Angels of Assisi

Reviews 4

NU

Nunya Biz

I think they do some good work overall, and theyre certainly more affordably priced than many other vets, but I was a little too iffy to try them due to two problems I had when I was looking for an affordable vet (on a very small budget, regrettably) for my kitty, Venus. One was how long it even took to get information... there isnt a lot of specialized information on their website (not spay/neuter) - so I opted to call and ask instead. It literally took almost a WEEK because they dont answer their phones at all: from what I can tell, they return calls from their answering machine instead. So if you have to call, youll need to pay attention to your own phone 24/7 until you get a call back. To their credit, they did return my calls within a day or two (the second or third time -_- ), but since I dont stay glued to my phone 24/7, I missed the call and its impossible to return them since they dont answer their phones. They left a message, but didnt give the information Id asked about, so I had to call back - on and on the cycle went. One time, someone picked up, but I spent a good 15 minutes listening to a receptionist talk to someone about their accounts and dogs, screaming across the line, "HELLO, THERE IS SOMEONE ON THE PHONE!" in the hopes theyd hear me. Im not sure why she even answered if she had no intention of speaking at all, but it seemed as though shed accidentally picked up the line and didnt realize it (no, I wasnt on hold), or possibly a transfer to that abominable answering machine didnt go through. I can genuinely understand being busy or unable to answer every call they get - but that many times, over than span of time.. its obviously an ongoing issue. When I finally did get a call back I could answer and spoke with someone, however, I was disappointed to hear that things Id read looking around online for reviews were true: you can not go back to the exam room with your animal. This was the deciding point for me - I gave up and tried every other option I could to get to a better vet. I dont feel like I can trust someone who acts as though they have so much to hide they wont allow owners back with their animals (not just for surgeries, but even the initial exam) like that (especially for first-timers who dont even know the people whose hands theyre putting their pets lives and health into). They could be anyone, with any or no credentials, doing anything in there - making any kind of judgement calls - and I would never know, or just have to take their word for it. O.o Paired with the difficulty I had in even contacting them, it was a no-go (I have to leave my pet in their hands, might not even meet or talk to the vet, cant be there with them, AND cant get ahold of them for info? Like hell!). I wound up settling for a vet my budget couldnt really handle (but who DOES allow me back with my pet and who answers their calls much easier and faster), and made it work with the help of a family member letting me use their Care Credit account to balance payments. AoA could be a decent place regardless (and I do know someone who goes there, but only for minor things and my cat was dealing with potential cancer with a lump on her mammary gland), but I had no way at all of gauging that short of "try and if they screw up its my fault, I guess." I just wasnt willing to take that risk, so I reckon whether AoA is good or not really depends on what services you need and what youre willing to chance in your unique situation.

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TI

Tia HatesRobots

I found a male cat outside of Walmart who was a gentle soul. I wanted to keep him despite already having a ton of rescued critters. I kept him confined in the bathroom away from my other cats bc he was obviously sick. I hoped he could be nursed back to health. I took him to Angels. He tested positive for Fiv. Some cats can have good lives despite the disease but he was suffering horrible, bloody diahrea, extremely weak, and seemed to be in pain. The vet tech was so kind and she got teary eyed herself when she told me the most humane thing to do was put him down. They let me spend time with him first. The vet and vet tech let me be with him when he died. There was no struggle from him whatsoever. The vet talked me through everything and petted and comforted the cat. She gave him a sedative and he was out right away. The second shot slowed his breathing until he left this world. I cried. It was sad but they did the euthanasia humanely and with compassion. They hugged me afterwards and assured me this was the kindest thing I could have offered him. It sucked to have this outcome but their warmth and kindness made it a little easier. They gave me the body for burial. I was only charged for the Fiv test not the euthanasia. These people do care. If you need to make the hard choice to euthanize a sick pet and do not have the money to go to a regular vet or if you find a sick or injured stray, I would recommend Angels because they really do care about these animals and will make sure their transition to the great beyond is painless and that they pass over with dignity. I hope that when the day comes that I am old and sick I have the option to be euthanized as this cat had been. No one should have to live in pain.

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JO

Johnathan Ramey

I was upset that I couldnt go back with my cat when he received his booster shot. I had just moved from Richmond, where I used the SPCA, and they always let me go back with him. They restarted his feline distemper series because we apparently we didnt complete it when he was a kitten. Therefore, I came to Angels of Assisi to have the second round of the booster series three weeks after his first dose in Richmond. I had just had his annual exam with the SPCA less than a month before this appointment, but Angels of Assisi said that my cat was showing signs of cataracts (never mentioned at the SPCA, he shows no signs of any visual impairment, and hes only four years old). They also said I should "watch his weight." Hes only 10 pounds, has a good profile, and you can easily feel his ribs and spine upon palpation. They also asked twice about a rabies vaccine he already received and the evidence of which I provided them with the records I brought. Their credit card machine was down when I went to check out. When I subsequently tried to pay over the phone, no one answered over the next two days. I then had to drive to Angels of Assisi in order to pay for the services. The services were cheap, and I appreciate that, but I left with the most uneasy feeling Ive ever had leaving a clinic.

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MA

Matthew Ferguson

I recently adopted a cat from Angels and had a very difficult experience. I had located my new friend (Matt) online and received approval for his adoption within a week and a half. When I went to Valley View Petsmart where he was located they said that he was not there. I then called Angels who told me that he had been moved to the Petsmart beside Khols near Tanglewood. I then drove back across town to that Petsmart where they employees told me that they have never had a cat by the name (Matt). The courteous employee then offered to call Angels on my behalf. After talking with them for about 15 minutes while my family and I stood there urgently awaiting news of our new friend she informed me that Matt had been adopted about a month ago and that they just dont update their website regularly. I ended up driving back to Valley View Petsmart and adopted another cat (Margret). I am very frustrated at the whole situation. How can a company whose sole purpose is to look after animals not know that one of their own animals was already adopted. This puts a sour taste in my mouth and I will never deal with Angels ever again.

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