Veterinary clinics > VCA Animal Hospitals vs. Modern Animal
Selecting the right veterinary care involves considering the scope of services, pricing structure, and convenience. VCA and Modern Animal offer distinct approaches to pet healthcare.
This comparison analyzes real-world performance, user feedback, and key differentiators to help you make an informed decision.
Quick Verdict
VCA is a better choice for pets needing specialized medical attention, while Modern Animal excels in accessible primary care and clear pricing.
- VCA offers a broader range of specialty services, while Modern Animal emphasizes transparent pricing and convenient virtual care.
- Modern Animal provides a more streamlined and tech-forward customer experience through its app and membership model.
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose VCA Animal Hospitals if:
Pet owners seeking comprehensive specialty care and a wide network of locations.
Choose Modern Animal if:
Tech-savvy owners who value transparent pricing, convenient virtual care, and a modern, streamlined experience.
Key features – Side-by-Side
| Attribute | VCA Animal Hospitals | Modern Animal |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Services Availability | Many locations offer 24/7 emergency services, but it varies by location. | Provides urgent care, refers to emergency centers; offers same or next-day visits and 24/7 virtual care. |
| Specialty Services | Extensive range including cardiology, dermatology, oncology, and surgery. | Focuses on primary, preventative, surgical (routine), diagnostic, and virtual care. |
| Pricing Transparency | Lacks transparency; accepts CareCredit and Scratchpay. | Aims for transparent pricing with listed costs; offers Pay As You Go (free) and All Access memberships ($199/year). |
| Appointment Scheduling | Online, myVCA app, or virtual call center. | Bookable in advance through the Modern Animal app with instant booking. |
Overall Comparison
Pros and Cons
VCA Animal Hospitals
- Wide range of specialty services
- Multiple appointment scheduling options
- Comprehensive vaccination and preventative care programs
- Range of surgical services with board-certified surgeons
- Accepts pet insurance from major providers
- myVCA app for accessing pet health records
- Lack of transparency regarding pricing
- Some reviews mention difficulty in communication and conflicting information
Modern Animal
- No notable advantages reported.
- No major disadvantages reported.
User Experiences and Feedback
VCA Animal Hospitals
- No highlights reported.
- Difficulty in communication
- Conflicting information
- No value feedback reported.
Modern Animal
- No highlights reported.
- No major complaints reported.
- No value feedback reported.
- Modern Animal members can use the app to chat with a licensed technician 24/7.
- Modern Animal offers primary care, preventative care, surgery & dentistry, diagnostics, and virtual care. They hire skilled, empathetic vets and nurses and support them with resources and training.
- Appointments can be booked in advance through the Modern Animal app. The app offers instant appointment booking.
- Modern Animal aims for transparent pricing and directly lists the cost of in-demand services, items, and procedures. Pricing for vaccinations is standard, regardless of the pet's size, age, or health.
- Modern Animal offers tailored vaccination plans considering the pet's age, breed, lifestyle, and overall health.
- Modern Animal's care team handles routine surgeries like spays, neuters, and mass removals, as well as dental care.
- Modern Animal offers in-house and external lab testing, plus on-site X-rays and ultrasound.
- The Modern Animal app allows for communication and information sharing. Clients can discuss treatment options with clear pricing.
- Modern Animal clinics are designed to be warm, modern, calming, clean, and functional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which offers better emergency services?
VCA may offer 24/7 emergency services at some locations, while Modern Animal provides urgent care and refers to emergency centers.
Is pricing transparent?
Modern Animal aims for transparent pricing, while VCA has been noted to lack pricing transparency.
Sources & Citations
- Official product specifications
- Expert reviews from tech publications
- User feedback from online forums
Information gathered through AI-assisted web search and analysis. Last updated: August 2025
Methodology & Transparency
Our comparison methodology combines multiple data sources to provide comprehensive, unbiased analysis:
- Data Collection: We gather information from official specifications, user reviews, and independent testing
- AI-Assisted Analysis: Advanced AI helps process large amounts of data while maintaining accuracy
- Human Oversight: All comparisons are reviewed for accuracy and relevance
- Regular Updates: Content is refreshed to reflect new information and user feedback
- Bias Mitigation: We strive for objectivity by considering multiple perspectives and sources
Versusly.ai uses AI-assisted content generation combined with human oversight to deliver comprehensive comparisons. We are transparent about our process and continuously work to improve accuracy and usefulness.