Well it is with extreme anger that I write this. My beautiful Golden Retriever was struck by a car on January 4th. My regular vet of 40 years was unfortunately not available so I had to make a quick decision and ended up at the animal "hospital". My girl had sustained a severe rear leg injury and was bleeding uncontrollably. I did what I could to slow the bleeding and it seemed to slow somewhat. When I got to the office she was left lying on the floor with her badly mangled l...eg crumpled under her, while the "doctor" went to get me a quote. I could not believe that, due to the severity of her injury, he would take the precious time to help her and opt for a quote .... I told him that I did not care about the cost - just help her! I left them with a deposit of $300 and returned the next day to see how she was doing. She was lying in a large cold kennel. Her leg had at least been bandaged, but she was cold and the blankets they had her on were wet and bloody. I spoke to 2 of the "doctors" there and was told that the orthopedic surgeon was going to be in the next morning. There was a chance that he would be able to repair the leg but if not an amputation would be necessary. I was ok with that as I would have rather had my girl than not. I gave them an additional $300 when I left. Aprox. 45 minutes after the left their office I received a call stating that she just collapsed and died. I asked what had happened and was told that, while they were changing her bandage she collapsed. I thought to myself, if she "just collapsed" then obviously they tried to make her stand..... her injured leg was completely accessible had they left her lying down as she was when I saw her. I just don't buy this and the more I think about it the angrier I get. I asked that they have her cremated and the ashes returned. I was told that they would not release her until the balance, including the cremation fee, was paid in full .... so essentially they are holding my beautiful girl hostage. I am disgusted. I am extremely angry and I am full of hatred right now. This "hospital" clearly does not understand the bond that most of us have with our pets and their complete lack of compassion and blatant disregard for someone who is extremely traumatized is unfathomable. Do they seriously think that someone, who adores their pet would not come in and pick up their ashes .... 95% of good veterinarians allow a client to have a small balance so that they can move on into the grieving process. These guys simply do not care and are, in my opinion, in the wrong line of business. See More Read Less