Vets Near Me > Alabama > Hoover > South Shades Crest Animal Clinic

South Shades Crest Animal Clinic

4.8
2304 John Hawkins Pkwy #110, Hoover, AL 35244, USA

Best Pet Insurance in Hoover, Alabama 2025

Hours:

Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Friday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed

How to Save Money at South Shades Crest Animal Clinic

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:

Top Pet Insurance Providers of 2025
Rating Provider Total Review
4.4 AKC 894
4.5 ASPCA 12,057
4.9 Embrace 20,305
4.9 Fetch 27,409
4.1 Figo 2,786
4.5 Hartville 177
4.9 Healthy Paws 10,736
4.8 Lemonade 815
4.6 ManyPets 2,428
4.6 MetLife 5,637
4.8 Nationwide 21,417
3.9 Pet Assure 15
4.4 PetPartners 117
4.3 Pets Best 14,113
4.7 Pumpkin 2,549
4.6 Spot 9,855
4.8 Trupanion 62,914
4.8 Prudent Pet 2,445

Or, you can simply get a fast quote from multiple providers and go from there.

Thinking of insuring your pet?

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Getting 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

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Renee M

Dr. Stark and her staff took care of my 2 kitties for 10 years, and I really can't say enough to how grateful I am to them. It's apparent through her actions and demeanor that Dr. Stark loves and cares for every animal that she treats on a personal level. Her empathy and compassion are unparalleled. The staff has always been kind, caring, and gentle. I am so grateful for everything they've done for me and my babies. You really can't find a better Doctor for your little furry loved ones.

Claire Massey

Myself and my husband have been using South Shades Crest ever since we got our Bear boy back in 2019, I took him here due to I had just gotten him and didn’t have a vet yet and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. 3 years later we now have Bear, Merle, Buster, and Ducky. Dr. Stark is not only professional she goes beyond and above for all of our fur babies. She’s always very thorough and can explain everything to us without us being confused. Not only is she great at her job, she actually has a heart and compassion for every animal she treats. From the time you walk in for your appointment til the time you leave or pick up your baby you can just feel the love and positivity from her and her staff. All of my dogs actually get excited even if they are sick when we pull up in the parking lot. Her staff is always kind and so sweet and understanding as well. We absolutely love SSCAC and would recommend to anyone looking for a new veterinarian.

Linda Corliss

I have had pets my entire life and several different veterinarians but Dr. Stark is the BEST! She truly cares for your pet babies! I’m so glad that I found her!

Morgan Rutledge

I found South Shades Animal Clinic on a Google search one day when I had to take our dog to a vet last minute. We have been here 3 times now, and every time has been a 5-star visit! They have fit us into their schedule the same day I called to make the appointment all 3 times, and all of their staff is so sweet and helpful every time.

Amy Inter

The staff at South Shades Crest are fantastic. They took my dog in quickly for an appointment when my vet had nothing and would not try to squeeze him in. The receptionist, tech and Dr. Stark were great. They were welcoming and helped to calm my nerves. They answered my calls and questions when I had concerns after the appointment. They helped put my mind at ease. They have gained a new client. Thank you.

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