I honestly can't believe some people. I'd taken Hobbes to the vet on account of his recent diarrhea and lameness, and we had a bit of a wait before our appointment. In walks this couple with a large golden retriever and a crazy schnauzer-doodle type thing. The couple then proceed to walk around the waiting room, letting their dogs jump on everyone and everything, sniffing at people, pets, and toys for sale.

The woman then decided to let her doodle-brat off the lead! This idiot dog then started running around, growling and barking at other dogs, terrifying the numerous cats waiting in their carriers...and all she did was laugh!! The woman then went over to the food shelves and started giving her mutt the chews that were for sale, allowing the dog to lick them and then replacing them back in the box!! I couldn't believe my eyes!

The dog then ran up to where I was sitting, tried to jump onto my lap where Hobbes was sitting in his carrier, and started barking at my cat! The couple just laughed at how "cute" their dog was; I was on the verge of whacking it on the head! Hobbes absolutely HATES going to the vet - this was only the second time in his life he'd been there for an illness - he'll shiver with fear and occasionally wet himself...and now there was an out-of-control mutt barking right into his carrier!

I managed to firmly push the dog off, telling the owners to please keep hold of their dog and that cats generally don't like strange dogs growling in their face, only to be met with full-on hostility from the pair of them! I couldn't believe the receptionist was allowing this dog to run amok about the surgery waiting room, aggressively rushing other dogs and growling at cats!

I have two dogs myself and I would NEVER let them off lead at the vet's! Mine are trained for competition and work in the field, steady to rabbits and all sorts of moving distractions while off lead, will not move a muscle until told to, but I would STILL keep them on the lead in the waiting room! It's common bleddy courtesy!!

Sorry about the long rant, but I'm still fuming. One of my pet peeves is badly behaved dogs with no manners. Even worse is a badly behaved dog with no manners and owners who encourage that behaviour!!

Grrr.

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Thats shocking

I always check the waiting room for cats because Oscar will go for them and i would never let that happen when they are stressed enough anyway

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"I am not perfect and i don't have to be, before you start pointing fingers, make sure your hands are clean" - Bob Marley

https://sites.google.com/site/blisschalet/

My vet requires and enforces all dog be on leads and all other animals be contained in carrier, no exceptions.

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It's disgusting that the receptionist didn't say anything perhaps it's worth a call or email to the practice, they might rethink their waiting room policy. We've got a sign up saying dogs must be on leads, and cats in baskets and separate dog/cat waiting areas, anyone who doesn't comply gets sternly told!!

thats dreadful your poor cat . I'm really surprised at the receptionist letting their dogs do that

Gosh, I don't blame you being angry, I would be too. The receptionist should have dealt with that situation. There are just lots of ignorant people/owners out there.

THAT is unbelievable!!!!

I'd be writing to the vet asking them to advice on their waiting room policies and informing them that, if the policies are not good enough, you'll be looking to take your custom elsewhere.

I would have gone ballistic if I had been in that situation - I'd happily wallop anyone who upset my cats.

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When I go to my vet some dogs are not on leads and some cats are not in carriers, but we have no problems they are mostly always cat friendly dogs who always ignore the cats. So I am lucky .

If we happen to have an unfriendly dog they stay and wait outside till the cats are finished and gone.

Most of the people who come to my vet are over 60 .

If I was there I would have hit the couple on the head till they put the dog back on the leash and/or asked for the manager or whoever runs the place and complained.

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Have: 4 Cats 3 Dogs currently
Have had: 6 cats

Dogs: German Shepherds
Cats: Ginger Tabby & Torbies

RIP: Ducati, Cheetah, Joy, Claire & Sapphire - Torties
Chloe - Black & White

Most vets will turn away a cat not in a carrier or at least in a cardboard box.............Insurance purposes

I'm definitely writing a letter of complaint to the practice. That dog could have had any sort of disease or infection (it was there for a reason!) and yet the owner was allowing it to lick the dog chews!! I'm still reeling!

It even knocked over a limping old Spinger spaniel whose owner was too shocked to do anything.

Hobbes was shaking so much that his entire carrier was vibrating, poor little blimp.

I too thought that it was policy to keep dogs on the lead at all times and was looking in vain around the waiting room for such a sign, but couldn't find one.

Rainybow, I do excatly the same whenever I take the dogs to the vet - I sit as far away from cats as possible. I know my dogs won't go for another cat, but the other cat doesn't know that, and as you said they're stressed enough as it is.

Calming down now slightly that I've got it out of my system!

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