I received an extremely unfriendly welcome and was made to feel an inconvenience for not having an appointment!
I found a dead cat that had clearly been hit by a car so I decided to take it to my local vet clinic as soon as they opened. Upon arrival at 9:00am, the 'Closed' sign was still showing on the door so I waited outside with the big cardboard box containing said cat. A man came out of the door and asked the ladies inside (nurses or receptionists, I don't know) if I could come in and they said they needed five minutes so I continued waiting outside. A couple then approached the door and walked into the clinic with their dog and were told by the ladies inside that they were welcome to take a seat but they wouldn't be seen yet. I then decided to also go inside and sit down. As I did, I was asked, very abruptly, 'What's in the box?'
Feeling a little shocked by the attitude at which I was asked this question and having not even been greeted with a 'Hello' or 'How can we help you?', I stumbled over my words and said that it was a cat. I was then asked with as much attitude 'Do you have an appointment? Are you registered with us?' I was already feeling a little shaken having just picked up a dead cat (which was still bleeding and had some horrific facial injuries) from the side of the road, but stumbled over my words again saying I wasn't registered and I didn't have an appointment. I then explained that the cat wasn't alive and I just wanted to check if it was chipped to trace the owner. I was then told by the seemingly flustered receptionist/ nurse that the vet hadn't yet turned up and she was trying to train the new staff member so they would get to me at some point but I would have to wait.
I understand having to wait but I have never in my life received such an unfriendly welcome from a vet clinic. If somebody brings in a poorly, injured or dead animal, is there not a requirement for some kind of compassion and empathy? If you are working in this environment, do you not require people skills?
Anyway, I was so shocked by the appalling greeting and complete lack of customer service/empathy that I left and took the poor cat (somebody's beloved pet) to a different clinic where I was greeted by two very friendly ladies who took time to talk to me politely and with a lovely tone knowing that handling a dead and badly injured animal can be a very traumatic experience.
I am totally disgusted by the way I was treated this morning! I was considering registering my three cats at this clinic as I haven't changed practices since moving into the area but after today, I most certainly will not be registering there. Rude and unhelpful! read more