Banfield Pet Hospital
reviews and complaints

there has always been a sign on the wall stating hours change...they started closing on sundays in october of last year...

Actually, if the rabies vaccine was out of date, the cat would have to be in quarantine for 6 months. More than likely, this vet was very inexperienced but was protecting the health of the staff. This could happen at any clinic. Needless to say, if your cat had bitten anyone at the second clinic, then, by law, your cat would have to be quarantined.

I think that maybe you were rude and inpatient. The reseptionist is NOT a nurse, and she can not hurry other co-workers, or discahrge your pet herself.

I hate how customers think that when they enter a place of service that everything has to be dropped and they get served right away. AND I HIGHLY DOUBT the receptionist was "SOCIALIZING, " she was most probably helping another customer BEFORE YOU, and you were just RUDE AND IMPATIENT and you were not served FIRST, AT THAT VERY SECOND--JUST TO LET YOU KNOW: YOU CAN'T CUT PEOPLE IN FRONT OF YOU, IT'S RUDE!

IF you don't like BANFIELD then go ahead to your other vet, and let them deal with you RUDE AND SORRY ###. Banfield or other services do not like rude and impatient customers ANYWAY.

Banfield has a COME IN NOW policy. They should have seen here then... esp if they are your regular vet.. i am sorry!

That is very unfortunate the way you and your pet were treated and I am sorry for your loss. I have to say being an employee of a Banfield who should be blamed are the clients who do get their pet treated and never pay. Sometimes people feel it is our responsibility to treat their sick pet even if they have no money.

Since I have been at Banfield I have seen more than enough people who come in and expect us to not charge and even try to negotiate prices. I have also heard "I get paid next week" and next week never comes and here the clients bill is not paid so us Techs and Dr's reap the loss of an nonpaying client.

Most people think Vet Medicine is a joke and that we just make people wait and pay. Well until you are in our shoes don't judge. 99% of vets do not take payment plans because there are a lot of deadbeats who do not pay. Be mad at them. Sad to say but I deal with clients like that everyday and it does make you a colder person because of the abuse of people who can't afford to treat their pets. (Not saying you are one of them)

It is also because we hear the same story over and over. It gets old after a while. Who I feel for are the animals they are the true victims not the client, Vet or Techs. If you can't afford the bill don't get the pet. I sometimes wonder if someone would treat their child the same way. Maybe just go to the ER and not pay their bill and leave the ER will the expense.

Again I am sorry for your loss and how you were treated. Not all Banfield hospitals and employees are the same. we do have hearts and care about what we do. I left an RN job to pursue my love for animals.

Sounds like a terrible place to take a pet, sounds like they only care about the money and not the pets or customers.

As you should know, anytime you or your pet are put under anesthesia, there is a risk. I don't feel that they "owe you" a new dog. That entire statement feels heartless.

I work for Banfield In Jacksonville Florida and I can tell you that it is truly unfortunate that because one practice that happens to share the same name can make grief for the Banfield clinics that do a superior job in pet care. I personally have my pets on wellness plans and know first hand of how much money I have saved on just vaccines alone not including the discounts I get on medicines when my pets became ill. I am truly sympathetic with the owners of pets that had such a terrible experience or feel they were ripped off it is truly unfortunate but must all clinics be ridiculed over what experience one person had at a clinic that shares a corporate name "BANFIELD". I have full confidence in the doctor and team I work with and please if anyone takes anything from what I have typed all Banfields are not the same so to say that as a whole we killed your pet or ripped you off thats not the case and unfair to the clinics who really strive to provide quality pet care.

Himura-
first off yes Banfield employees do get 3 free ESSENTIAL wellness plans (doesn't include the dental cleaning, xrays, urinalysis, etc) but that doesn't mean anything. I have six dogs and I have all six of my dogs on wellness plans- I pay out of pocket for three of them. The thing with the wellness plans people do not understand is that they are not insurance and they do not pay for everything! Nothing in life is free! The wellness plans cover the pets recommended yearly preventative care. It is up to the owner if they want to sign up for the WP or not- no body is forced to sign up on the plans. My seeing with the plans is that if you are actually going to use the services provided then go for it but if you are never going to bring your pet in and not get them the recommended vaccines then do not sign up for the plan! When you sign up for the WP and then months later complain about the plan because it doesn't pay for everything in the world you are just making yourself look bad.
second- yes the giardia vaccines were discontinued but were given up until they were discontinued. the WP booklets did take a little longer to become updated but the prices did change when the vaccine was taken away. And the vaccine WAS guaranteed if the pet got the disease (and it is common is almost any pet in any state because Giardia comes from stagnate water and well it rains everywhere!
third: the lyme vaccine is not "pushed" to get more out of the plan. lyme disease is an untreatable disease that has been found in many different areas. Vet professionals recommend the vaccination to provide the quality care your pet deserves. Again nobody forces you to do the vaccine- just say no!
fourth: your statement "the "crazy cat lady" commenter, only someone who has absolutely no experience with cats will have a problem handling them. in my experience Banfield Hospitals do not like cats and sometimes refuse them just on that principle" is bogus. Everybody has their own preferences of pets- some people like rats over dogs or cats some people like hamsters over fish etc. Just because some people are not the fondest of cats doesn't mean every banfield doesn't like cats. EVERY BANFIELD IS DIFFERENT! I got bit a coworkers cat on 12-28 and had to have emergency surgery because it got very infected and ate away my tendon and muscle and began spreading very fast. I have over 3 years of experience handling cats in multiple different situations and some situations do call for different measures especially for cats. But cat bites and scratches are one the worst a person can get so you can not blame somebody for being cautious when dealing with a fractious cat. And BTW cats are unpredictable if you didn't know (they are from a family who are born with wild life instincts and those instincts can kick any whenever they want in a cat. My cat who I had for 14 years was the sweetest thing in the world when she was at home but the second she got the vet from her first visit (8weeks old) to her last (14 years- the day I had to put her down) she became very fractious and fought with all her might to get away (with claws and teeth) but then she got home and was loving once again. Cats do not like changes AT ALL! so please before you try to say that the only people who are afraid or cautious with cats are ones with no experience how about you go deal with them and get bit or scratched and go through all the trouble it causes and then let me know how you feel about your statement again.
fifth thing- not all vets that work at banfield are "fresh out of school" or "shipped from a different country". if you dont realize there are many different vet schools and yes some are in the UK but they are not any easier to get into and they do not teach any differently! the demand to get into vet school is VERY high and that is why some people choose to go out of the country to go to school but that doesn't mean they are any less knowledgeable. Vets have to go through extensive training before they are let on their own anywhere and banfield is no different. just because they start out at banfield when they get their license doesn't mean they don't know anything or just got hired and got told "ok have fun".
and last if something happens that is obviously the clients fault why should banfield pay for it? banfield does take care of issues as needed even if it means giving people refunds but just like any company you can not give every single person their money back which means you can not please everybody. Run a business and you will realize that just about EVERY person who is your client can easily find something wrong and say your at fault and want their money back- go ahead and give everybody their money back and pay for all their problems (that were not your fault) and i promise you that you will go bankrupt very quickly.

Crazy cat lady... DO YOU KNOW HOW UNCONTROLLABLE AN AGGRESSIVE FELINE CAN GET?!?!

Obviously not.

I posted on here back in April of 2010 about the vet at banfield made me give my dog a vaccination that I didn't want him to have...as I stated in my complaint I was going to leave with my dog and he told me that if I left he would call the police on me and they would take my dog and put him to sleep...NICE VET HUH? So needless to say, my dog got the shot and died 9 frigin months later...really I HATE ALL VETS...they suck...I will take care of my own frigin animals

1. you forgot to mention that all full time banfield employees receive 3 free basic plans, so of course it is beneficial for you to have your pets on one.
2. the Giardia vaccination is not given, it has been discontinued for the longest time and yet is still on the plan.
3. the Lyme vaccination is pushed to get more out of the plan.
4. the "crazy cat lady" commenter, only someone who has absolutely no experience with cats will have a problem handling them. in my experience Banfield Hospitals do not like cats and sometimes refuse them just on that principle.
5. Banfield "Vets" are either fresh out of school or shipped in from other countries in which obtaining a vet degree is easier, none of their doctors have any knowledge in anything.
If you want to keep your pet Healthy and Alive stay away from Banfield. also Banfield does not pay for anything... they will always find an excuse that it is the clients fault...(and yes I know these things, i am a former employee) I am a former employee due to my pet being harmed at a Banfield Hospital. If they dont care about their own employees pets, what makes you think they care about yours!

WOW! See the attitude that's a typical Banfield emplyee for you. It's probably the vet I had yesterday 7/29/10 for my dog. He treated me like dirt and spoke to me like I was a loser off the street just like this Banfield employee...loser we did do our research that's why we are here...WHY ARE YOU?

I love the comment from the crazy cat lady (I can just tell). First off, pets need to be fasted before any anesthetic procedure, so do humans BTW, thats nothing new. I agree with you that you should have been alerted if they were unable to fit in your pet, that was unacceptable. The fact that your cat was out of control though means your cat was out of control, my guess is that he/she is not well socialized or is just plain evil (sorry, but I calls them as I sees them). Anyhow, a fractious cat isnt nothing new in the vet world and even though they can be handled with the proper drugs you CAN NOT blame people for not wanting to get scratched or bit, no more than you can blame a construction worker for not wanting to get hit in the head with a 4x4. Just because it is a job hazard doesnt mean its okay if its happens. I hate people who think getting bit and scratched is acceptable and expected in the vet industry, ITS NOT. I landed 1 month in the hospital for a cat scratch that could have killed me, so I dont take these things lightly. And have you ever dealt with a cat who wanted to kill you with every ounce of its being?!? My guess would be No. Now it does like you had a crummy DVM, but use your common sense lady. Why would you want to put your pet under anesthesia for an elected procedure when you know it has all these issues? You should take some personal responsibilty for your decision as well, no one made you drive your pet in and dropped it off.

Statement 1: Giardia vaccine is needed

Fact: the vaccine does not greatly reduce the odds of getting giardia. Only about a %12 reduction (not true: please check the manufactures information). Only dog's that are at high risk should be vaccinated.

Statement 2: Lyme is present in Michigan, therefore Lyme vaccine is needed.

Fact: Again we need to look at the facts: There has been a lot of question about whether the Lyme vaccine is actually doing any good. There has also been some work that indicates it might make the disease worse! Ticks need to be attached for >24 hours to transmit the disease. Again, only dogs at high risk should have this vaccine! (hint, this is not the 3lb chihuahua puppy). Spend your money where it will be effective, on flea and tick products!

If you work there, check smarthelp. Giardia is not covered enough to treat if it is contracted by the vaccine warranty, only $100 max, possibly less now. I know...I looked it up the other day.

I am doing this as a service to other animals lovers. Stay away from them at all costs. I have a 4 year old cat who is on a prescription diet (suggested by her vet- a legitimate one, not Banfield affiliated) for allergies. She also has heart issues. It was suggested to me that I go to get her prescription diet here... Was told that the cat had to be seen prior to getting a prescription card- had no problem with that...it was reasonable. The vet suggested I get her teeth cleaned (scaled)- again, not a problem. My cat does have issues with her teeth, so this was not new. Here is where the trouble began---- I dropped her off at 7:45am the morning of the 'cleaning'. I was told that I would get an update in a few hours. No one called. I had to call them at 2:00pm to find out what was happening. The nurse said the surgery was 'overbooked' but my cat would be taken back (..never would have left her if I was told the truth). Got a call at 4:00pm saying that my cat is 'out of control', 'very upset'----hmm, you think so, no food or water since the night before...I would be upset too). I get down there- no apology, no explanation-- I had to demand what happened! No one would answer me. From the explanation I got, people were afraid of her...very sad, considering she is only 10 pounds. If you are 'scared' or can't deal with a cat like her...then why are you even working with animals? To top it off-- they gave her pre-anesthesia, while she was angry!- I called the Vet emergency service that I use --- to run this by them. Shocking- those jerks could have killed her. Incompetence...giving medicine to an agitated cat with heart problems. Even better, I was told to leave her overnight- they 'claim' my cat will calm down once she is used to the environment. I find it HARD to believe...so another day with no water/food...and they expect her to calm down? Whatever vet programs admitted these fools need to be fined- they are capable of killing someone's beloved pet. The icing on the cake was that Julie (a doctor?) suggested that if I don't like it, take her some place else... So I said, a professional--- you bet...should have done it in the first place. I just found out that they lied about calling her cardiologist- can't put it into words what I am feeling- liar doesn't begin to cover it.

I am sure you wouldn't allow your pets to be harmed, etc- you work there but what about the rest of society?

Banfield Pet Hospital of HORRORS should be the name out there online! This OBSCENE corporation kills/maims animals and rapes wallets! PEOPLE READ ONLINE ABOUT THIS OBSCENE CORPORATION! This corporation is owned by Mars Candy Corporation. John F. Mars is worth $13.8 BILLION DOLLARS KILLING AND MAIMING PETS AND RAPING PEOPLES BANK ACCOUNTS! A$$WIPE CORPORATION!

@Laura Molina- First of all we want to say how sorry we are for the loss of Tigger. We understand how hard it can be to lose a pet and our hearts go out to you during this time. We apologize if one of our hospitals has left you feeling this way. We are currently unaware of this situation and urge you to call our Client Advocate Team at [protected] so we can gather more information and address your specific concerns.

November 2, 2010 I took my beloved Tigger to Banfield Pet Hospital thinking it was a good place to take my little chihuahua and it was free for first time customers. Tigger was feeling lethargic and I asked could it be his teeth and the Dr. ? (Asian male) said that was the problelm. Cleaning his teeth and extractions cost me $930. Still after several months Tigger still did not feel well and on July 9th he passed away of acute Kidney Failure. This was the problem all along. I trusted Banfield, and had they taken a blood draw and x-ray he would have still been with me alive. I took him to Lien Animal Clinic and Highline Hospital in Seattle and both were fabulous, but it was too late. I hate Banfield never ever take your loving pet there.

CURRENT employee at Banfiled SHOULDN'T attack someone's grammar and spelling when he/she CAPITALIZES the P in Pet mid-sentence. Just sayin'

It's hard to say, really. As a pet owner who does allow for Banfield to service his pets needs... it's hard
to gauge whether or not they are doing a good job (e.g. don't get to see what exactly is being done to
my canine because i'm not there to see it).

But the way my pet reacts as we pull into the store... she mortified and refuses to be brought into the
Petco location (where the Banfield institution rests).

This has to be some type of indication that, "hey, as a dog, i don't like this place and how they treat me
here. Don't bring me back in!"

So what else do i do?

Some times, i feel that there are additional charges to the final check-up bill that i feel should have
been included in her insurance plan. Of course, BANfield can charge whatever they please because the
typical dog-owner will do what they can to keep their pets as healthy as possible. Banfield knows this
and will most likely... take advantage of us - a business is a business, now matter how friendly they
seem on the outside.

*sighs*

Pooey.

With that said... Banfield is more of a ripoff than anything and my dog doesn't like returning to the place.
Even if we're simply there to purchase toys, food, diaper pads, etc. Her experiences, i believe, have been
less than fruitful and exhilarating.

Sinceregards,

A Tukwila customer who feels like he's being financially raped by Banfield.

Mr. Binye-To-The

p.s. It's unfortunate that they don't sell any "happy" fishes there.

:*(

Wow... disgruntled (former) employees are really bitter sometimes. I currently work at this Banfield location and am here to tell you that you could not find a more caring team of people to care for your Pet. Do you really want to believe the comments of someone who obviously was unhappy in their job (so they either got fired or left), who cannot spell and unfortunately has no grasp of grammar and the English language? I think not. Banfield in Tukwila is a caring, compassionate hospital that will offer you, as a client, excellent service, and will offer your Pet excellent care. I've been on staff there since before Dr. Fazio took over the hospital, and I can tell you that it is 110% better than it was when the person that wrote this horrible review was there, and it is truly a great place to bring your Pet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YugT3uDpinA

Do you folks know that Banfield has over 700 hospitals and is owned by Mars? Yes, the same company that makes M&M's and Royal Canin pet food? The same company that earns 27 billions dollars every year?

Do you know that the only pet food that Banfield sells is Royal Canine? This is a quote taken directly from their website: "Many years of experience have led us to select Royal Canin as our preferred dog food."

After reading these few facts, do you think that Banfield cares more about giving great medical care or making money?

Please report this incident to the veterinary board in your state for disciplinary action.

Please see http://www.jugglingcats.com/veterinary/vet_board.htm for contact info

I wish I had read this post and numerous others before we had our pet spayed at Banfield. Right now, she is fighting for every breath she takes and is being closely monitored by another hospital. I will never step foot in Petsmart again because I can't even stomach the thought of seeing a Banfield sign. When I think of how much money I have given them for their little "plan", it makes me sick. Poor care and now my animal, perfectly fine before surgery, is at death's door.

Oh theres the way to sell a wellness plan. Gotta love when Banfield Employees hop on and pretend to be clients. 1st off. I am sure the Pet was already deceased and was kept in their freezer. Being a former employee I can attest to this. because we did not have a signature a pet was left in the freezer for 2 months. the other they had just plain forgotten to make arrangements to have the body picked up. it is a sad practice when they have absolutely no respect for the client or their pet. And to sit there and accuse someone of "writing like a child" makes you seem all the more insensitive and if i may put it..stupid. also it is not true that pets can not stay overnight. with written consent it is allowed, as well as cats that have been declawed. I think the people that work for this company are ill- educated and heartless. Kristine..stay away from their wellness plan.. they are just trying to lock you into paying them for a year, before they renew your contract without consent and charge you for cancellations.

One of the most confusing messages I have ever read! You talk about Otis in one line then mysteriously Angus pops into the story! I don't believe both the DR. And receptionist just out of nowhere challenged you and were rude for nothing? You write like a child which indicates a lack of judgement which infers that you're irresponsible and probably haven't paid your bills in the past and the DR. And receptionist picked up on this? My suggestion to you is to get on the " Wellness Plan" this would show the hospital that you're responsible and care enough about your pet ! Sorry but this is the way I see it.

I'm sorry, but what kind of time frame are we talking about here? There's no way that they are going to just leave a dying dog sitting in the back, especially since there is no over-night care and all pets need to be gone by the end of the day. You would have had to sign a euthanasia form and then be given the option of what to do with the remains before you left for the day, they don't just take your animals and you walk away. I call total BS on this story.

Banfield Pet Hospital in Nesconset, NY.  I have been in contact with Banfield, speaking with the Chief of Staff, and was unable to obtain answers or a true concern and apology.  She, herself, stated the Doctors are spread thin, and that day she saw 35 animals.  How much time is actually being spend on treatment and care in an 8 hour day, when one Doctor sees 35 animals!?!?!?!

My dog was under their care since 2017, and was never diagnosed with a life threatening tumor, even though I maintained her wellness exams, shots and nail trimming etc.  She had multiple symptoms, all of which were ignored.  After taking her to another Vet, who immediately diagnosed her tumor, just from touching her belly, she went into emergency surgery.  The tumor was pushing against all her internal organs, and at the risk of rupturing.  The tumor ended up weighing 20 pounds - 20 POUNDS!  The Vet stated this does not happen overnight and any exam was "Veterinary 101." This dog was suffering a while.

Apparently, you cannot pursue legal action because animals are considered property! That will not stop me from telling people to STAY AWAY FROM BANFIELD everywhere I can!

They are 2 separate companies... thats like not shopping at Walmart ever again because of a bad experience at McDonald's.

I will not go to petsmart anymore because of benfield what a scam.

if you think tests on your pet is useless, then you shouldn't be a pet parent. shame on you. go read up on good health care and you'll see tests right next to it. educate yourself before you say something like that.

I don't know the details but I can tell you this...it's very likely your dog developed a heart murmur. Heart murmurs do not have to be present at birth, and sometimes do develop with old age (old heart valves just don't have the same potential as new ones) and since your baby was 14, it's likely hers was developed from old age (if she didn't have any other underlying issues, like an infection), so I would not be quick to think that they didn't care or didn't tell you about it when it was there all along because it may have just developed.