Four Paws Animal Hospital Policy

Dr. Whitlow and his staff would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and your pets to Four Paws Animal Hospital.  In an attempt to organize our daily caseload and minimize your time in the waiting room, we prefer and encourage appointments.  Clients who have appointments will be seen first.  Any emergencies that may come in during regular office hours may take precedence of course, and will be seen as quickly as possible.  If you and your pet have an emergency after the hospital has closed, please always call the regular hospital phone number (706-845-9400) first.  This number will forward to the answering service, which will contact the doctor immediately.  If the doctor is unavailable for an emergency for any reason you will be given an alternate contact. 

Four Paws Animal Hospital operates on a CASH PAYMENT POLICY.  All balances are due and payable in full at the time of treatment.  The person presenting the animal for treatment is responsible for the entire bill.  Bills may be paid in cash, or by check, VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or CareCredit.  A deposit of 50% of the estimated costs of medical, surgical, or non-medical (boarding, etc.) services may be required when the animal is admitted to the hospital.

Any questions regarding payment should be directed to the doctor or to the hospital administrator BEFORE treatment is initiated.

For your own safety, as well as that of your pet, all animals must be properly restrained (on leash or in a pet carrier) at all times.

All animals admitted to the hospital for surgery, medical treatment, or boarding must be current on all required vaccinations.  For dogs, this includes rabies, canine distemper, parvo and bordetella (kennel cough).  For cats, this includes rabies, feline distemper and rhinotracheitis.  If proof of immunization is not available, the necessary vaccines will be given upon admittance to the hospital.  All animals admitted for boarding and/or hospitalization will be checked for internal parasites (worms) and dewormed, if necessary, at the owner’s expense.  They will also be checked for external parasites (fleas, ticks, etc.) and will be treated, if necessary, at the owner’s expense.

Boarding and hospitalized animals will be released ONLY during regular hospital hours.  Animals will not be released after noon on Saturday or all day Sunday.  If possible please call the hospital to notify us of your anticipated arrival so that we can have your pet ready for his or her trip home.

If you have any questions about our hospital policies or procedures, we will be pleased to discuss them with you.  We value you, our client, and will continue to provide you and your pet with the best quality veterinary care possible.  If we can be of any further assistance, please let us know.