Kalvig & Shorter Veterinary Associates

Heads Up, Fellow Pet Lovers!
Ever felt like you were in a whirlwind romance with an unpredictable suitor? Welcome to the 'used car dealership' of the veterinary world, where estimates are but a mere flirtation; brace yourself for some unexpected 'extras' on the day of the procedure or shot. I tried giving them the benefit of the doubt--three times! Each rendezvous felt like a suspense-filled episode of "Dr. House," leaving me on edge about the true well-being of my furry child.

They've got a mysterious backstage lounge where your pet becomes the unwilling lead in their own pricey drama. And their suggestive selling that others mentioned? It's got all the passion of an Italian lover wooing you for a moonlit Vespa ride. But, hey, if you enjoy romantic unpredictability and a love for high-stakes drama, this might just be the vet for your epic tale!

We love Dr. Barbara Kalvig and this practice. Sadly just had to switch locations due to moving. I combed through so many different vets/reviews before making my first appointment here and highly recommend. My dog was so excited to come to the vet each time, which has been the opposite experience at other locations where he is shaking and extremely anxious. The office is clean and staff/vet are communicative, gentle, and intelligent. All my emails and calls were answered quickly. Kevin especially was great - so kind, caring, and patient. Thank you K&S!

Puja, Thank you so much for your great support for my dog's travel to Japan. After my first review, we communicated each other deeply and could take appreciate actions to get the proper documents before departure. The import and quarantine process was fine and smooth, then my dog is now happy to stay at home in Tokyo.
Thank you again for your hard work and thanks to Kalvig and Shorter! My dog really likes your team!

I first chose Kalvig & Shorter when my cat Moana became sick and they were the only vet that I reached out to who agreed to take her in for a same day appointment to make sure that she was ok. I have stuck with them ever since then, and have no regrets.

I recently adopted a cat that desperately needed surgery for multiple fractures on her back leg. Dr. Kalvig and her team (shoutout to Maria and Kristina) have been so supportive before surgery, during surgery, and as my cat continues to recover post-op. Dr. Kalvig has gone out of her way to make sure that my cat is ok -- including calling me late to check up on my cat after her vet visit and answering early morning calls when I desperately needed her guidance.

The quality of care and compassion at Kalvig and Shorter is unmatched. I highly recommend them to everyone.

Can't shake the feeling that we were being over-diagnosed, over-tested and bullied into buying expensive and unrelated dietary supplements.
Explanations felt pushy, unfounded or confusing.

Noticed that they charged us more than the total on the invoice. After being unresponsive after multiple attempts, our credit card company refunded the difference, and they took no ownership for their billing error.

Wanted to really like this local vet, but just felt like they were nickel and diming us.

Realize that they may not the vet for us, but if you're looking for (and can afford) a conservative vet who will thoroughly test every possibility, seek and push specialist consultation, and encourage expensive diets, you may want to consider.

In speaking with others about the efficacy of YELP, I have found that readers tend to gloss over extremely positive reviews and gravitate to the less-flattering ones. After all, if someone has lavished praise about a business and awarded it Five Stars, that's all well and fine, but our curiosity is heightened when we come across a One or Two-Star review: we want to learn what was (purportedly) so very wrong with an establishment and thusly be.... forewarned. In any case, I just read all 58 YELP reviews for Kalvig & Shorter Veterinary Associates, and was astonished to learn that they were not all effusive, as I myself have nothing but high praise for the entire practice. So: 5-Stars it is.

I don't want to bore anyone with tedious stories about how knowledgeable and compassionate they are. That should be a given. If you think that your vet is lacking in either of those two respects - maybe you should find another vet. Instead, I will list some of the many positives about K & S that readily come to mind:

1. Dr. Barbara Kalvig has been " my vet " for many years. Since 1989, I have followed her in three different locations. " Google " her!

2. Every veterinarian in the practice is assisted by wonderful
" technicians " . They are not merely doing things by rote, but are
genuinely learning daily through the tutelage of the doctor they are
aiding.

3. The front desk staff is usually very receptive to me -- both in person
and on the phone. Yes, sometimes they get busy and a little
overwhelmed; but that's the nature of an Animal Hospital.

4. Their current location on East 39th street is immaculate and
welcoming. Is it far for me....? You bet. It is a huge pain for me to
have to travel two miles with a pet carrier. But I do it gladly, in the
same way I would go far to see my own doctor.

5. Over a thirty-year period, I have had to " bring in " cats & a dog for
regular check-ups, more comprehensive check-ups, a surgery and
End-of-Life care. Every occasion is uniquely etched in my mind,
because, after all, what is more important than our pets.

In case it was not evident, I would recommend Kalvig & Shorter without any reservation.

EDIT: Dr. Kalvig very kindly reached out to me both by email and by phone to discuss what happened. I greatly appreciated that she took the time to apologize and to understand and better her practice. They also refunded me the entire cost of the visit, which was very much appreciated.

My dog has been a client here for a few years now and I still haven't ever met one of her doctors. They are extremely strict about COVID and make you wear a mask (I swear they're the only place left in the city that does that) and won't even let you go back with your pet for their appointment. Every time I go they're running late and they never acknowledge that or apologize unless you go up to ask when your pet will be seen. They are also notorious for trying to make you buy every unnecessary supplement and treatment possible. The previous visit for my dogs annual, I asked for a routine checkup and a refill on heartworm. They sent my boyfriend home with a bunch of extra medications (flee and tick medication & a few others that I did not ask for) & clearly tried to nickel and dime us. I later returned the unnecessary medications. I would not recommend this vet & will be switching to a new one because I'm fed up with their nonsense.

One of the best Vets in New York City. They are so experienced and kind and caring. This is the only place I would go to care for my precious cat. They are wonderful!

My poor dog has a terribly infected wound- a secondary condition from chronic allergies. I was treating it with over-the-counter antiseptic until I came home and it looked like a bullet wound! Oh, Lort in Heaven!

I damn near faint when my little boo-boo is suffering. I took a chance and went here, for the first time, as it's the vet closest to me.

Friendly, warm service to absolute thorough medical care completely describes this animal hospital. Everyone involved in my dog's care was knowledgeable, calm, approachable and helped soothe an anxious doggy mama.

For those complaining about price, yes, it is pricey. But so is having a pet. You want the best care for your pet, no? That's something you need to consider before you, um, get a pet in the first place. And as with people hospitals, they can only really give an estimate of care cost until they begin the work. In fact, vets are better at estimating costs than people doctors and insurance companies, in my experience.

Bonus- love the zen-like office. Wonder if they take human patients?