Boulder Creek Veterinary Clinic

On Saturday it was time to say goodbye to Butters. Her cancer had spread too far and she was uncomfortable and unable to care for herself.
We brought her in for a check-​up with Dr Gerrity and decided to put Butters to sleep. Dr Gerrity explained everything to us and really helped us understand our decision.
I can’t thank Dr Gerrity and her staff enough for their empathy and support. We held Butters and petted her awhile until she died. We then wrapped her up in her favorite blanket and took her home to bury her in a special place in our yard. While I am very sad I can’t really express how at-​peace I feel and the people at the clinic really helped me get there.
Someday I hope to have another furry friend and I will be sure to count on Dr Gerrity to help me keep that friend healthy and happy.

This is a mixed review. First, the vets at this clinic have been top notch. If they cannot take care of your pet or it is a serious issue, they will refer you to who can help your pet. If you do come here, have a LOT of money in your bank account or Pet health care insurance. This place is pricey. Top notch vet care, but FAR from cheap. A routine set of vaccinations was 3.5X the cost in the Santa Clara valley. The business in my opinion is understaffed both in vets and technicians. You can wait for a long time before someone comes out to help you. It varies, as I mentioned this is a MIXED review. Quality care, but $$$$$$$.

This clinic is awful. The staff are rude and Dr, Garrity is a pushy older woman unable to assess an animal properly. I will never take another pet there again.

Yesterday I took my cat and can’t say enough good things!
We have a summer home in Boulder Creek that fleas also thought they would spend the summer in. After taking care of the problem with extermination and vigorous daily upkeep my cat was still miserable from the flea bites. Being that I didn’t want to drive 1−½ hours to her regular vet, I took her here and glad I did; so glad I will be bringing her here for her yearly check!
Facility was clean, staff friendly and gentle with handling and caring for my pet. Everything was explained to me and I was the one who determined what services I wanted done for my cat, I never felt pressured.
My cat is finally relaxed, calm and enjoying her vacation, which means I’m enjoying my vacation.

All of my cats have been going here for over 2 years. We have done checkup visits, emergency visits, and dental surgeries. Every time I have been very happy with the front desk, assisting nurses, and vet. The waiting room has always been clean, as well as the office, and waiting room. I never have trouble getting copies of my medical paper work. Over the phone is great. The store section is also wonderful, it is nice to be able to get needed items in town. Very much a value to our town, and makes our lives living hear much nicer. Our cats love them. Looking forward to when we have a dog to taking them here as well.

NOT happy with this place any more. extra service charge if you walk in and don’t have an appt. jeeze. have you seen the owner’s home? she can afford it…

I don’t need to write a long-​winded review, but I will state my reason for absolutely never going back, and a few tidbits about the clinic itself.
–Why I won’t go back–
I took my dog to this vet as soon as I got him, which was my third visit to the clinic. I generally take my animals elsewhere, but I didn’t want to take a long drive with a puppy in transition, so I went here begrudgingly. The exam went all right, but I was given medications (heart worm and flea) even though I said I wasn’t interested. Obviously I needed those medications for my dog, but I knew I could get the same exact medications elsewhere much cheaper. I didn’t want to fight the vet, so I just bought them and told myself I wouldn’t go back. Fast forward one year, I had to take him in for a yearly exam, and debated whether or not I should go to the place in town. I decided to give them another chance, and long story short, this dialogue took place:
Vet: Is he still on heart worm medication?
Me: Yes.
Vet: You haven’t been in for a year.
Me: No, there hasn’t been a need to come.
Vet: We only gave you a six-​month supply. So why did you lie to me?
I was in shock from the blatant accusation. The veterinarian was so bafflingly unprofessional that I just sat there bewildered. It was an assertion I could not answer, and at that point I felt no need to discuss my choices with her at all. I sternly suggested she finish the exam, and then took my dog and never returned. I have absolutely no desire to deal with someone that rude, even giving her the benefit of the doubt and assuming she was having a tremendously wretched day.
–Other observations–
The clinic feels cramped and disheveled. The staff at the desk varies between friendly, bored, and overwhelmed, but always seems disorganized. Their equipment is precisely equivalent to what one might expect when they consider they’re in a town that never got the memo about entering the 21^st century: outdated, sparse, and still somehow expensive to operate.

This is an update to my initial review. Something changed here! The lobby was completely remodeled and updated, so it’s a much warmer, friendlier environment. Generally the vets we’ve worked with, especially recently, have been great. I was a little put off by one a year or so ago who gave me crap about my dogs weight (ok, he was a little chunky but NOT obese, and in good enough shape to run 3−5miles a day), but other than that have had great experiences with them. Most recently, our newest kitty was brought in on an emergency basis for an abcess on his tail. The vet was AMAZING in helping him heal quickly, while using the least intrusive interventions possible (apparently honey is a natural antibiotic!). We haven’t been charged for follow up visits, and it’s clear they love our animals. I’m feeling much better about coming here than I was a couple of years ago.

Horrible place. Took my dog in for a reoccurring sickness. Agreed to 900 $ in diagnostic tests including X-​rays and other things. Came back the next day to 400 $ extra in charges and less diagnostic tests than originally planned and still no answer why dog is getting sick 1300 $ later. You can spend this kind of money at sage for REAL answers!

I am really surprised by how mean people are on here. I have been nothing but happy with Dr Garrity. It is very clear that she really knows her stuff and always has a bunch of different options for me
She is NOT all about money, but rather finding the best option for my pet. I’ve been here probably 5 times now and, every single time, Dr Garrity has given me three options for each scenario my dog is in (the first one consists of the cheapest options that are absolutely necessary for my dog, the average options that include necessary and also a little more caution, and then the most expensive options if I want to be extra cautious). Each time she has told me that the first option is completely acceptable. How is this being cheap? If you end up having a giant bill, that is your own fault for not asking about the cheapest options necessary. I know for a fact that Dr Garrity gives plenty of options and really does want to help.
I will continue to go here and only have good things to say about this place.

If I could give more stars I would.
Dr. Kathie Gerrity was extremely knowledgable, compassionate, caring and articulate today. It’s obvious she knows what she is doing.
Sadly we had to put our kitty, Neo, down today but the experience was oddly enough, a positive one. We were comprehensively informed of what was going on with our kitty’s health and the staff was also extremely warm and thoughtful from start to finish. We definitely left the clinic knowing that we had done the right thing and everyone seemed as affected as we were, which was nice to feel.
We also really appreciated Dr. Gerrity’s candidness about the situation and her honest thoughts on what was the right thing to do. She put herself in our shoes and advised accordingly. We really admire and respect her for that.
It’s also important to note that we did not get the sense (AT ALL!) that this clinic is greedy, contrary to other posts. In fact, she advised us to go the most cost effective route with our sick animal friend.
It was sad to read the other reviews on Unilocal for this veterinary clinic and I felt compelled (due to our wonderful experience) to counter the other negative ratings and reviews.
Thanks you all for a pleasant experience, despite the circumstances today.
Rest in Peace, Neo…

Not a great first impression. I can only speak for the front office as I only ran in to grab cat food for some ferals in their «pet store.». I gave a friendly «hello» to one of the front office staff (dark hair and glasses) who kept a pill face and did not acknowledge me as she walked past. Maybe she was having a bad day, but the front office was empty, not a soul and no cars in the parking lot so it didn’t seem like a hectic time. You would think since Ms GrumpBunny must interact in a customer-​facing business, she would have been better trained.
Having three indoor cats of my own, I would drive farther as I see other vet offices in the area have much better reviews overall. I did like seeing the friendly resident office cats «assisting» at the front desk. I suppose they are the PR ambassadors. Will I patron there again? Probably not unless I have absolutely no time to drive farther.

Have lived in Boulder Creek for nearly 30 years now and have used this clinic a few times over the years for my various cats. Recently it seems they have become rather greedy and not only do they charge high prices compared to other area Veterinary clinics, but they charge for every thing they can think of! Fully staffed office, 3 girls manning the cash registers/​phones and I still had to wait each time I went with one other person in waiting room.
I did feel the pressure to keep spending money on my aging and cancerous cat and they convinced me the gamble of antibiotics and steroids was worth it. After over $ 500 in two visits even with adamantly turning down very expensive diagnostic workups and a biopsy, I finally convinced them I no longer wanted my cat to continue suffering and to be put to sleep. They asked if I wanted to stay for this and in an emotional moment I said no, that I had to leave. A receptionist, a hard-​edged, ran-​hard-​and-​put-​away-​wet floozy in a scrub top ran out after me while getting in my truck and told me I had to pay right now for the euthanasia and a «country burial» for $ 200. Wow! Such compassion. They could have mailed me a bill. My advice is to go elsewhere. Your money will be better spent in Ben Lomond. I will never go back to Boulder Creek Veterinary Clinic again, ESPECIALLY if my pet is old and nearing expiration. I don’t like being exploited.

I am writing this review because I feel others should be award of the level of incompetence we experienced when we took our dog in to be neutered several years ago. My wife and I rescued our dog as he had no one to care for him and took him in to be neutered immediately During the time our dog was under their care I received several phone calls from them not to inform me of the condition of my dog but to sell me more services (grooming in particular). I was unable to afford additional services due to the fact that I was unemployed. At that point I made the decision to take my dogs to a different vet. I just became aware that at the age of ten my dog was NEVER NEUTERED and now our dog is having complications due to his hormone level and his age. I stopped by the office in Boulder Creek to talk with the owner to discuss the fact that the previous procedure was not completed and now we have to put our dog thru the pain and discomfort of a more extensive procedure at the cost of $ 1250. She (the owner) immediately got defensive I said to her that the only thing I was looking for was for her to pay for the correction of her office mistake a total of $ 450 out of my $ 1250 bill. She gets even more defensive and stated that maybe my dog had THREE testicles. Yes go ahead an LOL… My current vet did. I was also shocked when she tried to blame my current vet for not noticing that our dog only had one testicle. So here is the deal stay away from this place, drive a little save a lot I recommend Summit Vet over on Summit Road Pet lovers beware read other reviews as well

If you give your opinion you will receive a lengthily non apology letter from Kathy herself. I thought this was to be shared by other Unilocal users as a helpful tool. My first review it set in stone be wish who you seek for vet help.

Dr. Gerrity is great, a well educated Vet. (U.C. Davis). We are lucky to have the peace of mind we have with our smart and knowledgeable veterinarian in our small town of Boulder Creek. She understands the unique needs of domestic animals living in the mountains. We have every confidence in her and her great staff. I am looking forward to her completing the renovations on her building.
As for pricing, you call it expensive and high pressure, I call it the cost of doing business and advice as to how to care for my pets… I feel I am the final decision maker on what I will spend on health care for my pets. I go to the Vet for the best advice on how to care for them .If I choose not to take advantage of the advice so be it… don’t blame the veterinarian.
Thanks Dr. and staff for being there for us and our pets.

I agree with the majority of the other posts. it’s a wreck of a place, tattered and gringy looking with new vets coming and going. They can’t even answer basic questions and miss the easy stuff. I complained my cat had serious reactions to the flea medicine and they laughed at me saying it wasn’t true. I told them it smelled of alcohol and the doctor said no it doesn’t yet the first ingredient is alcohol. My cat had tarter build-​up on his teeth for a while and they never said a thing. I ended going to The Cat Hospital in Campbell for surgery to remove his canine teeth because they were too far damaged. I gladly to The Cat Hospital which is clean, very friendly and economical.

For being a small town vet they sure charge big city prices. The care is good and I would be alright with the ‘normal’ charges for visits, shots, needing a deep ear cleaning for the dog… However most places I have been include rechecks in their prices that they charge for a procedure requiring a recheck. Not here, here they charge another $ 60 to bring in the dog to make sure the procedure that They did worked and then another $ 28 to check and make sure that THEY got all of the infection.
This is absolute highway robbery and I will only go back if there is an emergency severe enough that I cannot keep the dogs in the car long enough to get them some place else.
I think that the thing that bothers me the most is that they tell you that they know times are tough and will work with you. Then they turn around and charge a fortune to verify that they did their job correctly the first time.

I’ve been in here a few times and have never left happy. Just don’t trust this vet. The vet next to Mnt. Feed is the best.

I grew up in this town, and had brought multiple pets here since I was young to Dr. Gerrity. I moved home 3 ½ years ago, and have been back three times, and after the most recent instance, will never be back.
I brought my cat in because he was sneezing… and after $ 200 with a 5 minute vet visit with their younger vet got sent home with horrible flavored liquid antibiotics. I would have rather given him pills which he is good at taking than a cherry flavored liquid. I also mentioned to the vet herself AND the tech he had worms, and I needed de-​wormer, as well as the vet telling me she would write me a script for a oral flea medication, as he had minor flea dirt and my other cat is extremely allergic to any topical meds. No dice, on either. Glad I paid for that exam… for five minutes of someone’s time in a surgery/​storage area/​exam room.
I hadn’t taken my larger dog to them, because he had numerous surgical issues and xrays that I felt were better suited for a clinic with digital capabilities, specialists, and better surgical suites. But when everything was failing at once, the last thing I wanted to do was to have to have him drive in a car for hours… so I called, in tears, to Euthanize my best friend, with a vet that I had known since childhood. I called and explained exactly what was going on, so they would be aware of the situation and I would have an appointment and not have him wait or be uncomfortable.
I was in Vet Medicine for FIVE YEARS and never had I treated someone who was putting their beloved pet to sleep so badly. The receptionist (and technician) asked if he was NEUTERED upon my arrival, made me wait in the lobby holding up his hips so he wouldn’t collapse while a customer kept trying to tell me how pretty he was and talk to me and the vet about shocking bark collars for her dog. When I finally did get into a room with him, Dr. Gerrity put me through twenty minutes of explaining what I had been through (two vets and three thousand dollars of bloodwork, X-​rays, and surgeries in the last two years alone) and making him painfully stand to EXAMINE him. When she finally was satisfied I got the line «Well, I guess you’ve already DECIDED what to do, huh?» before finally putting my sweet boy to rest.
I get out to pay the bill, and not only did they CHARGE me for an exam I never wanted, needed, or asked for, but when his ashes were finally ready they came in a box I did not want and made sure to ask for him NOT to be returned that way, but they called my MOM’s house, instead of the number I was asked for THREE TIMES.
I will NEVER be back. In all my times working in clinics myself, nevertheless bringing my pets to multiple vets all over the world, have I been treated so callously at such a sensitive time.