Farm Vets in Mallow

## Summary The Donkey Sanctuary is a donkey-and-mule welfare organisation (not a general small-animal veterinary clinic) focused on sanctuary care, rehoming, and practical support for owners. The website positions it as a specialist authority on donkey welfare and knowledge-sharing. Recent reviews focus more on the visitor experience than clinical care, with repeated mentions of clearly marked walking routes/trails, staff who explain what they’re doing, and a dog-friendly policy during visits. Practical specifics mentioned include free entry and an “adopt a donkey” option (€25 for one year). ## Services - **Sanctuary care for donkeys and mules** (ongoing welfare-focused care). - **Rehoming donkeys** (supporting donkeys into new homes). - **Support, advice, and guidance for donkey and mule owners** (welfare-focused help as stated on the website). - Visitor-related features mentioned in reviews: **multiple marked walking paths/trails**, opportunities to **see and greet/pet donkeys**, a **gift shop** with **small snacks**, and **picnic areas**. - **Dog-friendly visiting policy** is specifically noted by a reviewer. ## Pricing - **Free entry** (mentioned in a recent review). - **Adopt a donkey:** **€25 for one year** (mentioned in a recent review). ## People - Staff are described as **friendly, welcoming, and informative**, with visitors noting they learned a lot during their time there. - One reviewer specifically appreciated the **dog-friendly policy**, suggesting staff/management accommodate visitors bringing dogs (as stated by the reviewer). ## Reviews **4.8 stars from 1,257 reviews.** **“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”** - Visitors repeatedly describe it as a good **educational outing**, including for children, with “a lot to learn.” - Frequent mentions of **walking routes/trails** and spending time outdoors while seeing the donkeys. - Donkeys are described as **safe, relaxed, playful**, and approachable for a gentle greet/pet. - **Staff helpfulness** comes up often (friendly, welcoming, informative). - Practical visitor notes include **free entry**, **a small gift shop/snacks**, **picnic area**, and the **€25/year adoption** option.

## Summary Blackwater Veterinary Clinic is a general veterinary practice (ownership group not stated) that, based on reviews, sees both companion animals and farm animals (dogs and cows are explicitly mentioned). Recent reviewers describe being fit in at short notice when worried about a dog, with the vet “really listen[ing] to every concern” and giving clear feedback/advice. End-of-life care is also specifically described, including support through euthanasia and handling arrangements with a cremation service, with the pet returned afterwards. ## Services Services and situations explicitly mentioned in the available reviews include: - **Short-notice appointments for urgent concerns** (owners describe being seen “ASAP” and a pet being “fit in… at such short notice”). - **Consultations focused on listening and advice** (a reviewer notes the vet listened to each concern and offered feedback/advice). - **Ongoing care across multiple visits** for a continuing issue. - **End-of-life care** (euthanasia described) and **coordination with a cremation service**, including return of the pet afterwards. - **Farm animal care** (cows mentioned) alongside **dog care**. ## People - **Tara (reception)** is singled out as “so so helpful,” and is credited with fitting a dog in at short notice. - **Jess** and **Mcgregor** are named in the context of euthanasia and aftercare; the reviewer says they “took care of everything” and supported the family through the process. - **Vets (team, unnamed in other reviews)** are described as listening carefully to concerns, giving advice, and engaging positively with animals during visits. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.8 stars from 180 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - Being **seen quickly when worried about a pet**, including being accommodated at short notice. - **Communication during consults**: owners mention vets listening to concerns and providing feedback/advice. - **Approach to pets**: multiple reviews note friendly interactions and that vets seem to enjoy engaging with animal patients. - **Support around euthanasia and aftercare**, including managing cremation arrangements and returning the pet to the owner. - Long-term client relationships are mentioned (“family vets for years”), including care for both cows and dogs.

## Summary Mallow Vets is fronted (in reviews) by veterinarian **John Collins**. The clinic is frequently mentioned for **end-of-life care**, with multiple owners describing support and guidance during a dog’s final days and euthanasia appointments. Reviews are mixed: alongside detailed praise for compassion in difficult situations, there are also repeated complaints alleging **overcharging** and one account of an **out-of-hours call** being handled abruptly. No corporate group ownership is mentioned in the available information. Concrete specifics mentioned by owners include: - Support during euthanasia for elderly dogs, with owners saying their pets were kept comfortable and the process was handled carefully. - A **puppy health check** described as a brief exam, with the owner reporting they were not allowed into the exam room. - One owner reporting they were told to “ring who I usually bring him to” when calling about a sick dog out of hours. ## Services Services and scenarios explicitly referenced in the available information include: - **Euthanasia / end-of-life support** for dogs (including guidance through a pet’s final days and the euthanasia appointment itself). - **Health check for a puppy prior to purchase** (a “check puppy we were about to buy” visit is described). - **Telephone triage / advice** is implied by an out-of-hours call described in reviews (with one reviewer saying they were redirected elsewhere). ## Pricing - **€60** — reported cost for a puppy health check (one review describes an exam lasting “max 3 mins” and says they had to ask for written confirmation of the check). ## People - **John Collins (veterinarian)** — repeatedly named. - In several reviews about euthanasia and end-of-life care, owners describe him as **thoughtful, thorough, and compassionate**, and say he helped them through the grief of losing a dog and ensured the pet was comfortable. - Other reviewers describe negative interactions: one calls him “ignorant” during an out-of-hours phone call, and another alleges a rushed exam and poor communication around paperwork/receipt. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.0 stars from 48 reviews.** “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - **Strong praise for end-of-life care:** multiple owners describe compassionate handling of euthanasia and support during an emotional time. - **Concerns about cost and transparency:** one reviewer reports a €60 fee for a very brief puppy check and says they had to request paperwork; another alleges overcharging (including claims about others being overcharged). - **Out-of-hours experience is conflicted:** one reviewer says they were dismissed on the phone and told to contact their usual vet, while other reviews focus on supportive care in planned end-of-life visits.

## Summary Munster Bovine focuses on cattle breeding and herd management rather than small-animal veterinary care. The website highlights over 70 years of artificial insemination experience and an “integrated herd management solution,” including milk recording and herd health services, plus semen sales and farm supplies. Recent reviews most often mention a strong selection of dairy and beef bulls and prompt, advice-oriented service from a named staff member, while a smaller number of reviews raise complaints about being “only interested in getting money,” including one specifically tied to milk recording. ## Services - Artificial insemination (AI) technician service - Dairy, dairy-beef, and beef semen sales - Milk recording (Manual & EDIY) - Herd health service - Liquid nitrogen delivery service - Johnes testing (through milk samples) - Pregnancy testing (through milk samples) - AI equipment and supplies - FarmOps mobile application (herd management) ## People - **Shane Keegan**: Mentioned by name in a review as providing “prompt service,” being “always on hand to offer advice,” and helping with access to a “fantastic selection of bulls.” ## Reviews **4.4 stars from 42 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - **Breeding stock choice is a repeated positive:** reviewers mention a “fantastic selection of bulls,” including options for dairy and beef and “less popular breeds.” - **Responsiveness and advice are highlighted:** one reviewer describes “prompt service” and someone “always on hand to offer advice.” - **Pricing/money concerns show up in a minority of reviews:** two 1-star reviews allege the business is focused on getting money; one specifically cites disappointment with **milk recording** and says the issue persisted “even when the mistake is on their side.”

## Summary VetBreed: we only have the clinic name and no usable details on whether it’s independently run or part of a corporate group, what services are offered, or what facilities/case types they handle. We also don’t have Google rating/review count or any written reviews in the data provided, so we can’t summarise owner experiences or recurring themes.