Patient Information

What to Expect at a Veterinary Appointment

Knowing what to expect at your first appointment will help make the process more pleasant for both you and your pet.

Our Pet Care Philosophy

We serve pet owners in Castlegar. We are passionate about providing preventive care, client education, and services to you and your pet.

Hospital FAQs

Learn more about our office policies, payment options, and appointment booking by reading through our hospital FAQs.

• What types of payment options are available?

  Payment in full is expected at the time services are provided or upon discharge of your pet. We accept payment by cash, debit, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.

• Are there payment plans available for my pet’s care?

  We offer financing through PetCard applications.

• Will I be provided with an estimate of costs?

  We will provide a good-faith estimate of the cost of our services prior to treating your pet. However, unforeseen circumstances may arise that impact your final bill.

  We will always discuss our written estimate with all clients before they leave our facility, and require a deposit based on our estimate prior to any further treatment.

• Should I call ahead to book an appointment?

  Yes, please call ahead to book an appointment to ensure we have room in our schedule to see your pet.

  In the event that your pet needs emergency care during our regular business hours, please contact us right away.

  Book Your Next Appointment

• What is your appointment cancellation policy?

  We know your time is valuable, ours is too. When we schedule appointments, we set aside time and professional resources to meet the individual needs of our patients, including time for a one-on-one consultation, a room is reserved, your records are prepared, and special instruments are readied for your visit. When a patient fails to show up for an appointment, or cancels with less than 24 hours’ notice of the appointment, our valuable resources are idle. More importantly, a patient care opportunity is missed.

  We understand that there are occasions when a patient must miss an appointment due to unforeseen circumstances or a scheduling conflict beyond your control and ask that you call us as soon as possible. This courtesy allows our office staff to schedule another patient who is also in need of medical care.

  Missed appointments and cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice will be subject to a cancellation fee of $25 per exam. This fee must be paid before booking any future appointments. After 2 missed appointments or cancellations with insufficient notice, we will require pre-payment of the full exam fee for any future bookings.

• What types of animals do you treat?

  We take care of all small domestic pets such as cats and dogs.

• Where can I purchase my pet's prescription and food?

  You can purchase all the medications and specialty food your pet needs at our in-house pharmacy.

• What are the fees associated with a specialty appointment?

  You are financially responsible for the initial examination fee and any diagnostics or treatment that you consent to for your pet’s treatment. This payment is due at the time of service.

  For further hospitalization, diagnostics, or surgery, a deposit may be required upfront with payment due in full when your pet is discharged.

• What are the fees associated with an emergency visit?

  A deposit payment is required for all emergency examinations. Once the staff and doctors have examined your pet, an estimate for treatment will be given to you to determine a treatment plan.

  If further hospitalization, diagnostics or surgery are required, a deposit is required upfront, with payment in full due when your pet is discharged. 

• Can you help with my pet insurance?

  We’re happy to help you fill out pet insurance forms for your pet’s visit.