As anyone who has had to put an animal down knows, making the decision to euthanize is difficult and painful. After our 18-year-old cat rapidly starting going downhill, we decided that as we could not afford to pay expensive vet bills, the kindest thing to do would be to euthanize. So we called around and Cherry Knolls Veterinary Clinic was recommended. We called them and they explained the costs as well as the procedure, stating that the vet would take a ""quick look"" at him and then he would be painlessly and quickly put down in our arms (this is why we chose this vet over animal shelters, where you cannot hold or be with your pet during its final moments). Upon arriving for our appointment, the vet tech took about 5 minutes to weigh him, look at his eyes, feel him, and listen to a description of his symptoms, then pronounced he's ""seen worse"" and that he felt our cat's problem might be treatable. We explained that we simply could not afford the diagnosis and treatment process and would prefer to go through with the decision we'd already made. He reluctantly agreed and called in the vet, Meghan Shannon. She spent less than 5 minutes feeling him and listening to us, then after a bit of hemming and hawing said that she didn't feel comfortable putting him down. We again explained the financial side of things, and she persisted, saying, ""Would you like me to at least give you an idea of how much it might cost to diagnose and treat him?"" We refused, repeating that we simply couldn't afford it (specifying that this was due largely to the owner's cancer-related medical expenses) and that we had come in expecting to pay for and receive a service. We calmly but firmly pointed out that we had NOT been told over the phone or upon arrival that obtaining the service would be contingent upon the vet's examination. At one point she had the nerve to say that if we couldn't afford treatment and didn't want him, ""would you give him to me?"" NO! Outrageous! We prepared to leave, asked how much we owed them (for a total of less than 10 minutes of examination, which only included weighing and feeling), and were staggered when she said $45! Overall, it was clear to me that these people only care about milking us for all we were worth while getting on a high horse and making us feel like cruel animal abusers for wanting to put our elderly cat out of his misery! We paid the bill, left with tears streaming down our faces, received a perfunctory ""I apologize"" from the receptionist, and a completely sarcastic ""Have a nice day!"" from the vet tech.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Don't even THINK about putting your dearly loved pet in Dr. Shannon's hands for his/her last moments of life. It's even WORSE THAN A WASTE of money--it's downright painful. We spent $45 to be judged and even scorned. I can perfectly understand that vets strive to keep their patients alive and always prefer treatment, when possible, to euthanasia. FINE. But at minimum these people should have clearly stated at the time we called to make the appointment and to request details about the procedure that the DVM would only perform it if she felt comfortable doing so and that we would be charged for an exam if she didn't. This was absolutely NOT what we were told, even when we showed up for the appointment. DO NOT put your pet or yourself through the torment of trusting these people to do a honest job.
Pros: I'd rate this ZERO STARS if the computer would let me
Cons: Judgmental, high-and-mighty attitudes of DVM and employees
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