St Clement Veterinary Clinic

PLEASE please think twice before visiting this vet clinic! I left this vet today feeling sad, dismissed and felt that this particular vets actions were inhumane, unprofessional and wrong. For context me and my partner took our little leopard gecko to get put down today. A few months prior we had visited due to the geckos complications and the vet ‘Chris Gardener’ gave us some injections to give him and said that if it doesn’t help he will probably have to get put to sleep. He also helped to remove the shed off of him, however did this in a very rough way. He manhandled him and was peeling shed off of him (which you are not supposed to do, as this can damage their skin). At the time I just thought that he was the professional and that it was no big deal. After a while of him not getting better, we called to book in expecting him to be put to sleep. Today we visited early in the morning, and it was a really really horrible experience we had. We were called in by Chris who did not go through anything with us. He looked at our gecko for about ten seconds before saying that he looked quite bad. He then got out a needle and a bottle and went to inject something into him!! I stopped him and said is that to put him down, he just replied yes!! So he was about to put down our gecko without even warning us. No offer to say goodbye, no going through the process, as I was in tears!! I find that completely unprofessional, inhumane and rude. Not once did he warn us that he would be putting him down, and not to mention he almost dropped him in the process!! He then injected him and all he told us was that it would take a few minutes, and to dig a deep hole because foxes could eat him?! Chris then plumped our lifeless gecko on the table as he outwardly sighed and got some blue paper to put him in. He literally put the gecko facing us then picked him up wrapped him in it and put it into the box we made him. He then just said goodbye, no take care, no have a good day, nothing. The whole process felt very rushed and we were in and out within minutes. What should have been an emotional but comforting experience of doing the right thing to help an animal in pain, felt like a rushed, heartless experience that has left me and my partner extremely upset. This man had no emotions, showed no sensitivity at all, and it really seemed like they didn’t care. They have a candle that is lit when someone is saying goodbye to their pet, but whilst walking out noticed that this wasn’t even lit. The receptionist was very nice and caring, and it’s a shame that this place is let down by Chris. After this experience I read their other reviews and if you look yourself You can see that there are many many reviews about Chris and how he mishandles animals, rushes appointments, and doesn’t give owners the chance to say goodbye to their pets. As you can also see, this vet practise has not bothered to reply to any of these reviews, to provide some clarity, comfort or apologise. They really just don’t care. I expect a full response and explanation of why this man is allowed to get away with all of this, and if I don’t get a reply I will be taking this further. I hope that people reading can choose a different vets, especially if you are saying goodbye to your pet, as I don’t want anyone else to go through this. It’s already hard enough having to choose to put your pet down, but vets should be able to at least make the experience comfortable for you. Just to note from what I have personally experienced, and from other reviews I have read, Chris: -Mishandles animals, (he literally pinned a dog down by its neck if you scroll down further you can see) -Doesn’t warn people if he’s about to put their pet down -Doesn’t give you a chance to say goodbye, and plumps your dead pet down on the table -Does not take well to criticism, and has told people to find another vet when they have questioned his behaviour -Rushes appointments and won’t go through what he is doing with you Again I expect a full response, but probably won’t get one, this vets doesn’t care.

I advise people to avoid.?my dog was taken in for tooth extraction and died whilst put under. He was only 3yrs old and fit and healthy otherwise. Postmortem results shown but as you can see no blood results which you would expect…. In my opinion they overdosed him

The owner Chris is very rough with the animals and has no compassion whatsoever - a complete let down to his wonderful employees. I've been a customer for years and have always thought he was so rude and arrogant. He took my dying guinea pig to get put down as soon as he could and didn't even ask if I wanted to say a final goodbye. Chris has an awful reputation and I genuinely feel sorry for the staff. Do not recommend.

Took our beautiful Flattie to see the lovely people at St Clements Short notice appointment whilst on holibobs. Seen and sorted by a great Vet. Would highly recommend to anyone staying at Merrose Farm CAMC. Thanks Muchly Andy, Julie and Cooper

The love, care and compassion ❤️ received by all staff at St clements is second to none. Chris has been our regular vet for a number of years whilst we have had labradors. His mannerism towards us has always been polite, approachable and understanding. Sadly we recently had to have 1 of labs put to sleep and the compassion shown was heartwarming. Chris has excellent knowledge and we always trust him to make a skilled reasonable approach/decision to our other labs care. He also had a recent operation that was cared for to a high standard. I would like to thank all the staff at this practice for always being so understanding. Their communication is fantastic. Their outlook to animals and the care they received can't be beaten alongside keeping a very reasonable finical approach. I would highly recommend this practise, it's staff and all that it represents. Thank you for taking great care of our fur babies over the years when we've needed you.