The Veterinary Emergency Referral Center

3.6 (1,109 reviews)
4800 N Davis Hwy, Pensacola, FL 32503, 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 The Veterinary Emergency Referral Center

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 The Veterinary Emergency Referral Center? 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 12,227
4.9 Embrace 19,970
4.9 Fetch 5,909
4.1 Figo 2,868
4.4 Hartville 183
4.9 Healthy Paws 11,371
4.8 Lemonade 833
4.6 ManyPets 2,416
4.7 MetLife 11,221
4.8 Nationwide 25,693
3.9 Pet Assure 15
4.3 PetPartners 121
4.9 Pets Best 15,328
4.8 Prudent Pet 2,865
4.7 Pumpkin 3,539
4.6 Spot 11,570
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.

Explore Topics

Reviews from Google

3.6

1,109 reviews

The staff saw my dog quickly and explained what their diagnosis was and the steps to proceed. I was given a treatment plan that was itemized out incase I needed to pick and choose what I wanted done. I got a follow up phone call that night with an in-depth explanation of everything that went on in the day since my dog ended up spending the night. Overall I was very pleased. Was able to pick my dog up the next morning and was show scans and discussed what follow up needed to be done with her main vet.

Aug 13, 2023

My 7 year old dog had been having issues for almost a month and we had been trying to schedule an ultrasound. When his condition declined, I called VERT asking about my options. With that, everyone I spoke to was very transparent and upfront about prices and what to expect. Unfortunately, I did need to bring him in and although I had already asked my vet to send his recent records, the techs at VERT were persistent calling my vet to get them. Thankfully I had a copy to provide to them in case I needed to bring him. I left him in their care, but before I even made it home, the vet was calling me to advise that my baby had Stage IV cancer that had metastasized into his lungs. They wanted to keep him for the day to help administer the medication and set up a plan to help keep him comfortable for as long as possible. I am incredibly grateful for them being very upfront with me on what they are doing, how much it will cost, and the fact that they wouldn’t do additional “unnecessary” treatments and procedures as it would not be beneficial. It was very expensive and you pay upfront, so be aware of that, but they are quick to refund the amount not needed due to changes in treatment based on findings. All the staff was incredible and caring especially as I was sobbing like a baby when they let me take him home. They didn’t volunteer their findings to me, but when I asked, they showed me and took the time to explain everything and answer all my questions. They gave me the peace of mind of the condition he was in and unfortunately, I ended up letting him go less than a week later due to how weak and exhausted he was due to the labored breathing and how advanced the cancer was. Hopefully no one ever needs to utilize their services, but if you do, you are definitely in good hands.

Jul 9, 2023

I’ve seen a lot of negative reviews on VERC, and I was skeptical at first, too, when we took in our sweet Rottie, Mongo, for an emergency situation. However, my tune quickly changed as our baby received the best care over his 4-day stay. Yes, it’s very expensive, and fortunately we have pet insurance. Mongo was not doing well and we thought he might have to be out down during those first 48-hours or so, but the team of veterinarians and vet techs kept a close eye on him, conferred with one another and gave Mongo their utmost attention. We cannot thank them enough. It’s been almost 2 weeks since Mongo came home and he’s practically back to his old self. Thank you all again , VERC team, for saving Mr. Mongo’s life.

Aug 16, 2023

I am so grateful to have a facility that offers 24/7 help. We took our baby in after a dog fight around 10PM on a Sunday and they immediately took her back and started examining her. Im sad i Don’t remember the staff names, but everyone was so kind and compassionate. I was on the verge of a panic attack and the gentleman at the front desk really helped take my mind off of the incident by telling some stories and reassuring us that their staff cares about our pets deeply. The vet was prompt and informative and the techs were kind and patient. I was informed of every option and with their help we were able to come up with the best game plan for her. Valentina is now home resting and we were able to get a second opinion to be safe. I will forever be thankful for their quick action and kindness. Gives me such peace of mind to know that they are 10 minutes away should we ever need their help again!

Oct 8, 2023

The entire staff was professional, courteous, and extremely kind. Unfortunately, our beloved Sylvia died during the frustrating 1.5 hour Sunday morning drive from Gulf Shores, AL to Pensacola, FL necessitated by the total absence of emergency veterinary care in the South Baldwin County (AL) area. We will be forever grateful for the care shown our dear pet’s remains and the kindness shown to two grieving pet lovers.

Jul 27, 2023