Vet Ordered to Cease Special Discounts to Rescue Groups!
- by: Suzanna Vasquez
- recipient: Banfield Pet Hospital National Corporation
For 9 years, Dr. Rebecca Saria has worked with two rescue groups from her Waterburt, CT franchise office of Banfield Pet Hospital to save the lives of rescued cats and dogs. Until recently, she offered a 50% discount to these groups, instead of the standard 15% discount offered to rescue groups in Banfield locations nationwide. Even with this discount, Saria's practice earned a net profit, a portion of which was then paid to the Banfield Corporation. Dr. Saria also accepted state-issued vouchers for low-cost spay and neuter services. In these ways, Dr. Saria helped save many lives and prevent many unwanted litters of puppies and kittens who might have been abused, neglected, and/or euthanized.
In August, 2010, the Banfield Corporation ordered Dr. Saria to stop both of these practices and bring her rescue discounts in line with the standard discounts offered in other locations. It is important to note here that the increased discounts were being offered to specific groups, not to the public, so there was not a problem of confusion as to what discounts were available in which locations.
One of the two affected groups, Rose Hope Animal Rescue, reports that, since the change, it has had to turn away dogs and cats that it would otherwise have been able to rescue, highlighting the fact that Dr. Saria's efforts were directly responsible for saving lives.
With this petition, we want to impress upon Banfield that animal-loving consumers are paying attention to this issue, and will vote with our dollars if we do not see a reversal of these orders.
In August, 2010, the Banfield Corporation ordered Dr. Saria to stop both of these practices and bring her rescue discounts in line with the standard discounts offered in other locations. It is important to note here that the increased discounts were being offered to specific groups, not to the public, so there was not a problem of confusion as to what discounts were available in which locations.
One of the two affected groups, Rose Hope Animal Rescue, reports that, since the change, it has had to turn away dogs and cats that it would otherwise have been able to rescue, highlighting the fact that Dr. Saria's efforts were directly responsible for saving lives.
With this petition, we want to impress upon Banfield that animal-loving consumers are paying attention to this issue, and will vote with our dollars if we do not see a reversal of these orders.
We the undersigned wish to express concern about the issue of Dr. Saria's efforts in support of local animal rescue groups, and to urge Banfield to reverse the decisions it has taken in this matter.
After nine years of knowing about, and allowing, special arrangements Dr. Rebecca Saria of the Waterbury, CT branch of Banfield Animal Hospital had with two rescue groups, the Banfield corporation ordered Dr. Saria in August to end the special discounts she was offering to them. Further, she was ordered to stop accepting state-issued vouchers for low-cost spaying and neutering. This decision seems needless and ill-advised on the part of the Banfield corporation. The fact that Saria's discounts are not consistent with those of other franchises does not seem problematic, as they are not available to the public, and thus cannot cause confusion in terms of what discounts are available at which locations. Dr. Saria not only still generated profits for herself and the corporation from the rescue groups and other patients, but generated a great deal of goodwill for the corporation as a whole, without the corporation having to pay anything.
The order to cease accepting state vouchers seems particularly ill-advised. Banfield would be wise to make the acceptance of such vouchers not only acceptable in this case, but standard practice in all branches, to demonstrate the company's spirit of cooperation with government initiatives to ameliorate pet overpopulation, which leads to countless cases of abuse, neglect, and euthanization every year.
We urge Banfield to reconsider these decisions and allow Dr Saria to accept these vouchers and to resume her valuable efforts in support of the Connecticut rescue community which does, after all, include a significant portion of the consumers of animal-related spending in Connecticut and nationwide. We thank you in advance for your attention to these concerns.
Sign PetitionSign PetitionAfter nine years of knowing about, and allowing, special arrangements Dr. Rebecca Saria of the Waterbury, CT branch of Banfield Animal Hospital had with two rescue groups, the Banfield corporation ordered Dr. Saria in August to end the special discounts she was offering to them. Further, she was ordered to stop accepting state-issued vouchers for low-cost spaying and neutering. This decision seems needless and ill-advised on the part of the Banfield corporation. The fact that Saria's discounts are not consistent with those of other franchises does not seem problematic, as they are not available to the public, and thus cannot cause confusion in terms of what discounts are available at which locations. Dr. Saria not only still generated profits for herself and the corporation from the rescue groups and other patients, but generated a great deal of goodwill for the corporation as a whole, without the corporation having to pay anything.
The order to cease accepting state vouchers seems particularly ill-advised. Banfield would be wise to make the acceptance of such vouchers not only acceptable in this case, but standard practice in all branches, to demonstrate the company's spirit of cooperation with government initiatives to ameliorate pet overpopulation, which leads to countless cases of abuse, neglect, and euthanization every year.
We urge Banfield to reconsider these decisions and allow Dr Saria to accept these vouchers and to resume her valuable efforts in support of the Connecticut rescue community which does, after all, include a significant portion of the consumers of animal-related spending in Connecticut and nationwide. We thank you in advance for your attention to these concerns.
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