Kennebunk Veterinary Hospital: Shively Margaret DVM

Located at 149 Fletcher Street in Kennebunk, Maine, Kennebunk Veterinary Hospital, under the experienced leadership of Dr. Margaret Shively DVM, stands as a highly respected and established Pet Hospital. This facility is a cornerstone of comprehensive veterinary care for dogs and cats in the Kennebunks and surrounding areas, including Kennebunkport, Arundel, Wells, Biddeford, Alfred, and Sanford. With a long-standing presence in the community, the hospital prides itself on delivering exceptional care with a commitment to compassion, knowledge, and efficiency.

Kennebunk Veterinary Hospital can be reached by phone at (207) 985-4277 or mobile phone at +1 207-985-4277. Their operating hours are designed to accommodate pet owners, typically open Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and on Saturdays from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM, remaining closed on Sundays. These consistent hours reflect their dedication to being available for the community's general veterinary needs. Appointments are generally recommended to ensure all patients receive the dedicated time and attention they require.

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The environment at Kennebunk Veterinary Hospital is consistently described by clients as welcoming, professional, and caring. The facility is maintained to high standards of cleanliness, creating a comfortable and safe space for pets and their owners. The staff and veterinarians are noted for their warm greetings and compassionate interactions, alleviating the natural anxieties that pets and their human companions might experience during a visit. Reviews highlight the team's ability to make pets feel special, treating them as if they were "the greatest dog and cats in the world." This personalized attention contributes significantly to a positive experience, fostering a sense of trust and reassurance among clients. The hospital’s philosophy revolves around providing a caring atmosphere where every animal is treated with respect and empathy, which is evident in the long-term relationships they build with clients, often spanning multiple generations of pet ownership.

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Kennebunk Veterinary Hospital provides a wide array of veterinary services, focusing on lifelong care for dogs and cats. Their comprehensive approach encompasses preventative medicine, diagnostics, treatment for various illnesses, and surgical procedures. Key services include:

• Wellness and Preventive Care: Routine examinations, vaccinations, parasite control, and nutritional counseling are foundational to their preventive care philosophy, aiming to keep pets healthy year-round.

• Diagnostic Services: The hospital is equipped with in-house laboratory capabilities for blood work and urinalysis, as well as digital radiology (X-rays), enabling quick and accurate diagnoses for a range of conditions.

• Dental Care: Comprehensive dental services are offered, including cleanings, extractions, and other dental procedures crucial for a pet's overall health.

• Surgical Services: They perform various soft tissue surgeries, addressing conditions that require surgical intervention.

• Internal Medicine: Diagnosis and management of internal diseases, including conditions affecting the eyes, ears, skin, gastrointestinal system, and urinary system.

• Pain Management: Addressing and managing pain in pets to improve their quality of life, especially for those with chronic conditions or recovering from injury/surgery.

• Behavioral Counseling: Guidance and support for common behavioral issues in pets, helping owners understand and address challenges.

• End-of-Life Care: Providing compassionate euthanasia services and support for pet owners during difficult times, often including aftercare options.

The hospital's team of skilled doctors, each with their own areas of advanced study, along with the presence of a specialty/orthopedic surgeon, allows them to offer an exceptional depth and breadth of expertise. This multi-disciplinary approach ensures that pets receive specialized attention when needed, within a familiar and trusted environment.

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What truly sets Kennebunk Veterinary Hospital apart is its commitment to building lasting relationships with clients and their pets. The practice, founded by Dr. Margaret Shively, is built on principles of trust, integrity, and kindness. Dr. Shively, a DVM graduate of Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, has been practicing in Kennebunk since 1987, fostering multi-generational relationships with clients, where she now treats the pets of children whose parents were her initial clients. This speaks volumes about the consistent quality of care and client satisfaction over decades.

A unique feature associated with Dr. Shively is the "Dockside Veterinary" program. During summer months, Dr. Shively utilizes a boat, the F/V Sea Keeper, as a floating veterinary clinic to serve island communities in Penobscot and Frenchman Bays. This initiative provides routine care and diagnosis for companion animals, sheep, and horses to residents who would otherwise face significant travel challenges to access veterinary services on the mainland. This demonstrates an extraordinary level of dedication and community service beyond the confines of the traditional hospital setting.

For the land-based hospital, key features include:

• Knowledgeable and Trustworthy Team: Clients consistently praise the professionalism, knowledge, and compassionate nature of the veterinarians and staff. They are known for providing clear explanations, good recommendations, and thorough follow-up.

• Efficiency and Responsiveness: The hospital is lauded for its quick turnaround for unscheduled visits when necessary and timely responses to questions, ensuring pets receive prompt attention.

• Client-Centric Approach: The team values partnership with pet owners, trusting them as the best decision-makers for their pet's health. They aim to solve problems for clients and make nervous patients feel safe during visits.

• Online Convenience: The hospital offers an online payment portal, an online pharmacy for essential supplies, and online forms for new and existing clients, streamlining administrative tasks and improving accessibility.

• Great Place to Work-Certified™: This certification suggests a positive internal culture, which often translates to better patient care and client service, as happy and supported staff tend to be more engaged and compassionate.

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Kennebunk Veterinary Hospital actively promotes its services through its professional website and positive word-of-mouth, which is generated by excellent client experiences. While they may not run specific seasonal "promotions" in the traditional retail sense, their consistent dedication to high-quality care and client satisfaction serves as their most potent form of promotion.

Their online presence allows clients to easily request appointments through their website and the PetDesk app, making scheduling convenient. They also highlight their acceptance of various payment options, including CareCredit, Trupanion, and other pet insurance, which aids in making veterinary care more accessible to a broader range of pet owners.

The strong testimonials from clients speak volumes. Reviews frequently mention the staff's kindness, gentleness, and informative approach. Clients appreciate that appointments are not rushed and that the waiting room is not overfilled, contributing to a less stressful experience. The deep trust clients place in Dr. Shively and her associates, often for decades, is a testament to the hospital's unwavering commitment to animal welfare and client relationships. For many, Kennebunk Veterinary Hospital is more than just a medical facility; it's a trusted partner in the lifelong health and happiness of their beloved animal companions.