Good Friends Animal Hospital

4.8 (196)
908 E Main St, Urbana, IL 61802, USA

Hours:

Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Saturday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Sunday: Closed

How to Save Money at Good Friends Animal 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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Chase McClellan

Had an emergency with my dog. They were able to get us in right away. Fist time taking a pet here. It was a great experience. Everyone was super nice. We were in and out pretty quick. They had our dog feeling much better the next day. Thank you!

posted: 07/10/2023

Justin Sánchez

This was the only place in town (besides UIUC vet med $$$) that could get my dog in right away for urgent care. We were in and out in about an hour and the bill for urgent care was comparable to what I'd pay my usual vet for regular services. I do go to one of the pricier vets in town and, having 2 older dogs, the cost becomes overwhelming. I left Good Friends looking forward to following up with Dr. Norris in a couple of weeks for my girl's UTI. They were understanding and responsive to my particular concerns and very generous and compassionate. I feel confident with Dr. Norris' assessment and I strongly suspect that this will be my girl's new vet going forward. There was a small mistake on the bill which was resolved with a quick phone call.

posted: 07/22/2023

kawoods8

I really recommend this veterinary practice! Dr. Norris and her staff are the best! I have mobility issues and they really go out of their way to accommodate my needs. She cares so much for her patients and their families. I rank her up top with my favorite vets Dr. James Herriot and Dr. Pol. This is based on her compassion for animals as well as people. Given my situation: it takes more time out of her day and I don’t think any other vet would accommodate me. Thank you Dr. Norris!! You are # 1❤️❤️

posted: 01/11/2023

thenobunny

If you are looking for a veterinary clinic where the vets and care team will love your pet as much as you do, this is 100% the place to go. My best friend has had so many health problems throughout her life due to her FeLV, and Dr. Norris and the entire care team have been there for her to help her with every single one. They are patient, compassionate, and clearly communicate all you need to know about your pets health and care plans. We never worry if my cat gets the best care possible for her needs here - she always does. This is truly a place where you will find healthcare heroes for you furry loved one. 10/10

posted: 04/05/2023

stephanie steerman

One of the most amazing places I've been to, my kitten Had a very serious accident and after having a not so great experience at the u of I the night before they were immediately able to help him and see what the issue was, he didn't make it but their kindness and willingness to try matters so much♡ also just had to take that kittens brother in because he had an absess and they got him in right away and he's doing amazing now, every single person I met that works there was awesome. I spent almost $1k at the u of I for just a few hours, then when I took him here, they kept him over night and I spent so much less. They go above and beyond for their patients.

posted: 06/06/2023