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Merwin Memorial Free Clinic For Animals
Rating Details »
Category: Veterinarians [Edit]
Neighborhood: Allston/Brighton542 Cambridge St
(at Imrie Rd)
Allston, MA 02134
(617) 782-5420
- Nearest Transit:
-
Warren Street (Green)
- Hours:
Mon-Tue. 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Wed. 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Wed. 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Thu. 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
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- Category:
- Veterinarians
- Location:
- Brookline, MA
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53 reviews for Merwin Memorial Free Clinic For Animals
The economy has hit me in bad way (think: getting kicked in the crotch repeatedly until you lose sensation, being allowed to regain sensation before the kicking begins again). I don't want my cats to suffer, but unfortunately, I have to make a decision between my old vet here and making ends meet.
Thank God for Merwin. It is true you have to wait (I arrived about 30 minutes prior to opening on Wednesday and was 4th in line). The setup gives you no privacy for your animal and it is semi-rushed. However, I can't complain. I paid $36 for 2 cats to receive their 1 year rabies vaccination and a small checkup. I can't complain about the rush, because hey, I'm not the only person there. The vet was fine, as were the techs. Not the friendliest people in the world, but they're trying to help as many people as possible.
I'll definitely go back for the basics with my cats until things pick for me financially. I also recommend donating to them. They're doing a tremendous service to pet owners who are light in the pockets.
My pup and I got here at 11:30 and we were about 6th in line, so the wait was about an hour...but it was worth it.
My dog just needed a shot, heartworm preventative meds, and a general overall checkup and this was a great place to do it. Everyone waiting to see the vet was friendly, and it was a nice opportunity for my dog to mingle.
I love that this clinic is avaliable and if you are nice to the people that work there, they will be nice to you...and it helps to have a really really cute dog
I think this place is a gem. Very grateful for the vets who volunteer their time to make sure that pets get the right care. I went there 3 times now. twice for standard shots and once for an upset stomach. The standard shots were very easy and quick. Vet may seem disassociated, but heck, they need to get through as many patients as they can in a short time. They handle pets just fine....rough, but they know how to deal with pets..it's just a different way and as a pet owner, you should recognize that these are animals and are treated with different hands. Staff was very nice. Parking can be a bit of an issue, but I haven't had to spend more than 5 min looking for parking.
Great place with a lot of character. Exactly what it promises.
Took my puppy to the vet, said she couldn't tell what was wrong with him unless she did some expensive tests. Still, she gave him a shot for dehydration (even though he'd been drinking just fine) and a shot of pepcid (even though she then told me to buy it at CVS and put it in his food). Cost me $120 and my puppy seemed to get better on his own in a day. She also told me he had a hernia that needed to be repaired.
The next week I took him to Merwin for vaccines. They were great! I had to wait a while, but the visit was cheap. I paid $38 for DTP and rabies and then gave them a donation (which you should do if you go). The vet also said that his hernia was so small it didn't need to be repaired.
Week later the little guy has worms. We went back and I paid $8 for some medicine. The people there are great. You should get there early, since there's a wait, but as a graduate student, I can't tell you how great it is to be able to take good care of my puppy without going broke. Please donate when you go if you can.
The staff was very friendly and courteous. The doctor is very thorough and friendly. The experience was good. I will be going back.
fantastic! for the same exact services, our old vet was going to charge $250. we got it all done for $80 (cash only) and there waited no longer than we would've at the other place, right when they opened at noon. both cats were well-behaved with the vet and the people were really nice.
I am so grateful that there is a clinic for animals that doesn't charge for service. I am all about helping animals with owners who can't afford to pay a service charge for routine shots, treatments etc... HOWEVER, The vet that we saw was EXTREMELY rude. I have read other reviews on this site about said vet. My dog is extremely excitable around other animals and this is why we decided to keep him in the car until he was to be seen. He is well trained around people and is a very gentle dog. We brought him in when he was called and to no surprise he wanted to meet every dog and cat in the clinic. When the vet arrived he exclaimed "Oh my god," at the line of people waiting for his help. Much to our embarrassment the vet told us that WE were not training our dog correctly in front of the other people in the room. He told us our checks were no good at the office with a shake of the head even though we brought cash, and other miscellaneous rude comments. I had an awful experience at the last vet that we had visited and this man was no different. I left feeling criticized and offended, but still left a donation because i believe in the cause. I hope the next time we return we will meet one of the vets who actually enjoy their job.
This place is just awesome. I got there an hour early as I knew the line can grow and it's a good thing I did. I ended up being first in line and was in an out in 5 minutes after opening. All in all the two vaccinations for my cat cost about $40, a fraction of what any other vet would have charged me. The vet was quick and efficient, he cut my cat's nails so quickly I don't think she had time to register what was going on.
This place RULES! I loved it when I lived in Brighton, and now that I've moved to where there are no free animal clinics, I appreciate it so much more. It really is amazing that this place exists, and you can have your pet looked at and even treated for free. I often came here to get my cat's nails clipped, and he got a check up here once too. The staff is super friendly and KNOWLEDGEABLE. They're not random people off the street - they really know a lot about animal health.
One recommendation - bring a book when you go. I've often had to wait for up to an hour. Which is totally fine, I'm just happy that a free animal clinic exists. If you don't like books you can just look at all the other adorable (or not so much) animals around the waiting area. Give them a little donation if you can! Free animal clinics don't exist everywhere and should be supported!!!
I have taken my dog here for years. They can not help you if your pet has a serious issue however, if you just need to take your pet in for their annual shots it is the best place around. They don't charge you for the visit, just the medicine administered. They are caring and sensitive to your pets needs and temper. They do have a donation box, in the corner. I was never able to afford anything when I was younger and now I feel happy to drop a $20 in there. The vets are all volunteers, so they do want to be there to help! It is a first come first serve basis, so be sure to be there on the earlier side. Although, it is kinda fun to hang out in the chairs with the other pets and their owners :)
This place is a saving grace and so are the vets. They deserve way more than a good review on yelp! I would give them all 6 stars if I could!!
This place is over the top great, friendly, the only thing was that last time I went there we walked out the door for about 5 mins. and my dog became paralyzed. SO I had to run back and they gave her immediate service by giving her benadyl and the cost of that was $0.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/24/2009
The clinic's staff were very helpful because my dog threw up 3 times and they gave her medicine.… Read more »
This place is great for animal lovers with not a lot of cash! I have two cats and they are only brought here!
The people have always been nice to me and my cats and have always been honest and willing to answer my lame questions. You only pay for any shots or medication you might have to get, but they survive on donations. I give them whatever cash I have in my wallet (if I only have a few bucks I will go to the ATM!). They accept checks for donations, but not as medication payment.
As a lifelong slave to....er I mean companion of...animals, I always keep my eyes and ears open for low-cost facilities that actually offer the best service that they can afford. I'm forever spoiled by a beloved vet in NYC many years ago who donated his time to a clinic like this; he looked like Santa, and he evaluated each case and charged accordingly. When I was 17 years old and lived on my own and had taken in a kitten off the street that needed surgery, he charged me the cost of the materials. When I was 19 and had pet rats that developed tumors, he charged me $20 per surgery.
I have found my new Vet Santa. These people offer their time, which is enough, but they go further and offer a smile, sympathy, a knowing wink at your indulgence of your furbaby, and a realistic approach to your situation. My cat had vomited and pooped himself (he'd kill me if he knew I was telling you) on the way there and I was not only embarrassed but halfway to a heart attack myself with worry. They reassured me, helped me clean him up, and proceeded to give him a assessment as if he came in smelling like roses and not howling like a banshee with five-inch claws.
I will be a visitor again, and when I can afford to pay a real vet...I'll bring my cat to Merwin and give them that money. I donate until it hurts to places like this.
This has been an expensive month for me. It started with me getting back from a vacation and less than two weeks later I purchased a twelve week old kitten from the owners of WOW Vintage. I would usually have wanted to get a cat from a shelter since it is the right thing to do and the purchase comes with all of their shots. But what can I say, I fell in love! After having her home for one week, it was time to take her for her first vet visit, and I think I was more scared than she was!
Thank you to the doctors and staff at Merwin Memorial, because what you do is a great service to the animal owners of the Allston/Brookline area. I don't think I could have asked for a better first visit to the vet. They explained everything they were going to do, gave me some advice of maintaining my himalayan and keeping her healthy, and in less than 15 minutes I was in and out with my kitten vaccinated and given a clean bill of health. Kashmir was so at ease with Dr. John, I was shocked at how calm she was (although she is great with meeting new people). SHe was completely zonked when we got home and slept for a few hours, but is now fine and playing!
Some things to know before going here. Bring cash, you will have to pay the vet immediately after he is done with your animal. You are getting what you pay for, and that is a check up and shots, don't expect to spend a lot of time talking to the vet, but he and the staff are happy to answer any questions you might have. Also, make sure your cat is in a carrier and you dog is on a lease at all times. They have a sign before you go in and it states they will not see your animal if they are not properly restrained.
Also they seem to keep a more stern watchful eye on the dog owners. I can understand this since every dog that I saw there was trying to mark their territory. One man was not holding onto his dogs lease while he was talking to the vet and the staff member taking down my information was getting frustrated because she had to stop to get this dog to not pee and go back to his owner. They see a LOT of animals and are very busy, they just don't want to clean up urine all day. So watch your animal closely.
I will defiantly give them a nice donation when I bring her back in a few weeks for more of her vaccinations. They totally deserve it!
So this is a first come first serve clinic, however its very reasonable prices. I went at Noon today when they first opened and there was about 10 animals in front of me, however i only had to wait about 30-45 minutes.(so id say get there 30mins before they open if your in a rush)
I went to get my kitten his first shots (rabies, etc) and it only cost me $38.00 bucks! What a deal! I will defiantly be going back! Plus the vet is so kind and quick! This place also takes donations, in which they need! I will be heading back in a few weeks to get my kitty fixed (which they said would be 70.00, and that you have to book in advance.)
hope this was helpful.
Took my kitten there twice, thanks for the advice from the Yelper's here!
I was not dissapointed at all. Would give this place 6 star's if I could. They only charge for medicines administered and take cash only. They do not charge for the service, and the service there is very good. I never had to wait more than 30 minutes, but maybe I was lucky.
Really lovely what they're doing - please try to donate what you can!
My brother and I bring our Puma here. WE LOVE THEM. I mean come on, honestly if your going to a free clinic that has such friendly people, you shouldnt be complaining at all.
My brother usually takes care of all the vet stuff but when I brought Puma alone, they treated me great. The Vet himself can be a little....assholey at times but thats probably because its busy or...thats.....yeah he could naturally be an ass. Overall this place is awsome I mean of the 4 or 5 times ive been here i love it and would keep coming back.
The times can be a little difficult but hey, its your baby right?
Reason for the 5 stars is that fact these people are honest and they dont not try to make you spend more than you shouldn't.
My puppy was neutered there for 100 dollars versus the 600 dollar quote I received at some other places. Thats crazy!
You can always get reasonably priced Frontline/Heartguard from them versus the overprices Vet clinics like BackBay Vet.
Word of advice though, you have to get there early and get in line because they do turn people away if its too busy. They only open on two days too... :(
Bottom line: This is an awesome vet clinic.
It seems that there is a lot of stigma that "low cost" = "low quality" when it comes to just about everything. Obviously, this is not the case.
Unfortunately, the place *looks like a free clinic, so the impression you get on first sight isn't necessarily the best. It's first-come, first-serve but unless you're going on a peak time (i.e. mid-day Sat) the wait isn't any worse than a typical Dr's office.
The vets are very nice and very knowledgeable (duh, they're VETS). You pay only for the meds/shots/etc. and it is cash only (you can make donations by check, however).
When we first moved to Boston, we took our pup to another "popular" "recommended" and "expensive" area vet, but found that the service and staff at Merwin was as good, if not better, and have gone here ever since.
An excellent choice for routine care, or, for "second opinions" on doggie issues.
I love this place because they have been really helpful with my cats and my cousin's cats in the past, without a doubt I would bring a cat here. I always try to give them as much money as I can.
I was not so excited about them after I brought my elderly Boston Terrier there though - the guy who looked at her was very timid and didn't really give her a check-up... I tried to explain the things I had noticed about her behavior or eating that had changed and he basically thew up his hands and said to take her somewhere else to get blood work done.
I live right by the clinic, and stopped by today to get my kitten updated on her shots.
The staff members were very friendly and helpful, and being a Tuesday, the wait was very short. The friendly vet who gave her the shots was gentle to her as well.
The place is clean. I'd recommend anybody who's on a budget to swing by. For those that can afford it, don't forget to donate some money to them!
We brought kitty here at 1:00 on a Wednesday afternoon, and there was no line whatsoever. The staff was very friendly and efficient, especially the vet. What I really liked was that he took the time to answer even our smallest concerns and was a very gentle, caring guy.
So basically the shots for kitty cost $33 and the checkup was free, including testing for fleas and consultation on diet. The place really does need donations, though, so we chipped in. Totally worth it, and still way cheaper than the last regular vet we went to! Plus, the feeling of not being ripped off or suckered in to getting some treatment kitty doesn' t need is, well, priceless.
We took our dog here a couple weeks ago since it was suggested by a few friends. The vet and the receptionist were both really nice and we got an appointment to get our little chihuahua fixed. I knew they only accepted cash, but I wasn't prepared to prepay for the surgery that day ($150 since one of our little guy's testicles hasn't dropped yet.) I assumed that we would pay for the surgery when it actually happened.
Come here early and expect to wait at least an hour on a Saturday. They closed the doors at 2:00 on the day we were there because there were so many people in the waiting room. You could be out earlier, but I would bring a book and not make any immediate plans.
Your are the answer to every animal owner's prayer. Thank you for the fantastic service and support of our loved ones. Sometimes you just need a vet to tell you that everything is okay...or alternatively to "move your butt to the hospital because this is serious!"
Thank you for your service.
Matt
I agree with the other posters here. This was a great find from Yelp! My bulldog puppy needed some ointment for an eye infection and her rabies shot. She got a check-up, the doctor checked out some bumps on her mouth (pimples), I got my ointment, and the rabies shot: $30.
My first visit to the vet, they ended up charging us OVER $400--Dr. Weiner's Pet Care Center. Man, we got jacked. Looking over the bill, the same services we got from the Free Clinic would have cost us at least $100 at this vet.
I plan on getting all our routine vaccinations from the Free Clinic, as well as heartworm and Frontline. I'd rather my money go to some place where people care about animal *and* human welfare.
Do not be alarmed by this place's somewhat shabby appearance. They are very nice and do great work. We brought our puppy here for her shots and they were very nice, we didn't even have to wait that long at all. The vets checked her out and patiently answered my questions. The whole things was quick and easy and the staff was friendly. Make sure to have your animal on a lease or in a crate, as the waiting room can get pretty crowded. Don't forget to leave a donation!!!
This is a great place to take your pet if you think something might be wrong but you don't want to necessarily spend $100 to find out that they are totally fine. They can't treat major problems but can at least give you advice. TWO THUMBS UP!
They were incredibly helpful when I took in my extremely sick cat, who other vets had told me was untreatable. They referred me to Brighton Animal Hospital, and anyone who has read my reviews before knows that she received successful treatment.
I just wanted to point out that Merwin is actually run by Brighton Animal Hospital, which has changed its name to the Massachussetts Animal Medical Center. They do provide cheap services but rely on donations to do so. If you take your animal there and have a little extra money in your pocket please throw some in the donation box so that they can continue to be operate, especially as we all seem to agree what a wonderful service they provide.
Thanks!
I have been taking my kitties here for 10 years.
They are nice, and clean, and SUPER CHEAP!!!!!
It's in an old victorian house, which makes me feel more at home, and I think it relaxes the animals too.
There are no appointments, you just show up and wait. I try and come right when they open and get seen within 10 minutes. Other times you have to wait 30 minutes or so. But again it's cheap as hell, and if you are broke like me this is a huge selling point.
Thank goodness a place like this exists. Everyone volunteers their time, which is incredible. And it's great to have a place to go for all those little things you want checked out, but hesitate to if faced with big vet bills at the other end. I just wish there were more places like this!
Every time I go to this vet, I leave with my questions answered and a healthy cat ! It's affordable, and the staff is extremely friendly. Also, if you just want to call in and ask a question they are also very helpful over the phone.
I think the big thing here, from what I glean from my own experience and other reviews is: come during the weekdays. Avoid Saturday rush. They are usually totally empty around 12, which is perfect. Just come on your lunch break.
I had a great experience here. The vet was very personable and kind to my kitten. The staff were friendly and didn't push for a donation at all, though I gave them one. (They really deserve it!) I never felt condescended to, or judged for having come to a free clinic.
I also saw there was parking in the back, so I could really see driving your pet over during an extended lunch break.
No frills vet clinic... this is my favorite find so far on Yelp.
We waited only 10 minutes, the visit took 5 minutes and we were out with eye meds and a six month supply of flea meds for less than 50 bucks.
What a relief!
Thanks Yelp for leading me in the right direction! I've been stressing out about taking my beloved pup back to the vet to have a little hot spot looked at. I knew it was nothing but I wanted to be on the safe side. However, I wasn't looking forward to paying $60 just for the vet to tell me "nothing is wrong!". I took a chance and stopped by Merwin during the day. There were a few people waiting but I only had to wait to see someone for about 30 minutes. We walked in, he told me my pup was fine and we were done! It was perfect and certainly put my mind at ease. The woman before me had some significant issues with her pet so the vet at Merwin referred her to another clinic to have x-rays done. Very thorough!
I will definitely be visiting again...and of course I will ALWAYS leave a donation!
After ending up adopting a kitten from a shelter in NYC that was damaged after some bad storms there this summer, I ended up taking her back with me to Boston where I am a student. As someone with a very limited income, I was looking for a veterinarian that I could afford as a student. I came across the Merwin clinic on Yelp and I had great service and they gave my kitten such great care. I got medicine that she needed after finding out she had ringworm (which I thought may be the problem) and will bring her back today for another check up and more shots. I really appreciate their service and left my few dollars in change as a thank you. What a great service they offer!
Went again as of 10/08 and they have updated hours.. If you go on Saturday you must be there by 1:00 pm as they take the first 30 patients.
Thursday they are now open until 7:00pm all day through!
Excellent place, was charged only for the meds for my cat and I left a donation as well and "The Bald Guy" is a great vet, very personable. I highly recommend it for animals lovers with big hearts and small bank accounts!
puppy expensives can add up, and merwin is a lifesaver!
it's a convenient walk if you live in the allston/brighton area, and there's usually little wait if you go on weekdays.
you only pay the doctor for medication, shots, etc...the receptionists and vets are always nice and helpful (which is something in itself because i've seen some rude people when it's busy on saturdays) even the "mean" vet was very gentle with my pumpkin. the vets are more than competent and happy to answer questions. i usually paid $25-$40 for puppy shots, and got a great price on frontline. which means more money for cute puppy outfits! :D
don't forget to make a donation!
Merwin Memorial may be the best thing I've learned about thanks to Yelp! I was unhappy with the previous vet I had taken my cat to, and she needed her rabies and distemper shots. I went on a Wednesday evening, arriving around 5:30pm and waited about 25 minutes to be seen- not bad, considering there were 4 people ahead of me. The lobby is kind of sad and everything is old, but the facilities were very clean and the doctor cleaned his work area and washed his hands between each patient. The secretary was incredibly friendly and the doctor was reserved, but nice enough. He recommended that my cat get her teeth cleaned, and was able to give me names of vets close to my home. I was charged just $33 for the two shots- they take cash only. You can give a donation by cash or check- they can surely use any donations!
I have taken both my dog and my cat there. Because it is first come, first serve, you may have to wait a while before seeing the vet. But you can't beat the prices. I believe that you only pay if your pet needs a medication. My dog had an ear infection, and the medication was like $20. I brought my cat there because she had bleeding and swelling from recent surgeries, and we didn't have to pay a thing. Staff is knowledgeable and trustworthy. Will bring animals back again next time they need to see a vet. Only thing to remember before going there: CASH ONLY!
