Peninsula Veterinary Referrals

Peninsula Veterinary Referrals appears to be a referral-focused practice dealing with complex and urgent cases, including major orthopaedic surgery (a website example mentions a bi‑lateral total hip replacement) and emergency presentations described in reviews (for example, a dog with a chest impalement injury). Reviews repeatedly highlight thorough explanations of options and outcomes, plus practical support around the treatment process (including dealing with pet insurance on an owner’s behalf). One recurring negative note is an out‑of‑hours phone experience described as slow and not appropriately handled at first, followed by a second call answered promptly and empathetically.

Services

•Veterinary referral care (implied by the clinic name and multiple reviews describing being “sent to” the practice).
•Orthopaedic surgery: the website cites a bi‑lateral total hip replacement (THR).
•Urgent/trauma care (as described by owners): treatment for a dog that impaled his chest on a stick, with owners kept informed throughout.
•End-of-life care (as described by owners): a pet rat assessed as not treatable and given a “dignified and kind ending.”
•Ongoing case management: one owner describes a cat’s treatment still ongoing, with staff accessible and supportive.
•Insurance support: one review reports the team dealt with the owner’s insurance for the case.

People

•Richard: credited by one owner for acting quickly in an emergency trauma case, explaining everything thoroughly, and outlining possible outcomes.
•Justyna: repeatedly mentioned for being patient in explaining everything thoroughly to stressed owners during an ongoing cat treatment.
•“Emma” (name not confirmed): a reviewer guesses the vet may have been called Emma; described as kind, empathetic, and knowledgeable during an emergency visit involving a pet rat.
•Out-of-hours phone handling (mixed feedback): one reviewer describes an initial call handler as nonchalant and not confident, with a delayed call-back, while a second call was answered by a woman described as empathetic and competent, arranging a vet call-back in about ten minutes.

Reviews

4.8 stars from 5 reviews. The written reviews available to us focus on emergency/last‑minute referrals, communication during high-stress situations, and how the team supports owners through decisions. “”

•Clear, detailed communication: owners mention staff explaining situations “thoroughly” and giving an idea of possible outcomes.
•Handling urgent situations: examples include a chest impalement injury in a dog and a respiratory distress emergency in a pet rat.
•Support beyond the procedure: one owner notes help with insurance and other practicalities during a pet’s stay.
•Anxiety/reactivity management: one dog described as sometimes “vet reactive” was reportedly kept calm, with staff speaking positively about him during his stay.
•A specific service issue (conflicting experience): one reviewer reports poor initial out‑of‑hours call handling and a delayed call-back, but says the subsequent staff and clinicians were excellent once reached.

Reviews for Peninsula Veterinary Referrals

Note: Showing the 5 most recent Google reviews out of 5 we track in total. Recent reviews may not be representative of overall sentiment.

Charlotte

a month ago

I accessed this service Friday night when my pet rat went into respiratory distress. It was not the first emergency pet service I had contacted that night as the out of hours service for our registered vet declined to see him so by this point I was quite distressed. Sadly the first call handler I spoke to was not really appropriate for an emergency phone line which is why I can't leave four stars. I'm writing this in the hope my call can be listened to by management and training can be provided to this employee. He sounded male and spent a lot of the call saying mmmm and speaking to me very with a very nonchalant tone with no appreciation/acknowledgement of how urgent and distressing my predicament was. He did not seem confident in knowing how to address my situation at all. After having to point out several times that it was time critical and incredibly upsetting he said he would arrange for a vet to call me but after one hour I had no call. I called the line again and got through to a very kind and helpful lady who was understanding, empathetic and competent and arranged a call back in ten minutes. My great thanks to her. The vet who called me was also kind and empathetic and said I could visit right away. The vet and her colleague present at this establishment were wonderful. The vet was incredibly knowledgeable but so kind to us and Cecil our much loved pet rat. Sadly Cecil was not treatable which I suspected but he was given a dignified and kind ending. I can't thank the vet and her colleague enough. I only apologise with the stress of the situation I have forgotten names at a guess I would say the vet was called Emma. I hope this review will be seen by management and all with positive feedback will be informed and commended.

4 months ago

I accessed this service Friday night when my pet rat went into respiratory distress. It was not the first emergency pet service I had contacted that night as the out of hours service for our registered vet declined to see him so by this point I was quite distressed. Sadly the first call handler I spoke to was not really appropriate for an emergency phone line which is why I can't leave four stars. I'm writing this in the hope my call can be listened to by management and training can be provided to this employee. He sounded male and spent a lot of the call saying "mmmm" and speaking to me very with a very nonchalant tone with no appreciation/acknowledgement of how urgent and distressing my predicament was. He did not seem confident in knowing how to address my situation at all. After having to point out several times that it was time critical and incredibly upsetting he said he would arrange for a vet to call me but after one hour I had no call. I called the line again and got through to a very kind and helpful lady who was understanding, empathetic and competent and arranged a call back in ten minutes. My great thanks to her. The vet who called me was also kind and empathetic and said I could visit right away. The vet and her colleague present at this establishment were wonderful. The vet was incredibly knowledgeable but so kind to us and Cecil our much loved pet rat. Sadly Cecil was not treatable which I suspected but he was given a dignified and kind ending. I can't thank the vet and her colleague enough. I only apologise with the stress of the situation I have forgotten names at a guess I would say the vet was called Emma. I hope this review will be seen by management and all with positive feedback will be informed and commended.

Mark Broughton

3 months ago

5 months ago

Georgia Holloway

6 months ago

I can't thank Richard and the Vet team enough for working their miracles on our sweet boy, Dexter. We were sent to Peninsula by an emergency vet as we were on holiday when Dexter impaled his chest on a stick. Richard and the team got to work immediately and kept my partner and I informed along the way. Richard and team explained everything thoroughly and gave us an idea of each outcome. We were so frightened at the possibility of losing our beloved little chap, but the Peninsula team kept us calm and kept Dexter calm. The team were there for us in every capacity, from recommendations of where to walk our other dog, hotels, restaurants, to dealing with our insurance for Dexter on our behalf. It was wonderful to hear how much the team liked Dexter too as Dexter is sometimes vet reactive and gets quite scared, but the team kept praising him about how much of a lovely, friendly happy boy he was during his stay. This tells me these are vets who love and prioritise every animal that comes into their care. We owe everyone at the practice such a debt of gratitude for giving us back our happy little chappy. Cannot recommend this practice higher and slightly gutted we're not local!

9 months ago

Charlotte Donaldson

Peninsula Vet Referrals have been amazing in assisting us with our cat Cena who ended up in their care very last minute. His treatment is still ongoing, but this practice has been nothing but professional and supportive throughout. Justyna has been so patient in explaining everything thoroughly to two very stressed out pet owners! The rest of the team have also been great and are very easy to reach :)

melbadog

a year ago

Wonderful vet practice with really caring staff who are clearly experts in their field. Substantially better value than other practices too.