Washington Avenue Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital (WAVES)

4.6 (11 reviews)
14790 Washington Ave, San Leandro, CA 94578, USA

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours Tuesday Open 24 hours Wednesday Open 24 hours Thursday Open 24 hours Friday Open 24 hours Saturday Open 24 hours Sunday Open 24 hours

How to Save on Veterinary Costs at Washington Avenue Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital (WAVES)

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 Washington Avenue Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital (WAVES)? 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
4.9 Adoro 24
4.5 AKC 1,801
4.4 ASPCA 12,250
4.9 Embrace 20,008
4.9 Fetch 5,987
4.1 Figo 2,876
4.4 Hartville 183
4.9 Healthy Paws 11,406
4.8 Lemonade 834
4.6 ManyPets 2,416
4.7 MetLife 11,560
4.7 Nationwide 25,788
3.9 Pet Assure 15
4.3 PetPartners 121
4.9 Pets Best 15,492
4.8 Prudent Pet 2,884
4.7 Pumpkin 3,624
4.6 Spot 11,666
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

4.6

11 reviews

If you want an emergency vet where you actually feel heard and respected, go to WAVES in San Leandro. They took us in immediately late at night. The receptionist was so pleasant and greeted us with a smile the moment we arrived. The vet tech, Tai/Thai, was incredibly professional, kind, patient, and attentive to my concerns. Later in the day, I called with follow-up questions, and a second tech, William, provided wonderful assurance and guidance. In the past, the emergency facility in Oakland (right off the freeway) has been incredibly rude, dismissive, and rushed on the phone. WAVES is the exact opposite. They actually listen!

Jul 1, 2026

I am a new client and I had to unexpectedly bring in my senior cat yesterday after noticing some changes. From walking in to checking out, the process was awesome for both me as a stressed out pet parent and easy on my cat. I really appreciated the kindness each staff member showed and the time Dr. Legallet took to go over the options and pricing with me. Hopefully I won’t have to be back, but I’m grateful to know this locally owned clinic is there for my pets in case I need it.

Jul 24, 2026

Appreciated these vets so much! Brought in our cat with a puncture wound late Sunday night - regular vet was not open. Bianca at the front desk was lovely. Jesus, vet tech, was incredibly kind and supportive, got us through the whole process. Dr. Nomura knew exactly what was needed. Felt like they were really trying to care for us, not make money off us! And prices were better than other ER vets we have been to, even gave us a refund on the way out.

Jul 21, 2026

WAVES has an incredible staff and team of caring doctors and technicians. They truly put the care of the animals as their top priority. I would trust them again with any complicated procedures or emergencies our little ones encounter in the future. Thank you!

Jul 18, 2026

First time here. Had to bring my pup in for an eye issue. I called around to see where I could get in near me in Oakland and these guys had a way shorter wait time; intake cost (just to be seen) was way better than some Oakland emergency vets I called; and (once here) the staff and doctors were SO kind! They were super sweet to my dog. Extra plus for having parking right outside and free coffee since we raced out the door this morning before having ours. He’s being seen now so I’m still waiting but would definitely recommend this spot if you have the unfortunate need for an emergency vet nearby.

Jul 18, 2026