St Francis Pet Clinic

4.8 (200 reviews)
138 W Ortega St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA

Hours

Monday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Tuesday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Wednesday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Thursday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Friday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday Closed Sunday Closed

How to Save on Veterinary Costs at St Francis Pet Clinic

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 St Francis Pet Clinic? 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 12,226
4.9 Embrace 19,970
4.9 Fetch 5,900
4.1 Figo 2,868
4.4 Hartville 183
4.9 Healthy Paws 11,365
4.8 Lemonade 833
4.6 ManyPets 2,416
4.7 MetLife 11,195
4.8 Nationwide 25,683
3.9 Pet Assure 15
4.3 PetPartners 121
4.9 Pets Best 15,326
4.8 Prudent Pet 2,864
4.7 Pumpkin 3,533
4.6 Spot 11,560
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

4.8

200 reviews

There is no better vet in Santa Barbara than St. Francis Pet Clinic. Every single vet is carrying, knowledgeable and helpful. Dr. Pelton always figures out a way to get you in, makes sure your dogs are taken care of and takes the time to explain things. Dr. Lawrence is also amazing. She was the first person I met at St. Francis. She's smart and carrying. And let me tell you a story about Dr. Harmon. My poor boy had stomach/colon issues and it was late in the day/early evening. Dr. Harmon went above and beyond to help my boy and the whole team at St. Francis (techs and front desk) did as well. And they all follow up, to check in and make sure your fur babies are doing well. When it's hard to find a good vet or even get your dog in to see a vet around town, the caring veterinarians at St. Francis always figure out a way to make sure my fur babies are taken care of. Thank you St. Francis team! Simply the best!!!

Jun 11, 2022

St Francis pet clinic is awesome! So kind , compassionate and very professional! Dr. Pelton has never let me or my pets down! Also love Dr. Lawrence. Those are the vets I’ve seen there.

Feb 20, 2023

The best in Santa Barbara! Love Dr. Harman and Dr. Morgan. Been going to St Francis Clinic since late 80's Dr. Ron Faoro was a good friend of our family, we miss him, but his legacy, and love for animals lives on through the wonderful staff there. They are professional, yet compassionate. If I could give them 10 stars I would!

Aug 22, 2017

St Francis Pet Clinic has been our vet for almost 2 years now. They try to accommodate appointments that work with my schedule. They listen to my questions and provide answers in a patient and understand what. They are kind to my dog even though she is very anxious. They follow up with me on how she is doing after procedures.

Jul 17, 2022

Dr. Pelton was so kind and took lots of time to explain things and answer my questions, even though they were squeezing my lab in for an emergency visit on a busy afternoon . He didn't make me feel at all rushed, and followed up with me as promised a few days later. I always know that my boy is in good hands when I take him to St. Francis. Everyone there is consistently welcoming, knowledgeable and helpful!

Oct 24, 2022