Ark Animal Hospital
4.6 (112) 6171 Balboa Ave, San Diego, CA 92111, USAHours:
Monday: 8:00 – 11:30 AM, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 – 11:30 AM, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 – 11:30 AM, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 – 11:30 AM, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 – 11:30 AM, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
How to Save Money at Ark Animal Hospital
Schedule Regular Vet Visits
One of the best ways to save on vet bills is to prevent expensive health issues before they develop. By scheduling regular wellness checkups, your vet can detect health issues early, helping you to avoid costly treatments and surgeries down the road.
Price Shop for Pet Prescriptions
Oftentimes our fur babies are prescribed human drugs off-label. Your vet is apt to charge more for these medications than you would pay at your local pharmacy. In fact, big-box or chain pharmacies can offer steep discounts. So it’s best to price shop.
Pet Insurance
Most pet insurance providers will pay between 80% and 90% of the vet bill. You can even get coverage for routine care and things like vaccinations and dental cleanings. If you do the math, you’ll most likely find that pet insurance makes financial sense in the long run as well as gives you peace of mind.
How Do You Choose the Right Pet Insurance Provider?
Pet Insurance Review makes it incredibly easy for pet parents to select an insurance provider they feel good about. You can use our handy comparison tool to get the gist of what a company offers. We’ve also collected over 150,000 reviews of insurance companies from real pet parents like you to rank the top providers in the market. Here is the current ranking of each:
| Rating | Provider | Total Review |
|---|---|---|
| 4.4 | AKC | 891 |
| 4.5 | ASPCA | 11,757 |
| 4.9 | Embrace | 17,158 |
| 4.9 | Fetch | 18,571 |
| 4.2 | Figo | 2,602 |
| 4.7 | Hartville | 165 |
| 4.9 | Healthy Paws | 10,008 |
| 4.9 | Lemonade | 805 |
| 4.6 | ManyPets | 2,343 |
| 4.0 | MetLife | 652 |
| 4.8 | Nationwide | 21,407 |
| 4.3 | Pet Assure | 12 |
| 4.5 | PetPartners | 113 |
| 4.3 | Pets Best | 12,232 |
| 4.6 | Pumpkin | 1,473 |
| 4.6 | Spot | 7,033 |
| 4.9 | Trupanion | 73,743 |
| 4.8 | Prudent Pet | 125 |
Or, you can simply get a fast quote from multiple providers and go from there.
Thinking of insuring your pet?
Get Quotes & CompareGetting to Know Your New Vet: Essential Questions to Ask
Choosing a new veterinarian is an important decision for any pet owner. You want to find someone who is competent, compassionate, and a good fit for you and your fur baby. To help you get the most out of your first appointment, here's a list of essential questions to ask your new vet:
Tell me about your experience with [pet type].
Different vets have different areas of specialization. Some are experts with cats, some dogs, some pocket pets, and some horses. Knowing that your vet has vast experience treating your specific type of pet can bring you peace of mind.
How do you handle emergencies?
You must know what to do in case of a pet medical emergency. Inquire what after-hours policy the clinic has, whether they have on-site emergency care available, and if they have a relationship with any nearby emergency animal hospitals.
How do you communicate with pet owners?
Good communication is key to building a trusting relationship with your vet. Ask how they prefer to communicate (phone calls, emails, online portal) and how often you can expect to hear from them.
Are there any breed-specific health concerns I should be aware of?
Some breeds are predisposed to certain health conditions. Knowing what to watch out for can help you catch problems early and get your pet the treatment they need.
Do you have any questions for me about my pet?
This is a great question to ask because the answer will show that the vet is interested in getting to know your pet as an individual and is willing to listen to your concerns.
Bonus question: Can I take a tour of your facility?
Getting a feel for the clinic's environment can help you and your pet feel more comfortable during your visits. Remember, you’re not just looking for a veterinarian, you’re looking for a partnership. Do not be afraid to ask these questions and any others you can think of. Any vet worth their salt will be happy to answer them. Because the more informed you are, the better equipped you'll be to make decisions about your pet's care! And that should be every vet’s top priority.
Reviews from Google
Staff are very nice and compassionate. Hannah receives the best care and they are sensitive to our needs. She's very old and fragile, but I'm confident when she gets her nails trimmed.
posted: 12/06/2024
It was my desire to establish a new veterinary relationship for the puppy I am raising for Canine Companions since the vet I have used for years was purchased by a larger business. So thankful someone recommended Dr Chu and Ark Animal Hospital. From the moment we entered to a sign welcoming my puppy on his first visit, to the vet tech helping me to get my client file ready, to our time with Dr Chu - every bit the well-deserved 5-⭐️ rating!
posted: 06/23/2024
My dogs Odie and Chloe are always treated with the best care. Staff is friendly, gentle, and my dogs love them. Dr. Chu has been so great with my pups and the normally the skittish Odie is calm around her. Every medication prescribed has cleared up whatever was ailing my dogs and they even recommended a great doggie dentist in Carlsbad.
posted: 04/24/2024
Been going to this vet office for 30 years. Previous vet owner to the new owners. Great office, professional, knowledgeable, compassionate, smart, and friendly staff. Old an new staff treat everyone with care. They are wonderful with my dogs. I highly recommend this Vet office.
posted: 07/21/2024
I have been going to Ark on balboa for 25 years. They have been there for our family through think and thin, with expertise, professionalism, and most of all, sincere Compassion. They have tended to some of the most painful experiences our family has endured. I recommend them strongly. From trimming nails, to the losing of a loved one Ark Animal Hospital has been through it all with us.
posted: 06/23/2022
Veterinarians in San Diego, California
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American Animal Hospital
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Amici Pet Hospital of Little Italy
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Animal Healing Center
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Animal Outpatient Surgery of San Diego and Blue Sky Veterinary Services, Inc.
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