Editor's note: Our Director of Veterinary Services received the letter below from a client of our Clinic for Compassionate Care who has kindly allowed us to share her story of gratitude.
Dear Dr. Ivey:
I would like to thank you for your kind and capable care of my cat, Boots. Several weeks ago, Boots was extremely sick from a widespread infection, and I was concerned that he would have to be euthanized as a result of his illness. I had adopted Boots from the Richmond SPCA 8 years ago, and his need for urgent attention came at a time when I was faced with other pressing financial obligations and could not afford to pay the high cost of [private practice] veterinary care. I called your facility looking for information on local facilities that might provide euthanization services at reduced cost. What I found was more than I could have ever hoped for.
The associate who took my call listened while I described my situation, and she explained that your facility now offers full-service veterinary appointments for qualified patients. She took my information and asked me to hold so she could discuss my case with the veterinarian on duty. She came back to the line and told me that you would be willing to see Boots the next morning to evaluate his condition, and that the fee for our visit would be nominal.
When we arrived the next morning, I was distraught because I knew that Boots needed serious medical attention, and I was not in a position to spend a large amount of money. The staff at your clinic was very kind, and they reassured me that we were in the right place. I cannot express in writing how much I appreciate the compassion and expertise that you shared with us that day. I was grateful that afternoon to be nursing Boots back to health instead of burying him.
The entire cost of Boots’ treatment, including extensive testing and necessary medication, was less than what my local vet had quoted me for euthanization alone. And, most important, Boots is once again a healthy member of my family. You not only saved his life, you spared my children the grief of losing one of their pets too early.
I will happily recommend the Richmond SPCA and the Clinic For Compassionate Care to anyone I know who is considering pet adoption in the Greater Richmond area. The service you provide is invaluable; and I am grateful for the opportunity to have become a client.
With gratitude,
Kathe Goller
Your gift to our Annual Fund makes it possible for us to provide high-quality, low-cost veterinary services through the Clinic for Compassionate Care, ensuring that pets like Boots have access to veterinary care their guardians can afford.
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This is a much-needed service in many localities. Lucky for Boots his mama knew exactly where to go!
Tina Williams
Posted by: Tina Williams | May 15, 2012 at 10:22 PM