The doctors are nice, techs and the meet and greet as well. However, client service not so nice they are all about the $$$!
This is suppose to be a non-profit organization that profit from the disabled, low income and no income! I visited them on April 8, 2022 because there are no avian vets in Brooklyn and endured a $324 debt to look at a bird and still didn't know if it was an egg or hernia or both. I had to return on Tuesday April 12,2022 to see avian doctor received another bill for $386. I explained my income situation referred me to funding. In order to be funded I need to satisfy a $1,000 debt. They are not too sure what's wrong with the cockatiel received $4,025 estimate bill not a final bill. Anything over $4,000 I would be responsible for it. So if the final bill is $5,000 or more I am responsible for it as well!
Their alledged pledge: "We strive to provide excellent client service and patient care in all cases." and "AMC has established financial assistance programs, to help eligible pet owners who cannot afford veterinary care. Based on financial need, reduced payment or free care may be available."
Moving forward: Their employees get a 75% discount and sign on bonuses, and 1 year free rent if live in another state, paid tuition and so on and they expect those with no income or low income to pay for it and borrow money from wells fargo, creditcare or credit cards not being able to pay it back.
As I stated to them "if my rescue bird passes away is because of their policies that don't apply to everyone and they don't care!"
The negative reviews are real and I will post pictures, you can find on Google and Yelp..some from actual email response, their funding, bill and picture of Judy the cockatiel to verify my review!
We are writing to get on record our profound disappointment with the service and experience at AMC with the last 12 days our our beloved Pet's life. She had a brain tumor.
To say we were unhappy with not only our treatment personally, by the majority of the staff, is a gross understatement. We, on our very last day, wrote
desperately to Dr.XXX and others, who encouraged this communication, to no avail, although it was clearly an emergency. We were never able to speak directly
to anyone who knew anything about our Dog's treatment, and once we finally were able to reach a receptionist, we were assured 2x we would have neurology
contacted and we would certainly get a call back from someone. No one responded. Regardless of a life or death situation.
To give you more color, on her last day, she was released from the hospital with the suggestion she had done 'wonderfully overnight', after focal facial seizures,
and we took her home, with her medication doubled - anticipating even more grogginess. Within an hour, she had collapsed on the floor and we were unable to wake her. We called and called AMC, to no response. Finally, we had our superintendent carry her to a car and brought her back to the hospital. An incredible, wonderful ER doctor named Dr.XXX revived her somehow, and let us know that this 'cranial episode' was not unusual, could happen at any time again, that she could pass, and that in fact this had happened just the previous night (when we were never informed - instead, we told she 'did wonderfully overnight' and she should come home).
What kind of treatment is this? We spent thousands of dollars and more importantly, invested enormous trust in AMC doctors. We were given hope that all our girl needed was a couple of weeks to get used to the medication and she may have 3-6 or more months of life, to run on a beach, and live fairly normally. This was not only impossible, but unfair and to think we, as non vets, could manage this kind of care, was impossible and frankly, cruel.
A brain tumor is very serious. We understand this. But back and forth to AMC multiple times was confusing and impossible for our pup, too. And, wrong. It would have been kinder to admit that you could not get ahead of her serious symptoms, rather than sending a very very sick dog home, only to get her back with heartbroken parents, within a 24-36 hour time frame, over a 12 day period. It has been gut wrenching.
This is inconceivable to us. We can't get our beautiful girl back. But, we can let others know that AMC, your organization and concern for the pet parents, is terrible. With the exception of Dr. X and her kindness, along with Dr. X, all of you ignored us, and the specifics of our pet's case. And, it is a profound disgrace.
Two years ago I rescued a kitten who was hit by a car and had been left in a paper bag for over a day. She had 12 pins put into her hip at AMC (thanks to a special grant from AMC) and is now an active and happy kitty. AMC staff were so sweet and loving, I was so impressed and thankful for their care. The last appointment we had several of the staff came out to say goodbye to the kitty (Tuxie).
My cat Amanda died last year from injuries sustained during an ultrasound at Animal Medical Center. They have sent me a request for a donation every 6 weeks since then. I cry for hours each time I receive these requests. My husband has called them each time we've received one of these requests and explained that we will never donate to them, that their direct mailings are traumatizing our family.
Each time their Customer Service Representative at their Development Department claims they will remove my information from their mailing list. Then we receive another solicitation in 6 weeks. This has gone on for more than a year. It seems it is corporate policy at Animal Medical Center to assure people they will take them off their mailing list, and then leave them on it. Even when the incompetence and carelessness of their staff has led to the death of a loved one.
Shame on Animal Medical Center the animal hospital for harming my Amanda. Shame on Animal Medical Center the charity for causing my family a huge amount of pain in addition, over and over again. What kind of a charity is so callous?
The AMC performed surgery to remove a liver mass from my 13 1/2 year-old shih tzu. I was terrified to have her undergo this operation BUT she emerged with a clean bill of health and I emerged with a profound sense of gratefulness to the AMC. From the beginning, and throughout the ordeal, staff was kind, understanding, empathic and HIGHLY competent. In fact, because my beloved doggie had some other health issues, I have completely switched her medical care to the AMC; I am that confident in the talent of their veterinarians.
Yes, they are very expensive, and I was surprised to learn they are a nonprofit because of how expensive they are. And I am not at all knowledgable enough to make any kind of statement about how they manage their money. I am speaking ONLY from the point of view of a client who loves her dog and who now also treasures the AMC
Review from CharityNavigator
