette during her walk. I was already super anxious since it was my first time at this clinic, but the person at the front desk made the experience even worse. She was incredibly rude, speaking with attitude, only focused on clarifying the price, and made me feel unwelcome while I was filling out the form. Thankfully, the vet assistant and the vet themselves were amazing, so kind, patient, and professional. They were the reason I stayed calm and my dog got the care she needed. Huge thanks to them, but honestly, the front desk staff needs serious training on empathy and communication.

Expérience fantastique: Great experience with Dr. Rattray and her team. So knowledgeable and friendly! I appreciated the time she took to my questions. Clinic location and parking is tricky but our visit was worth it.

Expérience fantastique: All of the staff were professional and kind. We saw Dr. Ho and would highly recommend her. She listened, was transparent, knowledgeable, and empathetic.

Expérience positive: It is very difficult for me to give a full rating because this is where I lost my baby kitten Chihiro, and because I had small issues with the billing. However, it deserves a 4.0 and it is worth mentioning that this is a really good clinic. They were very responsive and signed us in immediately when my home vet called them sending us with an emergency, and they took great care of my baby when he had to stay overnight. They are also very professional, and the doctors there give you all their time when explaining a case and answering questions. I eventually had to heartbreakingly put him down, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t do a great job diagnosing him and taking good care of him. He just had a terrible disease and nothing could have been done. One thing that could have been handled better was to let me know exactly what is being done on him before doing it. I am not going to complain about how expensive it all was - it is part of the having a sick cat package, but letting me know what exactly needs to be done before throwing in a random $100-200 on the bill: that’s what could have been better. All in all, I recommend this clinic, they take great care of your pets in case of emergencies. I saw so many pet owners reuniting with their babies, it added a tiny bit of happiness to my heavy heavy heart. Attaching a pic of my baby when he was all healthy and happy. I miss him so much

Expérience fantastique: The staff was very compassionate and understanding when we had to have our 14 year dog euthanasia.

Expérience fantastique: Twice we've had to bring our pet rats for emergency euthanasia. Even though they don't treat exotics they've did an excellent job both times. When you're in a panic and need your baby to put out of their suffering on a holiday(thanksgiving) we were so grateful that they took us. The staff were so kind and empathetic and we were given plenty of time to be with her.weve unfortunately put many rats to sleep and this was one of the better experiences. Thank you for taking care of us and Misneach today

Expérience négative: Understaffed & Extremely expensive as most emergency vets are. Expect long wait times before being seen $335 for a consultation that lasts only 24hrs my dog was dying and they recommended a $1000 blood test. To save my dying dog they quoted me $10,000. Unfortunately I could not afford any services here hopefully my dog pulls through but as of now I am broke with no hope in sight. All dogs go to heaven

Expérience positive: The assessment was thorough, the only challenge was the length of time to be seen which is a little out of their control. Would have been nice to be with our dog as they performed the assessment opposed to the dog being taken to the back and having to wait. That said, it looks like they have limited space so being able to join the pet may not be feasible. Overall, if I had to visit a vet afterhours, I would return to Central Toronto Veterinary.

Expérience fantastique: Courteous, friendly and professional service through every stage. Communication is excellent, and the tech follow up very helpful.

Expérience fantastique: The doctor was amazing. She was very kind patient and extremely knowledgeable.

Expérience fantastique: Took my dog there for laceration, for which I filled all the paperwork online and then they called me in went over. The cost i was not pressured into anything that I didn't want on. The place is very clean staff is very compassionate and very nice. The doctor was very clear on what she was going to be doing to my pet and she showed me a breakdown of the estimate ahead of time so no surprise and it was done in a timely matter and she was able to be picked up the same day. Location was close for me. Thank you for taking care of Pennyi

Expérience fantastique: The staff were patient and empathetic during a very stressful time. They gave my pet wonderful care and were very diligent in keeping me updated on all aspects of his recovery. They also didn't hesitate when we came in under the estimated cost!

Expérience négative: Reception does not have basic etiquette to answer questions. Before I completed my question her answer was NO and so in so much in rush. Hung up. Be kind.

Expérience fantastique: They were grate. The staff were very helpful and compassionate and took us right away.

Expérience fantastique: Very pet friendly, excellent customer care, very knowledgeable staff. Only hiccup was long waiting times...unfortunately it was a weekend

Expérience fantastique: excellent service and attention to your needs during difficult times. Keeping you fully informed as to every step and option. Outstanding

Expérience fantastique: I called this evening because my dog was in distress, and I want to thank the kind lady I spoke with. She was one of the only people who showed me true compassion and understanding during such a stressful time. I didn’t get her name, but I’m so grateful for the way she listened and helped me find a nearby clinic. Her kindness meant a lot, and I truly appreciate it

Expérience fantastique: Our experience at the clinic was excellent. We were put on a cancellation list and got an appointment a week earlier than expected which was very appreciated. The staff at the front desk are very kind and accommodating. Dr Ho was amazing. She was kind and explained everything in terms we could understand about our dogs condition. We were very anxious going in but she answered all our questions, wasn’t in any hurry and calmed our fears. She gave us a plan to help manage our dogs condition and will check up with us in 2 weeks. We were impressed with the whole experience. The clinic is also located in a central easy to get to area. We will definitely be back and will recommend to everyone in need!

Expérience fantastique: My dog went in for a TPLO surgery. The care and concern from the moment we walked in was the best. Thank you to all the staff for your help and care. Thank you so much.

Expérience fantastique: This was a lovely experience right from the moment we walked in the door ! They explained everything so well and clear and layed out everything for us to make the right decisions for our fur baby ! So knowledgeable highly recommend

Expérience fantastique: This is the best 24-hour emergency care I have received in the city. To date I have had dogs for over 20 years and the last emergency vet I went to at Yonge / McMurrich was awful . This place let me walk in. They didn't speak to me through a speaker phone, they were compassionate. They were sensitive. They were what I believe a 24-hour emergency vet should be. We have to pay a premium for emergency care and I'm happy to do that when the service is absolutely excellent. Our pets are our babies and this 24-hour vet clinic is by far the most professional and fantastic provider that I have ever been to in the city. Thank you for treating me and my pet with such care. I will absolutely come to you anytime I have an emergency again. Well done.

Expérience fantastique: I went to the see the cardiologist Dr Chong this morning, he is very knowledgeable and patient, he answered all my questions and resolved all my concerns and problems. I feel much better now since I am so worried about my little chihuahua heart illness. I highly recommend Dr Chong if someone needs good care for your doggy.

Expérience fantastique: My cat, Buzz, was in serious distress and not able to urinate and in pain. I took him to the CTVRC on Eglinton without an appointment and the staff saw him immediately and determined that his bladder was full and there was a blockage in his urethra. Fortunately the staff inserted a catheter and medicated him. I am thankful to the staff for attending to Buzz immediately and saving from serious harm

Expérience fantastique: It's never fun having to go to a specialist for your little fur babies. They were really nice and caring. You can tell they care and will do anything they can to help in the situation.

Expérience négative: I brought my mini schnauzer in after she had been vomiting all day, refusing food and water, extremely lethargic, and had a strong foul odour coming from her breath. I called ahead to confirm potential costs for X-rays or ultrasounds and was told ultrasounds weren’t available due to no tech being on-site, and X-rays would be $300. Once we arrived, we had to fill out two separate forms asking a lot of the same questions—symptoms, background, etc.—which felt redundant. When we were finally seen, the price for the X-ray had jumped to $400. We asked the vet if she had reviewed the symptoms we wrote on the forms, and she admitted she hadn’t. When I brought up the bad odour from my dog’s mouth, she said she couldn’t check because my dog backed away. I pointed out that her assistant had no problem holding her earlier, and that she could’ve asked for help. She clearly didn’t like being called out on that, but I was frustrated—this is a mini schnauzer, not a large aggressive dog. I expressed my dissatisfaction, saying the service was poor: they ignored the detailed info we provided, changed prices after we arrived, and even charged twice as much for some items compared to the other emergency clinics. I said if I ran my business like this, I’d be out of business in a day. No one apologized or acknowledged the confusion or lack of care. It felt like they were just going through the motions and taking advantage of people in vulnerable situations. I paid my bill and left, and I’ll be taking my dog elsewhere. Very disappointing experience, and they don’t take responsibility at all, as they know there are only two emergency clinics in the area, people please take a drive somewhere else, or at the very least check google reviews as it’s a pattern, very unprofessional

Expérience fantastique: I'm incredibly impressed with the exceptional care shown to our furry family member, Spark. The doctors and technicians quickly collaborated to perform all necessary tests, saving Spark's life. We're deeply grateful.

Expérience négative: EDIT: CTVRC read my comment here and decided to cancel my future appointment, without any communication or try address this chaos. I’m stating how I felt and what happened to me. At least they sent my cats result and record through. ORIGINAL POST: I went because Dr Kry was great last time. But Service has been very bad this time. I went because cat got a reoccurrence of tumor. Bad situation on my side, time sensitive with spread. Was told I would get contacted when referred by usual vet. But contact never happened. Have to call in myself, and front desk really brushed it off and rushed me to book and pay for appointment. Stars for the Oncologist I met was amazing and very understanding, and Dr Kry doing great last visit. Booking for surgery was another nightmare. Told to book with regular vet, only to find out later when talking to his usual vet (from another pet hospital) that area is tricky and would be good to talk to a specialist. I appreciate the consideration in cost, but CTVRC vets did not know this before? They had to put me and my pet through all this trouble for what??? And even after 2 visits already, and knowing my cat would be so nervous and his stress level has caused bladder issue before, they want me to book a separate consultation with the surgeon. After all the oncologist report and test. That would make 4 trips for one surgery, for a cat whose stress level directly relates to his conditions. I even told them they can still charge and do the consultation, just try put his appointment on the same day if possible. Rejected multiple times. I found this experience very disturbing, seems like they don’t care about your pet condition at all. DO NOT recommend. they have consumed the last bit of trust and gratitude since last visit. Very disappointing experience overall.

Expérience fantastique: Went there on Sept 15 with my pet Tobee he had both eyes closed due to an alergie they were prompt to see him I was very pleased with their professional work .

Expérience fantastique: We got referred to this clinic for our cat Bello who had a suspected heart murmur. He met with Dr.Chong the cardiologist. Dr. Chong was amazing! He explained everything thoroughly, he even stayed late as Bello had a crisis situation and had to be hospitalized. He followed up with us a few days after Bellos discharge as well. Any questions we have he answers. This clinic is honestly amazing and Dr. Chong is outstanding. We need more vets like Dr. Chong in this world. I will recommend this clinic to anyone that has an emergency or requires a specialist. Thank you for your knowledge, kindness and support while we handle our cats chronic disease

Expérience fantastique: My experience with CTVRC was great. My dog had an infection around his eye that I was very worried about and after a referral from my vet they saw him right away which made me feel so much better. After the visit his eye has been improving and they have gotten back to me right away with any questions or concerns I have.

Expérience fantastique: I had a wonderful experience with this vet. One of my boarding pups required vet intervention for an ingested toy. The receptionist was very helpful when I called and even though it was a Sunday, they got my pup in very quickly. The vet and tech were wonderful and ensured I understood their treatment plan, had consent from the owner and made the experience as comfortable for my pup as possible. My girl was back home within two hours, healthy and happy.

Expérience fantastique: Clinic staff are kind, and knowledgeable! Only waited a few days for a specialist appointment and Dr Rattray was able to perform the procedure without needing another appointment!