

South Metro Animal Emergency Care
415 reviews


415 reviews
South Metro Animal Emergency Care in Apple Valley has been treating sick and injured pets for over 28 years. Our dedicated staff understands how frightening an after-hours or weekend pet emergency can be, and we’re committed to treating your family friend as if it were our own. Our treatment area, in-house laboratory, and intensive care ward enable South Metro’s veterinarians and technicians to use state-of-the-art technology and the latest medical advances to diagnose and treat a wide variety of critically ill and seriously injured pets.
(952)-953-3737
14690 Pennock Avenue, Apple Valley, MN, 55124
Sunday
Open 24 hours
Monday
Open 24 hours
Tuesday
Open 24 hours
Wednesday
Open 24 hours
Thursday
Open 24 hours
Friday
Open 24 hours
Saturday
Open 24 hours
04.02.2026
I have a bunch of critters and over the years we've tried basically all of the local emergency vets and I absolute will never go anywhere else. They have saved one of my cats and one of my dogs and when we lost a dog to cancer last year they provided a safe and gentle environment for that to happen. They always explain all of the options in exactly the amount of detail you need; they're able to prescribe appropriately for MDR1 positive dogs. They're very reasonably priced compared to the national branded practices. If you call and its not an emergency they'll send you back to primary care rather than just taking your money for nothing like some places do.
03.22.2026
Don’t go here! They tried to charge 1200.00 to confirm my dog had died! Cremation for pets said they get the most pets from this emergency clinic! They’re oxygen had run out & my pet died! They’re told me, sorry, the oxygen ran out! My tree trimmer’s pet died after a teeth cleaning and was told the same-sorry, our oxygen isn’t working! He is devastated! I am as well! I got another dog and the female vet said she would try one of two shots for a heart attack & then told me, sorry, I guess the other shot for my dog was the right one. Omg! I will be devastated forever now, as was pure incompetence on her part. No more pets. The trauma dealing with this clinic was life changing. DO NOT bring your pets here! I can only hope the Vet Board dealt with this clinic. They also lied to me! Prices are negotiable if you know to ask. I have 100.00 in meds they charged and killed my dog giving the wrong shot, yet charged me anyway for the take home meds. What a travesty & deceitful clinic. The Vet lied to Blue Pearl and said my dog was fine when I rushed to Blue Pearl! Report to Vet Boards! Don’t wait if you have issues with any Vet! Hold accountable! Pets are our kids! That pain never ends. Please close this clinic! How are you even open when you killed dogs when YOUR oxygen ran out……
03.11.2026
Thank you for seeing Bucket so quickly when we were worried about a blockage. Thank you for your kindness. We are so thankful for the services received.
03.10.2026
Our first experience going to South Metro Animal Emergency Care on Sunday afternoon. It was SO busy, but the staff members all were amazing and kind! I was so impressed by their professionalism and kindness.
03.02.2026
We regret bringing our 7yr old small dog here to help with his first seizure. We were there for hours and they did not initially offer simple seizure medicine which would have prevented another seizure. WHAT? And upon leaving they also did not offer us medicine to start him on right away, but they misled/lied to us into believing it was sent to a local pharmacy they asked us to choose. I even went to the pharmacy and they did not have an order. A whole day later after calling in twice and speaking with the Hospital Administrator we found it was never even sent to that pharmacy, so they lied, but to an online pharmacy which would have taken several days to receive. Extremely poor communication, which proves they really don't care about our dogs health. We were upset with this so we ended up going to a different Pet Emergency Care center in Golden Valley and the care was SO MUCH BETTER!!!. They gave him medication immediately and we left there with the proper medication and instructions/knowledge in hand. We noticed a HUGE difference in professionalism and pet care. He has not had a seizure since. I did follow up with South Metro and they professionally apologized but in the end professional care was not given to our dog. Never again will we set foot in there and what a waste of time/money.
02.22.2026
Thank you so much! We had to take our cat in tonight after she had a scary bout of vomiting and apparent stomach discomfort. Since it is a Saturday, our regular vets office was not open. When I called, the staff here were very kind, asked questions to help us and them determine the level of emergency, and let us know possible wait times. Once we arrived we waited a bit, but it was clear that there were a few others with bigger emergencies going on. It’s clear the staff here have a good grasp on prioritization based on severity. Once our sweet girl was seen, the doctor gave us a few options and let us know what our next steps should look like and what to keep an eye out for in the next day or two. Everyone we interacted with was so incredibly kind, and on a scary and stressful occasion we really needed that. Thanks so much, we are so glad we brought our baby up to this clinic today.
02.19.2026
8 hrs at this place, 2 x-rays, NO answers and $1400 later- my dog was just examined by my normal vet clinic bc she wasn’t getting better and it’s an EAR INFECTION. Would not recommend going here if you can help it.
02.09.2026
Although I ended up at SMAEC unexpectedly and sadly had to say goodbye to my sweet cat, we received great care here. Everyone I interacted with was so kind and comforting. I appreciated everyone’s kindness and willingness to go above and beyond to offer support and care. Thank you to all SMAEC staff for what you do and the care you provide, especially during moments of heartbreak.
01.30.2026
I cannot thank South Metro enough for how they were able to diagnose my dog with his underlying health condition when my primary veterinarian was unable. While we learned that the prognosis for Gordon was that he had very little time left, they were able to provide some medication to get his symptoms manageable. After spending a few more cherished weeks with Gordon it was time for him to go to heaven. We took him back into South Metro and the kindness and compassion provided by the entire team working that evening was above and beyond. Gordon passed away peacefully in no small part to the care the fine people at South Metro provided. Thank you for everything!
01.12.2026
We had to put our dog down, and our normal vet was closed for the weekend. I called ahead of time, and they were waiting for me when I arrived. They took their time to be thorough, were very up front with their pricing, and were so very supportive during this awful time. I'm very grateful for the staff that took such good care of our sweet dog, and helped me through this tough time.
01.04.2026
Excellent and compassionate care for our seizuring dog. We are very grateful for the help we received.
01.01.2026
Awful experience. They put us & our suffering pet thru a rediculious amount of unnecessary procedures & grief. Female vet tech mocked our cat & his pain! If you have another option, take it! ☹️
12.31.2025
My dog received pretty terrible care my dog received at your clinic. My partner and I brought him in on Christmas morning with a significantly swollen, red, and droopy eye and some never-before-seen reverse sneezing. The vet asked us if my dog had gotten anything in his eye or injured it at all that we knew of, and we said no. She took him back for a stain test and checked his eye pressure which was all fine. She then told us it was probably just allergies, with a small chance of conjunctivitis, but probably not given he didn't have any discharge from his eye. We were told to give him some eye ointment and benadryl. When I asked how allergies could cause an eye to look like that for a significant amount of time, she got very defensive and told us we could pay for a chest x-ray. She did not give any explanation as to why that would be helpful, so we declined and went home. Three days of eye drops and benadryl go by, and my dog still looks the exact same as Christmas. We finally brought him into another emergency vet on Saturday night in the cities, and immediately the vet there tells us his eye is classic textbook Horner's syndrome. From a quick check of his mouth she tells us that his back teeth look infected, and his breath also smells like classic dental disease. She very quickly suspects that he has an abscess that is pressing on his nerve causing the eye issues. On top of all of that, she listens to his heart and finds a heart murmur which he's never had before. We brought him into our regular vet on Monday and they confirmed the heart murmur, horner's, and teeth looking bad. The following day he gets a dental cleaning and in the end needed to get 11 teeth removed due to the severe abscessing and bone decay. The vet missed "textbook" signs of Horner's. She did not examine anything else on him. She did not look at his mouth or listen to his heart at all. Every other vet we brought him to did all of that, and suspected he was in significant pain. On top of all of that, I know we visited on Christmas day, but the vet was also unprofessional and visibly looked and spoke like she hated being there and would rather be anywhere else. I get it, it's Christmas, I don't want to be there either, but I expect you to be professional and do your job. I know diagnosing can be tricky, but if your vets barely do an examination and miss textbook perfect signs of issues, that is objectively poor care. We will not be going back to this clinic ever, and will not be recommending it to any of our friends or family.
12.20.2025
The SMAEC team is an absolute blessing to have close to home. I brought in my 15 year old cat that was not breathing well. I called before coming, to verify that they had space and could accommodate her likely need for an oxygen cage. The reception staff was professional, helpful and sympathetic both on the phone and once we arrived at the clinic. An awesome technician (Danny, I believe?) was ready almost immediately upon our arrival to take my girl to the back for triage. The paperwork process for immediate needs (CPR ok?) was practical and honest. The additional forms and quotes for care were very clear, no mystery charges. The subsequent time at the clinic was as good as an emergent situation could be. The lobby and exam rooms are clean and have additional information posted. The veterinarian was sympathetic to the situation, while honest about the likely diagnosis after xrays. She explained the ideal treatment plan for stabilizing my cat's breathing. Clear estimates of the cost of care were provided. Ultimately, I chose a slightly different treatment plan than the ideal proposed, as the cost for overnight care on oxygen was not something I could handle financially. The treatment plan was switched to an injection to accommodate my decision to take her home for monitoring and oral medications. We are 3 weeks out, and while I know she isn't and can't be cured from HCM, the CHF is being managed at this time by her regular vet. She is back to happily eating and being a loving part of our family. We are thrilled to keep loving on her as long as possible, given she is happy and comfortable. This cat is a good buddy to our son, whose birthday it was the day I brought her in. I am very grateful to the SMEAC team for their help in our family's time of need.
12.01.2025
We had a good experience at South Metro. The vets and the vet techs were all very professional and kind. Yes, it is expensive, emergency medical care always is for both animals and humans alike.
11.11.2025
It's taken me time to be able to write my review because of emotions. But this place needs a huge shout out. From the moment I called they were amazing. My cat had been attacked and needed care asap. After my phone call to them and filling out the forms they texted asking what time we thought we would be there. When we walked in the door there was a staff member there with her arms out ready to grab my sweet Cosmo. They were so kind and compassionate throughout the time we were there. They did great with keeping us updated and giving us all of our options. We unfortunately ended up having to put him to sleep. They made us feel so peaceful in our decision and gave us all the time we needed before, during, and after. After Cosmo gained his wings they cleaned him up and cut some of his hair and whiskers and put them in a jar for my kids. They also did paw prints in whatever colors my kids picked. I never hope anyone has to use an emergency vet for their babies but if you do, this one is a great option to have. Thank you guys for all you did for our family and Cosmo. 💙
10.22.2025
Our cat had an emergency and needed to be held for 24 hours. The doctors and staff were exceptionally kind and understanding of our distress and explained the causes very understandably. We asked to visit Cat halfway through his stay and the staff welcomed us and let us stay as long as we desired. While at home we were contacted every eight hours or so with updates on Cat treatment.
10.14.2025
The doctor and staff were very caring on the evening of 9/11, when we brought our black lab in. Due to his age and emergency circumstances, we knew it was his time, but still very hard to face. They empathized with us and gave us the needed time to say goodbye. There was no rush at all. They took great care with him and made sure he was comfortable and explained everything to us so we would understand the process. They made the most painful process bearable for us. We thank them immensely.
10.11.2025
I have to thank this place so much for helping me through probably the hardest time in my life in recent days. In May, I lost my 12 year-old Frenchie and the end of September, I lost my 14-year-old Boston terrier. This place from beginning to end are some of the nicest people and compassionate that I have run into. And I am very grateful and thankful that they were there to help me through this ordeal. Thank you so much 🤍🤍🤍
10.04.2025
I had an extraordinary experience here. Immediately when I came with my pup, the front desk workers helped me promptly. They asked questions, gathered my concerns and immediately got my pup back for vital signs. They gave me great advice and reassurance! My nerves were immediately calmed. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone!!!
09.21.2025
Apple Valley site- came for euthanasia of our dog. Forget the negative reviews- I read them and almost didn’t come here. That would have been the wrong decision. Staff, DrDavid L, ALL were amazing, compassionate and respectful. We can’t thank them enough!
09.09.2025
1 star if possible...Will NEVER go here again, after a horrific and traumatizing urgent euthanasia appt for my cat..this wasn't recent, but I am still haunted by the experience, the rudeness, and what my kitty had to go through..Have used in-home services since then, much more $$, but it is worth every penny to have your beloved pet pass with dignity.
08.29.2025
Check your bill and confirm what you are charged. Be careful not to taken advantage of in a time of need and desperation.
08.26.2025
08.24.2025
We have been here three different times now and had an amazing experience. One of the times our Cat Sitter had to bring our cat in for an emergency while we were out of the country and they did such a great job helping us navigate that. They work as quickly as they can to make sure that our cats feel healthy and better. The staff was amazing and super kind to all three of our cats.
08.23.2025
We had a 14+ year old dog (Winston) who had been having a seizure for close to an hour and they were the closest hospital to us We arrived close to midnight and my husband walked in with Winston in his arms who started to seizure again and the lady at the desk (didn’t get her name, I wish I did) asked me his name and any medications and came rushing to my husband to help our poor animal The care she showed in such a short time made us realize we were in the right spot Unfortunately after he was taken back and exams we were told the best thing to do was to put him down. It was the hardest thing my husband and I have ever been through but even a month after this terrible event we still talk about how great all the staff were in his treatment and being there for us. Whomever is in charge of this facility I hope the employees are recognized for such caring and professional care.
08.21.2025
My cat, Sylvie, needed to be seen immediately due to her age and the symptoms she was showing. The staff welcomed us in quickly, and every single person we encountered—from the front desk to the techs and veterinarians—was amazing. I can’t recommend this place enough. They provided clear estimates for worst-case scenarios, which helped me prepare, and the vet personally called me with updates on Sylvie’s care. Truly exceptional service and care!
08.20.2025
Had to bring my pup in yesterday for some stitches and everyone was so kind and helpful! Would absolutely recommend South Metro to anyone in the area. So thankful to everyone that cared for my Holly!
08.02.2025
Update: 08/11/2025; Picked up my kitty ashes today. The presentation was excellent of the Urn, a stand up rock piece with Nina's paw print and Name, a certificate of the cremation done on August 5, 2025, and lastly everything was in a nice bag. ------------------------------------ This will the most heartbreaking review that I post on Google. My poor cat Nina of 20 years was put down today 08/01/2025. She was my PTSD companion animal being I am a disabled veteran. She unfortunately had very bad arthritis in her back where she couldn't walk without pain. And possible lung cancer in her lung plus long term kidney disease too boot. With that said. The staff at this clinic were outstanding and sympathetic to my situation. Even the veterinarian who handled everything was great hence come to find out is also a D.A.V. volunteer driver that transports veterans to the Minneapolis VA hospital. They do offer a military discount and cremation services. I will keep my dear kitty ashes close to me on my bed stand. The receptionist offered me my kitty fur clippings in a jar for memory sake. Needless to say I am a emotional mess right now. But, I wanted to state that this clinic in my opinion is the best. Thank you for the comfort and service today. God bless you all.
07.20.2025
07.12.2025
Dawn, Harley and Von were super helpful in answering all my questions. The quality of service and care made it worth the money for me. Thank you!
06.25.2025
Perfect compassionate care even in the hardest situation of unexpectedly needing to let our dog go to sleep. Highly recommend- especially in the off hours when your vet is closed. Call them for any reason.
06.19.2025
I just wanted to thank the entire team at South Metro Animal Emergency Care for everything you did for Moose. You went above and beyond—doing so much more than we could’ve ever asked for, and we will never forget that. The attention, effort, and kindness you showed throughout meant so much to us. And when it was time to say goodbye, your compassion, patience, and understanding made all the difference. You helped us through one of the hardest moments with so much grace and support. We’re forever grateful.
06.17.2025
I brought my super sick, almost 17 year old cat, Ruben, in to the hospital last week. From the person who answered the phone as I called in tears, to the vet tech and Dr. Vaughn, everyone was so empathetic and caring on one of the most terrifying days of my life. They took such good care of my baby and I cannot thank them enough! My sweet boy is almost back to normal and after a week of not hearing him purr, he started to again last night! He's going to be ok.🩷
06.11.2025
I brought my chihuahua in knowing I would likely need to say goodbye to her. The staff from front desk, to nurses, to vet were all incredibly kind and made a very difficult day just a little easier for me. I was offered water, snacks and tissues and given as much time as I needed to say goodbye to my dog. She was also treated very kindly, given blankets and a soft bed to rest in. I will strongly recommend them to anyone in need of an emergency vet.
06.08.2025
Terrible place exam fee x-ray fee But they didn't do any of that But made me pay even though no service was done
06.04.2025
Our elderly dog began declining in health very quickly and she could no longer stand or move. We had to make the difficult decision to put her down. We called South Metro Animal Emergency Care very early in the morning. They were very nice and helpful on the phone and told us to call when we arrived. We called and they brought a stretcher out and lifted her from our car on the stretcher. They took her back while we were in a room. They cleaned her up (she had gone to the bathroom on herself). The doctor and nurses were very compassionate and very helpful. They made what was an awful and emotional time for our family as smooth as they could. I really appreciated their compassion and I highly recommend them to anyone who might need an emergency vet.
05.26.2025
This place is a scam and a mess. Waited almost four hours before I just left without being seen. Taking others first when my poor cat was puking and also had blood in his stool. Staff at front desk could be heard saying rude things and even watched as a couple who paid them $5,000 already gasped as they said they owed some $3,000 more! Turns out they didn’t owe and had they not stopped to review would have been scammed out of almsot$8,000. So dont go here. No compassion or empathy and they prey on clients emotions
05.12.2025
We took our sick cat, Odin, to South Metro Animal Emergency Care on Saturday, 5/10/25 and were VERY impressed with the care he received. We interacted with at least 5 different staff members and all of them were professional, knowledgeable, caring and patient. Dr. Lindquist was our vet and he was amazing. Staff clearly communicated the treatment plan and billing. This is an excellent 24/7 emergency vet clinic. Highly recommended if you need emergency vet services. They went above and beyond and we never felt rushed. I got the feeling that all staff truly care about the animals in their care.
05.09.2025
Thank you so very much for getting us through this emergency with Lucie. Your staff is the very best. Your love of animals and the care you give with so much compassion makes this the ONLY emergency clinic we would ever use and have used for years. Luckily emergencies don’t happen often but when they do we know where to go.
04.25.2025
I have been to the clinic with all of my dogs (at least once) since February. Dr. Birch and everyone at South Metro are wonderful. They took care of my little Frenchie, my cavalier and my mix-breed with great kindness. I am truly indebted to all of them.
04.17.2025
Everything happened so fast. We adopted Otis from a rescue in 2020. At that time he was 4 years old. Everything changed for sweet Otis when April 10th, 2025 came. Since that day, we noticed he has been sleeping more/lethargic and hasn't been eating. He has been drinking the same and urinating. When he did drink though, he would vomit. He had sudden onset of bad breath we couldn't identify why or how. When he was all well and rested, he had the energy to play and go on walks, though his speed was not as fast to keep up with our senior dog, Rosa. April 13th, 2025 came. It was my 35th birthday, and his 9th birthday. During breakfast, we had our routine of serving Otis and Rosa plain scrambled eggs. He did not want any part of it. I offered a small portion of peanut butter which showed interest, but after eating some he fell over. As I picked him up again, he went over to the watering bowl and fell over again. This prompted us to come to South Metro Animal Emergency Care. Here it was discovered Otis developed end stage renal disease. We were shocked and confused. We went through the process of elimination figuring out what could he have gotten into that progressed him to this stage in his young life. After talking to the DVM, my family justified there was no need to pursue treatment after hearing about his condition. We went home angry and sad. April 13th was a sunny day and Otis had the energy to sunbathe in his favorite spot on the patio. Later on when he saw me pull out Rosa's leash to take her own a walk, he did his howl of joy saying he wanted to go to. And we did, he was slow and tired, but his tail was wagging and he was happy. He surprisingly had an appetite and had two cans of wet food. April 14th. The Ring camera showed he was sleeping most of the day while we were at work/school. When we got home, he perked up to greet each one of us. He played, cuddled, but was tired. April 15th. The Ring camera showed he was sleeping again during our absence. When we got home, he wanted to greet us, but when he did so he was toppling over, walking into the walls of the house, and limping. We knew it was time to guide him onto his next journey. We returned that same evening and the staff was able to get us in right away for euthanasia. They explained the process, gave us a tuft of Otis' fur in a jar that had a pawprint charm attached, and offered complimentary inked paw prints which we accepted. They asked if we would like some privacy to be together throughout the service. I remember hearing my husband yelling, "you were not supposed to die before Rosa". Rosa is a 14-year old dog with much more signs of aging and wear which we are prepared for. Though his life had to be cut short and he was with us for only five years of it, the staff at South Metro Animal Emergency Care were wonderful and made sure we were able to enjoy our last moments with him. He was a good bye for going to sleep for us. We took him home in a burial box they provided us for home burial. We walked out of the clinic and met the tech outside the triage door; we were appreciative for this privacy and respect during this time of grief and mourning. Thank you for supporting us in this difficult transition and taking care of Otis.
03.28.2025
Amazing care. Our westie, Linus, needed emergency treatment after accidently ingesting an ibuprofen tablet at home today. It was a busy night, and there were alot of very obviously emotional cases being treated. The front desk staff (Harley and Megan) handled all of it with grace and such care. Consoling clients in emotional distress, while answering constantly ringing phones, cleaning up sick pet messes, and helping to coordinate care. WOW! The techs and vet (Dr. McGuigan) we worked with were professional, skilled and sensitive as well. Thank you to everyone at South Metro Emergency Care. Our little Linus is home now and hopefully on the mend. We are confident he got top notch care.
03.24.2025
Beyond appreciative, the staff was amazing and so compassionate. Thank you!
03.23.2025
Very helpful and thoughtful. Our dog did not survive his issue, but the whole exoerienç was very complete and respectful. They were so sympathetic and understanding. Kenny was in good hands.
03.02.2025
03.01.2025
We had a wonderful experience when we had to say goodbye to our dog on a cold Wednesday night! The Dr. and all the staff were top notch. They felt like family by the time we left that cold night. Today we picked up our boy's ashes. Staff were very sympathetic and once again top notch! I would highly recommend them!
02.26.2025
We brought our cat here and were treated with care and compassion. The front desk was so sweet and the tech, Dimitri I believe, took the time to listen to our concerns and thoroughly explain the process. It is rare to find customer service like this anymore. Thank you!
02.09.2025
Earlier this week, I went home on my lunch break to find my cat had gotten into a bouquet of flowers containing lilies. I immediately called out regular vet and they recommended bringing her to an emergency vet ASAP. South Metro was our first call with close proximity and use of this location in previous years. Upon arrival we were met immediately with staff and greeted with not only empathy , but also understanding, kindness, and an overall calming demeanor. The attentive and caring attitude of the staff at South Metro not only positively affected me, but also everyone involved in this situation including my cat. My kitty ended up staying with South Metro for 48 hours to receive iv fluids and routine blood draws. She made a quick recovery and many new friends at South Metro. We cannot recommend South Metro more and will always refer to them first in any future emergencies! Chanel and I are so grateful for South Metro!
02.07.2025