Banfield Pet HospitalReviews 38

Constomers beware! I was lured into the bandfield wellness package by petsmart for 75.00 a month and never made aware that bandfield was giving me a loan for the full cost of my visit to be paid back later. I paid 187.00 for the first visit with the discounts from the wellness package and 139.00 for the second visit only to find out later after trying to cancel the wellness plan that my first visit was actually 904.00 and the second was 600.00 and I just paid a small percentage. They have now put the full bill on my credit report as a collection because I threatened to report then to the attorney General and I have as of today for their fraudulent practices. Petsmart overcharges the visits so bandfield can keep you in a monthly contract to keep trying to pay off your enormous debt to them and everytime you have a vet visit petsmart tells bandfield you owe almost 1,000.00 for a 5 to 10 minute visit. PLEASE DO LET THEM TRICK YOU ITS A SCAM! AND IF YOU HAVE ALREADY BEEN A VICTIM REPORT THEM TO YOUR ATTOURNEY GENERALS OFFICE AND GET BACK WHAT THEY OWE YOU FOR THE SCAM. U WILL NEVER BE DONE PAYING THEM OFF.

I went in with my dog after moving to the area. I signed up for the opw plan after enormous pressure from staff. My dog died 3 weeks after first appointment from pneumonia. 7 months of trying to cancel plan and still trying. Still charging me $75 a month for a dog that is no longer here? I called the number and get put on hold forever until I can no longer wait. Sent letters and emails.Nothing..

Banfield just put my dog to sleep A WEEK AGO. They do not take the dog off of the plan you have to continue to pay till it is close to time to renew. This is a huge burden on my emotions and my finances. The procedure cost 200 and they want me to continue to close 500 after he has passed. This is system that prays on peoples emotions and hurt. It makes no sense to continue to pay for my deceased dog.

Horrible, to deal with. If you purchase one of their wellness plans, they will continue to charge you after the plan ends. Happened to me...I contacted my credit card and my credit card co. Refunded my money and sent me a letter that Banfield acknowledged the "erroneous" charges. Now they've turned it over to a collection agency. Guess it's time to retain a lawyer. BEWARE!

This is a sorry company. I wish I had read the reviews years ago when I signed up.
Avoid them at any cost. I paid premium for years and when I decided to cancel, they said it is in the fine print that you have to pay for the full year! I was never happy during the years I had it but never bothered to check their reviews!

I am writing to let you know about the horrible treatment I have been receiving from Banfield customer service department. I have been working on an issue for over 4 months and all I am being told is lies. Banfield are taking money from 2 accounts of mine but for some reason, they can only find one payment. I have sent bank statements from Wells Fargo and Discover showing where these are being draftedand my banks have called but I am still being told that there's nothing that can be done. As of yesterday, when I called and asked to have my call escalated, they told me no. That's unacceptable. I worked at Blue Cross and Blue Shield as a customer service manager and I would have never of stood for on of my reps to treat anyone like that. I have since retired and am on a fixed income, so taking extra money out of my account is not right. I you guys have taken about an extra $250 away from me and all I am being told by you is "Oh well, there's nothing I can do about it.: It's amazing how Banfield can find the accounts when the banks fraud department contacts them but when I call they can only find one account with one payment.

Cannot emphasize enough what has been echoed below. I have paid faithfully into the Banfield Premium Wellness Plan for multiple animals over the past 12 years – never had an outstanding balance.

Unfortunately, one of our dogs had some chronic medical issues which required specialist care not covered in the plan, so for much of his last year or two we primarily used the specialists but kept his plan active still "just in case" since he had had it since he was 4 months old.

Well, unfortunately, he passed suddenly from a stroke a month or two after it renewed; and, as others have referenced, their defense is "it is on the contract" citing it does not make an exception for death. The rep told us is was to "pay for services used" … but confirmed we had no balance as of our last visit … they are literally meaning for continuing to cover future services for our best buddy who is now on the other side of that rainbow bridge. So we are being charged a little over $900 … for the passing of our best boy.

And clearly, given how much this has clearly happened to others for a long time, they are VERY ok with this as a core tenet of their business plan. So, as mentioned below … i would either outright avoid it or cancel the plan as your pets age and avoid this predatory coverage.

My family had an amazing dog. His name was Milo. He started on Banfield's wellness plan when he was just a small puppy and was on it until he passed away 9 years later. Well, at least that's what should have happened. Instead, he will still be on their wellness plan for another 11 months after his death because somebody at this company decided that was a reasonable policy. Oh, and, if they didn't misdiagnose his cancer when I first brought him in, maybe he'd still be alive too.

It started when Milo seemed to stop putting as much weight on one of his back legs. We brought him into Banfield two days later. They took a scan and determined that it was likely a torn ACL. They said to give it a few weeks to see how it heals and then re-evaluate. When I brought him in a few weeks later, the cancer had already progressed to his lungs. We probably couldn't have stopped that from happening, but we could have started chemo in time to give him another 6+ months. Instead, he passed away 8 days after diagnosis, two days before his first chemo appointment. That missed diagnosis likely robbed us of several months with him.

At the end of the day, I don't blame the doctors for the missed diagnosis. I think this stuff happens all the time, and not just with pets. It's hard to catch everything - particularly when the doctor has to see 20 patients in one day. I do blame Banfield for a business model that forces their vets to see 20 patients in one day, but I'm part of the problem since we came here for almost 10 years.

That's a small fraction of the reason I'm upset, however. The real reason is I think it's ludicrous to continue charging someone for a wellness plan for a dead pet, particularly after they've been on the plan for the entire life of the animal. They don't tell you that's how it works when you sign up. I learned this when I called to cancel the plan the day after Milo passed away and the lady told me that I still owe 11 more monthly payments.

I don't blame the employee at the company who told me we owe this amount - they're just following policy. I blame management and I blame ownership. Are there no limits to your greed? What sorry excuse for a human came up with a policy that takes advantage of grieving pet owners like this? If you want to make money with no regards for people or animal's lives, go into oil or be a lobbyist for some investment bank. If you chose to be in pet health, have some damn compassion.

And if you can't find any of that, then have some better business sense. I, your customer, was on your wellness plan for over 9 years. Between that and other payments, I spent over $20,000 with your company. Now, you're going to hit me with a last $600 while you still can? What are the odds I have another dog? You better believe that, if I do, I will no longer be returning to Banfield. You trying to squeeze out $600 costs you that many times over in the long run. Do better.

When I arrived with our dog for our appointment at the Banfield on Valencia in Tucson, I was told that I was 5 minutes over the 10 minute-late-rule. According to my time I was not, but even if I was, they should have seen my dog. I waited weeks for the appointment. My dog was totally deaf a week after a surgery they did. Her hearing came back off & on later, but I still need Banfield to examine her ears. Because we were late they refused to see us. I have been a client for years with multiple pets. This clinic showed me that they do not care about my pet & that they don't care to keep me as a client. I'll spend my money elsewhere in the future. I am done with them & their stupid 10-minute-late rule!

Their "Wellness Plan" is a scam. I was charged $900 for labs and urinalysis for my cat and I had to PAY about $50 for this plan so i could pay over time. I did not have $900. I was charged for preparing a needle and trash removal. This "deal" dropped the price to $600.
They overcharge to offer you this "great plan." What choice do you have?
Typical lab work, at the most, is $300. I called local vets and they were shocked at what I paid.
I sent a complaint to the Better Business Bureau. Class action lawsuits have been filed.
STAY AWAY from this place. It's a business. And that business is concerned about your money not your pet.

This Warwick facility and their Banfield Hospital health care plan is good in theory for healthy pets and if you do not need their services in any kind of hurry, such as with a sick animal. They certainly are not a "hospital"in the true sense and that is very misleading. Recently I had a very sick pet and they could not get me in for over a week and that was just a drop off, where I could not go in with my pet during the visit. I was refused an earlier appointment from the doctors as well. The Johnston store did accomodate me within 24 hours, and as it turned out misdiagnosed my pet putting her through 4 unnecessary days of sickness before she was euthanized at a proper animal hospital. It was heartbreaking. Also remember you will most likely have to finish out your financial commitment even when your pet has died. On a side note, the staff is very overworked and even getting someone to answer the phone is a chore-both the Warwick and Johnston, RI facilities. Due to the stress this must cause them their empathy is certainly not palpable (Warwick Store).

And more than that, because their health plans really are a rip off and scammy. They don't care if your pet has died but will continue to charge you and they don't have much empathy if you're canceling because of bad experiences. I had numerous negative interactions at different Banfield locations, one in Carlsbad, lovely California where the final straw was being yelled at by an unfriendly larger woman at the front. She had been rude to me before and her yelling at me within minus a foot causing negative health effects in my own person was too much to bear. Had to bite the bullet and cancel the plan. I've noticed a decline in customer service over the years with them. I'm not saying all front desk agents there are bad but the majority of my interactions were downright disappointing. Don't know if I deserve better than that but you can only tell how you feel, sorry but you just don't yell at a customer. I don't know what the better pet hospitals are. But I definitely don't recommend Banfield anymore. Billing Center parlays commercial and continues to transfer you over to other departments whereas, half the time you don't understand them there either. Sounds familiar doesn't it? Their "app" is a painful, purposeless joke. The doctors have mainly been good at the locations I've been to but people are obviously unhappy and they take it out on the people that write their paychecks. But you might have a better experience. The way they distanced and treated their clients during the whole covid mess was very regrettable and they're certainly wasn't much Love then was there? No one can force you to wear a mask and their wait times were egregious everywhere, one was treated like diseased anathema. A lot of that is over but again, I can't understand why the employees working in these places can't put a smile on and treat someone with basic paycheck funded kindness. Also I don't think many Banfield locations are technically open anymore; another complaint many pet parents had were they would call and call the different locations to find they were closed or there was no answer. To say I'm disappointed in this Company is an understatement.

I have banfield insurance; waste of money. Also you can never get an appt when it's an emergency. I have seen multiple vets, at different locations, even in different states. I have never been impressed with any over the last 13 years. Dr Cotton caught my dogs glaucoma by chance when others missed it so I felt she may be a decent vet, until she recommended euthanasia and her bedside manner was beyond poor. I had to ask for comfort measures. When I got a second opinion from an outside agency, that vet was so compassionate and kind. He offered me options, what that callous cold banfield vet could not be bothered to spend the time w me. I am a nurse practitioner, so I understand what the bedside manner means. Dr Cotton, I hope you find caring healthcare providers in your lifetime

Do not use Banfield Wellness Plan. After spending thousands of dollars to try to save our beloved pet. We canceled our plan because our companion passed away and Banfield tried to charge us an additional $459.00 because we renewed our plan, not knowing our beloved "child" would pass away. If you use Banfield, just know that you will not be able to talk with a vet and you will not be with your pet when they are being examined. Your pet will be taken to a back room and a vet tech will talk with you. If you love your pet - do NOT use Banfield!

DO NOT waist your money! I just canceled my membership for my two cat boys. They are money making machine taking too many memberships without being able to properly take care of their members. Your money goes just for yearly check up that you have to schedule 2 months in advance. You should be able to take your pet there when they are sick, but it's impossible because they are too busy and have no availability. This almost
Cost the life of one of my cats who was sick (possible poisoning). They refused to see him, i tried to wait for someone to hopefully cancel their appointment... it was a big mistake, my cat got much worse and ended up in emergency care overnight, at VCA. He almost died. 3K later... he is back to normal. Don't make my mistake!

I am helping a neighbor who is in the hospital to take care of her puppy. I noticed that the dog had a very strong odor from the mouth so I decided to take him to Banfield. She called ahead to authorize me as her new caregiver. I took snickers at 8am and about 11am they called me. Doctor Donovan Taylor to tell me to pick up the dog. I asked him what the problem was and he answered me "I have many patients I don't have time to answer you." I replied that I am a doctor too and that it was not a professional to answer so can you please could you give me information and he just exclaimed "I don't have time."
I went to the store and talked to the manager and she didn't say anything. I don't think she cared much.

The only thing Banfield gave me was a bill of 242.04 for other things without mentioning or explaining what was the issue in snickers' mouth. Obviously that place does not care about the welfare of our puppies or animals, please do not go there. And I hope that Dr. Donovan Taylor learns to talk to the people.

I used to have two very happy energetic puppies 2 and 3 years old one of them is a service dog he's my medical alert dog and now I have two dogs that won't even go near PetSmart anymore because they are so scared of whatever happened when I had him vaccinated that it makes them pee right where they stand. They're both very good boys very well behaved. Lobo my white one he was a rescue and he was extremely underweight when I got him from the pound. Banfield recommended a certain type of food which come to find out my dog was allergic to and his whole face blew up and blisters and I had to take him back and spend another $175 with the optimum wellness plan on medications because of their bad advice then they recommended another food and it did the same thing I had to figure it out on my own. I don't know what happened behind them double doors in the back of PetSmart going into Banfield but it wasn't good. Since one is a federally protected animal I will get to the bottom of it. Here's the worst part this all happened within the first week and I told him to cancel my pet insurance that it obviously wasn't going to work cuz I couldn't bring the dogs in they're too scared of everybody there and they're not scared of nobody mind you. Apparently they didn't cancel it because 6 months later they're sending me to collections for over $500 for services never rendered, I guess I'm paying $500 for them to ruin my dogs to molest the happiness right out of them. Imagine this being your child and you taking drop them off right in the middle of a gang war and say see you later and drive off that's how I imagine what happened not saying it is. It's just disappointing that now I have to sue Banfield for traumatizing and hurting my service dog and for not canceling my insurance when I was standing face to face with the lady and she said she did. I am very very disappointed but it's a sue happy world so I'll leave another review when I'm done with that chapter of my life!

We have been with Banfield for the past eight years and we a member of the Optimum wellness plan. We originally took our four legged son there for care because of Dr. Castro and we had great but expensive care there for years but since Dr. castro left and specially for the past 2 years the care and service has become intolerable. They used to have 3 or 4 vets caring for the pets now only one vet for the whole place but she is still caring for the same amount of pets. She is good but very over worked. The company seems to lose vets like crazy and using covid as an excuse to add to profits as oppose to care. We are going to move on since I love my four legged son very much and do not trust them with his care anymore. The see your pets as dollar sign as company not as members of your family. There are other options for you and for us so please do your family a favor and move on.

If I could give negative stars I would. For 2 years they would not merge my two dogs. Both my husband and I own 2 dogs together and they always every two seconds asking for permission to talk about their file only with the person the file belongs to. They are rude. They don't dx the dogs correctly and make you come back the next day because if you fail to remind what the dog is going for the. They do what ever they want. This is the worst company to have let insurance for your dogs. You will pay for more in their medicines and making multiple trips to get them seen. The customer service on the phone for the 1-800 # they are the rudest people ever. They claim they know their policies but violent them. I want to warnd everyone from staying far away from this pet insurance company. They are a scam. Very unprofessional and