Animal Health Center at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay

Reviews 3

MI

Michaela Kosa

The prices are cheap, especially when you need a quick shot for anything or a quick exam but if you have an emergency or your pet is sick, do NOT go here! The first time we went was to get out kitten checked out for a URI. I had originally called 5 days ago to schedule an appt but they wouldnt let me and said to go as a walk-in! Upon arrival, we were greeted by a very uninformed receptionist who could not have been less interested in his job. After checking in, we waited for about 2 and a half hours to be taken to an examination room. Then, we had to wait another 45 minutes just for the doctor to come in. They spent 5 minutes examining her before letting us go back to the waiting room. Later, they came back to get her because they FORGOT to weigh her. We ended up not being checked out and leaving until after closing around 4:00pm. The entire shelter was freezing cold and gross- not even the exam rooms are warm. The second time we went was because our kitten had been throwing up, not eating, and had some other small issues. This time we got there at 10:00am and were not called in until 11:00 (it took less time to be called since she was deemed an emergency walk-in). We were not allowed to come in as they did all these tests. They did a fecal matter test and did NOT tell us it came back negative. Then they said she needed x-rays which we got done. They tried to convince us that she had a foreign object in her digestive tract that inflated her intestine and required surgery. We were told to get an ultrasound, but only said yes to this as long as they did not send it off to an "expert" for a second opinion as that would be another $200. Around 2:00pm (4 hours after we arrived), they finally gave her back to us and the person who did the ultrasound said they did not know if it was a foreign object or not. THEY DONT EVEN HAVE A RADIOLOGIST FOR ULTRASOUNDS, JUST A DUMBASS. When she was returned, she was wet, cold, and shaking because they didnt even have the decency to wipe off the ultrasound lotion. We waited another hour and a half to be checked out. When receiving the bill, they tried to charge us an extra $90 for something we DID NOT APPROVE OR NOW ABOUT. After bringing her home, she turned out to be fine!! My husband has been playing with her for the last hour and no issues (or surgery required). If you have a serious issue, DO NOT GO HERE.

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A Private User

May 13, 2012 I had an appointment at the hospital for 1 tooth removal and 1 mole removal, price quoted and noted $350.00. When I get there, no one is there. When someone shows, they ask why Im there, and I mention for my dogs surgery. They said they dont have surgeries on weekends anymore, and this is new. They also said they tried calling me for a week, but funny thing is I never received a call, nor have EVER had problems receiving phone calls from them before. I had her read back my phone number as in the computer and it was CORRECT. She then gave me her supervisors number. I called him, and he tried telling me once again that he thought I was the one they tried calling. After a very long debating conversation on who didnt call who, how long Ive had this appointment, that I had to drive 45 minutes to get there on MOTHERS DAY, and now I would have to miss work in order to come in, he said he would call me back. He called me back (after I left) and said I could bring my dog back for over night boarding and he would give me 50% off the dental. I was quotes $250.00 for the dental, so that would bring my price down to $125.00 and $100.00 = $225.00 (plus tax and meds if needed). So, I drive back to the hospital and drop my dog off. He was going to have surgery that next morning and my fiance was going to pick him up, so I wouldnt have to miss work. Monday the 14th, I had a feeling I needed my phone on me at work and told my fiance to call me with any issues. At 5:00pm, my fiance called me saying the bill was now double what I had told him it would be. They told him they were charging OVER $500.00 for this surgery now. The reason for the price hike was because they took it upon themselves to pull 4 of my dogs teeth without calling me and approving the additional tooth extraction and price. This is absolutely ridiculous! I didnt even receive a phone call from them, and I had my phone on me all day. I called the manager again, and all I got it down to was $345.00. It shouldnt cost $120.00 for meds. So I definitely paid more than I should have, the way they treated me was outrageous, and the unauthorized extractions/price hikes is absolutely ridiculous. I havent dealt with type of treatment at any vet EVER! Ive had pets for the last 14 years, and this dog for the last 5 years. This is the worst vet I have EVER been to.

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A Private User

I mainly volunteer there as an animal campanion since I love dogs and cats and just want to bring them a few moments of happiness given their circumstances. They seem to love me back, too. The cats usually come straight to my lap when I sit in the cat rooms and the dogs follow me while I walk them and respond when I play fetch or frisbee with them. Ive never had difficulties with an animal there. However, there are some volunteers there who act like they run the place and have gone as far as to confront me and stalk me while I am walking a dog. Why? I dont know actually. They claim Im doing something wrong but theyve never tried to show me the correct way, whatever that might be. Theres this one older lady (and she never wears her name badge of course) whos ALWAYS at HSTB. Ive cut back on my volunteer work there because of her. She stalks me and questions everything I do, when I just do things the same way all the other volunteers do. She bullies me to the point that I dont want to return to HSTB as a volunteer ever again. I was even thinking about becoming a donor there but have changed my mind because of the way Ive been treated. Additionally, they have so many volunteers that sometimes the place is so crowded that you can hardly walk on your own much less with a dog. I heard from a staff member that they currently have 400+ volunteers registered in their system. And HSTB obviously cant keep track of all their volunteers because they dont provide training. All they had me do was attend the orientation (a brief overview of things) and "shadow" another volunteer who by the way, didnt seem like she knew much about animals at all. I dont care to volunteer there anymore. They obviously dont need me and Ive never been felt more unwelcome. Plus I dont need to put up with some of the other volunteers nasty attitude ... thats why I have a full-time job and a boss who actually pays me thank you very much. Id still adopt an animal from there but I certainly wont help by volunteering my time and donating my money.