UPDATE:

I have since file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, who recommended I also file with the District Attorney and Veterinary Board.

Here is an excerpt of Dr. Ron's reply to the District Attorney:

"We can resolve this by her paying the $50 for the missed surgery and to take all her future business elsewhere where she is happier. (If possible it would be best to charge her some fee either to you or to us for our additional time dealing with this to help send a message to stop behavior of people who feel if they complain enough they will get their way)"

I guess where Dr. Ron is from, people are not allowed to complain when they have been wronged.

Don't let him do this to you - avoid this vet at all costs!!!

ORIGINAL COMPLAINT:

In September I contacted Dr. Ron’s office to obtain a price for spaying my five month old Doberman. The young lady who answered the phone found it necessary to put me on hold a few times in order to access the information. I was quoted a price and was informed I would need to show proof of vaccinations and was also told there was a $50 missed appointment fee. Never was I told which vaccines I would need, nor that they only accepted vet administered vaccines.

I arrived at my appointed time with dog in hand. When I began to fill out the paperwork I informed the clerk my dog was up to date on her shots and that their clinic had given her the Rabies vaccine a couple of weeks earlier and should have the records. The clerk copped an attitude and indicated they would be giving my dog a Parvo shot because the only proof of vaccines they would accept would be those shots given by a vet.

I told the clerk with the bad attitude I was not informed of the “vet administered” vaccine policy when I made the appointment and that I had proof of purchasing the shots. She rudely replied that was not good enough and followed up by stating that in addition to the Parvo shot, my dog would also be receiving a Distemper vaccine. I informed the clerk that it would not make sense for me to purchase the vaccines and not administer them to the dog. She was extremely condescending when she indicated she did not believe me. It was almost comical how rude and condescending she was. I was in awe at how badly I was being treated.

I attempted to explain to the clerk how none of this made any sense. If the office had stated at the time I made the appointment I needed proof of vaccinations from a veterinarian, why would I, knowing that I administer my own vaccines, have made an appointment with them?

The clerk gave me three options: pay for the additional shots, pay to put the dog into isolation, or pay the $50 missed appointment fee. Now she was attempting to use the $50 missed appointment fee as a coercion tactic to make me pay for unnecessary shots or unneeded isolation!

I questioned the clerk on how she could charge me for a missed appointment when I was there and the only reason the dog was not being seen was because they would not accept my proof of vaccination. She indicated that it was a missed “surgical” appointment fee. I explained again that I did not miss my appointment because I was there and when I made my appointment I was told at the time the appointment was made the fee would only apply if I missed my appointment.

I asked to speak to the vet and was told he was not there. I took my paperwork and left. The clerk angrily yelled after me that she would be sending my bill to collections. I received a collection notice one week later, which included interest of $.10.

I attempted three times to contact Dr. Ron to personally discuss with him this matter but was unsuccessful because he was either not available or his staff did not know when he would be in. Because of his unavailability to discuss this matter, I filed a complaint with the BBB in hopes of achieving resolution. His office has refused to remove the $50 missed appointment fee.

Thanks very much for your support.
Sandy Welcker