VERG - Veterinary Emergency and Referral Group Brooklyn

Took my Pet here as a transfer from VMCLI longisland. What a waste of time and trip VMCLI was. They took 3K upfront and treated my pet really bad and wanted to push for a surgery. I decided to take my pet to VERGE and everything form treatment to service was outstanding. We were in an out and got a call next day that our puppy passed along the sock without needing any surgery. Excellent service , staff and facility.

I've had a really great experience bringing my cat here. We were referred during an emergency – her kidney values were high and she wasn't eating well. VERG handled her intake quickly, got her started on fluids, and she was looking better right away. She had to stay for a few nights and they provided daily updates via phone call. They also provided daily financial updates via email, which was really helpful. We've been back for follow-ups and all the staff is great. Dr. Trainer and Dr. Pavlova were especially attentive, and so great about explaining things.

My Hannah needed emergency surgery back in April and I was a nervous wreck but the sweet beautiful front desk lady who I wish I could thank for that day who was so patient with me until I figured out how to pay for it and helped calm me down. The doctors were also great and patient with my dog whose fear reactive and me who asked so many questions until I took her home.

Two major complaints:

First, the upselling tactics made me incredibly uncomfortable. I was pressured to hospitalize our cat, Ernie, because an ultrasound could not be performed over a holiday weekend. Fortunately, I saved thousands refusing this unnecessary care.

Second, I actually returned days later to have the ultrasound done but it has been over 10 days since and VERG has yet to review the results with me or my vet (despite payment in full at time of service and persistent follow up on a daily basis from both of me and the vet)!

Complete waste of time and money.

Giving this review 4 stars: 5 stars for multiple previous stellar visits, and 2 stars for today.

Today, Sunday, I brought my cat to verg when he had bloody urine with visible crystals and my vet was closed. Verg took my cat right away, I waited 7 hours in the waiting room before any update (was he okay, or were they just busy, should I go home and wait for a call and come back? When I asked the sweet admin staff, they didn’t have information). Then I was moved to a room, and waited 60 minutes for a doctor, who said my cat was okay, but needed some tests, and sincerely apologized for the delay that it was a crazy day with higher priority cases. While with the doctor, she gave me her full attention and was considerate/professional. We agreed to do a few diagnostic tests, and she suggested I go out for dinner and come back in hour to pick my cat up. I left, came back, and then waited an additional two. The poor woman sitting next to me throughout the day was crying in anxiety, not wanting to leave to get food, and cleary irritated from the same 11-hour wait time as me.

I understand need to prioritize life-threatening cases and that the very kind verg staff is doing the best they can. And I’d like to request that verg consider ways to update their system protocol so that clients can be more informed about their pet’s health status/place in the queue so clients can determine how to take care of themselves (emotional and practical) during their wait time.

Horrible. I brought my cat in for a urinary infection. They never send me home with anything but a $375 bill. I had to take my cat to franklin animal hospital and they give me the antibiotics my cat needed and I spend less. Don't bring your pet there. It's a waste of time and money. Go to franklin animal hospital in brooklyn.

I had to bring my dog in when she was both puking and pooping blood. They took my information and after waiting a bit had a nurse triage her and then went back to the waiting room. Since they determined she was stable I was waiting for the doctor for a couple hours, which I feel is to be expected in an emergency room. If she was the animal in critical condition I would want her to go to the front of the line so I can't begrudge that. The staff was friendly and communicative. I hope I never have to take my dog to the ER again but if I did I'd bring her back here.

Last week I had a tragic event with 14 year old dog and when telling friends and family I somehow felt compelled to include how kind and professional the staff was at VERG during a very emotional and confusing time. Alex the admin who also fielded my phone call was so calm and compassionate. She went above and beyond in her efforts, and the vet (sorry, forgot name) was extraordinary too. Everything was done in a timely, clear, compassionate manner.. and even this end-of-life event bill/cost was as fair as things get in NYC. This show of kindness and competence is rare these days, and I'm grateful for the help I received that night.

I have been sitting at the waiting room for 3 hours. They just recently moved me to a small room to see a doctor and the wait has been 20 min so far. Last time I’m here, I will definitely just spend the extra money on someplace more reliable. My cat needs medical attention.

Unless you have 7+ hours of your life to waste or your pet is on its deathbed, don’t go here. We visited in September 2023 with our dog who had developed a mammary tumor in a matter of days. Waited 5 hours and were never seen. Most other families had been waiting 7-10 hours that day (a Sunday). When our dog succumbed to her cancer less than two weeks later, I called them to ask about euthanasia (as our dog had stopped eating). The person who answered the phone was nonchalant, not helpful and just told me “it’s shift change. So it could take hours.”

I brought my kitty-man Tony here for a specialty appointment (derm) with Dr. Piccione. I’m so glad I did. Yes it’s expensive but my consultation was extremely thorough and so far the treatment plan is working! After 12+ months of trying regular local vets to identify the cause of Tony’s extreme itching and self mutilation I finally have hope and see a light at the end of the tunnel. The front desk and checkout staff is welcoming and helpful despite working in what I would imagine to be a very stressful job. The vet techs are thorough and friendly. Everyone has been great so far. Tony’s still not totally in the clear but I know he’s in the best hands with Verg. I’ve been to countless vets in Brooklyn trying to find him relief and Verg is the best. Office is also clean and there’s a good amount of seating available for your wait. Zero complaints.

We have been going to VERG for many years and have been very happy with the vets and techs who care for our dogs. Unfortunately, we had a terrible interaction with one of the vet techs today. During intake, she had a horrible attitude. No bedside manner. She rushed through everything, asked us no questions, and made comments about our dog being “vicious.” Our dog is less than 15 lbs. He became uncomfortable and testy when she took his temperature and since we are repeat visitors, this info is in his chart as part of the history. Our dog hates getting his temp taken! She didn’t communicate what she would do during the intake and when I started to share info, she said “please don’t interrupt me.” I did not get her name but she was seeing pets on 10/6 from 5:30pm-7:15pm. She also complained that our dog almost broke her very long black nails, which in my opinion don’t seem practical for a hands on job at an emergency vet facility. When our dog was brought out at the end of the examination, she made more sarcastic comments. I hope this tech was just having a bad day but if this attitude is the norm, she needs more training and professional development. We were quite surprised because we have never had a negative interaction with anyone at VERG.

The worst experience ever. Came here on November 2021 with our little baby yorkie on Sunday morning. Our baby was bad that morning. When we step up to the vet office they asked first - what do you want to do? Save him or just put out baby to sleep. No one even didn’t look at him first . Of course we said we want to know what’s happening with him and they asked to authorise credit card for $5000. So they did run all testes and ultra sound , did iv… but they told us there is no doctors because it’s Sunday and no one can read test and results of the blood so we have to wait till Tuesday morning when someone will come to the office . 3 different doctors changes every 12 hours and only on Monday someone decide to tell us the truth that our baby has a spleen cancer:/ so we lost our baby and was charge crazy amount of money they don’t care about your baby or your feelings, they just care about your Money! Stay away from them

The workers in this place are great for the most part. I had some phenomenal experiences with some of the people here during my cats stay. I think the concern is the emphasis on making money and receiving the money instead of helping these animals. Some of the numbers I heard shot out in this place while I was there were unbelievable. I spent $20,000 on a cat surgery, and that was just a surgery alone and he did not survive. I believe this is due to the focus on making $

Every staff member I interacted with, from the front desk to the nurses to the doctors to the financial administrators, were so great. I can’t say enough good things about them; friendly, caring, compassionate, professional, patient, accommodating, I’ve been there twice now and experienced this level of attention from the entire staff each time. Exactly the kind of care that is so crucially reassuring during such a high stress situation as a pet emergency. Even in the face of a full waiting room, their commitment never wavered.