VETERINARY SERVICES
common services - sterilization - euthanasia - cremation - after hours emergencies
The Veterinary Hospital of the Humane Society of Berks County provides the best care by the best vets. Our goal is to provide every pet owner with access to top quality vet care for their pets. For the average pet owner, that means great care at average market rates and the satisfaction of knowing that the money you are spending on your pet's health care will be going to helping homeless, abused, and injured pets that would not be cared for without the Humane Society. Those requiring a little extra help may choose to pre-apply for our sliding scale rates* based on financial need. The Humane Society also offers reduced cost vaccination and other health services thoughout the community with our VetMobile. Please call for scheduled stops, prices and other details.
For new HSBC adoptors, the HSBC offers its one-of-a-kind 30 Day Adoption Health Guarantee (click here for details).
The Veterinary Hospital is now accepting new clients at our Reading and Douglassville Veterinary Wellness Centers! To schedule an appointment or to discuss your pet's medical needs, call 610-921-VETS. For after hours emergencies, click here.
The HSBC has recently expanded and upgraded its veterinary facilities in order to provide the best in medical care for your pet. We hope that you visit our two facilities so you can see how the Humane Society of Berks County is jumping into the 21st century with both (all four?) feet!
The HSBC Veterinary Hospital at the Lindy Scholar Center for Animal Welfare in Reading is open Monday through Saturday and provides a variety of services, from basic wellness and vaccinations to problem-oriented and emergency care. Call 610-921-VETS to make an appointment.
The Holly Miller Adoption and Veterinary Wellness Center in Douglassville provides basic veterinary wellness services by appointment only on Mondays. Please call 610-921-VETS to make an appointment, and please specify that you are visiting the Holly Miller Center. The Holly Miller Center does not provide veterinary emergency or non-appointment services.
Basic Rate Schedule
We think it is important for you to know what to expect in the way of fees at the Veterinary Hospital of the HSBC. Below is a listing of common services and procedures and their costs to you. As always, prices may be subject to change and may vary from case to case. Never hesitate to ask our staff to provide you with an estimate prior to scheduling an appointment or receiving service.
Common Procedures and Services*
- General Exam: $47 (additional pets $39)
- Recheck Exams: $39
- Sick/Problem Oriented Exam: $47-64
- Emergency Visit: $64
- Vaccinations & Microchipping: $21-$32
- General Testing: $25-$50 (fecal, heartworm, FeLV, urine, etc.)
- CBC Chem/Full Chem: $45.50-$150
- Acupuncture: $91 (initial evaluation and treatment), $64 (follow up visits).
Sterilizations
All sterilizations require a pre-op exam ($44). For pets five years and under, a pre-op blood screening is strongly advised for the health and safety of your pet. For pets over five, pre-op blood screening will be required.
Canine Spay
- Less than 40 lbs: $220
- 41-60 lbs: $250
- 61-80 lbs: $270
- Over 80 lbs: $300
- In heat/pregnant: Charge is according to time and materials.
Canine Castration
- Routine (Under 60 lbs): $170
- Routine (Over 60 lbs): $200
- Over 100 lbs: $250
- Cryptorchid (Inguinal): $210
- Cryptorchid (Abdominal): $250
- Cryptorchid (Bilateral): Charge is according to time and materials
Feline Spay
$170 (In heat/pregnant: Charge is according to time and materials)
Feline Castration: $98
The HSBC provides the same standard of care for all animals. Those who require additional financial assistance should ask about our reduced and sliding scale fees.
Sliding Scale & Reduced Cost Services*
Senator Edward Kennedy said in 1980, "Let us resolve that the state of a family's health shall never depend on the size of a family's wealth." Neither should the state of your pet's health.
For those requiring a little extra assistance, the Veterinary Hospital of the Humane Society of Berks County has several ways to help. The HSBC offers a standardized sliding scale fee structure based upon client income. These rates provide a 10% to 20% reduction in the costs to provide veterinary care. The intention of this program is to allow pet owners to provide full and complete veterinary care for their pets but are financially incapable of. The Humane Society's hope is that we can help people keep their pet happy and happy where they belong- at home.
This program is needs based and requires pre-approval. It is open to all who qualify. Sliding scale pricing is based upon the Federal Poverty Guidelines and reduce rates by the following amounts*:
- 151% or above poverty rate: regular fee
- 141-150% of poverty rate: 10% off veterinary services
- 131-140% of poverty rate: 15% off veterinary services
- 121% or less of poverty rate: 20% off veterinary services
- NOTE (6-1-10): Until further notice, sliding scale discounts will be capped at 20%. Because this is a program funded by donations, we are unable to extend greater discounts due to decreased contributions during the economic downturn. Help us return to our normal program by making a donation (click here).
- 111-120% of poverty rate: 25% off veterinary services (temporarily suspended)
- 101-110% of poverty rate: 30% off veterinary services (temporaily suspended)
- 100% or less of poverty rate: 33% off veterinary services (temporarily suspended)
*Some services and items may be excluded from these discounts and some other services may be discounted at a higher rate. Some products, including Interceptor heartworm/intestinal worm preventive and Frontline flea/tick treatment are offered at low cost and are not discounted further.
Example: A family of four earning $31,800 (150% of Federal Poverty Rate) would be eligible for a 10% discount and a family of four earning $21,200 (100% of Federal Poverty Rate) would be eligible for a 33% discount.
Download the Federal Poverty Rate guidelines by clicking here (PDF).
Proof of eligibility is required (current pay stub or current determination of income status by an acceptable State or Federal human services agency). Proof of status must be determined and approved prior to any treatment being provided at reduced rates.
Special sterilization programs are also available for feral cats. Please call for details.
Please contact the Humane Society for more information about any of these special programs. Some services, medications and procedures that are already being offered at, near or below cost may be excluded from the sliding scale program.
end of life services (euthanasia)
Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is one of the most difficult decisions most caretakers make, and our compassionate and caring staff is standing by to make this trying time as painless as possible for you and your companion. We offer two options, owner-witnessed euthanasia and non-witnessed euthanasia.
For owners who would like to be in the room with their pet when they are euthanized, our veterinarians will schedule an appointment for the procedure. To allow you the most time with your pet and to provide a relaxed atmosphere, this appointment is scheduled as the last of the day. Please call us at 610-921-VETS with as much advance notice as possible to schedule, and please understand that we may not be able to provide this service on the same day.
The following fees for owner-witnessed euthanasia are calculated according to the pet's weight.
There is no additional appointment fee charged for this service. Cremation without the return of your pet's remains is included, or you may opt to take your pet home with you. For individual cremation services which return your pet's cremated remains to you, please click here.
If you would prefer not to be present when your companion is euthanized, our qualified adoption technicians will perform the procedure by appointment on weekdays. You can call 610-921-2348 to schedule an appointment. Our technicians are qualified by one of the most rigorous standards in veterinary medicine and treat your pet with the dignity and compassion that they deserve. As above, the following fees are calculated by weight.
Individual Pet Cremation Services
When your pet is euthanized at the Humane Society, you have the option to have your pet's cremated remains returned to you in a personalized wooden box. We contract with Pet Memorial Services of West Chester, a firm which treats your companion in the same dignified and thoughtful manner you expect from us at the Humane Society. This process takes anywhere from a few days to just over a week. Our veterinary services department will call you to pick up your pet's remains when they are delivered.
The following fees are calculated by your pet's weight and are in addition to the fee for the euthanasia procedure itself.
You may also elect for mass cremation, which is provided at no cost but will not return your pet's remains to you, or you may take your pet home with you after the procedure. If you have any questions or concerns about final decisions for your pet, please contact our veterinary services department at 610-921-VETS or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Low Cost Pet Microchipping and Vaccination Services*
The Veterinary Hospital of the Humane Society of Berks County offers top quality services and the highest standard of care for our clients and their pets. However, not everyone is able or willing to provide this level of care for their animals for a variety of reasons. Because the HSBC's mission calls for providing services to all pets in need, we also offer offer regular vaccination clinics that provide basic vaccination and microchip services for the cost of the vaccine only (no exam or office visit charges).
These services are offered on a first come, first served basis, during set, limited hours. No other services are provided and no exam fees are charged. Client pays only the vaccination or microchip charge. Schedule subject to change without notice.
Low Cost Vaccination and Microchipping clinics are held the first and third Fridays of each month at the Lindy Scholar Center in Reading from 9am-12pm. The following fees apply only to the low-cost clinics:
- Microchip Implantation: $15
- Rabies Vaccination: $21
- Distemper Combination Vaccination: $21
- Deworming: $15
The Humane Society of Berks County strongly encourages all low cost clients to consider becoming actual clients of the Veterinary Hospital rather than just utilizing the low cost clinics. It is better and safer for your pet! Research has shown that among the best ways to ensure that your pet is happy, healthy, safe, and never ends up in an animal shelter is by having a regular relationship with a veterinarian. We will be happy to assist you with qualifying for sliding scale rates based upon your income.
All dogs served at the low cost clinic must display a paper copy of or purchase a current PA Dog License ($6.95 to $8.95) or service will be refused. All dogs must have or receive an implanted microchip in order to receive services.
AFTER HOURS EMERGENCIES
The Humane Society of Berks County Veterinary Hospital is open six days a week, Monday through Saturday. If your pet is a patient of the Humane Society of Berks County Veterinary Hospital and you have an after-hours emergency, please contact one of the following emergency clinics, depending on where you live:
- Metropolitan Veterinary Associates & Emergency Services, Valley Forge (off Route 422, west of King of Prussia): 610-666-1050 (www.metro-vet.com)
- PETS Pet Emergency Treatment Services, Lancaster: 717-295-7387 (www.lancasterpetemergency.com)
- Valley Central Veterinary Referral Center, 210 Fullerton Ave, Whitehall::610-435-5588 (www.valleycentraler.com)
- Veterinary Referral Center, 340 Lancaster Ave, Reading: 610-647-2950 (www.vetreferral.com)
- Berks Animal Emergency & Referral Center, 400 W Lancaster Ave, Reading: 610-775-7535 (Open Friday nights, Saturday and Sunday only)
*All service fees and service offers are subject to change without notice. The service fees listed here are intended to provide a general guide to estimated costs.
