Complaint Review: Banfield Pet Hospital Mall of Georgia - Lawrenceville Georgia

I have a 1 y.o min. poodle. When I first purchased him, from a reputable breeder, I decided to take him to Banfield mall of GA to get him started. When I first took him, I brought all the existing shot records etc and just wanted to do a once over to make sure he had EVERYTHING he needed. My husband and I had discussed it, I have had previously 6 other dogs growing up, and he did not think we should make the decision to neuter him right away, he was only 12 weeks old and I knew we had a little bit of time before we decided to snip snip. When I came in the vet and tech were incredibly accomodating with scheduling and the vet was incredibly nice. Toward the end she started asking me about the Wellness plan I wanted to sign up for. Thats when the pressure started. I was unsure if i wanted to sign up for the plan that included neutering or the basic plan. I elected the basic plan with the understanding I could upgrade anytime before his 6mth birthday. The vet began to make me feel very uncomfortable, implying that he could have all sorts of horrible complications and quality of life if I didnt neuter him. I told her I had to discuss it with my husband. Each time over the next 3 mths that I took him in, I received the same pressure and doom and gloom predictions for not neutering him. They said neutering him elsewhere would cost $600, (what? I called other places and was quoted a range from $75-375) and I would miss a window of opportunity if I didnt make my decision by his 6mth bday, (I also verified that with other vets, and although 6mths is the preferred time, its not the only time) They said everything short of, hes going to die if you dont. Since my dog is an inside dog and does not interact with any female dogs, (my brother, and parents who live seperate from me all have male dogs, no babies here lol) I decided not to neuter. The last time I took him i decided I had enough after his appointment and decided to cancel his wellness plan.

I understood the conditions, I would still have to pay monthly until my year was up. I explained to the customer service rep EXACTLY why i was canceling. But since I'm still paying, I still had services so I decided to continue taking him here until the month is up. The next time I took him, I utilized the drop off services, signed all the paperwork and left. After 3 hours after I left him, I received a call stating that he was reported as lost/stolen or dead or given up by owner by Banfield. WHAT? Since I canceled, they assumed he was those things, and had entered him into some database. I burned rubber to banfield and provided ID to prove he was indeed mine.

Ever since, they have made it near impossible for me to see the Vet. Once my poor dog was throwing up and we could not figure out why. I mean like daily, I called they said I had to bring him in, they couldnt even make suggestions over the phone, I guess i can understand that. They had absolutely no appointments for the next two days, even for an emergency. I couldnt understand Why not. I work for a people dental practice and we block time for emergencies. I understand they couldnt see him right this minute, but two whole days??? After THEY suggested I bring him in? Thats ludicrous. The tech explained that the vet was going into emergency surgery right now, I understand, but was this surgery going to last two whole days. I ended up taking him to a different vet, who diagnosed him as having an allergic reaction, and switched his dog food problem solved.

I dont understand why they take so much money, pressure people so extensively ( I shudder to think of others who receive this pressure to fix pets, and give in only to alleviate the pressure) and HAVE NO TIME FOR MY DOG.