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VCA Firehouse Animal Hospital

Updated 2026-07-09 · 1,217 reviewed · 179 listed · Scored from 451 Google reviews · How we rank ›

4.5(451) 76 composite score See reviews on Google ✓ Verified
General Veterinary CareMobile & House-Call VetVeterinary SurgeryVeterinary DentistryLow-Cost & Affordable CareEmergency & Urgent CareExotic & Avian Vet
VCA Firehouse Animal Hospital
Services
General Veterinary Care, Mobile & House-Call Vet, Veterinary Surgery
Reviews
451

What recent reviews say

Five-star reviews praise staff warmth and Dr. Calloway's attentiveness, noting genuine touches like handwritten cards after pet loss and willingness to help emergency walk-ins after hours. One-star complaints focus on pricing (vaccines double the cost of competitors), lack of informed consent before vaccinations, high staff turnover, and documented surgical errors from years past, with some reviewers experiencing dramatic shifts in care quality when preferred vets left.

Staff kindness registers strongly across reviews, but the price-to-experience gap widens when vets rotate out. Those seeing the same doctor consistently report better outcomes; new or unfamiliar staff sometimes rush through or forget appointment context entirely.

Recent shift: One three-star review initially negative about lack of informed consent on vaccine side effects was edited months later to reflect "overwhelmingly positive experience" after learning to advocate for her dog and seeing the same vet consistently. Suggests that continuity with a preferred doctor improves satisfaction, but it took time and persistent advocacy.

Praised for
  • compassionate and patient staff
  • genuine aftercare (cards, handwritten notes)
  • stays late for emergencies
  • gentle handling of anxious pets
  • clear communication when attentive
Watch-outs
  • vaccines given without full informed consent on side effects
  • significantly overpriced versus other Denver vets
  • high staff turnover and inexperience
  • surgical complications (ovarian remnant tissue left behind)
  • inconsistent care after vet changes
  • poor scheduling and follow-up communication
compassionate-staffgentle-with-animalsfriendly-front-deskoverpricedlong-wait-timespoor-communicationfollow-up-care
Best for: Pet owners prioritizing staff warmth and willing to pay premium prices for established vets like Dr. Calloway or Dr. Farnsworth.
Think twice if: Vaccination costs run $80-$88 per shot versus $20 elsewhere; staff turnover is high, so expect less continuity if your preferred vet leaves. Request informed consent details in writing before any procedure.

Strengths

  • Staff genuinely kind and patient with nervous pets
  • Willing to assist unscheduled emergency cases
  • Dr. Calloway specifically noted for attentiveness and detailed explanations
  • Provides USDA pet flight certification

Worth knowing

  • Dr. Calloway named repeatedly for compassionate care and detailed explanations
  • Dr. Farnsworth specifically praised for gentleness with first-time patients
  • Staff send handwritten cards and notes after pet death
  • One documented case of ovarian remnant tissue left after spay nine years prior
  • Vaccines cost $80-$88 per shot; office visits $120
  • One reviewer noted staff agreement that follow-up appointment was disorganized

What reviews say by service

General Veterinary Care
Kind and gentle wellness exams when seeing consistent vet; rushed or disorganized with unfamiliar staff.
Emergency & Urgent Care
Staff stayed after hours to treat walk-in emergency patient; genuinely helpful under time pressure.
Veterinary Surgery
One documented case of surgical error (ovarian remnant tissue) nine years ago; current surgical outcomes not clearly addressed in recent reviews.
Veterinary Dentistry
Website claims advanced dental care; no specific praise or complaint in reviews.
Low-Cost & Affordable Care
Explicitly not low-cost; reviewers cite premium pricing well above local competitors.

How it compares

  • Rated 4.5 against a 4.59 average across the 118 veterinary surgery businesses listed here.
  • Has more Google reviews than 68% of the businesses in this directory.

How we scored this

Ranking Method
Star rating 67
Review volume 100
Review recency 100
Review sentiment 46
Profile completeness 100
Verification 30

Rating breakdown

5
359
4
28
3
11
2
14
1
39

Common questions

Are they open for emergencies after hours?
One reviewer noted a vet staying late to help an unscheduled emergency patient, but no standard after-hours emergency policy is stated in the inputs.
How much do vaccines cost?
Reviewers report paying $80-$88 per shot, significantly higher than the $20 per shot they found elsewhere.
Do they offer USDA pet flight certification?
Yes, one reviewer confirmed they do USDA certification for pets flying to foreign destinations.
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Last updated 2026-07-09