Shelby Animal Clinic

4.2 (146 reviews)
516 Hwy 119, Alabaster, AL 35007, USA

Hours

Monday 7:00 AM – 6:30 PM Tuesday 7:00 AM – 6:30 PM Wednesday 7:00 AM – 6:30 PM Thursday 7:00 AM – 6:30 PM Friday 7:00 AM – 6:30 PM Saturday 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM Sunday Closed

How to Save on Veterinary Costs at Shelby Animal Clinic

Preventive care

Routine wellness exams can help identify health issues early, often before they become more serious or expensive to treat. Regular checkups are one of the most effective ways to manage long term veterinary costs.

Compare prescription pricing

Some pet medications prescribed at veterinary clinics may also be available through local or online pharmacies. It can be helpful to compare pricing when appropriate to reduce ongoing medication costs.

Consider pet insurance

Pet insurance may help cover a portion of eligible veterinary expenses depending on the plan, including accidents, illnesses, and in some cases preventive care. Coverage details, reimbursement levels, and deductibles vary by provider.

Why Pet Insurance Information Appears on This Page

Looking for information about Shelby Animal Clinic? This page also includes pet insurance resources to help pet parents understand how to prepare for unexpected veterinary expenses.

Veterinary care costs can vary widely depending on the type of visit, treatment, or emergency. Many pet parents explore pet insurance before they need it so they are better prepared when unexpected situations arise.

How to Choose a Pet Insurance Provider

Pet Insurance Review helps pet parents compare insurance providers using verified customer reviews and real-world experiences. Our tools make it easier to evaluate providers based on claims experience, service quality, and overall satisfaction.

We have collected more than 220,000 reviews from pet parents, creating one of the largest independent databases of pet insurance feedback available.

How rankings are determined

Unexpected veterinary expenses can happen at any clinic. The providers below are ranked using verified reviews submitted by real pet parents through Pet Insurance Review. Results reflect overall satisfaction, claims experience, and value based on real world feedback. Rankings are updated regularly as new reviews are submitted.

Top Pet Insurance Providers of 2026
Rating Provider Total Review
4.8 Adoro 19
4.5 AKC 1,801
4.4 ASPCA 12,232
4.9 Embrace 19,979
4.9 Fetch 5,924
4.1 Figo 2,868
4.4 Hartville 183
4.9 Healthy Paws 11,375
4.8 Lemonade 833
4.6 ManyPets 2,416
4.7 MetLife 11,290
4.8 Nationwide 25,718
3.9 Pet Assure 15
4.3 PetPartners 121
4.9 Pets Best 15,355
4.8 Prudent Pet 2,868
4.7 Pumpkin 3,556
4.6 Spot 11,604
4.9 Trupanion 55,033

Compare Pet Insurance Plans

You can compare coverage options from multiple providers to find a plan that fits your budget and your pet’s healthcare needs.


Getting to Know Your Veterinarian

Choosing a veterinarian is an important decision for pet parents. A strong vet relationship is built on trust, communication, and understanding your pet’s individual needs.

Experience

Ask whether the clinic has experience treating your specific type of pet, since care can vary between dogs, cats, and pocket pets.

Emergency Care Procedures

It’s helpful to understand how the clinic handles after-hours emergencies, including whether they provide emergency services or refer to nearby emergency hospitals.

Communication Preferences

Ask how the clinic communicates with pet parents, including updates, test results, and follow up questions.

Breed Specific Health Considerations

Some breeds may be more prone to certain health conditions. Early awareness can help with prevention and early treatment.

Facility Tour

If available, touring the clinic can help you and your pet feel more comfortable before the first visit.


Final Note

Pet care decisions often involve both medical and financial considerations. Having access to trusted veterinary information alongside pet insurance comparisons can help pet parents feel more confident when planning for their pet’s health and wellbeing.

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Reviews from Google

4.2

146 reviews

Shelby Animal Clinic loved our baby like their own. They didn't hesitate to work us in as a new patient. The veterinarian paid close attention to our questions & concerns, providing us with all the help & expertise needed. The staff went above & beyond. We were very pleased & especially love that they are open for Saturday appointments.

Jun 11, 2023

My first time taking my 7 week old Shih Tuz puppies. They were super nice and the office is clean. They offered me coffee or a bottle of water. Really busy, spent 1.5 waiting. They were so knowledgeable and explained everything to you. I like the paperwork they give for the puppies to keep up with all their care. I enjoyed seating there listening and watching the birds. They treat you like you have been going there for years. The building is easy to get to and get out of. When you're done the staff will carry your babies to your vehicle. I recommend them.

Apr 25, 2023

Slow, filthy, overpriced, rude, unprofessional, and incompetent. Dr Z told me that my 8 year old golden retriever needed surgery to remove a patch of skin that he has had since BIRTH. I was also told that we must bring him back in a week after paying $300 for the visit. We have a newborn and we have limited time and funds currently. His nails were not trimmed and the infection is back. I questioned her for not cutting his nails and she became unprofessional. She then refused treatment. I would not recommend your practice to anyone. Be careful going to this clinic.

Apr 13, 2023

READ THIS! BE AWARE OF THE POSITIVE REVIEWS---THEY ALL WERE SHORT AND GENERAL. HOWEVER THE 1 STAR REVIEWS WERE DETAILED AND WERE REAL. LOCALS IN ALABASTER KNEW THIS CLINIC IS THE PLACE THEY WOULD RUN AWAY FROM. PLEASE JUST READ THE 1 STAR REVIEWS. THEY WERE WRITTEN FOR GOOD REASON. I've spent almost $2000 in these 6 months in this vet. For what? my 2 dogs' skin infection which were treated with a couple of antibiotics and antihistamines. For one, they kept booking follow-up appointments which usually not necessary. But Dr. Z will always find something to "dig your money". Why I'm out here speaking out? Because today my dog just had a red eye for less than a day, and she prescribed 14 days of antibiotics, pain medications, and eye ointment. An $25 item appeared in my $325 bill which was never related to me. She ordered a thyroid panel that was $89 without even asking me. I usually write really nice reviews for people that I like, but I am too disgusted by how they do all the tests that they think were "necessary", meaning they didn't even asked me if I wanted my dogs to be tested for thyroid and then just handed me the bill. $325 for a red eye! DON'T EVEN COME HERE!!!!!!! I WISHED SOMEBODY HAD TOLD ME SO BEFORE I EVEN SPENT SO MUCH IN THIS MISERABLE PLACE. Additional note: I wasn't asked if I wanted a $89 thyroid panel for my dog, plus I didn't see if my dog's blood were withdrawn. I was not told what's included in the thyroid panel, and which lab was used for the test results. I didn't even know when the test results will come back! This feels like when I went to a restaurant and was held to pay for what I didn't order. Is this even legal?

May 11, 2023

Took my new fur baby to Dr. Z this morning and I definitely will be returning with my other babies! She was thorough and extremely helpful with my questions, most of the time answering them before I could even ask. I can also tell she has so much care for the health and well-being of my pet. Her staff were very sweet and helpful as well! Also bonus points for the cute bandana they put on her before bringing her back into the room. 💜

May 14, 2022