Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota
4.6 (1689) 1160 Helmo Ave N, Oakdale, MN 55128, USAHours:
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours
How to Save Money at Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota
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 | 11,713 |
| 4.9 | Embrace | 16,627 |
| 4.9 | Fetch | 10,616 |
| 4.2 | Figo | 2,598 |
| 4.7 | Hartville | 164 |
| 4.9 | Healthy Paws | 9,975 |
| 4.9 | Lemonade | 805 |
| 4.6 | ManyPets | 2,332 |
| 4.0 | MetLife | 625 |
| 4.8 | Nationwide | 21,404 |
| 4.3 | Pet Assure | 12 |
| 4.5 | PetPartners | 112 |
| 4.3 | Pets Best | 12,053 |
| 4.6 | Pumpkin | 1,425 |
| 4.6 | Spot | 6,829 |
| 4.9 | Trupanion | 67,550 |
| 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
Outstanding facility and staff. They went above and beyond for my behaviorally special dog! They worked with me to make my very handling sensitive and reactive dog comfortable. I'd asked for details on my dog's procedure so I could prepare her, in advance, for it using cooperative care training. The tech (Jen?) graciously took the time to answer my many questions and provide a detailed outline of everything my dog could expect during her visit. When we arrived, they made sure the waiting area was clear of dogs before we entered and went to our exam room. During her visit, all the staff were very open to hearing my suggestions on what would/wouldn't work with my dog. They scheduled extra time to make friends with her prior to taking her for her procedure. I so appreciate the extra effort they put in to make this visit go smoothly! I absolutely recommend them and they are totally worth the drive if you don't live nearby!
posted: 07/11/2023
I only have great things to say about this location. They took care of my Ruby and made sure to assess her problem quickly. I got frequent updates and was made aware of the cost of everything so there were no surprises. I am so very grateful this kind staff saved my Ruby girl ❤️
posted: 08/12/2023
I was so impressed with the staff at AERC. There were so many people helping us, and they took the time to get to know me and my pup to make us feel more comfortable. They provided options and explained the procedures in detail, as well as the pros and cons. My biggest concern was quality of life after the surgery and they were able to answer all of my questions. They were communicative and informative, and most important to me, kind. I could tell they love helping animals and meeting everyone that comes in. They took great care of my little lady. I would definitely go back for future procedures.
posted: 03/24/2023
I brought my cat in because she hadn’t been eating for a couple of days and had rapid breathing. They took her in immediately with gentle care, and kept me informed every step of the way about what they were going to do and how she was feeling and while I was waiting in the waiting room, I was very impressed by how all of the staff were caring And respectful of the pet owners. One animal was coming in and they were waiting at the door for that pet and quickly took the pet back to the exam room. They’ll make sure to get as much information about the pet as possible and kept everyone informed of the progress. I kept thinking of how impressed I was with how smoothly things ran and how quickly and caring everything was.
posted: 04/12/2023
I'm very grateful for the wonderful care that my cat Linus received during his emergency stay. It is never easy leaving my fur baby (especially overnight) but the communication and updates gave me some relief that he was in good hands! All of the staff that cared for Linus... the vet techs and the veterinarian were amazing. Linus was very comfortable under their care and he just wanted lots of love and cuddles which I'm happy that the staff were so good to him! My only complaint is that when I called prior to bringing him in, the receptionist on the phone did not give me accurate information... she said that there were no options for payment plans and that I would have to pay in full after his care, but when we got there we asked the lady at the desk and she told us otherwise, that they actually do take care credit and scratch pay. Other than that misinformation from the phone receptionist, the rest of my experience was positive. The staff under Linus's care were extremely helpful and friendly! I also really appreciated the text and photo updates!!
posted: 05/06/2023