Missed Appointment Policy

At Animal Care Clinic, we understand that sometimes appointments need to be canceled or rescheduled. However, failing to provide adequate notice prevents other pets from receiving timely veterinary care. It is the client’s responsibility to arrive on time for appointments and to notify us at least 24 hours in advance if cancellation or rescheduling is necessary.

How to Cancel or Reschedule

If you must cancel, please provide at least 24 hours’ notice to avoid penalties. You may leave a message:

Definition of a “Missed Appointment”

An appointment will be recorded as a “Missed Appointment” if:

  • Cancellation is provided with less than 24 hours’ notice
  • You fail to attend your scheduled appointment
  • You arrive more than 10 minutes late without prior notice

No Show Penalties for Current Clients

  • 1st Missed Appointment: Phone call notification and $25 Missed Appointment Fee, payable prior to scheduling your next appointment
  • 2nd Missed Appointment: Phone call notification and $50 Missed Appointment Fee, payable prior to scheduling your next appointment
  • After two missed appointments, we will review your account and determine whether to continue the client relationship.

Appointment Reservation Fee for New Clients

For all new patient appointments, a non-refundable reservation fee equal to $25 is required at the time of scheduling. This reservation fee will be applied as a credit toward your visit if you attend the appointment.

  • If a new client fails to attend the appointment or does not provide at least 24 hours’ notice, the reservation fee will not be refunded or applied to a future visit.
  • A phone call will notify you that the appointment has been recorded as a Missed Appointment. If eligible to schedule a new appointment to establish care, a new reservation fee must be paid.