Scottsville Veterinary Hospital

Reviews 3

AN

Ann Gree

Nothing on the S.P.A. website says people who already own dogs must bring them to adopt a pup or that theyll refuse to let you adopt if you own un-altered animals. I lost four hours and am heart-broken because of their false advertising. After I was hung up on repeatedly, I finally got through to an employee. I was told to "HURRY!" if I hoped to adopt today because the puppies were "flying out the door." I explained that I was more than an hour away, and wed hoped to bring the whole family (including our current dogs) tomorrow. I was told the puppies would not be held 24 hours, and I should come by myself now. 90 minutes later, I was allowed to meet/play with the puppy before anyone who works at the clinic actually spoke to me. I became instantly attached--he is precious. I went back to the desk and saw two families sign for and take their dogs home with them. I stepped up for my turn, said Id be glad to take the little guy Id fallen in love with, and was told I couldnt consider taking him today because I have dogs. I asked why I wasnt told over the phone that my dogs had to be present for an adoption, and the woman working said she must have made a mistake (it was said with a shrug, not an apology--completely unacceptable when so much time had been wasted). When she found out the dogs we adopted three years ago are whole, she was horrified. Though she kept correcting herself that she /shouldnt/ be calling me stupid, her bias about neutering made it clear Id never be allowed to adopt from this shelter. They demand pups be neutered quickly (which means many are being altered before 6 mos.). If Id known that this rescue, like so many others, is unwilling to speak to families on a case-by-case basis, I never wouldve spent more than a few minutes at their site; I wouldnt have spent three-plus hours in the car today; I wouldnt have wept all the way home over the little boy I fell in love with will never get to grow into a real dog. Hell be given to someone who allows him to be mutilated and (if they want him today) is a first-time dog owner with no knowledge of a dogs physiology or mental development. I guess I could have lied on my paperwork and claimed to be a first-time dog owner who "promised" to mutilate her new baby... as the S.P.A didnt check any references for the people in line ahead of me, I have to imagine it would have worked. So, why the long post about how angry I am? Because people who advocate spay/neuter at all costs say they cant imagine why someone would "ignore the benefit" of avoiding unwanted puppies, but theyve never done any reading about the cons of neutering (especially early). Puppies neutered before theyre fully grown have their physiology changed forever. Their limbs grow too long for their bodies. Their skulls dont grow enough. Their brains stop developing, and they never become "adult" dogs. Yes, its work to be sure my dogs are supervised and well cared for, but thats part of having dogs. The mild inconvenience of being a responsible pet owner who keeps her dogs from wandering the neighborhood is far preferable to knowing that I put an animal through a painful surgery to make my own life easier. I know there are too many unwanted puppies in this world--thats why I was looking to help one of them and add to our family. I have owned a dozen dogs in my lifetime (full disclosure: some "belonged" to my folks as I was growing up). None have been neutered. None have made puppies. All have been happy and healthy. I guess Ill keep looking for an "accidental" litter to be posted on CL--or pay into the puppy-mill system for a mutt thats called by some trendy-pushed-together-fake-breed-name--or drive to that high-kill shelter in TN on my own to save a puppy before its euthanized or turned over to a northern rescue that puts its ideals before the health of the animals it serves... but I cant possibly give my money to this for-profit "shelter" with its poor service and absolute disregard for the development of the animals they house.

A

A Private User

This animal hospital will schedule appointments for customers with their vet technician and not tell you youre not meeting with the actual vet. After waiting over an hour and a half for my scheduled appointment the vet tech looked at my dog and could not diagnose her symptoms. She didnt believe me when I told her about my dogs symptoms until I was walking out the door and she heard them for herself (coughing). Then I was called back in so she could sell me multiple prescriptions still not being sure what what wrong with my dog; prescriptions that were ordered, written and filled without a veterinarian present. This ended up costing me over $160 and the visit was charged as if I had seen an actual vet and not just a tech. I was later informed over the phone I had supposedly originally had an appointment with the vet but he was called to the other location. After a week of taking the multiple prescriptions my dog showed no improvement and I asked to have an appointment with the vet. When I saw the vet he recommended an x-ray, however said I would have to leave the dog and pay for an overnight visit to do so, and when I refused he asked me why. I told him I wanted to get a second opinion somewhere else given that I hadnt had such a good experience at this animal hospital. He became irate and began cursing at me. I responded that I was not happy I had been mislead at my last appointment by the vet tech not being an actual tech and that I felt the appointment was a waste of my time. It was then that the vet informed me the vet tech was his wife. He continued to curse at me in a very elevated tone. All this is happening with the exam room open where I could hear the woman at the desk also arguing with a woman who was disgruntled because she was under the impression her appointment was complimentary and she was being charged for it. I think that this place is scamming people. The vet, who also owns the business, is very unprofessional, rude and was very aggressive with me. I also believe the tech there is illegally writing prescriptions without license when a vet is not in the building nor did she have time to get him on the phone. I just want to inform other people of my experience to help guide their decisions when looking for a good and honest place to take their pets for care.

JE

Jeffrey Williams

Scottsville Veterinary Hospital and Adoptions feels like a scam from start to finish. Let me break down all of the bizarre things that went on: 1. I adopted a puppy who had parvo. She was cleared for adoption and I brought her home. However, she wouldnt eat, so I brought her back. Turns out she had a different disease. Im not sure how they missed this... 2. "Two weeks of free healthcare"-Not exactly. If the issue is related to something that happened after the adoption, youll be charged. ALSO, the free checkup is with a vet TECH and not the vet. As a matter of fact, all appointments are with the vet techs. Ive never had a vet charge more to see a vet than just the tech. Thats probably better though, because Stephen Berghash is not a nice man (more on that later). 3. "Free spay/neuter"-Again, this is a bit deceiving. Once you arrive, they will ask you if you want to pay $50-something dollars for a pre-screening to make sure it is safe to give your dog anesthesia. Thanks for passively pressuring me and making me worry my dog might not be ready for your surgery. 4. Microchipping-Every other adoption agency Ive seen includes this in the cost. Not Scottsville, though. They care about making money off their animals, not assuring they have a long, safe life. 5. Vaccine prices-Vaccines given after adoption (many of which probably should have been given before adoption) typically cost about $39, minus a 10% "adoption discount," which brings it to $35. This is more than Ive paid in the past, but I guess they have to charge a lot, since I doubt they retain many customers. 6. Stephen Berghash-This man walks around in jeans and a t-shirt. Okay, fine, maybe other vets do that (none that Ive seen, though), but his behavior is equally nonchalant. When I brought up concerns, he laughed many of them off, dismissing them as silly. Most vets Ive been to calmly explain things. Berghash is pushy and not very nice. If you dont believe me, other reviewers have pointed this out, so just believe them. The only redeeming thing about this place is that most of the staff (again, Berghash, owner/master scam artist being the exception) are kind.