(I understand this is hard for anyone however this is my experience.)
To: Whoever reads this
Hello. My name is Kaitlynn and recently my dog, Shaggy, had to be put down at Belmont Veterinary Center. We have not been there before, however, we had no choice but to take him as he was having some serious health concerns. Taking him there wasn't a problem. It was the vet itself. We arrived at our appointment, waited a bit, and then went into a room and the vet started evaluating Shaggy. The evaluation was fine as well. However, we, unfortunately, learned he had some bad Arthritis and then learned he had Cancer. And it was very apparent that he needed to be put down because he was at his "end of life" stage. This was not the problem. It was very hard, but the problem starts as we were ready to say our goodbyes. The vet seemed to be very pushy and was very non-sympathetic. At the time we didn't have the money to cremate him so the options (from the veterinarian herself) were to leave him on the table and he would be put in a group cremation with other dogs and his ashes would be spread in their "garden". We could pay for a group cremation and would get some of his ashes and other dogs. OR we could pay for a cremation. Well, we did not have the money at the moment. So we asked if we could just take him home, and from the VETERINARIAN HERSELF she said, "No, that is not an option". So, unfortunately, we had to leave him there on the table. We decided at the time, that since we didn't have the money to pay for a cremation, we'd have him be put in a group cremation and he would go in their "garden". After a couple of days, we went to go pick up his paw print molds that were made. So, I asked my mother (who was with me at the time) if we should see their "garden". I figured it would help my grieving. Unfortunately, their "garden" is approximately a 30x10 foot fenced-in patio with an 8x6 foot patch of grass on it. AND one of the vets/vet techs was smoking on it. It is a glorified smoking area for their employees! It was at this moment, my heart ached. "My poor baby", I cried out. I felt like it was a sick joke. How is this ok? I feel that the Belmont Veterinary Center is out for money & only money. My mother then went into the Belmont Veterinary Center and asked if we were able to take him home and the woman at the desk said, "Yes". What? Then why when we asked the veterinarian herself did she say, "No"? Was my dog just a cash grab for them? Fortunately, we had some resources in our family and they happily paid to have Shaggy cremated. BUT, to whoever is reading this PLEASE don't go there. Don't do this to yourself. My story doesn't end here. We went there to pick up his ashes. The woman at the desk verified my name TWICE. They put me in a room with my boyfriend and we were very confused. My boyfriend said, "Well, maybe they want to apologize?". This is not what they wanted to do. A male veterinarian came in with a laptop and x-rays. He said, "Can I verify your name?". I verify my name and then his face is confused. I was put in a room for another dog named Shaggy who had just had surgery. I do feel bad for him as he didn't know. But admittingly, it hurts. He did apologize profusely, and HIS was very genuine. After this, we wait a couple of minutes and the lady from the desk comes in with Shaggy's ashes. They were in a bag. A velvet bag. "Where's his box?", my Boyfriend asked. "Well, usually we ask.", said the woman. What? So Shaggy is the exception? My Aunt paid $192.51 for this. Here's the kicker. We get home and I wanted to look at his ashes. They were in a ZIPLOCK SANDWICH-BAG. It says ZIPLOCK right on it. Thankfully they wrote Shaggy's name on it. Gee, at least they dared to do that. What kind of vet is this? Every person I've spoken to has said the same thing. "What the hell is wrong with that place?". Please. Do NOT take your animals here. Don't do that to yourself or your pet. They have made my grieving process so much harder. I lost my dog, my baby, and my best friend of 12 years. My therapy animal. He deserved better than to be put in a sandwich bag. Don't do this to your pets or yourself.
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