My Dog Gertrude got out after a birthday party and sadly was tagged by a car. It was about 1AM in the morning a week ago this past saturday. A Vet tech that works at Bethel came upon the scene and called the Bethel doc out of bed and they together took care of my Gertrude and transported her to the emergency vet hospital in Gainesville. Getrude is a big girl; 200lbs of great dane, and had been beat up pretty good by this car. It was through them that I was even able to find Gertrude and what happened to her. I brought Gertrude home, paying for the emergency care, and then took Gert to Bethel the following day.
Bethel didnt charge me for their help, or the emergency care, or any of the meds that they used on Gertrude. What they did charge me was for the follow up visit ... like a normal vet would. Which makes since.
I am seeing negative reviews on here and it makes me soooo angry because I get the feeling that these people dont know what the hell they are talking about and have never taken a fur baby to Bethel at all. I was NOT there when this parking lot thing took place with another dog hit by a car. BUT!! If the samaraten was NOT willing to shoulder the cost of the Animal they were bringing in, then there is not much the folks at Bethel can do. I have spoken to my Bethel friends directly, and they assure me that they saw to the dogs emergency needs and ensured it was stable and advised the samaritan.
Bethel does NOT get money from the state. They are NOT a social welfare program. They are NOT crusaders of any stripe. And yet they care and go above and beyond when and how they can. That will have to be enough. If you want MORE from vets so that they treat ALL animals, no matter what.... shut the hell up and donate lots of cash, food, your time at county shelters and kennels and vet offices. Im sure they would LOVE the help and could ALL greatly use it. But veterinary care like ANY medical care is NOT free. Until THAT fantasy is realized, we will just have to deal with the system we got, and as far as THIS pet owner is concerned.... MY Gertrude would not be alive today if it were not for the AMAZING folks at Bethel Vet Hospital.