Having a dawg in Hamilton...

[mummummum]

...isn't easy. While there are many, many dogs and cats ( sooooo many strays and ferals) I can't say I've found it to be particularly dawg-friendly.

With that said, I've only been here for a wee bit and would love to hear I'm wrong. There are only three off-leash parks, none of which are accessible to me as they are waaaaay too far away. I do not drive. Dogs are not allowed on transit here and with Ceili's mobility issues walking farther than a few blocks just isn't on. And, to be perfectly candid, I'm counting every penny these days so cab fare needs to be "worth it".

But, I digress...what I'm after now is 1/ a vet and 2/ a groomer.

We've been to a Vet once. Ancaster I think it was. But, that's a $30 +++ one-way cab ride. Can anyone recommend a Vet and groomer downtown-ish? With ramps? And a little easier on the pocket book than my old Vet's minimum, automatic $75 office visit?

In my they are also naturopath/ homeopathic "friendly".

[Winston]

Well MMM I didnt know we were neighbours! anyway Hamilton is really dog friendly!! I found this info for you on the dog parks. I know from past years that the SPCA location did have an issue a couple of years ago with Ticks but I didnt hear much about it this year.

As for the vets they are all pretty much the same rate. The only real way to save would be to drive to the locations outside the city for a much less expensive rate. I can PM that info to you later once I get home. There are couple of locations just outside Hamilton...I know you said you dont drive but they are the cheapest.

As for groomer I know alot of people that have used a place on Hamilton Mountain called Dogs by Daisy. Apparently she has alot of experience and many people like her.

In the downtown core of Hamilton near Locke street there is an after hours emergency vet but they are really really pricey.

PM me if you want more info..

Cindy

[14+kitties]

Have you tried Googling the groomers and vets in your area MX3? It's a great tool sometimes to try to find something close. Good luck.
I don't know Hamilton at all or I would offer to come drive you to places you need to get to. I'm not far away from there.

[Winston]

MMM here is the info I have for vets...not really local to downtown however if you are having something done that is costly this place is in Brantford and they are very reasonable. They also have a very good reputation.

http://www.beattieanimalhospital.com/

I have called around to various places as well because I still do not have a vet anymore for Winston. I was unhappy with the last vet and now see a new one but they are cats only...so I hear on trying to find a good one. Most of them will groom but they do charge for it.

There is a petsmart in Ancaster as well as Stoney Creek/Hamilton Mtn that do have facilities that groom. They used to have a spa package that was a bath, ear cleaning and mail trim. (makes for a good doggy sitter for about 3 hours too! )

Welcome to the Hammer by the way! and if you ever need anything just holler!!!

[Tommysmom]

MMM, where are you in Hamilton? My friend and coworker lives there, pretty much right downtown, and has a vet that she walks to as she doesn't drive, I can find out where it is if you like. She does take her doggies on transit, or at least has before, but they are small dogs. If you give me a street/cross street or something that you are close to she might have some suggestions for you. I'll be working with her tomorrow morning so I can ask her then.

[mummummum]

GOOGLE ????? Why didn't I think of that? ....

The reason I ask 14+ is because of Ceili. In Toronto I had to shop around when *our* groomer Claire moved away and was surprized at the number of shops that had no ramps, huge staircases etc. etc. I just can't take any risks with her hips at this point. I didn't realize you were so near to here mf...

I thought you were a Hammer grrrrl Winston but Tommysmom ~ are you guilty as charged as well? For some reason I thought you were out Ajax o Whitby way. I knew about the Beattie in Brantford as I know a gal who has done a wee bit of TNR on her own and that's where she takes the critters. But Brantford might be a bit of a cabfare problem... I ran in to poodle owner yesterday and funnily enough he too recommended Daisy ~ she must be good!

I live in a Code Red neighbourhoodhttp://www.thespec.com/topic/codered ~ not awfully far from King and Wentworth.

Any and all info would be great. What I'm really after is is first-hand experience and recommendations...

[rainbow]

I just checked the vetratingz website and this is what comes up for Hamilton ....

http://www.vetratingz.com/SelectThing.jsp?tcvid=22657


Gagemount Animal Hospital and Glanbrook Veterinary Services have the best ratings but I have no idea if they are close to you.

[mummummum]

Thanks Rainbow ~ I've never heard of that website. Not sure how far either of them are from my house (I'm still getting the whole North/ South thing here ~ everything is backwards!!!!) but I'll...google them.

[rainbow]

Mums, just click on the vet clinic name and it gives you info about them and then you can click on the map to find their location.

Then you won't have to *google*.

[14+kitties]

Ok, don't know if this helps or not but Gagemount Animal Hospital is near Lime Ridge Mall.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps#b90d67a39a3e5de419860ced

[Winston]

MMM thats my old vets office and I wouldnt reccomend them. I wont mention it here as I dont want to slander anyone but not high on my list as well as Rockland Veterinary.

Its close to Limeridge and on a bus route but not close to where you are I am pretty sure your east end of downtown right?

[mummummum]

Yup Winston I'm a wee jog from King and Wentworth. And thanks for the heads up ~ I'll take your word on it.

I was hoping Tommysmom had had a chance to speak with her friend about the one that is downtownish.

[mummummum]

Originally Posted by 14+kitties

Ok, don't know if this helps or not but Gagemount Animal Hospital is near Lime Ridge Mall.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps#b90d67a39a3e5de419860ced

Haven't yet made it to Limeridge but I do know it's approx. distance ~ thanks!

Man...ever wonder how we survived before the internet?

[Shaykeija]

lol

[rainbow]

Originally Posted by Shaykeija

lol

...good one.

[mummummum]

........

[rainbow]

Oh, and I hope Tommysmom decides to pop in again to update for you.

[Tommysmom]

Sorry! First chance I've had to get back, shhhhhhhhhhhhh I'm at work, lol.

MMM, you're pretty close to my friend. She goes to the Downtown Animal Hospital, it's on King St between Sanford and Burris, if you know where that is... 780 King St. They've been pretty good with her, she has a diabetic cat (along with 2 other cats and 2 dogs) so she's a pretty frequent flyer there.

I hope this helps!!

[mummummum]

Brilliant ~ thank you Tommysmom! I do know where that is (and I don't even have to hold the map upside down to figure it out ! <-----translation for others: We 'refugees from Toronto' to Hamilton become directionally challenged as the lake is to the north here rather than to the south)

I'll walk Bridie down there tomorrow and have quick peek and maybe a howdy-do before I make an appt. with Ceili.

It would be such a great load off my mind to have a good vet nearby for for my grrrrls.