ArkVets (Formerly Desert Ark)

3.9 (331)
10865 W Indian School Rd, Avondale, AZ 85392, USA

Hours:

Monday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Thursday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Friday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Saturday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Sunday: Closed

How to Save Money at ArkVets (Formerly Desert Ark)

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 895
4.5 ASPCA 12,058
4.9 Embrace 20,315
4.9 Fetch 27,432
4.1 Figo 2,788
4.5 Hartville 177
4.9 Healthy Paws 10,754
4.8 Lemonade 815
4.6 ManyPets 2,428
4.6 MetLife 5,862
4.8 Nationwide 21,417
3.9 Pet Assure 15
4.4 PetPartners 117
4.9 Pets Best 14,139
4.7 Pumpkin 2,566
4.6 Spot 9,884
4.8 Trupanion 62,958
4.8 Prudent Pet 2,463

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

Thinking of insuring your pet?

Get Quotes & Compare

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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sara carabeo

On 11/02/2024 I called to see if they could see my fur Baby. The lady I spoke with was kind and helpful with giving me information for a CareCredit account. I was easily approved and made an appointment for my Baby (her name). They got me in same day and made the experience very peaceful even through a broken heart. The entire staff from the counter check in, assistant who helped up and the vet were very compassionate and empathetic. They let us have time and did not rush us in any way gave my fur baby a big bowl of ice cream before the euthanasia. They were very transparent in explaining the process and showed they had hearts of gold the vet told my fur baby she could run again once she crossed over she wrapped her so gently in the blanket and assured us. She stated she would take good care of Baby for us as we left the room. The reassurance was appreciated during a difficult time as this. I am beyond grateful and thankful we chose this clinic I found such comfort in knowing kind loving sincere people took part in my baby’s journey . They also sent a kind hand written card afterwards and gave us small hearts with my babies fur inside them. I can not Thank the staff enough for their support and service they provided.

posted: 11/07/2024

Peyton Bishop

I had to make a last minute appointment my Golden who was having a few issues the last few days. Whoever helped me get it scheduled as a new patient over the phone was amazing. My puppy is still getting used to other people and animals but she fell in love with the Vet Dr. Balsino and Celeste immediately. They were both amazing and helpful explaining what it could be, and Celeste was great helping form a plan within my budget afterwards. Korra loved it, and we’ve definitely found our go-to place for anything she needs!

posted: 08/15/2024

Samantha Sonego

Cathleen was welcoming and very gracious Megan, our tech, was very sweet and attentive to Loki Dr. Prayson was very knowledgeable, loving, and affectionate. She even got down on the floor with my 135lb Rottweiler!! He slobbered all over her and she didn't even bat an eye! That's what I call Gold Standard Care. It was an amazing visit and Loki even got some special cookies for being a good boy. 5/5 recommend!!

posted: 06/21/2024

Shel “Moosi Ville” Henson

Everyone is so very caring & helpful with treating our dog for Valley Fever. Couldn't be happier. Thanks for everything you do for our furbabies💜

posted: 11/28/2024

Jack X

Wait time was very long we got there at 1 and didn’t leave until 5:30 had to wait about an hour for test results and the rest of the time waiting on the vet. I understand why since it’s about emergencies but I’m glad we got to take our puppy home and doctor gave us high hopes he will be better soon

posted: 06/08/2024