Alternatives for Animals

5 (9 reviews)
425 Gregory Ln Suite 203, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523, USA

Hours

Monday Closed Tuesday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Wednesday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Thursday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday Closed Sunday Closed

How to Save on Veterinary Costs at Alternatives for Animals

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 Alternatives for Animals? 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 12,230
4.9 Embrace 19,973
4.9 Fetch 5,921
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 11,266
4.8 Nationwide 25,712
3.9 Pet Assure 15
4.3 PetPartners 121
4.9 Pets Best 15,353
4.8 Prudent Pet 2,868
4.7 Pumpkin 3,551
4.6 Spot 11,597
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

5

9 reviews

We started bringing our then 11-year-old lab mix Dave to the amazing women at Alternatives For Animals when he started experiencing severe arthritis. Within a month he was back to chasing balls, going on walks, and climbing up stairs. For the following four years, the quality of life their treatments provided for him got him through a near fatal bout of pancreatitis and extended his projected remaining life span from three months to 10 when he was diagnosed with cancer last year. We will be bringing our dogs to this amazing place for their entire lives! Outstanding acupuncture, herbal medicine and chiropractic care.

Jun 21, 2023

So very happy with Dr. Rettig and Susan and Sabrina who make up the rest of this awesome team. They are very kind and caring and my dog loves going there. 2 years ago we received the devastating news our boy had a rare cancer combination and was given maybe 3 months to live. Fast forward 2 years later and he is still with us thanks to the care from Dr. Rettig and her team. Very highly recommend .

Jul 15, 2020

I have been brining my dogs to Dr. Rettig for many years. She is the best! I truly love her approach to Veterinary care. I also love her staff, especially Susan... she's wonderful.

Aug 23, 2021

My sweet girl, Sneakers a Bernese Mtn Dog, has been visiting Alternatives for Animals for several months and the response has been very positive. Sneakers LOVES the staff 🐾🐾🐾. Best Decision I made for my girl. She is healthy and happy. Thank you so very much. 🐾🐾

Dec 11, 2016

They are the best for keeping our older dogs healthy and happy.

Feb 23, 2016