| In my work with people whose pets have passed | | | | accommodate. One of your concerns might be |
| away I have gained a lot of experience about | | | | after hours and weekend emergency care. They |
| pet health care and safety. One of the most | | | | may or may not provide that service and you |
| surprising things I learned is that all | | | | need to know before your need arises. |
| veterinarians are not alike. I don't know | | | | |
| why this was a surprise to me. Perhaps it | | | | � You should observe the general |
| was because like most pet lovers I just | | | | appearance of the office and facilities. Are |
| assumed that people in the animal care | | | | they clean? Is there an overpowering foul |
| business had great big hearts and were very | | | | odor? Is the waiting room adequate? How |
| conscientious about an animal's well being. | | | | professional does the staff look and act? If |
| | | | possible and if it can be done discretely, |
| Unfortunately, I found that this is not true. | | | | ask a waiting client how they like the |
| The veterinarian field is no different than | | | | clinic. |
| any other. Its ranks are populated by people | | | | |
| with different ethics, values and | | | | � Ask for a schedule of costs. Most |
| motivations. Most veterinarians are great | | | | veterinarians charge about the same for |
| people who care about both their human and | | | | services, but some have greater overheads |
| animal clients. But there are those few who | | | | than others (i.e. upscale neighborhoods, more |
| do not. They care only about making money | | | | employees, etc.) and must charge a little |
| and being affluent. The care they give may | | | | more. You don't want any surprises on your |
| sometimes be adequate, but often it is not. | | | | visits. Animal care can be expensive. Added |
| They lack compassion and just do not care. | | | | or unseen expenses might hurt your budget. |
| They are ugly veterinarians. | | | | Don't be afraid to ask. |
| | | | |
| Complaints about veterinarian indifference | | | | � If you are satisfied with the |
| and poor conduct arrive in my mail routinely. | | | | veterinarian, the staff, the facilities and |
| Unless a veterinarian commits an extremely | | | | costs, then call and make your first |
| egregious or unlawful act, there is not much | | | | appointment. Even though you may not need |
| recourse that you can take. There are | | | | to, ask for a specific date and time to see |
| regulatory bodies and a legal system, but I | | | | how responsive they are to your personal |
| think you will find that animals and their | | | | needs. Don't be unreasonable. Select a day |
| people do not usually get a fair shake in | | | | and time for the following week. If they |
| these situations. One only needs to look at | | | | cannot accommodate you, ask them why they |
| the number of animals put down in shelters | | | | cannot. There may be a good reason (i.e. the |
| each day to know what importance society | | | | veterinarian might be going on vacation, |
| places on them. | | | | etc). If they say they are just too busy, |
| | | | this might not be a bad thing. Generally, |
| The best cure then is prevention. We who | | | | good clinics draw the clients. You need to |
| keep animals need to set the bar on what is | | | | look at all the facts and then decide. It |
| acceptable to us in terms of animal care and | | | | might be worth the wait. |
| then choose only those veterinarians who meet | | | | |
| our standards. The following suggestions are | | | | There should never be routine complaints |
| offered as a guide and should be at least | | | | about a veterinarian. If people would do |
| your minimum considerations: | | | | their homework, they would select a capable |
| | | | and caring veterinarian and not an ugly one. |
| � Meet with the Veterinarian. A | | | | If everyone would do this, those ugly |
| veterinarian who understands the importance | | | | veterinarians who come up short would not get |
| of your pet to you should have no problem | | | | new clients. They would soon be out of |
| finding a few minutes to meet with you. My | | | | business and most us would not miss them. |
| veterinarian always comes out to talk with me | | | | |
| before he sees one of my pets and once in | | | | The author is a retired Coast Guard Officer |
| awhile he calls me unexpectedly to see how | | | | with over 32 years of service. He is also a |
| they are doing. If you detect reluctance by | | | | Baptist Preacher and Bible Teacher. He helps |
| either the Veterinarian or their staff to | | | | those grieving the loss of a pet to |
| accommodate a short introductory meeting, you | | | | understand the Biblical evidence that proves |
| probably should take this as a negative | | | | they live on. His most popular book, "Cold |
| signal. | | | | Noses at the Pearly Gates" delivers hope and |
| | | | comfort to the reader in a very gentle, yet |
| � During your introductory meeting, you | | | | convincing way. Visit at for more |
| should ask about services that they provide. | | | | information and tips. |
| You may have a special need that they do not | | | | |