Pet Care Specialists

4.7 (127 reviews)
3618 Howard Blvd, Columbus, NE 68601, USA

Hours

Monday 7:45 AM – 5:30 PM Tuesday 7:45 AM – 5:30 PM Wednesday 7:45 AM – 5:30 PM Thursday 7:45 AM – 5:30 PM Friday 7:45 AM – 5:30 PM Saturday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Sunday Closed

How to Save on Veterinary Costs at Pet Care Specialists

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 Pet Care Specialists? 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 12,235
4.9 Embrace 19,981
4.9 Fetch 5,931
4.1 Figo 2,868
4.4 Hartville 183
4.9 Healthy Paws 11,381
4.8 Lemonade 833
4.6 ManyPets 2,416
4.7 MetLife 11,330
4.8 Nationwide 25,728
3.9 Pet Assure 15
4.3 PetPartners 121
4.9 Pets Best 15,364
4.8 Prudent Pet 2,870
4.7 Pumpkin 3,558
4.6 Spot 11,609
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

4.7

127 reviews

Our usual vet was out of town, and our ferret needed fluids to save his life. Pet Care was the only place willing to help. My family is so grateful for the wonderful staff there. They also board our business of ferrets every summer, and the staff is awesome. They play with them daily and look forward to seeing them every year.

Jun 21, 2023

Being a new resident of Columbus, NE, I was in need of a groomer for my dog. I asked for recommendations on where the best place in town was to get your dog groomed and more often than not, I was referred to Pet Care Specialists. The first time I called to ask questions about their services, I spoke to 3 different employees (2 of which were groomers) and no one could give me direct answers to my questions about pricing and grooming packages. Despite that negative experience, so many people swore that they were the best groomers in town, so I went ahead and scheduled an appointment. His first grooming appointment was in April. His haircut was okay. I wouldn't say it was bad, and my experience with the staff was way more positive than the first time I had spoken with them. So I went ahead and scheduled my dog's next appointment 3 months out, considering they get booked fairly quickly. Fast forward 3 months... No schedule reminder. I am luckily organized and had the appointment on my phone calendar and remembered so I called to make sure my appointment was still on, which it was. So I go in to drop my dog off for his appointment at about 7:50am. The woman at the front desk was very short in her demeanor and barely took any time to make sure we were both on the same page about what was being done. 8 hours later... I still had not received a call that my dog was finished. Getting worried that maybe my phone number was not correct on their end, I called and asked about getting phone calls when grooming appointments are complete. The answer I got was that I have to specify that I want a phone call when my dog is done.... Completely absurd response. They tell you to drop your dog off between 7:45am-8:30am on the day of the appointment and that is it. There is not a scheduled "time" for the grooming, just a scheduled day; therefore, how are you supposed to know when to expect to pick up your animal? So I rush to pick up my dog, not knowing how long he has been done. I walk in, and there are a couple of customers that were waiting on the bench for their pet and then me. I was not greeted ONE SINGLE TIME. When the receptionist is finally ready for me, she tells me my total and it was higher than the time before, so I thought that maybe my dog had some difficult mattes and therefore got charged for the extra time it took (which is customary at most groomers). Once she gives me the official receipt, I see that my bill was higher because my dog received a vaccination - WITHOUT my consent. When I questioned the receptionist about this, I was immediately greeted with an attitude that suggested that I was bothering her, but to be honest, I don't care! I asked if they had my correct phone number on file, and they did, and then wanted to know why I didn't receive a phone call to inform me that he needed a mandatory bordetella vaccine. Just to clarify, I am not against my animal being up to date on his vaccinations, however, they did not know if he truly needed the vaccination. The medical records I provided from my previous vet did not specify if the vaccination was a 6 month or 12 month bordetella vaccine. Therefore, why would you not to call to clarify?! Regardless, they refunded me for the vaccine and apologized, however, his haircut was uneven and there were pretty large spots that were missed on his legs and hind end. In short, I will be finding a new groomer that respects me and my pet and will be consistent with communication and information.

Jul 8, 2019

Dr. Tracy Schultz is awesome. She always explains everything and asks if you have any questions for her. I trust my beloved animals care with this office, and not just with Dr.Schultz, all the vets here are great.

Dec 4, 2022

There was a dog hit by a vehicle on the Blvd. I called them for help and they rushed to my aid. They are awesome.

May 18, 2023

Great people and Vets taking care of my pet.

Jun 2, 2023