Advanced Veterinary Hospital

Reviews

• Stephanie Wilbur

  Apr, 21 2018
  ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
  My husband witnessed someone hit a stray cat by a car on his way home from work. He picked up the cat and called me panicked on what to do and asked where the closest vet was. With his location, this vet was the closest available to give the cat the best chance at life even though he told me he was pretty sure the pet had passed away. I called the hospital around 4:30 today to give them a heads up that my husband would be coming so they would be prepared for a potential critical case and could scan for a microchip. The receptionist that answered seemed confused and annoyed by my call with a response "....okay...?" as I explained the situation. Judging by her lack of empathy (there was no "oh, I'm so sorry!"), I asked if this was okay. She told me with a questionable tone that it would be fine, but they had to have someone responsible for finances. I again explained that it was a stray cat and we were pretty sure that this cat had already passed away. I told her I worked in the veterinary field for 7 years and had NEVER turned away a critical stray pet due to finances. She explained that they could check for a microchip, but any exam done (even to establish if pet was alive) would need to have proper form of payment. I asked her if I just take the pet elsewhere or what do I do with this cat this is dead or almost dead? She told me that I should take it elsewhere. I was and am still SHOCKED by the lack of effort this hospital provides to stray critical pets! It makes me wonder what would happen if my dog or cat were patient's of theirs and had escaped from the house and were picked up by someone after being hit by a car? Would they refuse payment on a well-established client that was critical? I understand needing payment for services up front, but don't understand how this practice gets approved payment arrangements from anyone when time is of the essence? They should be advocates for animals and treat them with the utmost priority and respect. I'd have no problem paying for my own pets, but I'm not about to fork out over $1000+ on a stray pet. It also makes me question what would have been done if I didn't call in advanced. The website states that they are equipped to handle emergency cases, but this situation proves to be different. As someone that has had many years working in a private veterinary practice I hated when people would say that veterinarians are just in it for the money. However, I truly believe this to be accurate for this animal hospital. I am still shocked that this receptionist told me to go elsewhere with a critical stray animal! We took this sweet baby a few minutes south to Tarpon Animal Hospital where they quickly evaluated the situation and realized this baby was DOA. They thanked my husband for being a good-Samaritan and told him they would take care of the cremation. I truly hope this hospital re-evaluates what to do in critical cases whether they be for current patients or strays. It makes me concerned what their action would be if they saw a dog or cat get hit by a car right in front of their building. Would they try to save it not knowing if they would get paid or would they leave it there to die? The motive to this practice is questionable. I truly hope that this was a miscommunication with the receptionist and not the way these doctors run their practice. Even so, this receptionist needs to work on her phone etiquette and at least PRETEND to care that an animal just got hit by a car!

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