Banfield Pet Hospital
Reviews and Complaints

I am a veterinarian and honestly cannot figure out how a specialist could tell how the surgery was performed by looking at an x-ray. ACL is surgery of soft tissue in the knee so undetectable by x-ray. Honestly, veterinarians criticizing other veterinarians without discussing the case isjust unprofessional. Makes my blood boil.

To be quite honest with you, if a pet is not % healthy, he/she can't be signed up on a plan. With a torn ACL, a vet can not sign you and your pet up on a plan to simply save you money. They aren't even allowed to do that.

Plus, just because one vet does a procedure a certain way does not mean that the procedure was done wrong. One vet can do it one way, and another another way. Of course vets are going to critique other vets. They want you to be strictly their client.

Banfield is a Terrible place don't take yo dog my 7month old Pitt die cause of them he was healthy before his vaccines then after his shots he was breathy very fast called them an let them no they said it was normal then he started to not eat got diraherra vomit took him again they said he was fine kept calling cause no progress was showing then on the 5th day after his vaccines my dog past away I blame them an I will never send any of my pets their again in the left showing him healthy before the shots on the right is a day before he died banfield did this

We have had our GSP hunting dog in the Top Wellness Plan for years.
Last year these Hacks, butchered our dog. Removed a cell mass, and only put in a few stiches.
Leaving their office the dog bleeding would not stop.
Next day they needed to put in staples, as they should have to begin with.
The bleeding still continued, I called they said he can't move or it will still bleed.
Next day the staples began coming out. During these days of recouperation, I had to hold the dog not to move at all just to stop the bleeding.
After the staples came out, the wound would get bigger and bigger every day.
I called daily asking what I needed to do next?
After 5 daily trips to their office, they said now we can only treat it as an open wound.
Now it is 3" by 4" square of open wound. Treat it as an open wound was their only cource of action?
After a week of this, I took him to the Specialist and had a real Vet. DR. redo the operation.
Another $1, 500. to correct their hack job.
Staples were again used to close the wound. This time put in correctly, and they held and healing began. Bleeding was never an issue.

Thinking this was only one bad operation, we stayed in the Wellness Plan.
Yesterday he went in for his update, shots, X-rays the whole deal.
I dropped him off at 7:30 am. Expecting to pick him up after 2:00 pm. as directed.
12:30 they call me, "we can't mussel your dog, can you come in and help?".
I drove right over to find my dog running aound their kennel area.
I asked, What 's the problem? They said he just growels at us, and we can't mussel him.
I put his lead on and took him outside, where he took a pee as soon as he got out the door.
Two more steps and he began pooping. I thought he had all his business taken care of before I dropped him off at 7:30 am. But I guess 4 HOURS in the kennel waiting for treatment was too much time. He has never in 10 years of life ever done his business inside and never in his kennel.
No there was not any emergency treatments going on, they just knew they had all day to their job.

THESE TECHS CAN'T TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DOG THAT NEEDS TO GO OUT, AND AN AGRESSIVE DOG? Where do they get these people?

Our GSP is a lover of all. And has never snapped at anyone.
I went back in to talk to the Vet., and discussed What took so long? And why hadn't treatment started. He said, "I don't know? They said they couldn't put a mussel on him?"
I said, "Why don't you have any system in place to put a mussel on? If that's want you need"
He had nothing to say.
Now I need a new Vet. We only began at Banfield because our family Vet of 15 years with other dogs retired.

Needless to say, NO WELLNESS PROGRAM ever again.

I wish I had read more about these Hacks before we ever began any program.

STOP COMPLAING ABOUT HOW MUCH MONEY YOU HAVE TO SPEND AT BANFIELD! we are on of the cheapest clinics around. go to a low cost clinic and see what happens. we had a puppy come in that got neutered at a low cost clinic, and it was brought to us that following night because he was bleeding internally. we were unable to save the puppy because he was too far gone. turns out the clinic they went to doesn't do bloodwork before the surgery, and the puppy had a rare bleeding disorder. WE CHARGE THE WAY WE DO TO HAVE AS MANY ANSWERS AS WE CAN TO SAVE YOUR PET. STUFF HAPPENS! WE CANT SAVE THEM ALL. AND WE ARN'T ALWAYS RIGHT! JUST LIKE YOUR DOCTOR!

All animals can have vaccine reactions. Most of the time, it is the smaller breeds. I work for a Banfield and it is POLICY that we educate our clients about vaccine reactions and recommend giving a Benadryl injection 10-15 min before giving vaccines. If the owner declines the injection, thats their fault, not Banfield's. And, if there is a vaccine reaction, it is the owners responsibility to pay for the services. These services do include, benadryl injections, IV fluids, and occasionally steroids. It can take a pet several days to get completely better but you should NEVER stop giving medication unless directed by a doctor. That is both a human and animal medicine policy. There is a reason the doctor tells you how long to take/give the medication.

I had one bad experience with Banfield and i will not ever go back again...
My Yorkshire terrier 16months old went in to get her booster shots of parvo/distemper and leptor.
she weighs only 4 pounds, and very healthy...
i ask the Vet isnt that to much for such a small dog to have at one time...Vets response...she is healthy and hardy, and no allergies she will be fine...
i insisted she give her a bendryl shot for safety reasons...
SHe agreed...
i further ask if she could break up the shots...she said No...
Well my gos got her shots, and eight hours later, her eyes were glossy, her nose dry, hot body, and violently vomiting green bile every where.
Then she started to have dry heves, and choking..and fell on the floor.
I rush her to a all night pet hospital, and they gave her a steroid shot, and bendryl shot, and told me that this was just to much at one time for her, she was so small, and they the vet should of gave it to her in two different sessions...
Futhermore, the pet hospital advise not to bring my dog back to Banfield...
200 dollars later...was the bill...and they said she was moderate to severe in allergic reaction...
she was put on two days of baby food, and bendryl medication...
I went back to Banfield Hospital, and all they said was that they were sorry...and that next time they will break up the shots...i said this is what i said to do in the first place...they dont care...it is all about making money...no soul...
jessica.

I've had two bad experiences with two Banfield pet hospital locations.

1) My guinea pig was getting sick, so I took him to the Banfield in Largo FL. I had to drop him off there, and it took them all day to finally get around to examining him. By the time they did the exam, he had gotten worse. The vet called, and I told her that if the guinea pig looked really sick, was in a lot of pain, or didn't look like he'd recover to just put him down. I didn't want him to suffer. The vet said we should treat him, and that he had a good chance to recover. I allowed them to treat the guinea pig, bought the antibiotics, brought him home, and he died the next day. I'm pretty sure his lungs filled with fluid from the respiritory infection he had. I felt horrible. I didn't want him to suffer.

2)A few weeks later, my dog hurt her leg at the dog park. I figured I'd give a different Banfield location a try. Turns out, my dog pulled a muscle, but they wanted to do a series of x-rays, pain injections, and send her home with pain meds, for a total of $365. I declined, and came home and studied up on the pain med they wanted to give my dog. Turns out, the meds they wanted to give her can be fatal, especially when given to certain breeds, labs being one of them. My dog is a lab. The vet tech also had no clue how to answer any of my questions. I don't think he had any training whatsoever. Also, the vet stretched my dogs leg in a way that hurt her. I asked the vet if that hurt her, and he said yes, and did it again to "show me". I told him to stop.

End conclusion: At most Banfield's, they don't care if they harm the animal. They just want your money, even at the expense of your pets wellbeing. I'd pay the extra and go to a real vet, or look into some other sort of pet insurance

Banfield is the worst place you can take your pet. My dog was fine before I began taking him to Banfield.

One day, after a regular check up, he started having some jitters. (two weeks after I signed up with Banfield) I was told I was signing up for a month to month plan (misinformed by the vet at the Gaithersburg, MD location), but soon found out that I was liable for a year's worth of fees.

They couldn't diagnose the problem because the Vets did not know what they were doing. I actually had to tell them what I THOUGHT it was after the research I had done searching through various online medical journals. (I am an IT consultant by profession and have nothing to do with the medical industry)
Soon after Banfield administered unnecessary medication (and charging me over $2000 in medical fees in addition to the monthly "OPTIMUM WELLNESS PLAN" monthly fees), they decided that I might be better off taking him to a "REAL PET HOSPITAL". This is what the Germantown, MD location told me.

So I took him to a REAL PET HOSPITAL - VCA Veterinary Hospital in Gaithersburg, MD, and my dog passed away due to unexplained fluid build up in the brain. I was told by the Vet that it was highly likely that this was because of cortisone administered on an old dog and that the Vet at Banfield should have known better..

The whole reason I signed up for this "alternative to pet insurance" was so that I wouldn't be stuck with crazy medical expenses if anything happenned to my dog. Not only did they create medical problems, they trapped me with fine print on their contract tying me into a year long service aggreement.

They weren't able to diagnose the problem, all I got out of the 3 visits to them, was over 2 and a half thousand dollars worth of bills.

THIS PLACE IS A SCAM!

If you value the life of your pet and your hard earned money, please stay away from BANFIELD, the family pet butchers...

I have a bad experience with banfield hospital here in Sugar Land, TX! I took my dog to the vet to get her shots done, signed on the wellness plan and they took my dog into the other room. When I watched them take the blood from her paw they pulled it so bad that my dog snapped at the doctor. I have a 3year old pug, she is the sweetest dog ever, she loves everybody and I believe everybody will agree that if the dog wouldn't be hurt she wouldn't bite! So basicly they gave her a shot that she didn't need and wasn't required by law. The next day I discovered my dog shaking and limping. Called the hospital, during the office hours and they told me that the docs and nurses are gone, so go to the ER. Basicly after ER I ended up paying about 100$ at banfield for their stupid shots and wellnes plan and then 200$ at the ER and then after I tried to solve it in a good way, instead of saying that they screwed up and tried to fix it, they told me that I was lying and that I changed my story when I talked to the director and in front of the nurse, and now I am thinking about legal procedures...

Hi... I met a lawyer once and what a jerk! Therefor... ALL lawyers MUST be jerks. THAT is sarcasm, baby. One person's story is never a whole story. It's easy enough to spin things for sympathy. I've been a Banfield customer for 15+ years on a wellness plan. My cat is now 17 years old! Woohooo... only been sick twice since I've had her. I spent $1500 on her at Dove Lewis because she had the freaking hickups. Now... you wanna talk scam. Well, perhaps not. They did find her intestines were inflamed and she would have to live with it because there is no cure. Not happy about the money. Took me a year to pay it off. I have no extra money for anything. So... my point... don't open your mouth until The bottom line is... I love my cat. Things are expensive these days.

P.S. I got a second cat so I'm doing research on Banfield to see if I trust them enough to stay with them... but the bottom line is... I've not been mistreated or overcharged by them EVER. My cat is as healthy as she was 10 years ago and she's 84 in human years. That doesn't mean it doesn't happen. BUT... INDIVIDUALS work at them. Don't go blaming the entire company because you weren't happy with one or two people. You MIGHT be wrong. Take the proper channels.

btw, the reason that your estimate changed was because they only put tests on the first one because they didn't know what it was. what did you think they were gonna do the test and then just send you home without anything to treat it?! oh and for that comment before mine... i work at a banfield animal hospital, and i promise you, if we were really the cause of your so called messed up dog, we would have been kissing your feet and giving you EVERYTHING for free. we take off half of the bill if a client waits too long! you are just ignorant trying to get money from a wealthy company!

In response to hahaha!,
As far as being dumb, the only dumb thing I did was joining the optimum wellness plan and listening to crack pot Dr's,
I pay over 40$ a month for the plan and yet every vet bill is way over 300$ and I at one point was there 3 times a month or more,
with verifying mis diagnosis's of my mastiff!,
as far as being cheap and unwilling to spend the time and money on my dog is ludicrous!,
I spend 80$ a bad of holistic large breed food every two weeks, 2 cans of happy hips at 3$ a can a day,
interceptor, any meds they tell me I should give monthly... I spend more on my beloved dog than I do on myself or rent!,
and, some how they gave me the wrong dosage of pain meds along with a torn iv line that resulted in toxicity and seizures for my dog, than billed me 800$ So screw you... as far as the comment that the vets are busy and our pet is not the only one they are seeing is no excuse for bad medicine practices ... than lesson your work load and give quality care!,
Instead of trying to see as many animals as possible to make that check for the beamer I saw my vet pull off in!
These are excuses for poor quality care and hunches instead of actual findings.

I hope you sleep at night with your lame justifications !

Oh did I mention my dog has heart worms now?!,
I am filing a lawsuit and you all should follow suit as well!

i think all u dumb people who think banfield is a scam.maybe YOUR the scam cus your cheap and dont want to take care of your pet the correct way.thats degrading to the doctors who spend years of learning this stuff.how would u feel if i sat in your office telling u u were wrong about what ur telling me and you dont know how to do your job when u spent years learning how to do it.GET A LIFE PEOPLE!if u cant afford to have a pet, then dont get one.

As a consumer dispute resolution counselor, here’s what I advise with regard to Banfield if you want to get resolution and possibly compensation for your Banfield billing and animal care experiences:

1. Join in on one of the THREE class action lawsuits that are being considered or in preparation against Banfield Pet Hospitals by going to the law firms’ websites and listing your complaints. Definition of a class action can be found at: http://www.claiminformation.com/classactions.htm The more people that sign-up, the greater the resolution and possibility that you’ll be compensated for your emotional distress down the road. The law firms are as follows:

http://www.schneiderwallace.com/PracticeAreas/ClassActions.htm
Once there clink on "Inquire About Your Potential Case" and fill out the online form giving specific details of your problems regarding Banfield. Please, make sure that you include either your phone number or send them an email on the link within the "Inquire" link.

http://www.price-law.com/CM/FSDP/PracticeCenter/Personal-Injury/Class-Actions.asp
Complete the online form outlining your experiences.

http://www.barronberry.com/CM/Custom/Contact.asp
Complete the online form outlining your experiences.

Please, make sure that you share your experiences regarding billing issues, pet care (or lack therefore of), names of staff, location of hospitals and if you've ever written to the corporate offices and if so, what was the response if any.

Remember, the more people that join the class action lawsuits, the greater the chances of resolution and restitution (financial compensation for your losses and emotional distress).

2. Go to www.ftc.gov (Federal Trade Commission) and file a very quick online complaint. Make sure that you give any contract numbers, names of staff, address of the hospital that you used, leave out unnecessary details and get to the point (short and sweet) and name the CEO as the contact person: Dr. Scott Campbell, CEO, Banfield, The Pet Hospital, 8000 NE Tillamook
Portland, OR 97213. The FTC will issue fines if they receive enough complaints.

3. Google your state’s Governor’s Office or Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Affairs and file a complaint. Most will allow you to do this online. It’s quick and easy just include specific names, addresses, dates, details of problems (short and to the point) contract numbers, if any, and your contact information. Consumer Affairs will

4. Contact the American Association of Veterinary State Boards by calling [protected] or http://www.aavsb.org/ContactUs/ContactUs.aspx and ask them for the website, phone number and/or address for the regulatory board for your state, then file a complaint against Banfield’s license in that state.

5. Write directly to the CEO of Banfield (or at least print and copy all of your complaints to all of the agencies above and mail a copy to: Dr. Scott Campbell, CEO, Banfield, The Pet Hospital, 8000 NE Tillamook Portland, OR 97213 Phone [protected] Fax [protected] email: scott.campbell@banfield.net

6. Post these instructions on as every complaint forum and website mentioning Banfield that you can find on Google.

7. Remember there’s strength in numbers. If you’re not going to take the time to file a complaint then don’t take the time to post a complaint. Change only comes through efforts to make change.

Okay people... first of all if you dont konw what the vet is perscribing and you think its just "alchohol" do some freekin lotion... for your information its conofite lotion-used to treat ringworm... the vet doesnt have hours on end to be looking at your pet and only your pet... they have other patients to tend to. The "petry dish" is a fungal culture to find out if its ring worm or not. The skin scraping is to see if the fungal culture grows mold in about 10 days and if it does your pet has ring worm. OMG everyone is calling this place a scam-this is rediculus. Just because you dont like your estimate and you dont believe in rechecks doesnt mean the hospital is crap. Go to a differnt one if you cant afford it. Geez people... why dont you ask questions and understand whats for what instead of assuming...three words GET IT RIGHT before you start talking crap.

All I can say is my beloved cat Vicki & I were treated terribly @ banfield in
Waterbury, Conn and I like you will never go back there ever again. . .

So Sorry for you and your pet.

I also was scammed by Banfield, plus treated very poorly.

Banfield, The Pet Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI is a scam as well. The Vet that was there covering for the normal vet was a complete scam artist. My dog had a pulled muscle in her leg and we walked away with a $220 bill! $140 for the medication! And we already have her on pain medicine which costs $120 a Month! They try and sell you as much as possible and play on your vulnerability when you are worried about your pet! DO NOT TAKE YOUR PET THERE! SCAM SCAM SCAM! I'd like to know if any one has taken them to court? I am thinking about it too!

I found this site while I researching harassment at Banfield. I was working there and at my wits end with what to do. After much research, and hitting the walls with trying to resolve issues (much of which is illegal), I decided to leave for my health and the health of my family. The structure that Banfield has sent up in the clinics leads to more problems than fixing them. When the practice manager, the chief of staff, and the techs that the they hired are all spending the weekend together how much help do you expect to receive when those people are the problem? Oh, you report to the field manager, right? Yes, they are best friends too. I am all for happy work place environment where everybody gets along but Banfield has set up a harassment trap that the only solution seems to be to leave or get an attorney as the original comment said. Now about that first comment and the one agreeing with it. One, there is no way in the world that is not a Banfield unhinged employee (a model for Banfield, I'm sure) and the comment supporting it is just as nutty so I'm thinking they are the same person. DO NOT work for this company unless you have no other options. There is a culture of harassment, work place safety violations, and more that spreads across locations in every state; that tells you corporate knows what is happening but has anything changed? Nope. I called that number and two weeks later I was out of the job. Thanks, Banfield.

I recently just resigned from my position at a Banfield location. I was being personally attacked daily by our Practice Manager that had been hired outside of Banfield and had only been working there for a matter of months, when I was working close to 8 months with the company. In the beginning I absolutely LOVED everyone, staff and Doctors included. But once that practice manager got wind that she was "in charge" things started going wrong. None of the staff got along and she blamed only myself and another CSC for any problems happening within the hospital. And let me add, she came in on her OFF day to write me up for not being able to make it in to my location due to bad weather. I was also called on my off day the night previous to inform me that she wanted to have a "one on one" meeting with me. And imagine that, I was bullied into signing a "coaching memo" and forced right out the door. She claimed that if she had even an ounce more trouble with me she would have me out the door. And she is helping run a hospital? I think this is completely unprofessional and I would advice if you want to work for a company that is going to defend you, Banfield is not the company for you. I used to love my job and love coming to work. But before i resigned I dreaded coming into work every day, and felt personally attacked by not only my practice manager, but by fellow co-workers that were also fearing for their jobs. This is not a company to work for.

Can someone tell me the default password for associate email at banfield? Please email me @ thewrongchick83@gmail.com

I have interviews with 2 area Banfield Hospitals this week. I am starting to rethink working here after reading these comments, especially for the money they are offering. I was going to settle for less money because I really want to work with animals but now I am starting to see it may not be worth it.

@downwithharassment we would like to help but we can only do so if you call the Associate Relations team. Please call [protected], thank you.

I work for a banfield as well and believe me if i had the opportunity i would get out of there asap. They let their doctors treat the staff like dirt and the practice managers do nothing about it. We recently got a new practice manager who started out as a csc and is so pro-banfield she cant even see whats going on right in her own hospital. The worst part about it is that the doctor who is doing all the harassing does it in front of all of the paraprofessionals so you feel humiliated, but only when the practice manager is not around. When the field trainer, field director, and medical director comes, she puts on this front like she is the sweetest person ever created and the moment they leave shes back to harassing the staff! Trust we all have complained, she has even had write ups, but Banfield doesnt care enough about their employees to take care of the situation. Its funny how the have "the open doors of communication" but its all a fasad to make their employees feel like there's open communication when there really isnt. If you cant get help from your practice manager, you're supposed to be able to go to your field trainer/director, but when they tell you to talk to your practice manager WHAT GOOD IS THAT DOING FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES BANFIELD? To say you try to promote a positive and team oriented culture is a lie! You need to have regular visits from your field leadership to the hospitals so that they know whats going on when they are not around, otherwise you're going to lose alot of employees...not that Banfield cares anyway!

We’re sorry that the phone number did not work when you called. Since our last post, we have consolidated our phone lines. If you would still like to speak to someone on our Associate Relations team, please call [protected]. Again, we apologize for any inconvenience we have caused, and thank you for letting us know about the number.

FYI the phone number given for Associate Relations at Banfield does not work. Pretty typical of the company. I have worked at a Banfield in California for almost a year and am trying desperately to get out. I get along pretty well with everyone there except this one doctor who just constantly rides my backside. No matter how hard I try this guy finds something to kvetch about, and when he kvetches he does not hold back. He also does not bother to do it in private, he dresses people down in front of God and everybody. The relationship I have with him has become so dysfunctional that I'm beginning to wonder why the f*** I even bother to show up. He's also vindictive and will not hesitate to rub your nose in it if you try to stand up to him. I like working with the other doctors, but I dread having anything to do with "Dr. Kvetch". I know he's trying to get rid of me. I was not born yesterday and I know the signs. I've thought of transferring to another hospital but question what good that would do in a company that tolerates a vet treating technicians in such a manner.

@Sheryl - We're sorry to hear that you are unhappy with your current experience at Banfield Pet Hospital. At Banfield, we strive to promote a positive and team-oriented culture and we would like to discuss your experiences further. Please call our Associate Relations line at [protected].

I'm currently working at a banfield that I've been at for about 2 months now. But I'm starting to feel uncomfortable about how I'm treated in this place. It sadness me because I love my job, I love what I do and this my dream! But my lead manager and one of the doctors treats me like I'm not the right person for the job and I will defend myself and say, no this is my job and I know I am doing the right thing here and I absolutely know what I have to do. But they give me no credit, its like they're trying to find excuses's for me to be driven away. I mean im not perfect at the job but i know what im supposed to be doing, and i do my best everyday and i know its good enough. I talk to clients and they don't even know me and tell me I'm knowledgable in this field...but why can't the two people I work with that most matters to me doesn't see that? I know I'm new but It really brings me down when they just don't know how hard im working for them and only get onto me when im doing something wrong. Even my co-workers can tell this is unfair for me. Please I don't want to quit my job, I just want to find some help..

This is actually the fault of the owner and not the company that makes the product. It is WIDELY known that Australian Shepherds have drug sensitivity issues when it comes to certain medications. Ivermectin is one of those drugs. If you had performed the MDR1 test on your dog, you would have known about this. If the owners are not going to test their dogs for drug sensitivity they should NEVER allow their dogs to ingest ivermectin.

Sorry this happened but your dog shouldn't have been where they can get a hold of a drug regardless and this is not the fault of the manufacturer but the fault of the owner.

A.) WELLNESS PLAN (not insurance)- read the contract, it is for WELL pets. It is a way to not go in for preventive care and spend 300 dollars all at once. Also, it gives you the nice bonuses of a free office visit any time and a percentage discount depending on your level. If you are getting your preventive care and going in for visits, it has already paid for itself. You should read the contracts that you sign
B.) Just because someone is a vet or a technician does not mean that they are able to control big strong dogs that fight back. I weigh 100 pounds soaking wet, it is not easy. At all. Owners do not make it any easier by not training their pets. If you are the only one that can restrain her, she is not trained. Further, it is not safe for the staff or the pet if the pet is thrashing around like crazy. If they are recomending sedation then it is for your protection as well. What happens when your pet bites and injures someone or in going crazy hits its head on a counter and needs emergency care? Its not the vet's fault but you will sure as hell try to make them treat for free.
C.) As a corporation, Banfield is very vulnerable. Even if you say that you don't have a lot of money to spend, what does that mean? To some people that means they have twenty bucks in their pocket for the next week, to others it means anything over a thousand and I'm out (you think I'm exaggerating, but I once gave a client who was "tight" on money an 800 estimate and they said Oh is that all? I though it would be at least 1500). So, to protect themselves and to give your pet the best possible care, they give you a treatment plan for what their number one option would be. All you have to do is say no or pare it down from there. The whole point is that they don't want you coming back later and saying "Well, if you had told me I should do that then I would have" and now they have a lawsuit on their hands. Trust me. It is for these reasons that I left Banfield. As much as I loved it, it was clients like this that made me miserable. We as veterinarians spend so much time researching and continuing our educations just for someone to freak out about a 35 dollar office visit.

You can get a refund on wellness plan. Did it yesterday. Had confuntation with vet and said hes through couldn't please me so I canceled my plan no problem. Also my sister canceled hers to and took a while to get refund but got one. Just be presistent.

My regular vet was out of Frontline, for flea control. I was forced to look elsewhere and I'm really annoyed with myself for not shopping around. Their charge for this product is tantamount to highway robbery. I was very surprised by how much they were charging, commented on it a couple of times and said I thought this was a cheaper product. The counter staff assured me this was one of the most expensive flea control serums. As I was sort of over a barrel, I took what they had. I've since checked prices online and with my regular vet, again, to make sure I'm not insane. Turns out I'm not insane.

I agree and am sorry you had to pay their exhorbitant fees. They charge me a $60 consultation fee every time my dog goes in for anything - if she hasn't been seen in the last 6 mohths. So, I took my dogs in for teeth cleaning - they added $60 consultation fee and I did not even get a consultation! I said, who is the vet consulting with? Their answer: The Dog.

I would not recommend Banfield to ANYBODY! Ask for referrals from a local breeder or a friend with an animal before you go get suckered into this place.

I paid for everything for a dog that I was giving to my boyfriends niece (over $300 paid in full for "ALL" shots, except the distemperment) as a gift and I had her put on the account on my account, because Banfield does not transfer accounts as I was told by Jessica (corporate office) in their accounts department and by Amika (Newport News, VA store). I replied, "If I opened an account and paid all this money, then my boyfriends niece would have to start account and pay again". I felt this is a rip off and this is how Banfield makes their money, which is not right. When my boyfriends niece took the the dog to get information on the dogs shots in order to pay her pet fee at her apartment, she was told my Amy and the Veterinarian (Newport News, VA) that she could not get any information. I could not figure out why, when "EVERTHING" was paid and up to date. This caused her to take the dog to another veterinarian to get shots, the dog already had at the cost of $150. I then went back to the store where I started the account and they told me to call their corporate office to let them know. When I called the corporate office, Jessica stated "I do not know why they told you to call the corporate office". I thought when you have a problem that is who you are supposed to call to get better information. I still have not found out why she was refused information from either of the these people and I am now waiting for the Manager Heather (Newport News, VA store) to call me back.

Go to a "real" vet, stay away from Petco/Petsmarts side services (ie: vets, grooming, training, boarding), useless!

Dorcella,
I apologize for the inconvenience that you experienced with this plan. I hope you have since been able to resolve this issue, but please don't hesitate to reach out to our Wellness Plan Relations team to address the situation if you are still having trouble. The number is [protected]. Thank you for your feedback and, again, sorry for the inconvenience.

In fact, they specifically told me when I called after our dog died that we cannot cancel the wellness plan. They are making us pay for an additional three months because (as best I could decipher what the snotty rep was saying) the so-called "discount" on the care he got before he died somehow counts against us and extends our liability. Then they told us it's an annual lump sum pre-payment for services (NOT an ongoing "plan") that is just spread out on a monthly plan for our convenience. The two explanations don't gibe and neither seems fair to a pet owner who no longer has any need for vet services, discounted or otherwise. I'm sure it's in the fine print somewhere but when the store clerks sign you up they sure don't tell you you'll be financing a dead pet's non-care on the installment plan. I'm afraid that even if you got the name of the person who said they could cancel it, the company would deny your request anyway. I now find out that this is a frequent complaint about these "wellness plans" and has made it into David Lazarus's consumer column. Good luck getting any satisfaction. Let us know if you hear of any class action cases we can join. Meanwhile I'll be watching my bank account like a hawk to see if they really cancel it three months from now as promised.

Banfield employee I'm sure.

Banfield almost killed my puppy

Banfield's Wellness plan is a RIP-OFF and a SCAM!
I would be more than willing to put together a case to SHUT THEM DOWN!

BUYER BEWARE - THEIR WELLNESS PLAN IS A SCAM! DON'T DO IT!

Brian Wasem
510.637.9467

I agree Banfield does charge a lot. I have a wellness plan for my dog and was told that the neutering would be covered. Well it was. However; they charged me $40 for anasthesia $20 bucks for the pain meds And they wanted to charge me $30 for a cone which I know I can get elsewhere for $5. They seemed unpleased when I told them o would no longer be buying prescription strength flea and tick medication. The tick infestation in my area had calmed down and I feel my dog is well protected with the over the counter flea meds.

All that said, they have great customer service. They treat the animals very well almost as if they were their own. I feel comfortable letting them care for my pet. This review is mostly as a response to a bad experience with another vet. I will be writing a bad review about that other vet. Banfield treats the animals very well.

All Veterans of the Armed Forces on a fixed income, , Beware, , take your business somewhere else other than Baynesfield!, , the fees are exorbitant and the meds are are marked up so high you will spend your rent money buying them from them! Initially Banfield gave me the impression they cared but that is a total overstatement, , all I needed was a script for a pain reliever called Ultram for my pet to be comfortable when his corneal infections arise as with infections of his anal area due to his stool aggravating that area, , I use Prep H ointment to relieve but he still hurts during these time thus the pain management I wish to afford him, , I tried to order meds from a discount outlet and ask Banfield to help and once they found out I was wanting the meds from somewhere else I suddenly needed to bring him to them and get the whole rollover bit without a kiss before they would consider writing a script and allow me to purchase the meds from them, , I am so disgusted how businesses do shady practice and act as they are your best friend when they are in your pocket but when you need help they turn on you, , whats the use in trying to save money from an outlet if Baynesfield will not assist, , They made me feel as though I wanted the meds for myself, , heck, , the outlet sells in quantity and not like a few pills at a time which I would have done if possible, , but, , thats not the only reason, , their prices and the way they overcharge when they know you are in a somber mood when your pet is needing attention is unspeakable, , go to a smaller practice that shows true concern even if you have to drive a little ways out of your way to get good services, , pet hospitals are no different from large scale human hospitals now, , the more the merrier with on average about fifteen minutes per patient if your lucky, , whether it be dog or human! Find an older veterinarian that believes in his creed rather than your pocketbook, , there is some still left, , Domingo Bustos, , US Army Veteran

@Jennstt30- based on this information I am unable to identify your account. Please email your posts to our Wellness Plan Team along with the full name associated with your account so we can appropriately append your concerns to the right Team and look into this for you. The email address is WellnessPlanRelations@banfield.net.

I brought home a kitten she was a couple months old she had never been to a vet so I took her to Banfield here in Plainfield, IN. I paid for her first visit for vacinations and overall check up and also some de-worming just to be safe. First of all I have been there for few visits since then and when the doctors go through there questioning with you over your pet they treat you like you are doing everyhing wrong, they never like the brand choice in food or flea protection and always want you buy the brands they sell that cost top dollar. I guess thats just a matter of opinion. After paying for her shots and check up I also purchased there wellness plan that covers getting my kitten spayed, cause it was important to me make sure it was done for her. It was also suppose to cover next year follow up shots, I took her in this January for check up relating to something else and they were going to go ahead and give her those shots while we there instead of needing to make another appointment, I agreed it was a good idea. After they did some checking the said it was to soon she was not due until February, I said ok lets make the appointment and I asked the doctor and the lady who made the appointment specifically if shots and appointment is at no cost because of the wellness right? They said "YES" I said great and set the appointment for February 24, 2012, so my husbands get our kitty together and bring her in this morning and they say oh no your not covered under that plan anymore it expired February 6th of this month...GRRRRRRRR so he brings her home and tells them no I dont want them done then I will go somewhere else, he gets home I call beck up to Banfield to ask whats going on...the lady tells me well we cant do anything about it cause its past the expiration date, thats crap they told me it was covered and the next appointment was made according to the wellness plan...funny little tricks to rip people off...I have several family members and friends I will be notifing to warn them to watch out. I didnt pay the hundreds of dollars for the wellness plan to not use it and get ripped off cause of the timeline mess up on there part. I am done with Banfield if this problem is not resolved the lady told she would look in to it and call me back about what can be done...for some reason I'm pretty sure that call wont come. Save your money people cause they couldnt even work with me to help resolve the matter just blew me and my husband off.

MCLauderdale,
Thank you for providing this feedback, and I am sorry that you have had an unsatisfactory experience at one of our hospitals. We'd like the opportunity to discuss your experience with you and help us better understand the situation. Our Client Advocate Team can be reached at [protected]. Thank you, and I hope your cats are doing well.

I agree with all the comments above.. I too brought my cats to Banfield and was quoted an initial price for both cats (~140.00 with wellness plan included) and the initial first visit bill came to 650.00 above the quoted price, after questioning the bill it was reduced to 290.00. however, from their initial visit they found problems with both my cats - who are seemingly very healthy - which require hundreds of dollars in vet bills.. I feel as tho I am being soaked. I recommend bringing your pets to a regular vet who is honest and not interested in scamming every last penny out of you..

Brought my 11 year old Chihuahua in to have her teeth cleaned. I got the Pet Insurance routine and I bit. It was cheaper to have the insurance - or so it seemed. It turned out not to be an insurance plan - but a Wellness Plan. It only gives you a percentage off your bill. A bill that is unnecessarily high to begin with. So, they said my dog needed a tooth pulled because she had an abcess. They diagnosed this BTW, without an exray. I asked for antibiotics instead. They said come back in a few days for the cleaning. When I returned, I asked where the estimate was from the other day. They didn't have it - couldn't find it - the front desk person didn't know how to get it! My dogs mouth looked Ok, no sign of abcess, so I said "no" to the 'extra' $382.00 it woudl cost to get the tooth pulled.! While examing my dog the vet mentioned that my dog had a heart murmur - grade 1. I said "OK", he then scheduled her for her cleaning even tho it was done 9 mths before). Long story short - I got my dog back; for three days she refused to eat. Her heart was pounding in her chest, she was so lathargic she couldn't go for her walk. She just stood and looked like she was on another planet. I took her back, the vet said they needed to do an exray, blood work, put her on oxygen and a heating pad as her body temp was down to 97. After 30 minutes they called me back in (I was walking around the store waiting) and said he had aproblem and they wanted to do an echo cardiogram. I said - how about an exray first - let's do one step at a time. The exrays showed a very enlarged heart - she ws in congestive heart failure. He then says, "Well, she was very high risk because of her murmur and her age." I asked - "When were you going to tell me? Why now? Why not BEFORE you did the cleaning - I would have said NO!" Bottom line, I have a plan for my dog who is about to die, I have a dog who 4 days ago was well, and now is near death. NEVER GO TO BANFIELD! AND, THEIR WELLNESS PLAN IS CRAP!

I am looking to find Alana, the office manager, and Dr. Anna Cortinez, who left Banfield in Chandler. I would like to know where they have gone. I only trust them with my Belgian Shepherds. Please, if you know where they went, please contact me at Cecile@cox.net Cecile Sharp

Ihave an have an rx from my vet for a food my dog has been on for years, you have to turn in the rx to get a "medical" card from Banfield, for the privledge of making a purchase from Petsmart. They wouldn't accept the rx as it was over 6 months old...I requested they call the vet...after waiting over 20 minutes to try and purchase food...I left and will not go back. I'm not sure exactly what the scam was, but the health of my pet is the last thing on their mind. Will not go back to PetSmart!

hmmm...

problem 1, 7 week puppies don't have heartworm, maybe you mean intestinal worms? problem 2, it sounds like your puppies had parvo.
problem 3, Banfield has wellness plans (for when your pet is well), not pet insurance, and no payment plans at all.

Now I don't even really like Banfield as an ex employee but you have a crappy complaint Alona, and you are not helping the situation.

As for the original complaint, you are semi right with regards to the food. Yes a veterinarian should check your pet semi-annually, and you should have a UA done annually because pet can have different types of bladder stones even when on prescription food. My own dog used to flip-flop between struvite and oxalate and I had to go between u/d and s/d and monitor her urine pH. But at the same time, once you have done this, you should be able to get your prescription food and not have a problem.

I took my two seven week puppies here. I have had them for four days and had already taken them to the vet close to my house for shots and heartworms and an overall full check up. On the fourth morning I had them I had awoke to find them acting very lethargic and I have noticed they didnt eat any of there food or drink any of there water, they had also vomited in several areas. I called there vet to be told that they couldnt see them till that afternoon, I was scared the puppies couldn't wait that long. I did some research online to find Petsmart had a program with insurance and payment plans and you could bring them in right away. So that is just what I did.

When I got there they took the puppies as soon as I walked in and were very fast and nice at first. then when a room came open they allowed my daughter and I to go in. Within the forst five minutes literallywe were in the room, I signed seven different price quotes. For a total of the last one being 1, 814. They stated I would have to pay a small portion down payment, nothing specific said, then 12.99 a month which sounded very great for me, I thought I could make at least five payments a month comfortably. They told me to leave and come back at six to pick them up and take them to urgent car. I recieved a phone call from them while I was on my way to pick them up stating one of them has died. I was devasted, and so upset.

When I got there I was told I had to pay the whole total up front to get my other puppy and transfer to urgent care. I did not have that much money so I had absolutely no idea what to do. I explained I was told by one of the nurse about my payment plans, they denied anyone having that conversation with me and demanded the money then because they were closing and if I didnt pay she would be left unattended and and uncared for all night long. I had to leave my puppie and I felt absolutely horrible, I was so angry about them lying to me, had I known I would have not left them. The next morning I recieved a phone call at 7 am telling me If i was not there in 30 minutes they were going to put the puppie to sleep and file charges for pet abandonment and theft of now to be 2, 587 dollars. They said my puppie was in stable condition and recovering well, so I need to come up with the money. This was just this morning so I have yet to hear from the local police department and find out what is going on with my puppie. I have absolutely no idea what to do about this and my daughter is so upset that we cant go get her. Does anyone have advice or have a similiar experience?

I know this was posted a long time ago, but I can provide so competent information. FIRST, from experience in the veterinary medical field, unless a veterinarian has specialized in nutrition, they really don't know much about animal nutrition. I have taken 1 maybe 2 nutrition classes in veterinary school. It covers a general topic and hardly qualifies as specializing. Vets are paid to put certain foods in their clinic. If they endorse something, you know they are getting money for it. The perks of advertising. SECOND, if your animal has seen a vet at that particular hospital and there was a change in staff, they should have confidence in the prior vets decision. If not, its not hard to look over the condition of the animal since they do supposedly keep records of patients in their system.

Banfield, in general, is not somewhere I would take my animal personally. They do NOT provide complete veterinary care. They only offer preventative care which sometimes goes to the extremes of treating with too many drugs. I am fostering 2 dogs that are under the "wellness plan" there (the owner is in Afghanistan and has no choice but banfield since he travels A LOT) and the vets constantly tell me that I am just a student and dont know what i am talking about when it comes to properly treating an animal. Obviously I do know a little if I have gotten this far.
The vets there have NEVER tried to form any sort of relationship with my dogs and I much less EVER explain to me why I am supposedly wrong when I say SAMe (used to promote and restore healthy liver functions) and/or diet change would lower an elevated liver enzyme count instead of the Clavamox (a common antibiotic) they recommend. I may not be a vet yet, but I know what to use and what not to use, and if I don't, then I sure as heck find out.

IF you were a hospital director then you'd know they HAVE to SEE the pt before giving out any perscription including diets. You would also know that as en employee you get a free wellness plan and whatever discount goes along with that plan on services outside of it. You appear to be more of a disgruntle employee jumping on the bandwagon then someone with common sense and a real issue.

It is a corporation, and of course it is a racket. I would not trust them with a snail. My dog ended up with a $4,000 back surgery and $600 mylogram for a pinched nerve that could've been fixed by the doggie chiropracter.

Angela has it right. Vet offices are not pharmacies.

I work for a Banfield and my vet gives free office visits to people who need prescription cards. She won't give them out to people without examining their pet which is perfectly within her right as it's her licence on the line.

The veterinarian is absolutely correct. It is illegal for a vet to prescribe medications without a client-patient relationship already established. Think about it logically - would you ask your doctor to prescribe a medication to, for example, your husband, when that doctor does not even know his medical history, ot has never examined him. I don't think so! By law, a vet cannot prescribe medications without a client-patient relationship. Please check this before YOU make such absurd claims! Thank you!

Doctor Laura is lesbo and tried to finger little girls in waiting room stay away!

You are such a dumb b****. You got fired because you are slandering a good practice. You think you know it all, but hell you were only a groomer and quite frankly had your back to us the whole time you worked. What i also dont understand is how you were on maternity leave, but then talk about how this incident happened. WHERE YOU THERE? or is this some second had BS someone is telling you. I remember you almost blinding a dog because you stabbed its eye out with sisscors, OH and who was there to clean up your mess... Dr. Laura. I remember, because unlike you I was actually at he event when it happend. So here are some facts for you. During business hours we do not have meetings, we are way to busy, second we would NEVER turn down a dog. By the way we got you booted of yahoo local and we will get you booted of here. And going back to my first statement, you using your real name and picture is another reason you were so easy to identify and fire. LOL we are still laughing at you stupidity.

I have been buying products from Petsmart for years and other than the high prices had no complaints. However, recently I acquired a new puppy from a shelter and wanted to have her bathed and clipped. Sadie is a Lasa-Poo and has poodle like fur and she smelled like all animal shelters smell. I called Petsmart grooming salon, made the appointment and was told to be sure to bring her shot record. Having other pets I was well aware that that was a requirement and told her I had all her information. When I arrived, there was one groomer clipping a small dog another was sweeping the floor and a third was signing in a customer. I stood at the counter for several min. w/o being acknowledged. While waiting I watched the groomer still clipping the small dog already tethered and when she was ready to clip the other side the took the front leg and jerked the dog around, never saying a word to it. That was my first clue. The little dog being signed in was shaking and obviously scared but neither the owner or the employee said anything to calm the poor little dog. I leaned over and spoke softly to it and as the owner left he handed the leash to the clerk. The dog was dragged through the grooming area into the back holding room. I thought if she would just pick the poor thing up and speak to it the dog may calm down. It never made a sound other than a whimper. Finally it was my turn and I told the clerk my name and handed her Sadie's shot record and she said she needed the certificate not the record so she could not groom my dog. I went to the store check out clerk and asked to speak to a manager and suggested a call could be made to the Vet to verify the information the phone # was on the folder I gave the goomer. I did have the certificate at home but was told they needed the record. He went into the salon and spoke to the women and when he motioned me back in and was told they would do the grooming. In the meantime the women who had dragged the scared little dog got bitten. I stated that maybe if the animals were not treated so mean they wouldn't bite. Well, the Manager stated "she did not ask to be bitten" but if you have a problem you can leave. I said that is exactly what I am going to do. I was so upset thinking of all the people who leave their pets and do not have any idea what is happing to them. I have never written a message like this before but since I am sure this was not an isolated incident I felt I must.

Angeline Howard, [protected]

And that is the wonderful choice of a second opinion. Thanks for being mature about it.

Please understand that the Banfield Animal Hospital Pet Wellness plan is a very poor value. For what you spend in a year you can get better services from an independant Vet. Banfield uses the Wellness plan as a way to get you in for your limited free/included services and recommend many other procedures, some needed and others not, so that they can max the profit on your visit. It is purely about profit. I understand a need to be profitable but this is their primary focus. Additionally the 10% discount that is offered on the wellness plan is off of prices that I have found to be 40-70% higher than the independant vets. Do the research and save yourself alot of money. Banfield is not the best place to take your buisiness.

My understanding, at least at my Banfield, they tell you when you sign up for a Wellness plan that you are responsible to pay the entire wellness plan fee. In particular, if you choose monthly dedudctions, they tell you that if anything happens to your pet, you are still responsible for the annual plan. So I knew that going in. Same thing when my brother brought his cat in for the first time in years. He set up a wellness plan for his cat and they told him the same thing before he agreed to sign up.

I think it's best to have it writing and tell someone when they are signing up. Our Banfield made it clear to us so at that point, it was our choice. Our vet diagnosed our cat with renal failure and she made sure I understood if I signed her up and something happened in the next couple of months, I was still responsible for the year. I appreciated the honesty.

I just signed up for the puppy plan thinking it was a great way to economize costs without neglecting service or care for the puppy we just got, I was told I have 7 days to cancel. It is day 5 and I just waited for 17 plus minutes to speak to someone to let them know that I would like to cancel due to the fact that we found out the local shelter will give our dog her shots for less thn half the cost. I spoke with a gentleman that stated that I was passed the 4 (yeah 4 days was never what we were told) and to cancel I would have to pay $78 dollars on top of the 139.00 dollar initial fee and 31.00 first month payment. So to cancel the plan there is no fee because the initial fee covers that, but it's 25.00 to end your agreement (kinda like canceling but with different words so they can charge you again) When I told him I wasn't understanding what the initial cost covered and that it seemed a little crazy that they would then charge me for services rendered when I had payed the first month, he asked me what I wanted him to do about the fact that I was giving up on my dog! Really! I then asked to speak to a supervisor he told me " Fine but they'll tell you the same thing" he then hung up on me! Great job Banfield, I now am locked into a year long contract with people that seem to think PLEASE CANCEL means please attempt to humiliate me on the phone and tell me that I obviously can't see the virtues of the plan that was created by people much smarter than me! If you need to keep on a budget with your pet try the local shelter they have a lot of great services at a much better price, and they seem to actually like pets as well as their owners.

BANFIELD Pet Hospital - Please know that I have previously exhausted BANFIELD'S Customer Relations offerings who incidentally explained to me that BANFIELD'S "Business model" does not have a waiver exception for someone who has lost their job. MORE IMPORTANTLY, despite the job loss, my "core" complaint, which was verbally being sold one thing that ended up being something entirely different was ignored. In fact, it was terribly insulting when the BANFIELD representative turned the situation around on me by inferring that I was lying, and that the Wellness Plan was ultimately my responsibility, gee thanks. It became abundantly clear to me that BANFIELD'S "Business model" is primarily concerned with is the almighty dollar. Somewhere along the line, BANFIELD subtracted the human factor from their "Business model". In any event, aside from my "core" complaint, I do appreciate your outreach, however generic it may be. However, if you were serious, it would be more appropriate to provide me with contact to someone who possesses executive decision making power. Your referral puts me back at square one, like a Dog chasing its tail. Best Regards!

@Rectitude,
We would like to discuss your situation with you to see how we can help. To discuss the terms of your plan, please call our Wellness Plan Relations Team at [protected]. Or, to discuss your experience at your location, please call our Client Advocate Team at [protected]. Thank you.

BANFIELD Pet Hospital, Please know that your response to my complaint is anecdotal to my complaint. It is mis-leading at best, and an out and out lie at worse. Too state as you have, "if a client would like to cancel, then he or she is only responsible to pay for services that have been provided." Is not true! If a client must cancel a Wellness Plan 2 months after obtaining it due to Hardship, as I had to, BANFIELD will demand payment for the additional 10 months of the 12 month plan. The only service the CLIENT will receive for those additional 10 months is harassment from BANFIELD Collections incorporated. My complaint is specifically related to being verbally sold one thing that ultimately became another in the infamous "SMALL PRINT". I fully understand contracts, however, when something is sold to you with trust and under good faith, you do not tend not to scrutinize the "small print" lest you care to go cross eyed. As a result, BANFIELD responds by hiding behind what my respondent neglects to mention, "the Wellness Plan is a 12 month contract". Which you will pay whether you get service or not! Additionally, BANFIELD discriminates with their payment structure by requiring a credit or bank account number so that they can access your money for auto payment. This is a sneaky means of seizing your accounts to ensure they obtain payments whether you agree with the payment/service or not. This clearly discriminates against those who don't possess credit accounts or who for privacy matters do not care to freely relinquish their personal finances to the trust of BANFIELD. "Buyer beware!"

@Rectitude,
Please know that all Wellness Plan contracts explain the terms of the plan within the contract and, if a client would like to cancel, then he or she is only responsible to pay for services that have been provided. If you feel that you were misinformed about your Wellness Plan, or would like cancellation options, then please give us a call. You can reach our Wellness Plan Relations Team at [protected] or our Client Advocate Team at [protected].

I have no problem with the Banfield service per se, however, their itemized billing practices, and claimed services rendered practices is a scam business model. The Wellness plan essentially covers your visit and shots. Each time I visit for shots I end up with a Bill that claims I saved hundreds of dollars. The plans DO NOT cover most other services. Additionally, each time I visit they want to excrete my Dogs Anal glands and clip his nails for an additional $50. As it happens I do both of these myself during bath time. The Anal excretion takes all of 5 seconds, and it is not what you may be thinking. I suppose the most worrisome issue you should be aware of with Banfield is their Wellness contracts. If they aren't illegal, then they are borderline. They typically sell them without consumers clearly understanding the "12 month" obligation. They also restrict payment to auto credit card or bank account charges. This is discriminatory, worse yet, it allows Banfield to seize your money, not to mention the security risks you take giving them your info. I would strongly recommend several options to you if you have been wrongly sold a Wellness Plan; Send a letter of complaint to your State and County District Attorneys office and BBB, and most importantly share valid complaints via online resources such as this post, Yelp, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Cheers!

We had a Wellness Plan for our Basset Hound, Harley, for at least 13 years! We took her in for her annual check-up in January and confirmed our suspicions that she needed to be put down. We had her put to sleep January 19th. Now, we are being told that because of her check-up (which is supposed to be included in her plan), we have to keep paying for her wellness plan until November? This is outrageous! We've had issues with her treatment in the past, but this tops the cake! This is the most cold-hearted customer-service I have EVER received and will be sure to post my opinion on EVERY review website I can possibly find! Not only will we NEVER take another pet to Banfield, we will NEVER shop at PetsMart either!

Wellness Plans are not the same value to everyone. If you only take your vet to the Doctor for a rabies so he can get groomed then no do not get a plan. If you tend to take your pet in a lot (i.e. a health issue, trouble puppy, nervous parent etc) then you save lots just by the office visit.

FOR PUPPIES AND KITTENS- the wellness plan is SOOOOOO worth it. This is very true for chronic condition pets and elderly pets

Regions vary as well. In the region I live now Banfield has the least expensive office visit and dental cleaning (by $100) . However in other regions I have seen those more expensive then average.

Same care? A 50 dollar neuter and 200 neuter may not be the same thing... Ask details about procedures etc no matter where you call.

Meds- yes way more expensive then pet meds (and the vets hate that it cost more) however Banfield is not a pharmacy, this being said they keep limited amounts of lots of meds at hand for when they are needed NOW .
I always tell my clients if they are going to be on a med long term to explore the option that is best for them. Some clients would rather pay more to have it now and be done, others like to shop around or order in larger #.
A generic human rx can range (quite a bit) in price from rite aid to walgreens.
Meds have to be bought stored packaged (in some states you must have a lisc).

I agree with you wholeheartedly. Our former banfield hospital at the Citadel Crossing Petsmart in Colorado Springs, Co., was getting so bad that appointments just were not being taken because the hospital was closed so often. One of my dogs is on phenobarbitol for seizures. So, I called in my refill over a week early at the pharmacy t make sure we did not run out. I kept calling the parmacy asking if the vet had faxed in the refill order...after a week of no reply from the hospital, I called Banfield. The woman who answered was very snotty and said she was only taking appointments and there was no one there. The following Monday I went down in person and waited until a vet signed off on the refill. And this was not the first time this happened. Finally, we decided to transfer our dogs' records to the Banfield on Powers Boulevard. It cost us $212 just to transfer the records because it is Banfield's policy that the dogs have a complete check-up. After we checked our dogs in, we were told that it wasn't necessary for one of our dogs to have been given the check-up because he was not on the wellness program. But, this was AFTER the fact. Our other dog is on the wellness program...the Optimum one. Then we were told that they would meet any price on the Heartgard Medication. All I had to do was bring in the paperwork from the online medication store I use as proof. Well, I did that this morning, yesterday was when we had our appointments. I was told, "Oh no we can't do that because it had to be done before the purchase was made and besides, only the manager can ok it and the manager is on vacation. " None of this was ever explained to us. So, I agree with you 100%. They take advantage of situations. But, I have to agree with their logo: We treat pets like family." Many families stabbed each other in the backs!

My dog maxx was a the benfield doctor last saturday feb 23 08 for his regular shot. He have 3 shot on that day, when i was ready to leave my dog staring voming and diarrea at the same time, i run to take him back to the vet, they take him inside and tell me the my dog have a reaction for the shot and he almost died. I was crying and nerves, i went to see him and he was look like he was dieding.but what i don t understang why now i have to be charge with $155.55 dollars when my dog got sick b caus what happen. They call me today i tolk if i don t pay my money they going to sent my name to a collection agence, plase can someone help me. My cell is [protected] this happen in colorado springs colorado, thanks, Brunilda.

First and last time ever dealing with Banfield. My regular vet is amazing And the only vet I trust for a reason. When i couldn't get into my regular vet while my new cat had a worsening URI, I took her to banfield out of desperation after she refused food for nearly 24 hours.. I knew that they were known extortionists but figured it would be a simple visit just to get her some antibiotics until I can follow up with my regular vet. 2 minutes after handing my cat over the vet was already calling to say that she completed her exam (after the girl that took her back happily told me that "Dr. Kim is very quick with her exams") and of course suggested that we start completely re doing her vaccines, FIV, FEVP, etc. Tests that I KNEW she already had just because I didn't have records in hand yet. I declined it all as i was expecting that.. I brought up all my concerns before the exam so that the vet could properly address them. She never did. I had to keep asking for every little thing. You could tell that she didn't actually check her out. She was giving me the most generic [censored] answers. Didn't bother to mention that she has Stomatitis. But put in her treatment notes, without actually saying anything, that she had "minor gum inflammation". No mention of the missing and broken teeth. Told me that she somehow didn't notice her excessive drooling that I brought up that has been CONSTANT. I tried to brush it off and just say, okay we got the Clavamox. That's all I came for. I paid $43 for a 15 Ml bottle which was just enough to finish her 10 day course. Even though Clavamox 15 ml retails for no more than $30 anywhere else and the most I've ever paid was $25.. when i got home, I realized that bottle was MAYBE half full. After just a couple days of giving her meds, I realized that it was not going to be enough to finish her course. When i called to tell them, they told me they could refill it for me. I told them that I'm not paying for a refill when I already paid for a bottle that should've been more than enough. They said that's fine and that I could just come pick it up. That was 2 days ago. the icing on the cake happened today when I went to pick it up. They gave it to me no charge, then a few hours later I got a call from the girl at the front desk. I answer "hi, is this Miranda?" I say "yes, who's this?" And I get a "oof geez..." followed later by "..i know we've been [censored]ing up alot". Super professional. She called me to tell me "oh. We're sorry but we just realized that she actually needed 2 bottles to begin with but we only charged you for one. " so I said oh, that's why they were both half full? Thinking that that's just how they sell them and that the $43 was for both seeing as they deceive you by selling you 15 Ml that they've removed half from the bottle. She wanted to charge me over the phone for the second bottle she gave me. That's $86 for A 10 DAY COURSE OF CLAVAMOX. $86 for 2 half full 15 Ml bottles. That's the definition of a Scam. I paid it like an idiot and immediately regretted it. Called back to reiterate how ridiculous that is. Then i get "Well sorry but I don't control the prices" that's not even just a matter of pricing. That's a scam. You're advertising a certain price for a certain dose while only giving you half so that you can be forced to buy 2. Anyways, I'll be talking to their manager tomorrow and I'll either get a refund or dispute it with my bank.

It makes me tired reading some of these complaints. If you have an issue with charges, it is best to take it up with the nurse presenting the estimate. If you sign the estimate then it makes all the sense in the world that the staff should be paid for their time. If you pre-approve and amount at drop off, you are obligated to pay. If you drop your pet off and they do things without your permission above your preapproval, I can see where you might be upset. As far as the wellness plans go, if it is insurance it would say so. If it covered everything there would not be different levels would there? It says in the contract you sign as well as in the pamphlets displayed in every Banfield that it IS NOT insurance. The plan covers a preventive care package. THATS PREVENTIVE, not treatment of, but prevention of issues. If your pet has an ear infection, that is a condition or illness therefore not prevention. Preventive care includes: routine deworming, routine bloodwork, routine vaccines, routine fecal exam to check for parasites, routine examinations, annual radiographs, ect. So no, treatment is not included in a wellness plan. But it does save you money if treatment needs to be given between 5-20% depending on your level. You can not call something a rip off just because you dont read a contract you sign. If you only visit the hospital once every year, yes you are wasting your money. If you do not communicate with your veterinary staff about the examinations you are paying for then yes, you are being ripped off and are apparently not a good candidate for a wellness plan. And of course the staff is going to get on you about joining a wellness plan. Anyone going to a banfield more than twice a year should join a membership, its only cost effective to do so. But that is only if you utilize the services provided. As far as Abby's mom is concerned. They can write you a prescription, you did not need to buy medication for $50 if you can buy it elsewhere for $8. That was your choice. Now, if you are saying that it costs $8 wholesale and that they marked it up...how do you feel about the $15 tablet of asprin that patients administer themselves in the hospital? Or the $300 pack of monocryl suture that costs no more than $5 to the hospital. If you are a nurse you know things are marked up. Vet clinics perform minimal mark ups compared to human medicine. There just isnt a copay yet so people complain about it more.

Yeah, I had a similar experience to rocy7x7. I have been on the Wellness Plan for two years (I am canceling the renewal) ... and they told me my dog needed an additional ear examination and an ear flush. $60 ... but they marked the Examination Report as his ears being "Clean and Odor Free." Why would you sell me product and service when there wasn't an issue. They were also going to charge me $800 in additional charges for a dental cleaning covered by the Wellness Plan. Heavens knows the stuff they tried to throw in there. The manager at my local Banfield in Ithaca, New York refuses to try to fix things. These people need to be out of business. I hate being gouged!

I just recently had my roomate take the dog fi an ear infection. It was unbelieveble, after all was done, she walked out paying over $200 for meds. The Amoxicillin was $50 alone, this is a medication that costs them $8 for a bottle of a 100. I am in the healthcare field and I know for a fact what wholesale prices are in meds. I also have a niece in NY that is a vet and know that the meds given are no different for dogs as humans. I completely believe this is very unethical. They should be ashamed of themselves. Never will I take my dog there.

Please let me know if any of the Banfield Corporate complaint letters are answered satisfactorily. I have been routinely charged hundreds of dollars (above the wellness plan, I also bought) for exams my dog did not need. Even when I told them he didn't have the symptoms of what they wanted to check him for and I thought it was something else (each time I was correct by the way -- he always had exactly what I said, first parvo then giardia.) They insisted on tons of tests and when I complained that I'd told them not to do x-rays, they said 'you signed off' and that was all they would say. I am going to write a letter to there corporate office and complain specifically about their vet Dr. Kit to the Veterinary Medical Board here in California. I am so upset.

I fully agree they are ripping off people. The wellness plan is their biggest rip off. I have owned several very happy healthy dogs and they went to the vet at most once a year if they had no out of the ordinary things happen between visits. Banfield has you bring your pet in for Comprehensive Wellness exams at which point there are always additional charges. My sons's dog was diagnosed as having a yeast infection in her ears- but lo and behold on her next visit her ears were great and he had not used any of the over priced medicine they sold him. Then they tried to tell me my dog had the exact same infection and I told them they were wrong- no symptoms at all. They know you can't take that chance so I told them to go ahead and do the swab but if it came out negitive I would not pay for it. It was negative. I am contacting Banefield Corp to file a complaint with them and demand a refund and put them on notice. They also charge for "extra restrant" when no extra restraint is used... they are scamming people out of their hard earned money and we need to make them stop.

I have called not to renew the Banfield rip-off plan and have asked for a confirmation letter. You can call now not to renew if your plan is up in a few months

I agree with every post. This wellness plan was pushed at me every time I turned around until I bought one, what a rip off. I was told it covered teeth cleaning so I took my dog to have his teeth cleaned. If you call paying 300.00 unexpected dollars above the wellness plan that was not mentioned until after the service was preformed free then I suppose it was. Every time I go to banfield it cost me three times what a normal vet would cost even with the so called wellness plan. here is the kicker, try to cancel it! I now have the exact date that I must call on to do this and when this nightmare is over I will never ever step foot in one again.

I went there for a yeast infection. My dog is kept up to date on shots, etc. I was told it would be 42.00 for a visit. First thing I know they are on the computer and adding up "everything" he needed, and it came to 500.00. I was told to go away for a while... then come back. When I got back, you have no clue what they have or have not done. I paid the huge bill and was very sorry I did not go to my local vet down the street. Never again.

Regards181c3

OKC, OK Banfield Clinic. Dr. Camjie Clough--she killed my 68 day old puppy. She operated on her nose, spayed her and removed a hernia. She weighed a little over 2 lbs. SHE did the autopsy. I turned her in to the Okla. Vet. Medical Bd. She was called in and I was refunded the money on the stupid Wellness program. BUT--she killed my puppy. We are seeking justice. Banfield is a disecting, uncaring, money making company that is worse than the animal humane society!