Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota

4.6 (1,689 reviews)
1160 Helmo Ave N, Oakdale, MN 55128, USA

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours Tuesday Open 24 hours Wednesday Open 24 hours Thursday Open 24 hours Friday Open 24 hours Saturday Open 24 hours Sunday Open 24 hours

How to Save on Veterinary Costs at Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota

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 Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota? 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
4.9 Adoro 24
4.5 AKC 1,801
4.4 ASPCA 12,250
4.9 Embrace 20,008
4.9 Fetch 5,987
4.1 Figo 2,876
4.4 Hartville 183
4.9 Healthy Paws 11,406
4.8 Lemonade 834
4.6 ManyPets 2,416
4.7 MetLife 11,561
4.7 Nationwide 25,788
3.9 Pet Assure 15
4.3 PetPartners 121
4.9 Pets Best 15,529
4.8 Prudent Pet 2,884
4.7 Pumpkin 3,624
4.6 Spot 11,667
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

4.6

1,689 reviews

Outstanding facility and staff. They went above and beyond for my behaviorally special dog! They worked with me to make my very handling sensitive and reactive dog comfortable. I'd asked for details on my dog's procedure so I could prepare her, in advance, for it using cooperative care training. The tech (Jen?) graciously took the time to answer my many questions and provide a detailed outline of everything my dog could expect during her visit. When we arrived, they made sure the waiting area was clear of dogs before we entered and went to our exam room. During her visit, all the staff were very open to hearing my suggestions on what would/wouldn't work with my dog. They scheduled extra time to make friends with her prior to taking her for her procedure. I so appreciate the extra effort they put in to make this visit go smoothly! I absolutely recommend them and they are totally worth the drive if you don't live nearby!

Jul 11, 2023

I only have great things to say about this location. They took care of my Ruby and made sure to assess her problem quickly. I got frequent updates and was made aware of the cost of everything so there were no surprises. I am so very grateful this kind staff saved my Ruby girl ❤️

Aug 12, 2023

I was so impressed with the staff at AERC. There were so many people helping us, and they took the time to get to know me and my pup to make us feel more comfortable. They provided options and explained the procedures in detail, as well as the pros and cons. My biggest concern was quality of life after the surgery and they were able to answer all of my questions. They were communicative and informative, and most important to me, kind. I could tell they love helping animals and meeting everyone that comes in. They took great care of my little lady. I would definitely go back for future procedures.

Mar 24, 2023

I brought my cat in because she hadn’t been eating for a couple of days and had rapid breathing. They took her in immediately with gentle care, and kept me informed every step of the way about what they were going to do and how she was feeling and while I was waiting in the waiting room, I was very impressed by how all of the staff were caring And respectful of the pet owners. One animal was coming in and they were waiting at the door for that pet and quickly took the pet back to the exam room. They’ll make sure to get as much information about the pet as possible and kept everyone informed of the progress. I kept thinking of how impressed I was with how smoothly things ran and how quickly and caring everything was.

Apr 12, 2023

I'm very grateful for the wonderful care that my cat Linus received during his emergency stay. It is never easy leaving my fur baby (especially overnight) but the communication and updates gave me some relief that he was in good hands! All of the staff that cared for Linus... the vet techs and the veterinarian were amazing. Linus was very comfortable under their care and he just wanted lots of love and cuddles which I'm happy that the staff were so good to him! My only complaint is that when I called prior to bringing him in, the receptionist on the phone did not give me accurate information... she said that there were no options for payment plans and that I would have to pay in full after his care, but when we got there we asked the lady at the desk and she told us otherwise, that they actually do take care credit and scratch pay. Other than that misinformation from the phone receptionist, the rest of my experience was positive. The staff under Linus's care were extremely helpful and friendly! I also really appreciated the text and photo updates!!

May 6, 2023