Irvine Lake Forest Animal Hospital
5 (11) 23600 Rockfield Blvd ste 2g f, Lake Forest, CA 92630, USAHours:
How to Save Money at Irvine Lake Forest Animal Hospital
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:
| Rating | Provider | Total Review |
|---|---|---|
| 4.5 | AKC | 1,797 |
| 4.5 | ASPCA | 12,110 |
| 4.9 | Embrace | 19,785 |
| 4.9 | Fetch | 5,400 |
| 4.1 | Figo | 2,832 |
| 4.5 | Hartville | 179 |
| 4.9 | Healthy Paws | 11,071 |
| 4.8 | Lemonade | 822 |
| 4.6 | ManyPets | 2,413 |
| 4.7 | MetLife | 8,716 |
| 4.8 | Nationwide | 24,889 |
| 3.9 | Pet Assure | 15 |
| 4.3 | PetPartners | 121 |
| 4.9 | Pets Best | 8,940 |
| 4.8 | Pumpkin | 3,153 |
| 4.6 | Spot | 10,949 |
| 4.9 | Trupanion | 55,032 |
| 4.8 | Prudent Pet | 2,695 |
| 4.5 | Adoro | 6 |
Or, you can simply get a fast quote from multiple providers and go from there.
Thinking of insuring your pet?
Get Quotes & CompareGetting 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
We’ve been going to Dr. Shim since 2018, and I truly cannot recommend him enough. Every recommendation he’s made has helped keep my dog healthy and thriving over the years. He is incredibly knowledgeable, thoughtful, and always takes the time to explain things clearly, which gives me so much peace of mind as a pet owner. On top of that, he is genuinely one of the nicest doctors I’ve ever met. His staff is also always so welcoming and kind, making every visit a great experience. I’m so grateful to have found a doctor I trust completely.
posted: 12/20/2025
Stop searching any more! If you need a vet you can absolutely trust, Dr. Shim is the one to consider. My dog struggled with a miserable skin itch for years, and after visiting many other places that only drained my money :( , Dr. Shim fixed it right away. He is incredibly transparent about his treatments, avoiding over diagnosis with reasonable fees. He has a genuinely warm heart for my dog, and his kindness with thorough explanations. He is, without a doubt, the best vet ever! Also, I like his smile and energetic voice. Lol
posted: 12/02/2025
My Chihuahua Kkomi needed to have it neutered. I contacted several clinics, but they all said my dog was too small for the procedure. However, Dr. Shim performed the procedure so perfectly that I truly trusted him. He even pulled out Kkomi's tiny teeth perfectly. The staff were incredibly friendly, and the facility was clean. I highly recommend him. Thank you, Dr. Shim.🥰
posted: 11/10/2025
Dr. Shim is the finest veterinarian I have ever met. Always kind and fully dedicated to the care of dogs, I have continued to visit Dr. Shim for a long time. I am always truly grateful.
posted: 11/20/2025
Dr. Shim is the vet I trust with all three of my dogs, without hesitation. I’ve been taking my first dog to Dr. Shim since she was a puppy. After adopting two more dogs, all three are now under his care. After Dr. Shim opened his new clinic, one of my dogs had a dental scaling and tooth extraction in November. She has a history of seizures, so I was very nervous about anesthesia, but everything went smoothly. Her teeth were treated beautifully, her bad breath was gone, and she woke up calm, alert, and in great condition. Today, another one of my dogs—who is 9 years old—also had a dental scaling. Because of her age, I was especially worried about anesthesia, but once again, the procedure went perfectly and her recovery was quick and smooth. Because my dogs are very small (around 5 lbs), anesthesia has always been a big worry for me. Dr. Shim’s experience and skill truly put my mind at ease. He is knowledgeable, never pushes unnecessary treatments, and gives pet parents confidence. Finding a vet you can fully trust isn’t easy, which is why I confidently recommend Dr. Shim to everyone I know.
posted: 12/19/2025
Veterinarians in Lake Forest, California
Baker Ranch Animal Hospital
20780 Lake Forest Dr Suite A, Lake Forest, CA 92630, USA(949) 600-8310
Banfield Pet Hospital
23602 El Toro Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630, USA(949) 768-0148
Bliss Animal Hospital
26741 Rancho Pkwy Suite 105-D, Lake Forest, CA 92630, USA(949) 354-5201
Dr. Nicole Beaudet
21771 Lake Forest Dr # 111, Lake Forest, CA 92630, USA(949) 855-9744
El Toro Animal Hospital
23162 El Toro Frontage Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630, USA(949) 837-5222
Equine Medical Associates Inc
25200 Trabuco Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630, USA(949) 588-6950
Fauna Veterinary Collective
45 Auto Center Dr # 108, Lake Forest, CA 92610, USA(949) 704-1043
Foothill Animal Hospital
29040 Portola Pkwy, Lake Forest, CA 92630, USA(949) 380-1255