My roommate & I recently (04/2014) had our cat spayed by Dr. Hong because we both qualify for the $10 voucher program & Long Lake was the closest on the list of vets who accept the voucher.
We are b... Read More
My roommate & I recently (04/2014) had our cat spayed by Dr. Hong because we both qualify for the $10 voucher program & Long Lake was the closest on the list of vets who accept the voucher.
We are both extremely visually impaired & did not see where it states on the voucher, "The administrative fee of $10 shall be the only payment made by the qualified resident and collected by the veterinarian for the dog or cat sterilization procedure, rabies vaccine, county tag and any post-op medications recommended."
They attempted to sell us several unnecessary things (I have 50 years of experience with cats & have had many 'fixed'), but we caved in to the post-op meds -a mixture of pain meds & antibiotics. They charged us an additional $30 for that when it should have been included. We were already aware it would be $25 extra because she was in heat.
The medication we were guilt-tripped into buying made our cat VERY ill & we had to follow up with a vet we trusted & spend another $30. Taking her off the medication was all she needed!
I thought it was just a mistake. But when I called, they claimed that when he made the appointment he was told meds were extra there, but not at other vets who take the voucher. I told her that was NOT true because had he been told that, we'd have taken her elsewhere! Then she claimed it was stated on a paper he signed which we were NOT given a copy of -the ONLY paper we did not get a copy of. I'd love to see what he signed!
I asked why they verbally told us that spaying while in heat was extra, but there was no verbal mention of a charge for meds other vets do NOT charge for. They did mention a cost for the meds, but did NOT say other vets don't do this. They insisted they told him, but we know better. We can't see, but we can hear!
When I informed them we are both visually impaired to the point of being disabled, I was basically told, "too bad". We'd have been happy with a $15 refund for the meds *IF* he did sign anything stating their policy did not adhere to voucher rules. If he did, he couldn't see it! And his visual impairment is obvious -especially in his totally blind eye.
This is the first time in my life that I did not get to meet a vet who was taking care of my cat OR get a follow-up call after a couple of days to ask how kitty was feeling!
Upon speaking with an agent at the voucher program, I was told that *every* vet on that list is supposed to adhere to those rules. Our $10 voucher quickly turned into $95. I am awaiting a return call from a supervisor at the voucher program. It is highly unlikely we can get back the $30 we were cheated, but I want them to be aware that Dr. Hong is NOT following the rules & they may want to consider kicking him off the list.
If you need a low-cost vet who is excellent, I highly recommend Four Paws on Skipper Rd. For senior kitties with chronic or serious problems & insurance or wealthy human companions, VCA Carrollwood is fabulous & only treats cats.
If you need to use the voucher program to have your pet altered, the Tampa Humane Society is the best on the list. They have never cheated me or even tried to.
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