Sunnyside Pet Healthcare Center

Don’t waste your time! I came here with my two puppies because of their health plan which only covered 5%. They lie and over charge you for stuff you don’t need. My dog is very healthy and no need to pay over $ 130. for a shot that cost $ 7.00 else where. If your rich and don’t mind the rude service this is the place for you! Go to the vet in Woodside.

I can only confirm what other clients reported. I went there three times and endured terrible experiences. I had read the reviews here but tried anyway because their practice is in walking distance. Not worth it. Now I will pay for a cab and go to another vet.
Every time the vet was thirty to forty five minutes late. My time, my job, have zero value to him.
Every time I was treated like an imbecile and pushed to buy an additional service. Here is a quote of them trying to sell: «you should test your cat for feline leucosis, the cats’ AIDS». He also tried to sell dental surgery and fecal tests for perfectly healthy cats. This guy has no respect for your time and always wants to reach out to your wallet.
Don’t repeat my mistake. If you have a pet in Sunnyside, just drive and take it away from this incompetent practitioner.

Stay away from this place because this office overcharges. I came here once when we first got our dog. The front desk people are nasty. They come across as being mean. They look at you and expect you to be happy just because they are there.
They like it when you have money. Ignore you when you don’t or can’t pay.
The long wait does not help the pets.
Better to go to another vet than to settle for this one.

I inherited a dog from a friend who was wearing a tag from Suunyside Pet. As it turned out, the tag he provided me was for a different dog — but the receptionist at Sunnyside Health went out of his way to find the correct information for me, did the research, found the correct immunization history, and e-​mail it to me. All for someone who was not even a customer. Based on my experience I do not understand any of the negative customer reviews here.

ZERO COSTUMER SERVICE ,
Once there is no 0 star option, I had to give one star even though I never wanted!!! Because this company does not even deserve any star at all.
Please be aware of this place before they rip you off!!!
They were insistently keep calling us for a FREE clinic, My wife took our dog to this clinic, They put an injection to our puppy with no reason! Our dog shots was up to date already. My wife was not even aware of a bill that she assigned by them, She walked away from the store without paying. Because she thought it was a free clinic., Listen up the funny part, They called us After 3 months and they asked us to pay. They did black mail to give our paperworks to the collection center. There is no where in the world I seen this! :)) Please do yourself a favor, do not even visit this place !!

Having a pet that needs medical attention can be a very emotionally stressful time. Add the fact that even at reasonable prices, there can be some sticker shock. I can only assume that is what is driving some of the negative (and therefore bias?) reviews here.
I found the entire team to be great and very helpful. Prices were right in the middle of what I’ve paid at vets on Long Island and in Manhattan – and frankly, what I am comfortable paying to ensure that quality care remains accessible in my neighborhood. And unlike during some other vet experiences, at no point were superfluous services or tests up-​sold to me. But most importantly, my nervous and skittish kitty was met by animal lovers at every step of the way.

I came here a couple of days ago because it was one of my dogs primary vet, and both my dogs were due for their annual yearly rabbis shot… My other VET is in bayside. Since this is in my neighborhood I decided to just have them get there shots here… I have a 1 year old beagle and a 2 year old Yorkie terrier. I called to make an appointment and they explain to me that my beagle Max was up for 5 shots. My Yorkie terrier only had to take his annual rabbis shot cause he has gotten every other shots that he needed … To make a long story short my beagle has always been active playful and always follows me around the house. After seeing the vet the past days and getting his shots he does not act like my dog anymore, he just lays there and acts the total opposite. He does not want to go outside or walk do nothing and he just looks like he’s in pain. So I call the vet up and asked them is this normal? Why didn’t the doctor explain the side effects to me before? They obviously couldn’t explain shit cause their stupid, so they tell me to take my dog to the hospital, they don’t care cause they already got $ 300 from my pocket so my dog isn’t their concern anymore ! DOOO NOT GO TO THIS VET they are MONEY HUNGRY and don’t care about your pet THEY try to do what ever possible to get a dime out of you .DO NOT TAKE YOUR PETS HERE it’s like PET HELL .I will never go back to this vet ever again. This is actually my first review ever on Unilocal I never actually had an account just until a few minutes ago and I really felt the need to make a review for this place.

I took my cat to this clinic about 4 years ago — they were so bad I’m actually still mad enough to write a review today!
At the time my cat had ingested 3 feet of ribbon, though I didn’t know that.
He was not eating or going to the bathroom at all and I took him to this clinic.
I’m not sure if they’re completely incompetent or just truly money grubbing a-​holes, but the only thing they could think of for my cat was to give him multiple tests that would cost over $ 1000. Being it that I’m not made of money, I couldn’t afford these tests, and stressed over the decision of what to do, while they made me feel terrible about not immediately forking over cash.
In the end I decided to do half the testing to start, and if it didn’t yield results then I could do the rest. Why would you immediately need to pay $ 1000 when test one could have solved the issue, right? Again, I can’t stress enough that they made me feel like a jerk for even questioning paying for everything.
Anyway half the tests I did cost about $ 600 plus another $ 40 or so for a few cans of «prescription cat food.» The tests led them to believe he had «cat flu» which may or may not be a real thing. and the prescribed food was meant to be the cure.
Needless to say the food did nothing — and my cat got worse as the days carried on. At first I was trusting that Sunnyside knew what they were talking about, but when my cat went and hid I knew he was dying. I was panicked and devastated. I called another clinic in Astoria and told them over the phone the same symptoms I’d told Sunnyside, and without the new clinic even seeing my cat, they instantly concluded he must have ingested something other than food. She told me to take away the stupid prescribed food instantly and not give him another drop of anything.
She even offered to make a house call since her clinic was actually closed (it was Easter sunday). A cheap $ 8 bottle of laxative and an hour to pass the ribbon and my cat was as good as new — though probably with one less life thanks to Sunnyside Pet No-​care center.
Also, after talking to the second clinic that fixed my cat about how COMMON it is for cats to consume things, I actually called Sunnyside back to learn if they were really stupid or just con artists and I think I got my answer that they’re just out for the money because the girl I spoke to admitted that it is very common for them to eat things and that an xray would never show if they ate something like ribbon or plastic which is one of the most common things they eat! So basically, the stupid xray they insisted I gave him was a waste of money and all the other tests were also unlikely due to his age etc.
LONG STORY SHORT — don’t go here! They’re terrible awful incompetent heartless people!

AVOID AT ALL COSTS. THERE ARE BETTER VETS IN THE AREA.
I waited an hour and a half and was not seen.
Friday morning, I made an appointment for 1pm on Saturday.
Saturday morning, I confirmed appointment.
Receptionist encourages me to come in at 12:30 because it’s slow.
I get there at 12:30 and it’s packed. Walk-​ins.
The staff really is incompetent. I explained to them that my dog’s vaccination records were at North Shore Animal League. The receptionist proceeds to spend ten minutes on the phone with our last vet from Astoria. She concludes that they don’t have vaccination records. Well of course not! You called the wrong place!
After waiting for an hour and a half, the office manager gives me sass after I point out in a calm demeanor that such a long wait is unacceptable. She says she’ll check to see the status of the doctor but instead goes back to her chair next to the receptionist.
I never had an issue with the doctor on previous visits, but the wait time then was excruciating as well — always 45+ minutes at least. Their computer went down while I was there as well. This office is not managed well. And scheduling is inefficient.
If I was the doctor who owned that place, I’d clean house.
AVOID AT ALL COSTS. THERE ARE BETTER VETS IN THE AREA.

SAVE YOURSELF THE TEARS AND MONEY.
This vet office only cares if you have money and how much of it you can give them for the WORST care you’re pet can get.
How is it you bring in you’re pet knowing there not themselves, sick to be told nothing is wrong, then days later your back (ironically needing to spend more money) and being told you need blood tests, xrays and a list of other tests to «rule» out possibilities. How about take care of what’s going on now and not looking for other problems.
So all this for what simply turns out to be a infection that needs antibiotics. Which I stressed to them. As well as a budget I needed to stay in. not only did it exceed what I thought but was looked down at when I declined certain tests.
The majority of the front desk staff are not friendly and give you that cold unfriendly shoulder, talking and texting not noticing your standing there. To top the whole experience off, not one phone call to check up and see how my pet was, probably because I didn’t spend so much money.
I have 2 dogs and 4 friends that live in the area all with pets. We are all going to different vets! PLEASE CONSIDER THE REVIEWS, being the only vet in the neighborhood makes him feel as though you need his care, I only wish things would change its nice having a vet close but I don’t see that happening, just jump on the train and head to Astoria!

While I do understand that Sunnyside Pet Healthcare has state of the art technology, this place is insanely overpriced! The wait is also insanely long, even if you have an appointment! While Dr. Goldenberg is knowledgeable, he is also condescending and frankly rude. While I was expressing my concerns about my sick cat and explaining his symptoms, he continuously interrupted me. I am currently searching for a better veterinary office

This is the first time to write a review on Unilocal and I didn’t even have an ID until a second ago, but since I love sunnyside and people around here, I feel I should inform you guys if you don’t want to waste your time over the phone.
I have a year old lovely female cat, and she’s been throwing up with little bit of hair balls recently.
Today when I came home, I noticed that there are three vomits on the floor so I immediately called to here since it is located near my house.
I explained everything about what I’ve seen and how she seemed,
but the first response from the receptionist was «Why did you not call me last week?»
Well, excuse me, are you saying that you want me to talk a time machine thing to go past and call you back or what? her tone made me think I was on the phone with my mom for a second.
I was going to explain to her nicely which wasn’t necessary at all since she isn’t the vet whom I needed to talk to.
However she cut me off while I was talking and put me on a hold.
And then she told me that I would need a medical record otherwise I wouldn’t be able to take my sick cat to there. I do not have the medical record since I just moved to New york from Portland, so I asked, what I should do for that?
she said, I have to go to a clinic which they could make the medical record and fax it to them. so I asked her again, do you want me to to go a clinic and then take my cat to you, she said yes.
which does not make sense at all, what the hell is this place for?
why would I even go to this place if I have to go the pet clinic while my cat can get treated there?
After this meaningless time, I called the one on the steinway street which didn’t ask me anything like this paper and I was told that they’re available right away. I didn’t have to explain why I didn’t take my cat on last week. I was relived.
It took me a couple hours to get my cat examined and treated,
and my cat is sleeping on my legs as writing this.
By many positive reviews and compliments on the veterinarian in this place, I feel sorry to him that he has such an awful step to work with.
Dr. Goldenberg, I would’ve gone to this place If i could’ve talked to you definitely.

I don’t recommend this vet. I was bringing both my cats here for a few years and this is the gist:
1. There is always a long, long wait.
2. The receptionists are rude. They act like I am trying to get away with something whenever I go to pick up the overpriced diet food that the vet ordered — taking forever to look up the cat’s prescription, never understanding which food I need, and generally being incompetent and unhelpful.
3. The doctor overcharges and tries to squeeze the most money out of patients possible. He had my geriatric cat’s teeth cleaned, which cost nearly a $ 1000 after all the surcharges and extra medical procedures related to his age.
4. I thought my geriatric cat seemed sick and the vet dismissed my concerns, saying the weight loss was normal. Another vet confirmed there was something wrong (still not concretely diagnosed, but something with the pancreas and GI and seemingly terminal).

So this saga with my cat’s urinary problems has been going on for over two months now and Dr. Goldenberg at Sunnyside Pet Healthcare is the third vet I’ve brought her to. First I brought her to someone because it was an emergency and that office was open on Sundays. Next I brought her to my usual vet who gave me more and more reasons to not like his office so I finally brought her to Sunnyside to give them a try. So far, so good. Dr. Goldenberg seems very thorough and I can tell he is taking the time to listen to me and really look at the issue from every angle to see if he can find a solution. I also don’t feel he is pushing unnecessary tests or prescriptions on me that would cost me more money.
I like that the office prints off a detailed bill and also a summary of your pet’s issues so you can read about it at home. This helps too because a lot of times things go in one ear and out the other at doctor’s appointments because you’re so flustered and worried about things.
So far its also been very easy to get in touch with Dr. Goldenberg. When I called to follow up about lab results, I was sure I’d have to wait around for him to call me back but I was put through to him right away.
I called this office before I came here to find out their hours and to see if they actually had an answering machine and on a Sat night at 9:30pm, Dr. Goldenberg answered because all the calls were being forwarded to his cell phone for emergencies. THAT is how a Vet’s office should be!
The office staff/​techs here are also great and take time to answer the 100 questions I usually have. I came here on a Saturday and was taken in 10 min prior to my appointment time. The practice itself is rather large with a waiting room that doesn’t feel cramped. There are separate, private exam rooms so your pet can roam around the room while waiting for the doctor. I believe they also have boarding here as well.
Minus one star because they don’t have any discounts or promotions for new customers.

I recently got a dog for Christmas and the store recommended me to go to Sunnyside Pet Healthcare Center! Getting here is already a travel for me but the negative review on Unilocal made me nervous if my decision of coming here was best for my puppy!
I made my appointment early so I would not have such a long wait time! I arrived early and it took the receptionist a good hour to get the new paper work for a pet in order! While their was other people/​pets at the center, it seem like they were going into surgery. So I was the only one waiting to see the doctor! So during the whole hour when the assistant came out a good 4 to 5 times and asked for patient! The receptionist told her she was still working on my papers! I know it early and I am lacking my coffee too but an hour to get a chart/​paperwork together is way to long! Lost a star because of the wait due to paperwork and pet center should be more suffusion!
The assistant on the other hand was very attentive! She ask if this was our first puppy and gave us hits and common do and do not. I told her what to expect in the coming months such as biting everything (already started), loosing baby teeth and eating habits. She was really knowledge and slowly gave us facts, and she was not all in your face! The assistant earned all the stars for this place! Since I only meet Dr. Goldenberg for a couple of min to give a shoot! He seem caring but I will wait for more visit before further reviewing and will update in 3 weeks when I return!

The one star is because the vet himself seems like a nice man. That’s it.
I went in, was there for 2 hours, saw the vet once for about 15 minutes. He barely looked at my dog, gave me absolutely zero practical advice, and then told me he needed a skin test. It was expensive, but I said ok because I’m desperate to figure out if my dog is biting himself for some other reason besides anxiety. First they told me I had to wait for a result in-​house, but I made a fuss about it (since I’d already been there an hour and a half), and they told me I could call for my results the next day.
I called the next day. I got put on hold for a good ten minutes so I hung up. I called the NEXT day, they said his tests weren’t done yet. I called 3 days later and they said, «OH, OOPS WE LOST YOUR FILE. Please come in for another visit and we’ll do the test again free of charge». I was pissed but agreed to come back.
So today, I go back, I wait an hour and 15 minutes to see the vet. He apologized for the wait, the lost file, etc. Then he tells me that my dog needs to take steroids to help him stop itching. I had to pull details out of him as to the side effects, etc. He didn’t give me any other options, even after I asked him if I could just use the special shampoo and not the steroids, as the diet change I’d already effected seemed to be helping him scratch less. He didn’t offer me anything as compensation for my lost time.
I went to check out, and they gave me my bill. Surprise surprise! They had given him a steroid injection that I had not been told about and that I was magically being billed for. Wonderful.
I am NEVER going there again.
Take your pets to Whiskers on The Lower East Side. Look it up on Unilocal,it’s a wonderful place.
Eve Polch

I am not sorry that I recently enrolled my pup into another healthcare facility. My decison was based on the following:
–Staff members/​receptionists are not competent with updating or checking pet’s records particularly immunizations/​blood work, etc. Ex. our first visit had staff members debating whether our 12 wk. old pup shots were due. After confirming it was not due, we were told he needs the required vaccines today.
–Front receptionists will act like they’re doing you a favor for any type of paperwork or phone call. Expect to wait until they actually look you in the eye. It was 15 mins. before I was even acknowledged for filling out paperwork (a bit of an agonizing wait for either the female or male receptionist to lift a finger b/​c they’re too busy socializing or taking breaks. Why bother?)
–Expect a 2 hr. wait even if you are already scheduled on their calendar. Yes, unfortunately my pup was waiting in his carrier for the duration of the time.
–If you have questions, don’t bother b/​c the staff will repeat in monotone of the terms as defined in their contracts/​billing statements (isn’t this how credit card companies work!!!)
–The vet is really nice but it feels like I’m watching a magician perform tricks. I’m not even sure if he really gave my pup a shot or just rubbed his leg while we were distracted, «there, all better!»
— It’s puzzling how our receipts always comes out more than what was billed in the invoice. Extra services billed w/​o approval or discussion.
–We’re convinced they operate similarily as a car dealership, the usual expensive, state of art equipment/​facilities. Like with all fancy tuning/services…it’s always more than expected!
–Our last visit was a full front seat on a reality show. A wacko regular was treated like a celebrity causing the whole facility and entire staff to take a break. The two hour wait turned into a non-​stop gabbing session. Apparently, he knew how to do makeup/​hair so he gave a lesson to the receptionist. Next hour and a half included details about his life, non-​regrets, sexual history, (eww.TMI), hobbies, childhood, and his cat.
Do yourself a favor and go to real professionals for your pet care. And trust me, you’ll see the difference!

This place is great, the staff is so helpful and my puppy loves them. They are more expensive but they have to stay in business too. The facilities are clean and the staff reliable which is a major plus.

All of these angry reviews have me so confused. Am I going to the same place? Is it because my last vet price gouged me so badly and whose office was depressing and dark and who forced me into needless procedure after procedure that I feel so lucky to be here?
I love this place! The staff is happy. Their hours are ample. Yes, there is a bit of a wait at times, but others you just fly right through. They’ve never hesitated at me bringing my dogs in on a moments notice and always work to reassure me everything is okay (I’m super neurotic). You get a pre-​visit (or triage or whatever it’s called) with a nurse which I completely understand and then you see the doc. In my experience he has always been warm & gentle. He is open and friendly and listens to all of my concerns. Best of all, I get the feeling that he actually loves animals. When bill time comes around (and again it could be because of the astronomical bills I received elsewhere), I always breathe a sigh of relief because I was expecting much worse.
I don’t know if I’m lucky or oblivious or perhaps experiencing reality here, but I have always had a good experience here and will continue to take a bus 20 minutes (past 2 other vets) to get here.

Save yourself some aggravations, and give your pet a chance! Avoid at all cost to this vet. Avoid, avoid, avoid.
To summarize, as others have pointed out already:
1. Forever wait time: First, I waited at least 45 minutes to get into the exam room; then another 45 minutes for Dr. Goldenberg to see you pet… then another… nevermind.
What exactly happened: The first time I went, because I was practically one block away, I gone through with the wait. Same thing for the second time, except I left after the 45 minute wait in the exam room. I waited for a total of 90 minutes, but I haven’t even gotten a glimpse of the doctor.
I am never going back. I now travel back to my old vet (Animal Kind) in Park Slope. Including transportation AND wait time, it costs me the SAME amount of time, but with a group of much much more professional and dedicated staff.
2. Dr. Goldenberg guilted & scared me into having tests, injections, procedures and medications that are probably unnecessary, but just to, of course, charge as much as he could. He didn’t give me any option or alternative. Let alone explanation. Just plain unethical. I can see the difference between professional and courtesy vets and Mr. Goldenberg.
Seriously Mr. Goldenberg (can’t call him Dr. anymore), can you at least hire another vet? But I know you want to pocket all your profit yourself at the end of the day, especially with all those unnecessary procedures you force onto your patients. And how can 1 doctor be sufficient serving everyone in the neighborhood?