Animal General

4.7 (246 reviews)
558 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024, USA

Hours

Monday 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM Tuesday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Wednesday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Thursday 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday Closed

How to Save on Veterinary Costs at Animal General

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 Animal General? 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 12,226
4.9 Embrace 19,970
4.9 Fetch 5,900
4.1 Figo 2,868
4.4 Hartville 183
4.9 Healthy Paws 11,365
4.8 Lemonade 833
4.6 ManyPets 2,416
4.7 MetLife 11,195
4.8 Nationwide 25,683
3.9 Pet Assure 15
4.3 PetPartners 121
4.9 Pets Best 15,326
4.8 Prudent Pet 2,864
4.7 Pumpkin 3,533
4.6 Spot 11,560
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

246 reviews

Animal General is lovely, caring, expert veterinary practice on the Upper West Side. Dr. Chiverton is a caring and attentive veterinarian, attending to Layla's anxiety and my concerns about her wellness. We had a wonderful check in for Layla's 14th birthday. All is well, and though we love Dr. Chiverton, we hope not to see her soon. :-)

Sep 21, 2025

I’ve been bringing my dachshund to Animal General for years, and my recent experiences with Dr. Chiverton and the team have been exceptional. They are incredibly caring, thoughtful, and always looking ahead to minimize stress for both pets and owners. The communication is clear and honest there are never any surprises with billing, and they never push unnecessary treatments. The clinic itself is also a pleasure: the street is beautiful, the waiting area is spacious (so no crowding with other dogs), and wait times are consistently short. My dog has a history of IVDD surgery, and the team has handled her with such careful attention through her echocardiogram, and soon, her dental work. I’m grateful to have all her care managed in one place by familiar, trusted faces. I feel completely safe bringing my dog here, and I look forward to continuing with Dr. Chiverton and Animal General for as long as we’re in New York. Truly one of the best veterinary teams we’ve ever had!

Oct 3, 2025

We have been seeing Dr. Shea with our Bernese Mountain Dogs for over 15 years. She is a gifted clinician and diagnostician, a kind and compassionate person, and someone who genuinely cares far beyond the confines of her role. She is an "old school" practitioner -- someone who discourages care that isn't needed, gives you "real talk," and is available whenever you need her for questions large and small. That combination of authenticity, bedside manner, and gifted care is unusual in human medicine let alone animal medicine. The other vets in the practice including Drs Chiverton and and Geer are also excellent doctors. Bernese Mountain Dogs are not easy to care for -- they are oversized, anxious and prone to very bad decision-making (our last guy was known as the "Sesame Street" dog because he scarfed down so many of our kids' stuffed animals when we weren't looking). Dr Shea and her team know how to treat the breed both medically and temperamentally. Without fail, our dog goes from trying to run out of the waiting room to sitting on their laps 5 minutes later. You simply cannot do better on any front, particularly if you are someone who really sees your dog as deserving of the same quality of care that you would want for your human family.

Feb 21, 2026

Great experiences as a first-time pet owner! I’ve had three visits for our domestic shorthair cat so far — one general exam and two for GI issues. Pet care: I’ve seen Dr. Shea and Dr. Segal Reichlin, and both handled our cat with care and confidence. They answered all my questions and really put me at ease. Each visit, I’ve picked up new ways to improve my at-home care — for example, during my first visit, I got a nail-trimming lesson, and on a later one, I noticed how effectively the doctor brushed her coat. I went home and switched to a similar comb and technique, and they’ve made a big difference! Admin: The booking system is straightforward and reliable. I haven’t had any unexpectedly long waits on arrival, and the front desk staff are always prompt and thorough with follow-ups.

Oct 15, 2025

Kia

Kia

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Dr. Chiverton is incredible. She’s caring, patient, and truly puts her patients first. She takes her time, goes over every detail carefully, and makes thoughtful decisions with the animal’s comfort always in mind and even makes sure you are okay. She even let me hold my little guy during part of his treat event that’s usually done in the back to help him feel less anxious. I never feel rushed, and her kindness and diligence are unmatched. I trust her completely with my little guys care.

Oct 17, 2025