VCA Blue Cross Animal Hospital of Amherst

4.6 (222)
3921 Main St, Amherst, NY 14226, USA

Hours:

Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Saturday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Sunday: Closed

How to Save Money at VCA Blue Cross Animal Hospital of Amherst

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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Heather Appenheimer

We said "goodbye " to our beloved Wheaton Terrier Finnegan almost 2 weeks ago. He was 15 years and 3 months. Everyone at Blue Cross was so kind and understanding. It was a very difficult decision for us, but it was the right one for him. Thank you for all the wonderful care over the years. He saw just about every vet and tech at some point or other and always got the best care. Thank you! Heather and Tom Appenheimer

posted: 09/18/2022

Shayna Perry

I love this place. All the staff make you feel so welcome and they clearly care so much for your fur babies needs. Dr Funk is amazing!!!!!

posted: 05/06/2023

Kristen Mikolajczak

We take our two large dogs who are both nervous at the vet. They are so gentle and understanding with our girls. We made the switch to this vet when my dog had a lump on her snout our old vet wanted to send us for a very expensive cat scan and VCA took a sample and gave us and antibiotic she she was good to go, for a much lower cost! We are very happy with this office.

posted: 02/25/2023

Elaine Santiago

My puppy had his first checkup and the staff was very welcoming, friendly and beyond helpful. As a first time pet owner they made me feel welcome and they took good care of my puppy. The Dr. was really good at explaining everything to me and the front desk staff very friendly. I look foward to future follow up visits.

posted: 01/12/2023

Bernadette Ruof

I have been going there for 14 years. I have three pets. Every vet is good, helpful and offers me various alternatives within my budget. Dr Hillegas is especially helpful with my kitty who has Feline Herpes. She was dogged ( pardon the pun) in striving to find an alternative treatment for Francis the cat do he could breathe. She would not quit until we figured out how to help him. I love the staff. Shannon and Olivia and Sam and Desiree. So good natured and kind and joyful.

posted: 11/07/2019