ANIMALISM – Vets in St Albans
Clinic Overview
ANIMALISM is a St Albans veterinary practice that reviewers often describe as independent. Its website lists a broad mix of routine care and more advanced work, including CT scans, dental X-rays, laparoscopic spay, and TPLO surgery. The practice also says the team will discuss treatment options and provide estimates, with listed prices excluding prescribed medications.
Services
- •Routine appointments and preventive care: consultations, re-examinations, microchipping, puppy and kitten vaccination courses, booster vaccinations for dogs and cats, kennel cough vaccination, rabies vaccination, rabbit myxo-RHD vaccination, and Animal Health Certificates for travel.
- •Surgery and neutering: dog, cat, and rabbit spays and castrations, including laparoscopic spay. The website also lists BOAS procedures and TPLO surgery. Owners also mention an emergency C-section being handled with clear discussion of options and costs.
- •Diagnostics and dentistry: dental X-rays, dental procedures grouped into bands 1-4, CT scans, and CT reporting options.
- •Examples owners mention: help with cat ear problems, advice on food and general health during check-ups, written guidance for prospective dog owners, practical handling of medication supply to help reduce cost, and supportive end-of-life care including euthanasia appointments.
Pricing
Published prices suggest the clinic sits below average, based on a partial sample of comparable services. The practice says it publishes a price list, discusses treatment options and estimates with owners, and lists prices excluding any prescribed medications. In reviews, owners mention clear explanations of options and prices, and several describe the practice as caring and not profit-led.
People
- •Andre Hess (vet): repeatedly praised for experience, kindness, careful listening, clear explanations, and long-term care over many years.
- •Alex (vet): described as knowledgeable, pleasant, and kind, with one owner saying their cat quickly warmed to him and another highlighting advice on food and overall health.
- •Claire (vet): thanked for warmth and calmness with cats, and also mentioned positively for compassionate support during an elderly cat’s euthanasia appointment.
- •Catarina and Sophie: praised for being upfront and helpful around treatment options, answering questions, and offering reassurance around surgery and recovery.
- •Wider team: reception and staff are described as friendly, efficient, compassionate, and reassuring.
Reviews
Google rating: 4.8/5 from 179 reviews.
- •Recent reviews are strongly positive overall, with many owners describing the practice as caring, calm, professional, and genuinely focused on animals’ welfare.
- •Several reviews highlight clear communication, including careful explanations of treatment options, transparent discussion of prices, and a feeling that unnecessary extras are not being pushed.
- •Andre Hess receives repeated praise for compassion, skill, and continuity of care, while Claire, Alex, Catarina, and Sophie are all thanked by name for reassurance and kindness.
- •Owners also mention the team handling both routine care and difficult situations well, including ongoing care for elderly pets and support through emergency surgery and loss.
