Here is my story: I have a rescue Scottie, who is my emotional support dog (I have MS), I was going to travel with him to Europe. I called this office (my Scottie is 11, we come here since I got him, 5 years now) a month in advance to make an appointment to get ready with my dog's passport. The assistant told me I have to be in 10 days frame, so she made an appointment for us 4 days prior to our trip. She was not correct, we needed 21 days:
"Any rabies vaccination that occurs prior to microchip implantation is not considered valid regardless of whether the animal was up-to-date on its previous rabies vaccines. In this case, the animal must be revaccinated. 21 days must have elapsed after the first (primary) vaccination after implantation of the microchip before the animal is eligible to enter the European Union."
So we went there yesterday, he had a microchip implantation (luckily they had a 15 digit type) he got his rabies booster and then they told me to come back (we drive 45 minutes to get here) because the paper work is going to take "very long". I told them about the distance we have to drive to get here, so we waited and waited and waited, and then Dr. Patricia Keener called us into her office she told us that she cannot sign my dog's papers because the 21 days must have elapsed after the first (primary) vaccination after implantation of the microchip.
They charged me 138 dollars, and said "sorry", and bye.
My problems with this:
- I called in advance.
- They go ahead and do the microchip implantation
they don't do their homework, they knew why I've made that appointment in a month in advance. She greeted me as an "international traveler".
- They ask me to go away and come back.
- When I ask why is that 21 days thingy, Dr. Patricia Keener said the authorities want to make sure that dogs didn't get switched .... I have visited many websites about this, this 21 days was not a black-and-white statement
- Dr. Patricia Keener talked down on me, treated me with a rush, a non-important case. She told me that she had an experience with an Australian case like this, and that was a "nightmare".
So Dr. Keener, you made my experience with you a nightmare. Now here I am with my little emotional support dog, whom I have to leave behind for a month!
I have to find him boarding (minimum 1000 dollars) and I will be in a hospital, and I won't have my dog.
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My overall experience was okay with this office, but they really screwed me this time.
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UPDATE:
august. 2014
Dr. Robert Fitzpatrick euthanized our beloved rescue Scottish Terrier.
Dr. Fitzpatrick was most caring, kind and considerate. read more