Business ProfileforAnimal Emergency Clinic

On 1/23/24 around 7:55pm our 3 year old chocolate lab, Aero, was hit by a car. She was still alive, no exterior injuries. My 15 year old son and I put her in the back of our car and immediately began ******* to Animal Emergency Clinic," who opened at 6pm. On our way, **** tried to stand in the car and was breathing only slightly irregular. I knew time was crucial. At 8:03pm I called "AEC" to give them a heads up we were bringing our dog who was just hit, as vets commonly appreciate. Immediately, without asking further questions the receptionist said no, you cant bring her here, we wont be taking her, We cannot take anymore. I asked her how she could deny us when they have only been open two hours, our pet was in critical condition, and they were the ONLY emergency center within a 50 mile radius. She repeated coldly that they would refuse us service. I begged her to see us and she adamantly kept saying we are not taking any patients. Go to Animal ************** in ********. I quickly turned around to head in the opposite direction and called the facility she recommended, who also refused to help us, stating when I called them at 8:08, "were closing at 9pm so we cannot see you." We had no choice but to rush as fast as we could to another vet who was 50 miles away. Unfortunately, 55 minutes AFTER calling Animal Emergency Clinic our dog passed away in my sons arms in the backseat of our car on the highway. When I called and spoke to the manager the next day I asked what would have happened had we brought our dog there anyway. He said, "we would have brought her in and stabilized her until we could transfer you." This is what should have happened to begin with! Furthermore, majority of the patients they had when I called were not life threatening; hence our dog should have taken priority as critical care. The violation of their oath, cruelty, and lack of care contributed to the inhumane and wrongful death of our beloved dog and traumatic experience we endured.

Hi ******,we did have a long conversation about your situation. I empathize with the circumstances. I understand the loss you are going through very much. Like I said over the phone, we did have critical patients in our care. It makes me sad that you say no one should go through this. Yet you were willing to have us stop treating other critical pets that needed immediate care, as well, in order to care for yours. I also let you know that we gave you information for the nearest veterinary hospital in order to try and make sure your pet would receive attention sooner rather than later. We have no association or control as to how other businesses conduct themselves. We are and have been in need of more veterinarians nationwide. We are lucky enough to staff our clinic with 1 veterinarian each of the 365 days we are open. I believed you when you thanked me over the phone, and stated you understood. We wish you luck with any future emergencies you may encounter and hope you some day find peace.