TLC Veterinary Hospital
3.9 (228) 896 Hathaway Rd, New Bedford, MA 02740, USAHours:
Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
How to Save Money at TLC 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:
| Rating | Provider | Total Review |
|---|---|---|
| 4.4 | AKC | 895 |
| 4.5 | ASPCA | 12,063 |
| 4.9 | Embrace | 20,329 |
| 4.9 | Fetch | 27,484 |
| 4.1 | Figo | 2,793 |
| 4.5 | Hartville | 177 |
| 4.9 | Healthy Paws | 10,791 |
| 4.8 | Lemonade | 815 |
| 4.6 | ManyPets | 2,428 |
| 4.6 | MetLife | 6,133 |
| 4.8 | Nationwide | 21,417 |
| 3.9 | Pet Assure | 15 |
| 4.4 | PetPartners | 117 |
| 4.9 | Pets Best | 14,162 |
| 4.7 | Pumpkin | 2,593 |
| 4.6 | Spot | 9,947 |
| 4.8 | Trupanion | 63,005 |
| 4.8 | Prudent Pet | 2,487 |
Or, you can simply get a fast quote from multiple providers and go from there.
Thinking of insuring your pet?
Get Quotes & CompareGetting 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
I have had 4 experiences with TLC veterinary hospital. Two of which deserve a one-star rating and two of which deserve a three-star rating. The basic problem here is a communication issue. My last experience was the worst. I made an appointment to see the doctor and was greeted by a technician and told that I couldn't see the doctor. The technician administered $100 injection that was pointless and useless. The technician was rude and for that reason I will never go back.
posted: 06/14/2025
They seemed nice I guess but something seemed uneasy. The end fee was NOT cheap to see a loved animal ending up destroyed. On the next day was a simple question but this former patient was not easy to look up. This place is not like before. I admit I have not bee there for some 10 years with my last pet.
posted: 03/01/2025
The doctor is great. Took both of my cats when no one would. Staff is extremely nice. They were so gentle too. I am so glad they are my vet
posted: 08/09/2023
I thought I needed to share my letter to the Mass Licensing Board. Please advise on TLC Veterinary Clinic, New Bedford MA: I have had 4 female dogs in my 50 plus years of life. They are like my children and the aforementioned clinic has some practices that need to be looked at. Today I brought my 6 and a half month old female cockapoo, Sophie, in to be spayed. I was told to bring her at 12:30 pm and then pick her up before 5 pm because they close at 5 pm. I arrived at 4:30 and was told she wasn't ready. I asked if she was okay and was told she was fine. The staff treated me like I was some kind of crazy person to have any concern. The vet came out at 4:45 and told me to come back at 5:30. I asked why and he replied that he hadn't even begun the procedure. I said "you are going to sedate my dog, operate and give her to me in 45 minutes?". Next, I was told that this procedure was done on "wagons". I said not to my dogs. Please give me my dog back. I got my dog and left. I have had 4 dogs spayed and never have I seen this practice. Unfortunately, I am new to this area and picked a vet at random. This type of practice cannot be tolerated. I along with millions of Americans am a responsible pet owner who loves and adores my furbaby. I have to wonder what the $500 or $600 dollars was for. A 45 minute drive through sedation and surgery. Please look into the practices at this clinic.
posted: 09/07/2023
I rarely have bad experiences, but I must say that I had one here. I brought a cat that I found outside a year ago for a checkup ( who is now indoors only,) and also to check her skin that seemed slightly irritated. I was charged an $80 exam wellness fee but the doctor did not check her eyes, ears, abdomen, take her temp, etc.. I made a complaint and was offered $20, and was told $60 is the fee just to see the doctor, even though my receipt has $80 wellness exam. I love Capeway Vets and they’re always great to my pets, but with the prices of everything, I figured I’d save some money for the same exam WRONG. On top of everything I had to ask the doctor to hold my cat down while he administered antibiotics and steroids because he had me holding her down, where’s the assistant. I also had to ask the doctor to close the door, so she wouldn’t dart off. This place is filthy and I almost fell, from the wobbly chair in the exam room. They did not seem to care about the animals, since I’m use to other places talking to my cats to relax them. Definitely do not recommend going here, unless you want to be a vet assistant for a day. They will also try throwing extras in, so pay close attention to your bill.
posted: 11/04/2024