VCA Columbia Animal Hospital at Hickory Ridge

12/19/2025

Thank you to our incredible team at VCA Emergency Animal Hospital & Referral Center!!

You may have seen Tuesday's SWAT standoff in the news and heard that one of our beloved San Diego Police Department police dogs was injured. That is true. Yet, our valiant K9 Bowie II survived the incident, has been cleared and released by our friends at VCA Animal Hospitals, and is expected to return to duty! His recovery is nothing short of a holiday "miracle."

What's more, K9 Bowie II played a significant part in causing the suspect to give up — and end the stand-off, bringing peace and safety back to our community.

For the past 22 years, every police service dog at the San Diego Police Department has been purchased with funds donated by the community through the Police Foundation. K9 Bowie II was proudly funded through our K9 Program.

Fun fact: his official start date was Christmas Day in 2023!

These specialized canines safeguard public events, find missing persons, locate evidence, de-escalate dangerous situations, prevent shootings, and preserve life.

Learn more about our K9 Program: https://sdpolicefoundation.org/initiatives/k9-program/

12/19/2025

🎁 Still need to get the last minute holiday presents for your pets?? 🎁 Our team at VCA Lake Jackson has pet gift ideas ready for you!

12/18/2025

’Tis the season for new guests, loud sounds, and doors opening a little too often. If your pet decides to make a surprise dash like Santa's reindeer, make sure their microchip is up to date and easy to scan at your local VCA. Make an appointment here: https://vcahospitals.com/book-an-appointment

12/17/2025

How many did you get right out of 8? VCA is ready for your pet emergency care this holiday season!

12/16/2025

Don't look at the first comment

12/15/2025

It's never just one item 😅

📹

12/12/2025

The holiday pet hazards tea is hot! Give extra love to your pets this season... and if your pet needs emergency care, we are here for you at VCA!

12/11/2025

POV us eating our veggies before all the holiday treats. 📸 VCA South Dade Avian and Exotic Animal Hospital

12/10/2025

It's the most wonderful time of year! Schedule your free first exam: https://vca.mobi/4aeMe7D

12/09/2025

On this International Day of Veterinary Medicine—and every day—we’re proud to care for your pets. Across VCA and throughout our Mars Veterinary Health family, we’re celebrating the incredible Associates around the world who make life better for pets every day.

12/04/2025

There's still time to book your end-of-year exam for your best friend at your local VCA! Find your hospital here: https://vcahospitals.com/find-a-hospital

12/03/2025

Zoom to the comments to share your cat zoomie stories!

07/29/2025

🎊 Don't forget your tickets for the Humane Rescue Alliance Bark Ball!

It'll be here before you know it, and with HRA being one of our valued Shelter Partners and we want to make this Bark Ball better than ever!

For more information and purchasing tickets, look here: https://events.handbid.com/auctions/38th-annual-bark-ball

05/16/2024

04/19/2024

Please help us spread the word! BARCS is out of dog space and are waiving adoption fees through April 21. https://www.facebook.com/BARCSbaltimore/posts/pfbid02kvzeEusuqodfU52E8aYijzsz1VtwF51tzuLYKLSh2QjCozMaKF46ArEqZ76Wudjfl

🚨OUT OF DOG SPACE🚨

BARCS is in a desperate situation–we have more dogs in the shelter than we have kennel space to house them, and more will continue to enter our doors. Effective today, April 18, through Sunday, April 21, we are waiving adoption fees for ALL animals in the shelter in order to make room for new animals that need to seek refuge at our facility.

BARCS is the open-admission shelter for Baltimore City, we cannot turn new animals away, even if our cages are full. The number of dogs coming into our shelter has significantly increased. Dog intakes at BARCS are up 24% from last year and 71% in the last two years. We have hundreds of healthy, happy adoptable dogs that need homes, and they are at risk for euthanasia otherwise. YOU can help us not have to make any heartbreaking decisions by helping us spread the word about this mounting crisis.

ADOPT: Adoption fees are WAIVED for all animals from April 18-21. BARCS is located at 2490 Giles Rd., Baltimore, MD and we are open from 2-6 p.m. on weekdays and from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekends. Fees are waived for animals in foster and at adoption events this weekend as well. www.barcs.org/adopt-dogs/

FOSTER: We urgently need foster families for adult dogs. You do NOT need to have a specific type of home or family to foster. Any open cage means two lives preserved: the dog you took home to foster and the next one inevitably coming in tomorrow. Even a weekend-long commitment to foster can make a major difference. If you aren’t sure about fostering, you can attend one of our Foster Open Houses that are held twice a week. www.barcs.org/foster/

DOG’S DAY OUT: If you are unable to adopt or foster at this time but still want to help dogs in need, you can participate in Dog’s Day Out. Our Dog’s Day Out program is a great way to give our pups a break from the shelter environment and get them seen by potential adopters. You can take one of our pups to the park, go for a hike or simply relax in your home. You do not need to be an existing volunteer to participate. www.barcs.org/dogs-day-out/

Please consider coming by the shelter to adopt or go through the foster process onsite and temporarily house a pup in need.

04/19/2024

❗OUT OF DOG SPACE❗
📌BARCS is in a desperate situation–we have more dogs in the shelter than we have kennel space to house them, and more will continue to enter our doors. Effective today, April 18, through Sunday, April 21, we are waiving adoption fees for ALL animals in the shelter in order to make room for new animals that need to seek refuge at our facility.

📌BARCS is the open-admission shelter for Baltimore City, we cannot turn new animals away, even if our cages are full. The number of dogs coming into our shelter has significantly increased. Dog intakes at BARCS are up 24% from last year and 71% in the last two years.

📌We have hundreds of healthy, happy adoptable dogs that need homes, and they are at risk for euthanasia otherwise. YOU can help us not have to make any heartbreaking decisions by helping us spread the word about this mounting crisis.

📌ADOPT: Adoption fees are WAIVED for all animals from April 18-21. BARCS is located at 2490 Giles Rd., Baltimore, MD and we are open from 2-6 p.m. on weekdays and from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekends. Fees are waived for animals in foster and at adoption events this weekend as well. www.barcs.org/adopt-dogs/

📌FOSTER: We urgently need foster families for adult dogs. You do NOT need to have a specific type of home or family to foster. Any open cage means two lives preserved: the dog you took home to foster and the next one inevitably coming in tomorrow. Even a weekend-long commitment to foster can make a major difference. If you aren’t sure about fostering, you can attend one of our Foster Open Houses that are held twice a week. www.barcs.org/foster/

📌DOG’S DAY OUT: If you are unable to adopt or foster at this time but still want to help dogs in need, you can participate in Dog’s Day Out. Our Dog’s Day Out program is a great way to give our pups a break from the shelter environment and get them seen by potential adopters. You can take one of our pups to the park, go for a hike or simply relax in your home. You do not need to be an existing volunteer to participate. www.barcs.org/dogs-day-out/

Please consider coming by the shelter to adopt or go through the foster process onsite and temporarily house a pup in need.

01/16/2024

ALERT! Due to weather and road conditions, the hospital will remain closed today, January 16, 2024. We plan to reopen for normal business hours on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at 7 am. We are so sorry for any inconvenience. Keep warm and stay safe!

10/19/2023

Happy National Veterinary Technicians Week! Join us as we celebrate our amazing techs and their dedication, tireless effort, love, and compassion. Thank you Marissa, Brian, Kodi, Ashley, Kylie, Emily, Keyon, Mikayla, Chris, Alana, and Tyson for all you do for pets and people every single day.

10/17/2023

It's no secret that animal shelters are over-flowing.

Our friends at BARCS in Maryland are in crisis mode and have an emergent need for fosters!

Share with your friends!

08/18/2023

Our hearts are with the pets and people of Maui.

A big 🫶 to the Hawaii based VCA veterinarians currently in Maui working alongside our incredible partners at Maui Humane Society. Teams are busy making triage kits to support pets and pet-owning families across the island.

Throughout the month of August, 100% of donations made to VCA Charities within any VCA Hospital will support our Disaster Relief Grants including our efforts in Maui. And 100% of donation made at the six Oahu VCA Hospitals will exclusively support relief efforts in Maui.

Thank you to everyone currently supporting this important work!

Additional ways to Donate:

- Donate at any VCA Animal Hospital
- Donate to VCA Charities directly by visiting vcacharities.org/donations
- Donate via text, by texting “GIVE” to 213-325-1919

02/14/2023

On Tuesday, Feb 14th, we will be closing at 6pm

10/29/2022

All set up and ready for BARCStoberfest-see you there!

10/18/2022

Happy National Vet Tech Week! If you are coming to visit us this week, show our technicians a little extra love. Furry cuddles and kisses welcome

07/29/2022