Is This Legal??

Updated on January 27, 2007
D.S. asks from Plano, TX
6 answers

My husband dropped both our cats off for surgery yesterday in Garland. We were told that they needed to stay overnight and could be picked up at noon the next day (today). Well, I drove from my home with my two young daughters from plano to Garland to pick them up because I'd hate to have them stay another night in a strange place. When I got to the vet their was a big pink sign that read "we are closed!" I cannot tell you how pissed I was that I drove 30 minutes in this weather to find that the hospital was closed. Not only that but because the hospital was closed that meant that noone was watching my animals!!!!!!! I tried calling the phone numbers and the voice mail box was full. I tried another number and was forwarded to their after hours center. I was told that they believed that some would stop by throughout the day to give them food and water. What if something is wrong with these pets or they are having adverse reactions to surgery??? there was a few other families there to pick up their pets too. We just couldn't believe that our pets were locked inside that facility and we couldn't pick them up and bring them home. We were never notified of the closure by even a simple phone call. I am so worried about my cats and I feel so helpless right now and I absolutly hate the feeling.

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So What Happened?

Thank you so much for the support. I was able to pick up my cats yesterday and the vet was extremly apologetic. She told me that she did try calling but for some reason I never received the call. I asked them how to take care of my cats once bring them home and I was told to shread paper for their litter box and shown how to administer the pain meds. When the cats were brought out in their crate they both had cones around their head. I figured it was to keep them from licking their paws. I drove them home and when I got my kids and cats comfortable I went through the paperwork I was given. On it is stated that my cats were both obese and needed weight loss and that I was supposed to give pain meds every 12 hrs. I wasn't sure if they were given their painmeds already and I didn't (still don't) understand what I am supposed to do in regards to "weight loss". I was put on hold while the receptionist went to verify. Then some other lady (whom I assumed was the vet) picked up and I reiterated what I needed. Then the 1st lady picked up telling me that she forgot what I needed and I told her again. Then the other lady came back with the information regarding the pain meds. I asked her about the weightloss and also told her that I was talking with two different people. The other lady came back and said that they both bumped into eachother in the hall and that the other lady would be taking care of me. I waited and waited on the line and nothing so I finally just hung up. I had my husband call back to ask about when we were supposed to take of the cones. We were told that the cones are for animals when they are nutured or spayed. I felt horrible that my cats had to have these cones on their necks for the entire day when they weren't even needed. Anyway, I still do not know what to do about the weight loss thing. Do I just switch them to a weight loss food? Do I feed them only a certain amount per day and if so, how much for two cats??? I went to this vet because their cost for declawing was $80 vs the $260 per pet I was getting quoted from other places. I guess you get what you pay for, huh?

More Answers

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S.W.

answers from Dallas on

You should complain about them closing without calling you, but yes it is legal. Ask for a discount on your surgeries, as well as make sure that you aren't charged another day of boarding! I worked for vets when I was younger and they ALWAYS have someone go in and feed, water, walk, medicate etc.. even when the office is closed (like Holidays and such- and no they don't answer the phones). I always had to work Thanksgiving and X-mas. Hope this helps.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.S.

answers from Dallas on

D., that's awful!! I agree they should have contacted those that had pets in there for surgery to let them know they would be closed due to the weather. I hope your cats are okay.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.A.

answers from Dallas on

Legal, yes. With the ice storm they probably could not contact everyone, ALTHOUGH THEY SHOULD HAVE contacted everyone who had pets in the hospital to come pick up early or to explain that due to the ice storm that they would not have someone there to dismiss the pets and would hold them over another day at no charge. They have to have kennel people come in to tend to them, yes. As for surgery, and I don't know this hospital, but from my Vet Tech experience, any reaction to anethesia would happen sooner than 24 hours after surgery.

Sorry for your frustration and I'm sure they'll explain everything when you get through. Do they have a website? You may want to shoot them an e-mail.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.K.

answers from Dallas on

D.,

What a horrible experience for you and your family. If you're like me, your pets are your family and not to be able to pick them up when you were told is very upsetting.

As far as the weight loss thing...my cat was put on a special diet. It was a dry cat food for weight loss that I had to purchase from the vet. Although it was not cheap, it worked and then I put her on a maintenance formula. I forget the brand.

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T.M.

answers from Dallas on

Please let us know how your cats are.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.J.

answers from Dallas on

Unfortunately, it is perfectly legal. I would say immoral, yet legal. As the owner of a local kennel, my husband often has to go to work in awful conditions because we have taken on that responsibility in our business. We have NEVER closed early or opened late. There is no excuse to do so. In your case, I would certainly complain, perhaps even with the BBB, and definitely find a different place to go in the future. So sorry to hear about your cats in surgery and about the horrible service you received. I hope they are doing well now.

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