Southern Animal Referral Centre

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24 hour vet care, providing pet emergency, animal physiotherapy and referral medicine to pets in Melbourne

We are a 24 hour veterinary hospital, providing pet emergency, animal physiotherapy and referral medicine to companion animals (chiefly dogs and cats, but also birds, guinea pigs, rabbits and reptiles) in Melbourne and greater Victoria.

Reviews of Southern Animal Referral Centre

  • HayleyK
    HayleyK  Newbie   1 review
    I have had two major experiences (and a couple of small emergencies) at Southern Animal Referral Centre and all have been extremely positive. The second experience was a very tragic one but somehow made as pleasant as possible by all of the staff at Southern Animal Referral Centre.
    My dog Brandy had been staying with friends while I was interstate for work and unfortunately developed Gastric dilatation and volvulus syndrome (GDV)... or as some people may know it, bloat/twisted stomach.
    The staff at SARC were swift, extremely professional and kept us informed throughout the whole process of performing the emergency surgery. Unfortunately while Ruby did get through the surgery and began her recovery, she took an unavoidable turn for the worse and had to be euthanised two days after.
    What was an extremely heartbreaking and tragic event was somehow made manageable knowing that during her last days alive she was cared for as if she was their own. While I appreciate that the staff aren't able to get involved in cases, I could see that everyone was touched by Brandy and sorry for our loss.
    The follow up after her passing was dealt with extremely sensitively and both myself and my friends were surprised by flower deliveries which neither of us anticipated or expected but they were very much appreciated.
    My advice to other owners is to prepare yourself for animal emergencies: do an animal first aid course, get pet insurance and most of all know where your nearest emergency centre is before you even need it. Hopefully your nearest centre is Southern Animal Referral Centre because not only are the service, expertise and facilities the best around, the resident lab Buddy is good for a cuddle when your fur friend isn't well enough to give you one.
    Thanks SARC.

    1 month ago

  • Jeni01
    Jeni01  Newbie   1 review
    We've been going to Southern Animal Referral Centre for about seven years now for various emergencies - many of which have related to labradors eating things that they shouldn't. Oscar's and Rocky's first visit was ten days after we got them when they ate the decorative tiles from around the outdoor tap. Our beautiful old labrador Rodger lived about two years longer than he otherwise would have because of SARC's care. I've spent many hours at SARC and can say with absolute certainty that they are not just skilled, they really do care. I tell people in the park and on review sites like this because l want to support them as a thank you for all they have done for our family.

    1 month ago

  • gemnbill
    gemnbill  Newbie   1 review
    When our little Billy needed his cruciate repaired we asked that our local vet refer us to Southern Animal Referral Centre for the surgery. The staff are highly competent and caring and we had heard great feedback about the care and services they provide. We didn't want our Billy left in our local clinic alone overnight after his surgery so the around the clock care was peace of mind for us. It is reassuring to know that if he was in any discomfort someone would be there to help him. His surgery was a huge success. We were given excellent advice for his recovery and were recommended to follow through with physio. He loved the physio! The exercises and underwater treadmill significantly improved his movement and built up his strength again. He is back to running around better than before the surgery. I highly recommend Southern Animal Referral Centre as they look after your animal like it is their own.

    1 month ago

  •  Newbie   1 review
    My dog was referred to Southern Animal Referral Centre after being hit by a car. She had major chest surgery and stayed in hospital for just over a week. The staff at SARC provided exceptional service and care for both me and my dog. They kept me informed every step of the way and made a very difficult event far easier. I would definitely recommend their service.

    1 month ago

  • thomas_b
    thomas_b  Newbie   1 review
    When your much-loved pet becomes sick or is involved in an accident outside of normal work hours, there is no alternative but to use a specialist veterinary emergency centre. These centres fill the role of an emergency room at times when ordinary vets are unavailable. Moreover, the sad truth is that "normal" veterinary practices do not have the skill, time or equipment necessary to teat seriously sick and injured animals even during their hours of operation.

    I have used Victoria's animal emergency centres for many years, and I recommend the Southern Animal Referral Centre as the best in this state.

    SARC is equipped much as you might expect a human hospital to be. Its facilities include an on-site CAT scanner for 3D computed tomography imaging, computed radiography and ultrasonography equipment, a neonatal humidicrib, and even ventilators to provide mechanical assistance for animals who cannot breathe adequately on their own. SARC is well equipped for both intravenous and gas anaesthesia. As well as an emergency room where most urgent interventions are conducted, SARC has a dedicated operating theatre.

    SARC is staffed by vets with significant specialised experience in emergency medicine and surgery, including some who have completed extensive and prestigious postgraduate training. Members of the nursing staff are also particularly skilled, and some even have human paramedic training. Other nursing staff members have subsequently qualified as veterinarians themselves. The staff at SARC also have a wide network of contacts with specialist vets in other practices and utilise these to provide the best possible level of care for patients. Both the veterinary and administrative staff provide excellent customer service and keep clients well informed of patients' progress and of all treatment options available. The best interests of patients is the highest priority of SARC staff at all times. SARC is a family-owned practice and has a correspondingly friendly atmosphere.

    The procedure when you bring your animal to SARC is similar to the procedure when a human presents to a hospital emergency room. On arrival, patients are triaged by nursing staff and then assessed promptly by one of the attending vets. In the case of a seriously sick or injured animal, an intravenous catheter is immediately inserted to enable the provision of fluids and medications (including painkillers) directly into the patient's bloodstream via a "drip". If necessary, an endotracheal tube is also placed into the patient's windpipe to assist with breathing.

    Unlike some emergency centres which concentrate on treating animals outside business hours, SARC is equipped and staffed to provide 24-hour veterinary care to patients on an ongoing basis.

    As it happens, I live less than 1 kilometre from another major veterinary emergency centre. However, in almost all cases I would choose (and several times have chosen) to make the 30-minute-plus drive to SARC instead, because I know that my animals will receive a much higher standard of care there. In fact, I would go so far as to say that SARC provides a higher standard of care than some human private hospitals in which I have been a patient.

    1 month ago

  •  Newbie   1 review
    I took my cat to Southern Animal Referral Centre when he couldnt stop vomiting one weekend. The care, attention and kindness he ( and me ! ) received from the staff was outstanding and was of great comfort to me during this time. The team kept me updated at all times of how he was responding, and I was able to speak to his vets and nurses whenever I needed too. He did go on to make a full recovery and I would not hesitate to take him or my other pets to Southern Animal in the future.

    1 month ago

  • ringy
    ringy  Newbie   1 review
    We have been wildlife rescuers and carers for 3 years and have utilised extensively the facilities and services at Southern Animal Referral Centre. On every occasion when rescued animals have been brought in all staff have dealt with us on a compassionate and professional basis, taking time to assess the animal and in many circumstances, relieving their suffering. The vets and nursing staff are always friendly and helpful and we are so fortunate to have such a facility close by.
    We have witnessed first hand how caring all the vets and nurses have been in comforting the owners of much loved pets. We have no hesitation in recommending Southern Animal Referral Centre.

    Prue and Rob Sinclair
    wildlife rescuers and carers
    Hampton

    1 month ago

  • Whizmah
    Whizmah  Newbie   1 review
    Our puppy was recently shot and we took him to Southern Animal Referral Hospital. We can't speak highly enough of this place. We were seen promptly and Dr. Bob was brilliant with our puppy. We were kept informed of his surgery and treatment every step of the way, and Bob even delayed his own annual leave to stay with our puppy and monitor him overnight. We felt that the staff here cared about puppy just as much as we did. The business manager, Mark, was also outstanding. I have never received better customer service in my life that what he provided us during this difficult time. Every time we have taken our puppy back for post-op care, the staff have been delightful - happy, professional and caring. Outstanding.

    2 months ago

    • mramott
      mramott Newbie 
      Thank you for the positive review. Pets are always brought to us under very difficult and uncertain situations, gun shot wounds being one of the potentially more serious of these! It is only with the patience and understanding of dedicated owners that we can achieve good outcomes, and this was one such case, so thank you for allowing us to assist. A positive in this case is that Whizmah had pet insurance, which took the financial headache out of an already stressful situation. When owners insure proactively, this helps all vets enormously. We'd love to hear from you directly about how your puppy is going and social visits are always encouraged if you are so inclined. Thanks again and we trust pups is doing well.

      1 month ago

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  • alfieboy
    alfieboy  Newbie   1 review
    Our dog had to have his spleen removed and doctor Bob was so passsionate and all the staff were so caring. Alfie was a very sick dog, and unfortunately they found cancer in the spleen. They thought he may have 2 months and maybe more to live.
    We have been blessed with 5 weeks of absolute love from our dog, and touch wood we are planning to have Christmas with him also. - Thanks to doctor Bob!!!!

    We are so grateful
    Dawn David and Alfie

    2 years ago

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