[Posted in 3 parts, combined. BIG]
The following is a copy of a post to my own Message Board.
I am a shelter having a problem with a local vets office.. I need legal
advice.. not asking for money.. I just need to know if anyone has
encountered similar situations and what the legalities are. It's a long
post.. but I really need some help!
Friends of Fuzzies has had a heartbreaking and money wretching week last
week. I'm not even sure where to begin.
I've been using Dr. Rebecca Bozarth, owner of Companion Vet Clinic for the
last several years as our primary vet for the shelter. We've had a good
working relationship and up till the last few weeks has taken good care
of the kids I've brought into her.
Dr. Bozarth was kind enough to carry the shelter bills until we have been
able to pay them. Sometimes we've been able to pay immediately and other
times it's had to wait a month or more. But we've always paid our bills
as soon as the money has been at hand. Even when we had all those fuzzies
from Utah that needed surgeries and lots of extra medical care. During
that time we were still recieving ferrets from other situations who needed
medical care. During those months our Vet bill shot up to an all time high
of several thousands of dollars. Within 2 months we had it down to under
500.00. During the last several years this sort of scenario has happened
over and over again.
I've held Dr. Bozarth in the highest regard, as far as her treatment to the
ferrets in our care. We have seen many successful surgeries thanks to the
doctor.
Then about a month ago we heard rumors that Dr. Bozarth would be selling
the clinic. No one told us if this was so, we only heard the rumors from
employees no longer working with her. Then a week and half later we had
brought Shoopy in to see her. He had to have a biopsy done on his penis.
It was very enlarged and had odd growths on the base of it. He was
otherwise a happy and healthy ferret. When I brought him home from the
surgery it became apparent that he was not able to urinate. Unfortunetly
Dr. Bozarth was not in the next day when I brought him back to the office.
He was seen by the part-time vet there. The doctor decided to try and
cathetor him. It was found that he didn't need to have that done. What
was wrong, was that Dr. Bozarth had actually sewed his penis shut after
the biopsy. I couldn't believe it. Once the stiches were removed he was
back to himself again, albiet some pain from all the things done to his
poor private parts. Dr. Bozarth appologized the next day. Though not
happy about what happened to Shoopy, I understood that accidents could
happen. I was grateful the accident didn't mean the life of the ferret.
At this point my bill had been paid in full and was at one of the few
points that we owed nothing to the clinic. Seven then arrives, a little
ferret turned into our local humane society. When I picked her up it was
obvious that she was not able to go to the bathroom without a lot of
struggle. Now keep in mind, I do have other vets that I use. Though Dr.
Bozarth is my first choice, because she has had the most ferret experience
in our town. At this time I was still not told that the clinic would be
sold or was sold, as I would find out later. Seven went in for sugery.
Two large hairballs and her left adrenal gland were removed. Also she had
enlarged lymph nodes, which one was removed for biopsy. Happily the biopsy
turned out to be non-cancerous and they were enlarged because of a low
grade infection. This surgery brought our bill up over 600 dollars again.
A few days later I recieved a note in the mail saying that the clinic was
sold and that the full amount of the bill must be paid in 10 days (the day
the clinic was officially no longer Companion). Short note, just saying
pay the bill because the clinic is being sold, sincerly Dr. Bozarth. Day
10 was the 15th of this month, last Friday. I was completely surprised
by this. I know that the doctor knew that money is not always something
immedietly available for the shelter. I called Dr. Bozarth to see if their
was a way to pay her outside of the clinic if I wasn't able to pay it in
full by the given date. She had her secretary call me last Tuesday and say
that I could bring down checks and then have them cashed when we gave the
word that we had the money for them.
Thursday arrived and I called the secretary who was not in. I left word
for Dr. Bozarth to call me so that I would be able to bring them directly
to her instead then. No one called. We called on Friday, only to recieve
the answering machine. My husband went to the office and banged on doors,
which no one answered. Giving up, I left an envelope at the front desk to
the secretary on Saturday. 3 checks were enclosed for 200 each. The first
to be cashed immediately. I was assured that the new owners would follow
the same protocol with the shelter as we had before hand, with Dr. Bozarth
still working there as the vet.
No one called me till today, Sunday. The reason they finally contacted me
was because one of my kids in foster care took a sudden turn for the worse
and needed his spleen removed. They called to let me know that someone
(bless your heart) had sent in a 100.00 donation. They also let me know
at that time that it was too late for any money and that they had sent my
bill to collections. They also informed me that they would not preform
surgery on the kid there, though they did say he definately needed it,
without full payment of his surgery cost. The cost would no longer be at
the shelter cost and would be at least 600 dollars to be paid upfront.
I asked them if I could pay then half..the 200.00 they still had that I
left there and then the 100 that was donated. The answer was no. They
kept him there till after 4 this afternoon before telling me this.
Meaning he cannot have surgery till tomorrow at the earliest now.
I just can't believe this has happened. Nothing prepared me for it. Does
anyone know the legalities of any of this? Can they really send the bill
to a collection agency with only 10 days notice? Sending it in when they
actually had the money in their hands at the time sent? I've been in
tears all day..between the kiddo's spleen and money I've never been this
depressed. I feel like I've completely failed at being a good shelter.
Please we are not asking for donations either. If you have legal knowledge
though, we would be sooo grateful right now to know what we should be
doing.
With heavy heart,
Kristine
Also with all of the very kind folks who donate to us,
please change our vet from:
Companion Vet clinic
61535 Hwy 97
Bend, OR 97701
541-389-6612
To our new primary Vet:
LaPaw Animal Hospital, PC
1288 SW Simpson Ave. G, H
Bend, OR 97702
541-389-3902
Kristine Lunny
Friends of Fuzzies Ferret Shelter
http://www.geocities.com/mimsy_01
FOF Message Board
http://members.boardhost.com/fuzzies/
[Posted in FML issue 3270]
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