As you know, we’re a pretty chill bunch. We try to roll with the punches, and do right by everyone we meet. You may also know that Covid has caused veterinarians to become busier than expected, and we are no exception. We currently have a waiting list of new clients, and we are working through it, getting them in one at a time. Thank you for your referrals! We like meeting friends of our friends! 🙂
In the last few months we’ve experienced a dramatic increase in last minute cancellations and no-shows. I get it, stuff happens, and we can’t always control life. However, every time a person cancels last minute, or doesn’t show at all, means one less pet got the help it needs. We often start scrambling, calling people we know wanted to get in sooner, seeing if they can come last minute, rearranging the schedule to help one more pet, whatever we can do. It’s hard to get these pets in without warning like that. If we only would have known that slot would be open, we could have helped another pet! Usually we scramble… for nothing.
So, as much as I hate policies (I hate even typing that word!) we’re going to start a cancellation/ no-show policy. This applies to house calls as well as clinic appointments. Hopefully we don’t use it!
Anyone cancelling less than 24 hours prior to their appointment may potentially incur a $40 cancellation fee.
Anyone not showing for their appointment, or cancelling last minute, may be charged a $75 no-show fee.
Anyone who has no-showed, or repeatedly cancelled, may be required to pay a non-refundable deposit when scheduling future appointments. This will be applied to the appointment if they come, and will be forfeited if they do not.
My wish is to never have to use any of this. And as you know, we’re pretty agreeable folks. These fees are not written in stone, because we get it, life happens. But we want to eliminate last minute cancellations and no shows, so we can help as many pets as possible!