Cancellation Policies

As you may know, veterinary facilities in British Columbia are severely understaffed, which presents significant challenges. It has reached a crisis point and there are not enough veterinarians to meet the needs of pets in B.C. 
 
In addition, RAPS Animal Hospital, which is among the largest not-for-profit hospitals in Canada, is experiencing higher volumes of requests for veterinary assistance, including subsidized care and interest-free payment plans. We are helping more rescue organizations and people in need to save more animals’ lives. It is important that RAPS meet basic operational business requirements while meeting these overwhelming requests for assistance and appointments. Like most other veterinarian clinics in B.C., RAPS is implementing new policies for booking appointments and cancellations in order to serve our clients better. 
 
Please review the following updates to our policies.

• VIP Privileges of 25% off does not apply to any cancellation fees.
• For regular standard appointment visits:
  • No-shows will be charged a $45 non-refundable fee. The fee must be paid before booking any future appointments.
  • Cancellations less than 24 hours before scheduled visit will be charged a $45 non-refundable fee. The fee must be paid before booking any future appointments.
  • Examples of these appointments include (but are not limited to) wellness exams, vaccinations, and illness related appointments. 

 
When booking surgeries, RAPS must assign additional staff for each surgery. In order to ensure we can complete surgeries as efficiently as possible, our new policy for surgery cancellations is: 

• All surgeries (excluding dentals and orthopedics) or any appointments requiring sedation require a non-refundable pre-payment of $200. The $200 is non-refundable and can only be applied towards a future surgery based on the following policies:
  • Any cancellation of surgery less than 48 hours in advance of visit is not refundable and cannot be applied towards a future surgery.
  • In the event of a cancellation 48 hours or more ahead of visit, the pre-payment will be applied to the next surgery date booked (and is non-refundable).
  • Any client who forgets to ensure that their pet has fasted as directed by hospital staff, in which case the surgery cannot proceed as scheduled, will be charged the non-refundable $200 pre-payment.
  • Clients must show up on time for surgery procedures. Pets must be properly examined, prepared and sedated for surgery, which takes time. Failure to show up on time for your surgery may mean the cancellation of your surgery and cancellation fees will apply.

• For dental appointments, the deposit is $250 and follows the same cancellation policy as above.
• For any orthopedic appointments, the deposit is $250 and follows the same cancellation policy as above.

 
Deposits for booking can be made in person or over the phone, with a valid credit card. We accept cancellations via the phone or email (NOT via Instagram or Facebook or any other social media).
 
Please contact us at 604-242-1666 or animalhospital@rapsbc.com to notify us of any cancellation. 
 
Thank you for understanding and for trusting RAPS Animal Hospital with your cherished companion animal.
​The RAPS Animal Hospital Team