Harbor Veterinary Hospital

4.7 (78)
2450 17th Ave #125, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, USA

Hours:

Monday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Thursday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Friday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Saturday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Sunday: Closed

How to Save Money at Harbor Veterinary 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:

Top Pet Insurance Providers of 2024
Rating Provider Total Review
4.4 AKC 889
4.7 ASPCA 11,392
4.9 Embrace 14,179
4.9 Fetch 1,995
4.4 Figo 2,561
4.7 Hartville 164
4.9 Healthy Paws 7,475
4.9 Lemonade 781
3.2 ManyPets 2,145
4.6 MetLife 487
4.8 Nationwide 21,391
4.3 Pet Assure 12
4.7 PetPartners 110
4.5 Pets Best 7,194
4.3 Pumpkin 1,131
4.7 Spot 5,194
4.9 Trupanion 60,280
4.8 Prudent Pet 124

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

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Danielle Carl

Dr. Hoban's knowledge is deep which matters when it comes to our furry family. With decades of experience, one can feel confident that the medical treatments/options available are top rate!! Dr. Wells is also world class with an incredible bed-side manner to match. This office does not talk down to you or look to nickel and dime you for every little thing. The front office is always professional and courteous, some of the best customer service I have experienced when it comes to veterinary care. As a client you really feel like they are listening to your concerns as you are never rushed. When it comes to surgery or getting a second opinion, my brother drives his dog 6 hours just to come to Harbor Vet. That's how special this place is.

posted: 03/22/2023

Kristina Dvorak

We brought our dog here when we first got her as a puppy and have loved the care and treatment we received over the last 2.5 years. They have a great puppy package (vaccines, microchip if wanted, etc.) and also had her spayed here. They're very thoughtful and caring while remaining direct. When dealing with urgent sickness or injuries they'll squeeze you in and help manage over the phone in the meantime. We are sad to have moved out of Santa Cruz because Rosie and I loved Harbor Vet so much.

posted: 02/08/2023

Susan Pankratz

Dr Kawano and all the folks who work at Harbor Vet are a pleasure to work with - responsive, friendly, and efficient. 5 stars, no question.

posted: 06/04/2019

Odette Delahanty

Dr. Hoban and her team are exceptional! They genuinely care about the pets they care for. They treat pets and owners with compassion and respect. I have been taking my dogs to her for years, even after my move back to the valley I drive them over to Harbor Vet where I know they will be taken care of. Thank you, Dr. Hoban, for everything you are simply the BEST!

posted: 08/12/2022

Brianna Gallagher

Dr Wells and Dr Hoban are the best! Everyone here is amazing! Always have the correct diagnosis, my animals are well taken care of, and fair prices❤️❤️❤️ I love this place

posted: 03/16/2023