All fees, diet and drug charges are subject to VAT at the current rate. Fee levels are determined by the time spent on a case and according to drugs, consumables, materials, diets and equipment used. A member of staff will be happy to discuss any queries you have. You should receive an invoice for every consultation, surgical or medical procedure or transaction with us at the time of payment.

If your pet requires specific investigations, for example radiography, the ownership of the resulting radiographs and records remains at all times with Animal Medical Centre. Copies of clinical notes can be passed on by request to another veterinary surgeon should the need arise.

Payment is due at the time of treatment or at discharge unless alternative arrangements have been agreed in advance. Should an account not be settled within 14 days, then a reminder will be sent. If it is necessary for further reminders to be sent, further charges will be incurred. After due notice to you the client, overdue accounts will be referred to our Debt Collection Agency and further cost will be levied in respect of costs incurred in collecting the debt, such as production of reports, correspondence, court fees, attendance at court, telephone calls etc. Any Cheque returned by our Bank as unpaid, any credit card not honoured and any cash tendered that is found to be counterfeit will result in the original account being restored to the original balance with further charges added, in respect of bank charges and administration costs together with interest on the principal sum.

If, for any reason you are unable to settle your account as specified, we ask that you discuss this with a member of staff as soon as possible and before any treatment takes place. Please note that instalments and part payments of any account can only be sanctioned with the express permission of the practice manager.

Accounts are due for settlement at the end of the consultation, the discharge of your pet or upon collection of drugs and/or diets. You may settle your accounts using cash, certain credit cards or a debit card. If, as the owner of your pet are not present to settle your account as above, we request that you arrange payment either over the telephone or via the person collecting your pet, drugs or diets.

We will be happy to provide a written estimate as to the probable cost of treatment or surgical procedure. Please bear in mind that any estimate given can only be approximate and additional costs may occur which cannot be predicted at the outset of treatment. We make every effort to discuss any additional costs as they occur.

Animal Medical Centre strongly recommends the use of pet health insurance against unexpected illness and accidents. Please be aware it is your responsibility to determine the level of cover provided by your insurance company for any treatment we recommend, and to then reclaim any fees from your insurance company. It is your responsibility to pay any excess that may be set by your insurance company.

We hope to ensure that you never have recourse to make a complaint about the standard of service received from us. However if you feel that there is something you wish to complain about, please direct your comments in the first instance to the owner and partner of the practice. No addition to or variation of these conditions will bind the practice unless it is specially agreed in writing and signed by the owner and partner. No agent or persons employed by, or under contract with, the company has authority to alter or vary in any way these conditions.

Repeat prescriptions. If your pet requires long term medication then we advise (and are legally required) to examine your pet at regular three monthly intervals before we are able to dispense further prescription only medication. Such a clinical examination by our veterinary surgeons will incur an examination fee. We strongly advise the regular use of anti-parasitic medication. Some of these medications are prescription only medication and can only be dispensed to pets under our care which are regularly examined by a veterinary surgeon.We may therefore be required to examine your pet prior to dispensing such medication. As to assist our clients we offer a reduced fee for this examination, however should clinical matters arise out of that examination or a skin condition in which further treatment if necessary, then a full consultation fee will be incurred at this time.

In accordance with the Medicines Act we will always use a veterinary licensed product. Should this not be the case we will then use veterinary products licensed for use in other species and failing that a human medical product. Our use of off licence medication will be based upon our knowledge of the use in animals and an assessment of the risks and benefits involved. This is particularly common in species other than dogs and cats, for which few licensed products are available. Please speak to the veterinary surgeon if you have any concerns about this issue. We will supply a prescription at extra cost as an alternative to Animal Medical Centre dispensed drugs.

We do not generally have staff on the premises overnight. However, if your pet is hospitalised overnight, we will discuss with you the level of supervision required to be provided, based on your pet's condition. In some 'cases we may refer your pet for overnight intensive care Animal Medical Centre provides a 24hr emergency cover via a separate veterinary practice. Please telephone the practice at any time to obtain this number. Home visits are available if booked in advance, at an extra charge. In an emergency it is in the best interest of the pet to be seen at the practice. We are unable to offer home visits out of normal working hours.

Whilst we make every effort to send out remainders for vaccination and other preventative health care, the responsibility to keep them up to date remains with the owner.