Ok... I'm finally ready to talk about this…read more..
The morning I woke up and found Scully Cat lethargic, I was completely distraught.
I wrapped her up in a towel and drove to the nearest clinic to me, not knowing if they could help, because it was just a spay/neuter clinic, but it was so close to my house, I just went. They were extremely kind and told me that they unfortunately couldn't help, but that Boulevard Animal Hospital was just down the road. So, I got back in my car and went straight there.
When I arrived, the receptionist was very kind, I told her I was waiting on payment from a client, but Scully was actively dying in my arms. She said she'd see what they could do. After about 5 mins of waiting, they got us back into a room, the tech came and took my information and said the vet would be right with us.
This is where it completely went south.
Dr. Martin walked in and the first thing he said was: "Ok, I need some information, because none of this makes sense." Which was bewildering, but ok, I explained again. Scully was my foster fail from the humane society. I had stopped at a different clinic first because they were so close to me, they referred me to Blvd. And her most recent vet records were at the office I used to work at.
Then, he moved onto payment. I explained again that I have a client that usually pays me Sunday nights, but she hadn't yet (this was Monday). And that I also had money from Rover that had already been released, but hadn't hit my bank account yet.
"So you can pay today?"
"Yes."
"So they can call you this afternoon and you'll have it?"
"Yes."
(Keep in mind that my sweet baby is actively dying in my arms)
"I really could just do it for free with all the people who never pay. I could pay everyone in the building a year's salary with what we don't get paid."
"I understand, but I'm just waiting for the money to hit my bank."
"Well, are you wanting her back?"
"I would like her to be cremated."
"Well, we definitely can't do that until you pay."
"I understand, my pay has been released, I'm just waiting for it to hit my bank."
"So they can call you this afternoon or tomorrow morning and you'll have it?"
"Yes."
FINALLY, he decided he'd asked me enough times, so he proceeded.
I left absolutely broken. My sweet girl, left to suffer... over $91.
The very SECOND that money hit my bank account, I started calling. I believe I called 7 times that Monday and left a message. No response.
Tuesday, I called multiple times and ended up leaving a *slightly rude* message. Shortly after, I got a call for payment. I told the receptionist what had happened with Dr. Martin and how upset I was about it. Who HOUNDS someone about payment while letting their baby suffer, and then can't be bothered to take it???
Almost immediately after that call, I got another one... from Dr. Martin himself "apologizing" for the situation. It wasn't an apology at all, it was damage control. He ended up telling me: "At the end of the day, it's a business." Sir, your business is compassion. If you can sit and watch an animal suffer because you're worried about a $91 payday, you've lost the plot. (I do have a recording of the conversation, if anyone wants it, they are welcome to message me.)
To add insult to injury, there was a miscommunication with the crematorium, somehow... They changed her name from Scully to "Sally" so I've got that nice little momento. Not to mention the horribly smudged paw prints I was sent.
Please, if you care for your pets, don't take them to see Dr. Martin. He does NOT care. After all, at the end of the day, it's just a business.