Animal Care Clinic

4.9 (505)
2650 Jamacha Rd #159, El Cajon, CA 92019, USA

Hours:

Monday: 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM

Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM

Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM

Thursday: 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM

Friday: 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed

How to Save Money at Animal Care 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 2026
Rating Provider Total Review
4.5 AKC 1,797
4.5 ASPCA 12,110
4.9 Embrace 19,782
4.9 Fetch 5,395
4.1 Figo 2,832
4.5 Hartville 179
4.9 Healthy Paws 11,065
4.8 Lemonade 822
4.6 ManyPets 2,413
4.7 MetLife 8,691
4.8 Nationwide 24,878
3.9 Pet Assure 15
4.3 PetPartners 121
4.9 Pets Best 8,936
4.8 Pumpkin 3,142
4.6 Spot 10,938
4.9 Trupanion 55,032
4.8 Prudent Pet 2,694
4.4 Adoro 5

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

hand swipe
Cheryl Cohen

Doctor Castillo was excellent. My dogs loved her! One of them, I'm pretty sure, wanted to adopt her. I really appreciate seeing a vet that understands giant dogs and truly loves animals. The new patient's special didn't hurt, either!

posted: 11/15/2025

Lindsay Russo McWatters

We have a brand new puppy at home and we took her to animal care clinic for her first vet appointment. They are the nicest people - from the vet, to the techs, and the front desk. Very knowledgeable and the explain our options to us regarding our puppy’s care. Easy center to get to and park. They are very clear with our invoices which makes it super easy to submit to our pet insurance after our visits. Highly recommend Pet Cate Clinic!

posted: 07/04/2025

Andrea R

I'm so happy I brought my cat here. Dr. Damm is awesome she was very sweet and gentle with him. Answered all of my questions and addressed my concernes about his ears. The staff was all wonderful with him! And the pricing are VERY reasonable. I will never go to another vet again! I highly recommend her if you are looking for a great vet.

posted: 10/28/2025

Kun Qian

Best people. Took a cat that is unattended and has been hanging around our house to them for a health check. Nurses and doctor Castillo are very caring and friendly. You can feel they love animals :) their exam is even free. Unfortunately we were unable to get vaccines for the cat because of the identification of the cat but I would recommend anyone with a dog or cat to them when needed

posted: 11/30/2025

Jon Ritchison

I booked an appointment through the pet desk app with ease and followed up with a phone call to see if they had an earlier availability and the office staff were very accommodating. We got in to see the Vet promptly and he advised on the most practical and least invasive treatment for my dog. Everyone was knowledgeable and professional. I would highly recommend based on this and my past experiences over the last 3 years. Thank you!

posted: 11/15/2025