Vetco Clinics

I am writing to express my disappointment regarding my recent experience at your Lewisville location.

I have a 6-year-old pug named Rufus, and my family and I have taken him to Petco for vaccinations and routine care since he was a puppy. We have always appreciated how simple and pleasant the process was, and until this visit, we had only positive experiences.

We originally visited the Petco location at Sandy Lake and Denton Tap in Coppell, TX, before it moved to Lewisville.

I have personally taken Rufus to the Lewisville location multiple times.

On the morning of our scheduled 8:45 a.m. appointment, we arrived approximately 10 minutes late. The front desk staff informed us that the appointment had been scheduled incorrectly and that because the doctor had not seen Rufus before, a longer appointment was required. We were told the only option was to reschedule for 11:30 a.m., which I was unable to do.

While I understand scheduling issues can happen, what was most upsetting was the way the situation was handled.

The front desk employee spoke to me in a condescending and argumentative manner and seemed more focused on proving that we had never been to the hospital than on helping us find a solution. I made it clear that pricing and technical distinctions were not my concern my only concern was my dog receiving proper care.

When I asked what could be done since we were already there, the employee became increasingly rude and dismissive. Rather than providing customer service, she appeared determined to win the conversation.

This interaction felt unprofessional, disrespectful, and completely unnecessary.

Due to the way I was spoken to, I ultimately chose to leave. This experience was extremely disappointing, especially given our long history with Petco.

I hope this feedback is taken seriously, as no customer should be treated this way.

Nitra

I am submitting a formal complaint regarding unethical practices at Vetco, located within Petco at 921 Harley Strickland Blvd, Orange City, FL, and a potentially fraudulent animal rescue associated with them. Below is my complaint, which I previously sent to Petco Customer Relations.

On February 14, 2025, I brought my cat, Ophelia, to Vetco after she ingested a cord.

The attending veterinarian informed me she required immediate surgery, but after reviewing an X-ray on their phone, they left, and I never saw them again. Instead, a veterinary technician, Cheyenne, returned with a surgery quote between $2,104.95 and $2,930.95excluding imaging and examination fees, bringing the total cost close to $4,000.

Due to ongoing medical expenses from a recent thyroid cancer diagnosis, I expressed financial concerns. Rather than being offered financing options, Cheyenne told me my only choices were to surrender Ophelia to a rescue that would cover the costs or euthanize her. I explicitly stated I did not want euthanasia but was not given any alternative financial solutions.

When she asked if I had CareCredit, I misunderstood it as a clinic membership rather than a credit line, and no application or financial aid guidance was offered.

Feeling helpless, I surrendered Ophelia, believing it was the only way to save her life. That evening, I called Vetco to check on her and was told she had been transferred to the rescue but was "picked up and that should give you an idea of how she is doing," leading me to believe she had received the surgery.

The next day, I found no mention of Ophelia on the rescues (Kenzies Kitten Rescue) Instagram page. By February 16, I secured the full $4,000 for her care and contacted the rescues operator, Kenzie, offering to pay and reclaim her. Kenzie initially said she would consult her "board," but later stopped responding.

I also had made a donation of $200 to her via her website.

Further investigation revealed disturbing discrepancies:

Kenzie publicly stated the rescue lacked funds for Ophelias surgery, contradicting what I was told at Vetco. She also stated that her cost for the surgery was 700-900, less than 1/3rd what I was quoted for the same procedure.

This person is running a "non profit rescue" out of a room in her house.

She falsely claimed on social media that I requested euthanasia for Ophelia, which is libelous.

She admitted on Instagram that her er GoFundMe was flagged and donations forcibly refunded, raising concerns about financial misconduct.

She identified herself on Facebook as a Vetco employee, creating a conflict of interest as she facilitates pet surrenders and then solicits donations for their care.

After multiple calls to Vetco corporate, I was finally connected with a clinic manager, Holly, who admitted their technician should have informed me about financing options but shifted responsibility to the rescue. She would not come to the phone and speak with me until the Petco corporate customer relations representative contacted her directly.

I believe I was coerced into surrendering Ophelia under false pretenses, and Vetcos failure to disclose financial options contributed to this distressing outcome. The rescues practices raise serious ethical and legal concerns.

I request an investigation into Vetcos financial disclosures, their relationship with Kenzies Kitten Rescue, and the return of Ophelia, as my surrender was not made with full informed consent.

I am filing formal complaints with all relevant regulatory bodies. I have filed a report with the Federal Trade Commission, the State Attorney General, the BBB, Florida State Veterinary Licensing Board, and today I will be contacting the USDA Animal Welfare Division.

I am currently in touch with Elliot Consumer Advocacy Group and they are reviewing my case.

I am again requesting that my cat Ophelia, who was surrendered under false pretenses and coercion, be returned to me immediately. I'm not seeking any financial redress - I want my cat Ophelia returned and this is the only resolution that I will accept

Pottstown, PA: Dropped off a stool sample on a Friday, and the clinic was closed, website listed as being open. Returned the next day, and when I entered, the receptionist was nose-deep in the computer but did not say a word to me.

A customer with a pet entered the lobby from the examination room and was processed ahead of me. I stood and waited, waited, waited, and the agent did not acknowledge my presence. I approached the desk and asked if it was my turn. I asked why the clinic was closed yesterday, and the agent said they have no access to the website while raising their voice in an escalated manner.

I walked out the door and am never going back.

Meanwhile, it's my dog that suffers. The reviews for this particular office are bad!

I have been animal owner for over 50 years. Anyway I brought my cat Cinnamon to VETCO clinic in St Charles today and OMG!!

Knowing my cat’s temperament, I KNOW how to properly restrain her in order to receive vaccinations especially since she gets anxious in the hands of other people.

I reluctantly allowed the tech Desiray to hold Cinnamon, and this MORON grabbed her scruff (and little neck) like a Sumo wrestler!!! The poor thing was so much more traumatized by this action, she even hissed at Desiray (something she doesn’t normally do).

When I mentioned to Desiray that I would restrain my own cat, she said NO she had to do it for the safety of her Vet. Did she think I wouldn’t protect the Vet from my Cat??!! And to top it off she told me to move away from my pet, which I refused in order to lessen Cinnamon’s anxiety.

I felt like my cat was in a TORTURE CHAMBER!!!

And then the Vet Tech had the balls to say SHE would put Cinnamon back in her carrier when all was done.

I DO NOT THINK SO.

I should have stopped the VET Tech from restraining my cat this way, and said FORGET it, and walked out.

I cannot believe I paid VETCO for my cat being subjected to abuse by the assisting Vet Tech.

I will be sure to let others know NOT to go to the VETCO in St Charles 63304 on Mid Rivers Mall Drive. HORRIBLE!!!

Dear whom it may concern

I am a current customer of Vetco clinics until recently due to the reason I'm gonna share today with you all,

Back in July 9, at 6.34pm

I found at the middle of the road a dog in rough shape from years of neglect, or missing for long time it was my first thought

The entire scene was recorded on dash cam

Only one dog senior beat up with rotten mouth and matted Stinky fur

I am not legally required to care for, foster or help at all, but after calling local animal control on a city with leash law such as Austin Animal Center in Texas

They claim were full for intake, including for any roaming animals in this city with leash laws and won't take the dog unless is badly injured ( that's their only qualifications for emergency)

This is an old history and practice by the city of Austin

I am not from Austin Texas

I have visited seven states/ 119 cities this year

The day after I think it was- I took the dog to scan at pet smart

The young employee vet tech I already knew from when my dog had an emergency there

She was the same person who scan this only dog

She didn't do anything wrong but explained to me the fact in Texas microship are useless because she wasn't allow it to share owner information with me

Not only that

This dog had more than one microship registered with different owners

In Austin Texas they also have done this practice all time with animals ( the use of different Microships) this is something new for me

I am from real USA we do not allow this practice where I come from, and everything about microship is very well done in my state

Obviously Pet Smart or it employees are not responsible for this practice or local laws allowing it

The law allow Pet Smart/Employee to either call microship company to share founder info or to call the owners to reunite the animal with them

Pet Smart Employee due to the multiple microship inserted in this creature pointed of rehoming more than once

And the fact the animal was missing before several times I was told

She had to go by the last microship

She called the company of the microship

Pet Smart Employee put me on the phone with microship company

I gave them information phone number to call/ name foster

She apologize for not been able to do more as laws/ rules aren't done by pet smart or employee

I asked her if at least I could have the last microship number inserted

She did noted the microship number for me before I left the clinic/ store

The employee let me know the dog had an old record from one visit 8/10 years ago apparently first owner at Vetco Clinic with first microship registered

This family aren't Vetco Customers at all but by law they can't also share any personal info of that first owner with me

They were the first owners

They do not have any proof of ownership on dog, or ever went back for a cheap or free rabies vaccine to any clinic with the animal

Again found only one dog

I totally understood Vetco Clinic reasons not to share information

A bit shocked with Texas nonsense illogical laws/rules

Immediately this dog went to foster by someone else as I am not legally required to keep any dog, or save them at all from the danger of the road

Pet Smart/ Vetco employee also let me know the local legal rules of Texas if I kept the dog ( I'll be the legal owner ) in hours

I did not want any other pet at all

I am not legally required to do so

I thank Pet Smart/ Vetco employee for sharing all that helpful information with me, then leave

The dog was posted by a family member friend online too looking for it owner

For our surprise the dog wasn't a missing dog for long time

The dog was a neglected backyard dog who escaped with another dog, back on July 9/ 2 hours previously of been found by us

We only found one dog; not two

The only dog found was also found extremely far away from the city they posted went missing

The self claimed owner immediately reported the post to the site , not wanting the world to see the condition of the dog

We received an email about from the missing/found animal site

She did it

Due to the fact she posted the dogs looking cute and all cared for on pictures from 10 years ago when she first got the dogs to breed

This dogs were a stuck and a female they were illegaly breeding selling pups against local laws in Austin Texas

They relocate from San Antonio Texas to Austin Texas to commit animal cruelty neglect

The mother/ daughter immediately messaged our friend asking for a picture of the dog

Videos were posted of the moment found so no one was legally required to do anything else, or anything at all

They were questioned about microship number, they did not provide any numbers or knew any at all

They were told the need of more information due to a visit to clinic to scan the dog - and an old record found but owner information not given

Plus the fact of multiple microship inserted on the animal made everything more complicated and we had to go by last microship inserted

They only knew taking the dog 8/10 years ago to Vetco Clinic

They did not know any microship information

They provided on messenger pictures not looking at all like the reality of the dog

They denied owning a neglected smelly dog with rotten mouth found 2 hours after - far far away from their location

This was the only dog found by us, and take it to pet smart clinic to scan

They asked my friend/ family member online to stop wasting their time

They got blocked

Pet Smart wasn't mentioned at all to this two ladies, but they knew only vet visit by them with the dog was several years ago so they knew it have to be pet smart where dog was scanned they didn't have any recent vet records or a simple record from a mobile clinic free vaccine on the dogs.

Just a pet smart visit 8/10 years ago they did remember

Still nothing was show or any proof by them

They didn't share any valid info// pictures shared didn't look at all like the rotten dog found

As mentioned before the cute pics posted online were not reflecting at all the condition or looks of the only animal found

They had to be extremely old pictures if it was the same dog

And anyone can post random pics

Proof of ownership was something else

After they were blocked

They started stalking this girl on Facebook market place

Harassing her, an entire family threats etc

Lied about their two dogs been stolen

Taken to pet smart etc etc publicly

Posted online a lie about myself talking to the manager of pet smart south Meadows park Amanda who scanned the dogs and provide me with their personal information // THIS IS FALSE

I HAVE NEVER MET AMANDA THE MANAGER OF PET SMART

YOU GUYS HAVE CAMERA SURVEILLANCE ON THE PLACE

PET SMART HAVE NEVER PROVIDE ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION TO ME

I ONLY MET WITH MY OWN PET VET TECH ALL RECORDED TO SCAN ONLY ONE DOG FOUND

THIS ALL WAS DONE VOLUNTARILY BY ME, I DID NOT WANT THE DOG AT ALL

THE DOG WAS IN PRETTY BAD SHAPE, AND I ALSO HAD TO SHAVE ALL THE FUR TO THE SKIN DUE TO THIS

IN CAMERAS YOU CAN ONLY SEE A CONCERNED CITIZEN USING HER TIME/ MONEY TO TRY TO FIND A HAPPY ENDING TO AN ANIMAL I WAS NOT GONNA KEEP AND DONT THINK MOST PPL WANTED TO INVEST ON THE CARE NEED IT URGENTLY FOR THE DOG

They also posted online threats about a lawsuit against pet smart VETCO CLINIC

They went as far to show up at pet smart location asking for the manager Amanda to bully her, and posted lots of false bs online about pet smart procedure and my actions after LEAVE THE STORE

after leaving the store I had nothing else to do, but to give the dog away to someone who could foster

Nothing else was required by law

Nothing was required by law from first second I saw dog on the road

I could just pass by like other hundreds of ppl

I wanted to let you guys know why I am not pet smart VETCO customer anymore, and I would love to know how this false history ended on this problematic low class individuals mouth

I am the only person who could start a lawsuit here for defamation

Thanks

There was a baby pup before me that the girl checking in took several minutes playing with the puppy. I love puppies too, but I equally love my dog also who was being very hyper because she doesn't love going to the vet.

There was no one waiting in line to see the vet. They could've let me go on and continued to play with the pup. However, they knew I wasn't happy and made me wait then she finally moved on to the vet, and they played with the pup. It was horrible for my dog.

Then knowing I was mad they didn't examine my dog and put on her papers "unable to examine" when the truth is they never even asked.

They were upset with me and took it out on my dog. They were awful, and I will never return for any service with them.

I just went to print off our dog's rabies vaccine, only to find out I was deceived. I requested, both the tech and vet confirmed, that our dog received the 3yr rabies vaccine.

It was requested I had our previous vaccinations available for review, which I did bring, otherwise they will not do a 3yr without prior proof of a rabies vaccination.

I called customer service and they confirmed we did NOT receive the 3yr rabies vaccine. I was told to schedule another appointment. Um, why should I be responsible for another visit and vaccine fee?!

I confirmed it was the 3yr at the time of visit, paperwork said 3 year vaccine (type) but it's only good for one year?! Not happy with the deceptive practices of Vetco Vaccine Clinic!

Vetco hired the worst and inexperienced vet tech ever. I had a visit today, and unfortunately, the vet tech who handled my dog is a girl who seemed to hate her job and dogs.

She carried my dog from the exam table and didn't put him down properly; now he's crippling. She's also rude when I asked questions and claimed that she's professional and what she does is all right, and I shouldn't question her. They also almost always recommend lots of extra services aside from the main concerns I brought the dog in for.

When I refused the service, she gave me attitude. It's the worst vet experience I've ever had in the last 10 years of owning pets and would definitely warn everyone against bringing their pet to this hospital.