Rainier Veterinary Hospital is hands down the best vet clinic I've ever worked with. Dr. Beestman, Dr. Han, and the entire team went above and beyond for my pups, even when working with a dog who isn't the easiest patient. They never once made us feel judged or dismissed -- instead, they listened carefully, showed real compassion, and worked with me to create treatment plans that actually made sense for my dog's unique behavioral challenges. What stood out most is how much they truly care. Every interaction made it clear that their passion is for the pets, not just the procedures. They were patient, flexible, and understanding, and always made me feel like my dog's well-being came first. I can't recommend Rainier Veterinary Hospital enough. If you're looking for a veterinary team that is skilled, compassionate, and genuinely invested in your pets, this is the place to go. read more

Rainer Vet and their professional and personable staff really care about everyone who walks through with their fur 'babies'. I've brought all six of my service animals to them over the years and their professional and caring staff who cried with me when my seniors could no longer live unassisted and their sickness had spread too far. I have two girls now that have gone to them and who need to go back soon, and I have no qualms. You can trust them. read more

left Rainier Veterinary Hospital in 2020 after astronomically increasing prices (to help fund their brand new facility, likely) and that the only way we were able to communicate with the vet at the time was through email. Weren't allowed in the building, even with masks on and we had to hand over our pets and communicate with staff from the parking lot. But THE MOST IMPORTANT reason why I left- is because in 2019 at 13 years old my cat was diagnosed with early stage kidney disease and they immediately recommended an Rx diet AND subcutaneous fluids that I would need to administer myself several times per week. The Rx stuff they push on you is terrible and pricey and she did not need fluids. She's 19 years old now and doing great on a low-phosphorus commercial brand food and never have I needed to administer fluids. I realize they wanted to help, but I felt like the services and products that were recommended were ones she actually didn't need at the time. There is a lot of research out there on kidney disease in cats and her values at the time were not awful to warrant fluids. Also - my 5 year old healthy cat was considered "senior" and I was charged more for a "senior panel wellness exam". I just stopped trusting them with my cats. read more

I've been bringing my Staffie mix Stark here for years and have gotten the best care for him. All of the doctors and Techs are extremely knowledgeable and very attentive to anything that comes up with Starks medical needs. The front desk staff has always shown an amazing level of organization and commitment to getting us checked in and out, making sure that before we leave we have everything for Stark and know what to be aware of. Sadly I cannot take this amazing vet care clinic and team with us when we move out of state. read more

Rainier Veterinary Hospital - Veterinarians Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I have mixed feelings about this place. I recently moved my two senior pups here, as it had good reviews and was closer to home, however, my first initial encounter was so-so, the first vet I saw was a young lady, she didn't have really good "bedside manners"-she entered the room, assessed my dog, and that was it, she was very stoic, seemed a bit egotistic.. didn't connect with her. Other times it was great- the Vets were friendly and approachable; they acknowledged my concerns and answered my question, while also, showing interest to my dogs (which is important!) Overall, I guess it depends on their day? Today, I spoke with the front desk and instead of trying to listen to my question or let me explain, they talked over me and didnt seem to have any regard for my questions. Debating if this is really the place for us, this place has good reviews, but maybe just not for us. read more

Rainier Veterinary Hospital used to be the best vet clinic in the Pacific Northwest with sliding pay scales for low income animal lovers. Being disabled on a fixed income this was a lifeline. Unfortunately time moves forward and the great vet they had an older Asian man who ran the place passed away years back. I cried when that happened because he loved animals and was the best vet in Seattle's history. All the animals and people loved him and he loved us back. Now days the place has a completely corporate feel. There is no longer sliding fee scales or a promise to not to report people who may or may not have pet license. Prices went up significantly last decade that have priced me out of being able to care for my fur babies. Had a cat CoCo who fell into my life out of tree earlier this summer during heat wave. just a checkup with only two shots cost me almost $500 for my "free" cat. The vet gave me some advise on how to save money elsewhere. I am personally going through significant medical issues that almost killed me this summer with a severe antibiotic resistant Shinga Toxin STC E Coli infection that spread causing severe issues. I think older cat Luna may be having issues so just want to get a stool PCR test to check for E Coli but would cost me over $300. Today I was running late because of traffic and running out of gas. I like to pay cash for services because the processing fees add up on large purchases. I was 17 minutes late but policies if over 15 minutes they cannot see you and must reschedule. I tried calling before to have them see other animals before Luna but policy is policy and they are corporation over people and animals now. Rainier Veterinary hospital is still decent with decent vet and decent service. No longer great but meh middle of the road average. Okay place for those who can afford it but unfortunately most of their original clientele from Rainier Beach cannot afford services. There is no payment plans and if you cannot pay or qualify for third party loan services than they would call the police on the owner of the animal for theft of services. This is well within their legal rights, just wish there was more clarity with pricing up front. Deal with this issue all the time with my own personal medical issues. I don't care about myself as much as do about my cats. I am always going to be in severe pain and won't get then opportunity for a long life. But none of that matters if I can help give these two cats a better happy life than I have for myself. I would have already given up and deleted myself if it wasn't for my cats. not sure what so am going to do about veterinary care but will figure something else out. was a blessing in disguise that they didn't see me today. already waiting on a test kit to get mailed directly from the lab. There needs to be better low cost services for people to take better care of pets in Seattle. Now I have a mission in life thanks to Rainier Veterinary Hospital. I want to use blockchain technology such as Solana to lower costs for animal care. Blockchain technology is perfect for pet insurance, vet savings account, animal health history, payments and information and social aspects are almost endless. Wish that I could afford to bring my animals Luna & CoCo here but will find something else that I can afford. I have over 10,000 followers on social media so hopefully can help others that are in a similar situation as myself. Thank you for the past help and current motivation. Wish things were different but without people standing up and saying NO nothing will ever change. Wish nothing but the best for RVH but your current business model doesn't fork for myself and is a step back socially for stakeholders even if it's the best financial decision. I can see clearly now, hope this review helps others animal lovers in Seattle area. written with love from Christopher Human, Luna Kitty & CoCo Cat. read more

See all

Great folks! We have been going here for years, and everyone is super friendly. Highly recommend.

I've been bringing my three dogs here for years, but I'm done. Since the new owners took over, they've turned this place into a cash grab, prioritizing profit over pet care. Their diagnosis and billing system seems to be designed to rack up charges. They built a beautiful new building, but the quality of care is gone and reasonable pricing is GONE. read more

Took our cat here for her first check up and it was such an amazing experience. Front desk, vet tech, and the veterinarian were all so delightful. Highly recommend! read more

We had to say goodbye to our beloved old dog in November and I was very appreciative of the care and compassion shown during that difficult transition. I'm really thankful to the staff. We were a mess of emotion and they didn't even bat an eye at our ugly crying. I recently brought my two cats for their first visits and came away from the appointment feeling great about their care. Even the spicier of the pair seemed at ease (after getting the initial few hisses out of her system). I've moved a lot and had many vets over the years and this clinic is among my favorites! read more

Highly recommend. We went for stones/bleeding/urinary distress in my adult boy cat -- who is hard to handle, but was particularly distressed at the time of the appointment because of his condition. Dr. Sonia Fang was incredible - assessed and handed him with lots of compassion and serious skill. She provided a conservative treatment plan and took special care to reduce stress for Mr. Cat during his visit. Also, 10/10 for their front of house and vet assistants for being kind, and helpful from start to finish. read more

We have had great experiences with Rainier Vet over the past 2 years. It's always easy to get someone on the phone and schedule appointments at a convenient time. Our dog is treated well by all the techs and veterinarians. We just went in for help with a sustained reaction to environmental and food allergens, and the vet was very comprehensive with her exam and suggestions. The prescriptions even ended up costing less than I expected, and it's so convenient that they can fill them in-house. read more

I used to love these guys. In fact, I gave them a five-star review a few years ago. But they've really gone downhill recently. Maybe they're focusing on quantity instead of quality now that they have that new building to pay off. At my last visit, the vet barely examined my dog, made a wild guess as to what might be wrong with him, and prescribed some meds at an obscene markup. Needless to say, she was wrong, my dog didn't get any better, I'm out three hundred bucks, and I have to find a new vet. Total waste of my time and money. If you want your pet treated properly, go anywhere else. I suppose they might be good for routine stuff like vaccinations, but after my last visit, I don't think I'd even trust them with that. read more

Visited Rainier Veterinary today. We saw Kyren and Maria. They were knowledgeable and confident and provided excellent customer service. I was extremely satisfied with their service. Thanks P Dixon (Bella) read more

This is the vet for us and all of our cats are regular clients here. Their friendly and attentive staff have been wonderful to deal with and I appreciate how responsive they are vie email and with follow-up information after the visit (for example results of tests). They often call AND follow up with the information. I also appreciate their consideration that money can be a factor in decisions and give options that may not cost as much (without making you feel guilty about making that choice I will add....). I highly recommend this vet for the car of all your fur babies! read more

I brought my female cat, Lander, to Rainier Veterinary to get my cat fixed. The kitten wasn't much more than six months and was and is, in excellent shape, the very picture of health. Rainier vets told me Lander needed a full blood test before they could proceed. $500 later I learned the test was total BS, a money grab from vulnerable people. Boo. I will forever feel cheated by Rainier Veterinary.. Sincerely, Hamish G Todd read more

Rainier Veterinary Hospital - A year and a half later. Lander! - Veterinarians Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I made a mistake. I brought my dog here for convenience. my dog was treated for a foxtail on his paw. 2 weeks later, paw infected. Return visit request was granted w/ o difficulty. Same day availability. My Animal was anesthetized, sedated and foxtail retrieved. Vet returned dog to me post procedure with open wound with No Discharge instructions, until I waited 15 min for vet to talk to me. Now 24 hrs -48 hrs later he is still listless and not eating. I Suspect he was over medicated. ( I'm a 38 yr , highly trained medical professional) When I called to discuss this ,( Nathan) the person in charge told me they had absolutely no time to see him and I should take him to emergency vet, I objected and he refused a appointment. Period. In other words, somewhere else. Seriously? I'm flabbergasted . Unbelievable! Never again will I ever return to this facility. Cold, Unethical, inhumane and incompetent. You have been warned. read more

I hesitated coming here even though it was MUCH closer to me as I was a die-hard fan of Rainier Beach Veterinary Hospital and Dr. Deal. However, the owners of this place bought the other place and... RBVH wasn't so great after that. But this review is about Rainier Veterinary Hospital and so far, three visits in, I am a BIG fan. My dog and -sure, let's call him a cat- both have had great service here and I've found it super easy and convenient to make appointments and the fees seem reasonable. So I was wrong, it happens, and I'm okay with that. This place is great and I'm gonna miss Dr. Deal but since I can't just show up at her place with my pets, this is second best, and that, my friend, is damn good. read more

Excellent care every time I take my dog Lucky here. Don't let the outside fool you with the appearance. I'm very particular on where I take my dog. Luckily a friend suggested this place. Exceptional customer service and techs showed understanding & helped me feel comfortable thank you Erin! read more

This was my first visit here and my dog was seen by Dr. Beestman. My dog has been having a limp in his leg for the last couple of months and his previous vet was unable to determine the cause so I came here for a second opinion. She did a pretty in depth exam by moving his arm around and feeling all areas of his body. She looked at my dog's previous records and confirmed that there is no obvious reason for his limp and suggested that my pet should be seen by ortho specialist and recommended a location as well. Overall, the staff was extremely friendly. The paperwork was quick and easy to complete, the location was clean but limited parking. I wish she had been able to give more insight on what's going on with my dog but it was great for a first time visit. read more

This is the 2nd time that I'll be writing a review of Rainier Vet. Why? Because every time I go there they exceed my expectations by 110% (my family owns a veterinary hospital, so I have pretty high expectations). I took my dog, Cora, in because she was having urinary issues. The doctor and vet tech were friendly, and very clearly explained possible issues that she was having, and what the routes for treatment are. Before proceeding, they gave me a custom quote for all of the different treatment options - so that I knew how much things may cost going into it. I think every vet hospital should do this. Not only that. After Cora's test results came back, they recommended a prescription dog food. I took time to research different places to buy the dog food - Amazon, Chewy, in store, etc. I finally called the hospital and asked how much their dog food was - It was a full $20 cheaper than any of the other resources I checked. What this tells me is that Rainier doesn't jack up their prices just to get a bit of extra profit (like nearly every other vet hospital). Another thing - every time I go (I think I've had 6+ appointments?) there is never a long wait time. I'm only ever waiting for 5 minutes max. I have recommended all of my friends to Rainier and will continue to do so. There really isn't another hospital in Seattle that can measure up. :) read more

We've been extremely happy with the care and diagnoses Rainier Vet has given our cat, Poppy Seed. They've treated her well every time and referred us to helpful specialists when necessary. read more

Picked up my 10 year pup old after surgery today (mass removal and dental cleaning/extraction). It was so incredibly stressful and scary for me because well, I just love that dog! But everyone at Rainier was so attentive and reassuring. Dr. Nicholson called me before surgery which I requested more for my nerves than anything else. Thank you, Dr. Nicholson for your patience, kindness and your time pre-surgery. She called me after surgery was done to let me know how everything went. He did awesome and was actually looking pretty happy despite having just gotten a big deal surgery done, especially for his age! In regard to pricing, I will say that the total came out to be BEYOND REASONABLE. I know these surgeries for mass removals can get pricey and so can dental work but Rainier, once again, is just amazing with prices. Discharge instructions were gone over thoroughly when I picked him up in addition to a print out with even more details. Just all amazing! I moved from Mercer Island to Olympia some months ago and while I am sure there are plenty of great vet clinics near me in Oly, I will forever continue my current and future pets' care with Rainier, even if it means driving a little further. That's how much I trust and value the doctors and their amazing staff. As I said before, this place has seen almost every single pet my family has had and still has (our evil family cat, Jack!) since I was very little (I'm 32 now!). Thank you for everything, Rainier! For everyone else reading this, GO HERE. I speak on behalf of myself, my family, and 3 decades worth of pets who have all been cared for by the amazing folks who work here when I say, don't even bother looking elsewhere for veterinary services. read more

Rainier Veterinary Hospital - Post-surgery - Veterinarians Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I tried this place out for two reasons, they were conveniently located to my house and had a high yelp score. My dog and I attended this hospital four times. I was not completely happy with any of our visits, but this last experience tipped me over. My first visit was a little cold for my dog being new to their clinic. This is my first dog and he had some concerning issues that I was hoping the doctor could address. The doctor didn't engage much with me and made a comment (to my dog, btw) when she picked him up how he smelled bad. This was very annoying as a new dog mom because I had bathed him at that point 3 or 4 times due to his skin issue. My bill after that appointment was more than I would like to share because all of what I had to do. I even had to remind them that they charged me to clip his toe nails and I don't even think they ended up doing it. I came back in for a stool sample to check to see if he still had worms. Those were supposedly gone but they diagnosed a new virus, giardia. I know this is common but I thought it was weird that they checked for worms and found this after his initial visit where he showed no symptoms. Bought the medication and he started taking it immediately. My third visit was to finish his vaccinations. They never told me I wasn't going to see the doctor so I asked a few of my questions to the vet tech and told her about his recent ear problems (which they supposedly treated at the initial visit and charged me for). He had recently started itching his ears and I heard liquid moving in there when I went to rub his ears. She said she took a look and everything looked fine. Fourth visit caused me to miss work and make an emergency appointment because everything with his ears was not fine. Green and yellow pus had basically developed. Turned out he had a yeast infection in one and a bacteria infection in the other. Thank the pet Gods at this appointment I got a different doctor who actually sat down with me and gave me things to try to avoid coming back and also his current issues and what could be contributing. I was still very upset because it was diagnosed that he had an ear infection at his initial visit but they supposedly didn't go over my options and chose the cheaper one and I had to come back and pay more money in the end!!! Maybe I have high expectations for healthcare because I also work in it, but I brought up my issue to who I think was the manager and she refunded me $10 for the tech visit fee because he was not thoroughly checked when I asked- this was kind of insulting. This last interaction will make me never come back. I call to ask for a neuter estimate. The front office says she will email me it. I open the estimate and it's like from $450-650. The lady who sent it gives me a brief explanation in the email. I start reading the charges and she had included microchipping?! All good to do but I literally asked for just an estimate of a neuter and she didn't even explain to me that she had snuck that price in. This was a very off-putting experience for me. Obviously with all my issues with this place I will not be returning. I can find better quality of care for Benny (my dog) with out feeling like I'm being taken advantage of. My friend also wanted me to mention because she thought it was strange, they take your animal away to treat them (ie vaccination, toe nail trim, clean his ears). This happened every visit. read more

They've taken care of our entire crew for years! They've been with us through the good times and sad.

When it comes to vets and pets who are like children (meowing, hissing children with back hair), it's difficult to know who to trust. Been coming here for about 6 years and, overall, I can confirm that Ranier Veterinary Hospital gives truly attentive and loving care! First off, this clinic has a real message of caring about animals' well being (and not money or a slick looking interior which used to be quite apparent but has gotten better... not that I really cared about outer appearances anyway though). For a while, I remember they would specifically treat the animals of the community and homeless by accepting walk-ins (which was a kind, non-discriminatory touch), developing custom payment plans, or creating smart or resourceful ways to help the animals at a lower cost. I've said this before about human care, but I'll say it again now: Every medical practice (whether for animals or humans) comes down to the people and experts who work there. Articulation, experience and wisdom all matter and build trust in equal. Naturally, I was heartbroken when Dr. Kung left the practice -- he was truly a gentle and natural master of cats (that was possibly able to read minds) and soothed my pet monster (who was literally yelping in pain) into submission. He had a real gift to be honest with you... and saved my cat's howling life... AND was able to identify a deadly urinary blockage in my kitty's urethra (ew) right away (when time was of the essence). Purr!! Sadly, Dr. Kung left and sold the practice (Luckily, my cat was pretty healthy during this period so no major procedures were needed). Fast forward to now and there's a new vet (Dr. Beestman) who is kind, smart, trustworthy with our beast, and very much a cat person. She knows to burrito our cat at check-ups, which I had to do with my old pet, much like one would put a hood on a hawk to make it feel safe (cats are such emotional little beings, I know). She's also very considerate when it comes to pricing even though we would gladly shell out literally a billion dollars to save our horrible monster cat. He just got his teeth cleaned and he's doing wonderfully. The office kept calling us to give progress updates and let us know if anything unexpected happened or if there were going to be price changes. Very sensitive and kind! All in all, do yourself a favor and come here. If you're an animal person, these people are your type of people. read more

Staff was never proactive in figuring out what was wrong with our dog. Only ever did what we suggested after doing our own research. Staff is inefficient and vets constantly turn over. Disappointing, and a new vet clinic was able to diagnose quickly. read more

I've been taking my cat here for the last 3+ years. They have the most reasonable prices I have found. I am a very hands-off pet owner, and only took my cat in when it was really important and I was always very reluctant about paying extra for unnecessary services, but they were never pushy about anything yet super helpful. Recently I took my old blind kitty there to be put down. I've never done it before and it was such a peaceful experience. Everyone was so kind and caring. THEN, a week later, I couldn't believe it....I received a card with handwritten notes all over it from the staff saying sorry for my loss and that they remembered her visits. It also included little ink paw prints of hers to have as a keepsake. This kind and completely unexpected gesture actually brought tears to my eyes. Who does that? It was incredibly thoughtful and really speaks highly to the care that they give their animals and customers. Definitely recommend. read more

Do yourself a favor and trust your fur-babies with these wonderful human beings who work at Rainier Veterinary Hospital. My pup Petunia and I moved recently from Austin and did not have a vet we trusted just yet. After a very un-compassionate visit with another vet in Queen Anne, my best friend demanded I leave that establishment immediately and go see Rainier. We have been through two surgeries thus far and I trust beyond a doubt Petunia is loved to the max when she goes to Rainier Vet Hospital. They are kind and compassionate and answer every single question you have in detail. I live in Queen Anne and make the drive here for my sweet girl to get the best care available. They referred me to a specialist in Shoreline and even they are as wonderful as Rainier. It isn't a big establishment and not updated or sparkling new, but well worth the drive for the outstanding service provided. read more

I have been going to rainier vet for over a year and I absolutely love them. I recently moved back to Portland and actually drove all the way back to Seattle for my English Bulldogs second mass removal surgery (the first was done here as well.) Not only do they love Monster and make him feel super special, but they do a great job and are very affordable. I was quoted a much more reasonable price than I was here in Portland. Not only that, but they allowed me take a photo of my pups tumor and email it over so that they could quote me. In my opinion, that is truly going above and beyond and I appreciate it so much. They really are the whole package. read more

Such a great Veterinary Hospital! Everyone is caring, service is fast, very accommodating, and they truly care. I wish my medical care was as fast and accommodating. They recommend solutions beyond what we know what to do and it's your option, which I'm grateful for. I went in thinking it was one thing and it turned out to be completely different. I didn't price shop, who has time, but it seemed in line. They're awesome...trust. read more

Rainier Veterinary Hospital - Veterinarians Near Me - Seattle, Washington

They have always treated my kitties great. They are so kind in the office and the Doctors are great with my kitties. Have been going to them for years and will continue. They are renovation, so I am excited to see their new digs. read more

Rainier Veterinary Hospital - Veterinarians Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Have you ever had a vet lose investment in your pet's case as soon as it becomes clear that you don't have $1,500 to spend at the drop of a hat? Or worse, have one who treats you like you must be either criminally irresponsible or morally reprehensible because you can't fork over a month's worth of pay for a veterinary treatment? These are not those vets. When I brought my little guy in for treatment Dr Mihok outlined the best course of treatment first, but was non-shaming when I made it clear that I couldn't afford what she had outlined. She spent a TON of time with me working out something that would keep my cat comfortable and still be possible on my budget. Her care for my little guy was excellent throughout and she asked that I call with updates on how he was doing. I was impressed with her investment in his case. The vet tech who worked with her was similarly sensitive to the stress levels that both the little guy and I were experiencing. I've made the call a couple times now, the techs (I'm assuming) who answered the phones have seemed genuinly interested and have furninshed helpful suggestions for his home care. I wish it was this easy to get questions answered at my doctor's office. Overall, my cat was treated like an animal in need of care both before and after it was known that I couldn't afford the ideal course of treatment and I was treated like a human being who had to make a sucky decision and was under a ton of stress about it. Bedside manner: A+ Quality of care: A+ Follow up/accessability: A+ I will be returning to them for vet care untill the end of time. read more

We took our new pooch we adopted from Seattle Humane Society here for her wellness check. I didn't really care for the way the staff treated us or how the doctor acted like she was afraid of the dog (yes, she's a pit mix...she's just sitting there minding her own business, so get over it...you're a vet). Needless to say, we won't be back. read more

I have been a patient of Rainier Vet for several years and am long overdue to review them. They provide prompt, thorough exams and are very patient and clear in explaining what diagnostics or treatments they recommend, and I have never felt pressure to go for the most-expensive option right off the bat. I have never been "up-sold" or lectured about any retail products, which is refreshing after a certain other vet clinic constantly harped on how Washington is "the #1 flea state" and insisted my flea-free indoor-only pets were going to be infested any moment. The prices are generally very reasonable. I also feel confident that anyone needing to end a truly sick pet's life would not face pressure here to prolong their life with medications or treatments. Appointments are easy to schedule and the staff are always kind and compassionate. I have never encountered a staff member who seemed to be in the "wrong" profession -- they all very obviously are there because they love animals. Dr. Kung in particular has the most gentle bedside manner I have ever seen and Dr. Choi was also very sympathetic and kind to my sick kitty. The clinic itself is very old and has not been remodeled much over the years, so if you are expecting the height of modern design, this is not for you. The bottom line is, this is the place to go when you want good care at decent price provided by vets and staff who care more about helping animals than about making the next payment on their yacht or refurnishing the waiting room. read more

I could write a 5 page review of Rainier Veterinary Hospital but instead I'll just say this. At every turn of my cat-sons life and all of his illnesses for the past 4 years one way or another Rainier vet has not only fixed the situation but has saved his life. That doesn't even go into the amount of money they have saved me, in the last year alone cat-son was given 2 surgery or death sentences to the tune of 2-3K and 1-2K from emergency room vets (we don't live near Rainer vet anymore so we went to closet ER). After making the decision to transfer cat-son to Rainer, the total we paid out to a little over $600 bucks and we were treated like loving pet owners and not made to feel like jerks for being worried about cost. I highly recommend this vet from the bottom of my heart. read more

Dr. Heino is just wonderful. But fair warning, if you're someone who wants to be in-and-out of the vet quickly, or you just want your vet to say "doing X is the only option to fix this" then this place is not for you. I'm the type of person who likes to know why something is happening exactly, and what are all the different options for treatment. Dr. Heino wants to make sure you are informed of all the options and all possible causes for what could be wrong with your furry child. I feel comfortable w/ Dr. Heino because I know he's got my feline and doggy companions' best interests at heart. I love that they have their own parking lot. They also have Saturday hours which kinda rocks (but they're also crazy busy on Saturdays). I hate that their waiting room is kinda confusing. There's no obvious place to check-in. And often when you come in, the staff are pretty busy, so they may not check you in for a little bit. read more

*** (1/2) * Three-and-a-half stars "You pay for what you get." NOT necessarily. Not always. I am perplexed when pet-owners exclaim how wonderful their veterinary clinic is because "they [the latter] fit their pet in in a pinch when s/he had an emergency." Vets do that, in my opinion, because (1) they "economize" on time with other clients, (2) delay seeing other already scheduled clients so that they can do the "extra" business and make it seem as though they are doing you"a big favor," and (3) are not usually booked solid anyway, especially if the ranks of their clients are thin to begin with. It's not as difficult as it might appear to be on the surface, except under exceptional circumstances. The fact you sometimes wait a long time at the Rainier Veterinary Hospital is probably a testimony that Dr. Heino does NOT CUT CORNERS just to fit in an extra client/make more "dough"! The respected Puget Sound Consumer's checkbook.org gives this hospital a price index of 93, with a score of 86 on "overall care and advice." Compare to the Cat Clinic of Seattle, the first veterinary clinic I ever went to, with a price index, at the time, of $188 and overall score of 70! In trying to find another clinic for my cat, I made a personal visit in the fall of 2007. I was amazed that though it was a Friday afternoon and they were not seeing any more pets for office visits, the ONE receptionist-vet tech was so hard-working and courteous, answering my questions and those of the others who walked in during the 15-20 minutes I was there. (Unlike another clinic I also visited, the Rainier Veterinary Hospital did NOT try to charge me $40 for talking to the vet tech--with my cat not even being there). At the Cat Clinic of Seattle, I was amazed that spending upfront $1,500 for five days of hospitalization (for which we were charged for 6) was no guarantee whatsoever that their office manager would be curt and generally unhelpful ("well, you have to come for an office visit--right now") with me...and then finally give me an especially nasty verbal drubbing (auto-pilot racism, no doubt). Or that one of the vet techs (AA degree?) would be condescending and rude to the former co-pet-owner (Ph.D., old enough to her father). If they were as busy as the Rainier Vet Hospital was that day, their staff, all 12 of them, would be running around like chickens* with their heads cut off...all the while bitching, backbiting, and bossing clients left and right. * Better probably to wring those scrawny necks than to let those poor chicks run around headless... What I learned from my experience is that modest physical trappings environment and less than the latest technical equipment do not reflect badly necessarily on a veterinary practice. Dishonesty, complacency, an unwarranted sense of "superiority,"and incompetence, however do. No, they don't have a fancy web-site. No bells or whistles. Nor do they advertise. But yes, they ARE very good, just the same. Though located at the "mouth" of the Rainier Valley, in a rather down-at-the-ears neighborhood (directly across from the Goodwill store), I was impressed by the dedication of these people...not to make as much $$ as possible with the least amount of work...but to provide decent care for animals (at a decent, affordable cost). I had to bring my cat in here after he became very very sick, and Dr. Heino spent the time to explain the pros and cons of letting him go. Because I came so close to closing time, however, I did not have time to stay with my cat at the end. If you have to do what I had to do, I urge you to let them know that you will need however much time (10-15 minutes?) to be with your friend after he is gone and try to get there well before they close and on a day where they are not so busy. The only problem I had was that what they charged for the euthanasia was considerably more than what they had quoted me over the telephone a few months before ($200 versus $135). Also, the blanket I brought with my cat "disappeared" somehow even though I called the next business day. See http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2008/02/08/my_1300_cat/index.html read more

-- Pros -- Dr. Heino - he is the ultimate rockstar in vet care and I've visited many. $35 per visit charge. The staff is super friendly and helpful. --Cons-- Only 1: Limited parking. The place fills up so you have to get creative with parking maneuvering. read more

All of my animals had been patients at RVH between 1985 through 2012--this included two cats and four dogs. To say the least I was (and am) a HUGE fan of Dr. Heino and also Dr. Kadner, when he was practicing. I didn't mind the chaos of the waiting area; in fact, I enjoyed it as it gave my dogs an opportunity to socialize. When the practice was purchased by Dr. Kung, I said goodbye to this group as my last experience with RVH was simply devastating. I took in an elder dog (13) experiencing gastro symptoms and ultimately, he did pass on from what was described as a "major hemorraghic" event within two hours of his admittance to RVH (naturally I had to sit in the waiting area for a complete hour before they saw him). However, what really sent me into orbit was the manner in which Dr. Kung guilted me for not getting the animal to an emergency clinic, instead of RVH. Honestly, frankly, and so forth, I never realized the dear creature was as close to expiring as he was and, good lord, wasn't this an animal hospital? (Dr. Kung and I had been at odds before as the Pekingese dog can be a difficult dog to treat and he was never at a loss of words to tell me this) It was far quicker to go to RVH than to friggin' Bellevue or Lynnwood. Regardless, Dr. Kung called me at home at about noon and advised my dog had passed away. If this was't bad enough to deal with, he then launched into a graphic accounting of TaiTai's last moments on the table, replete with his odiforous discharge. Nice, really, really nice. I will never refer anyone to RVH but am thankful for the Dr. Heino years--that guy is a saint. read more