Claws & Tails1 reviews

Not what I expected March 30, 2026

I wouldn’t trust them with an emergency case again. The staff did a few things right, but the lead vet’s refusal to proceed (or accept a partial payment) cost my bird his life, so that colors the whole visit. I went there because my white male pigeon had been in an accident — a deep cut across his throat that made breathing difficult and he was losing blood. It was an obvious emergency; I had only about $200 on me when I arrived. The assistant put him in oxygen, which helped briefly, and was calm and competent in that moment. Then she said surgery was required and quoted $700. I offered the $200 and said I’d get the rest as soon as he was out. That’s when things went sideways. Dr. de Armas would not accept the partial payment and would not authorize treatment unless full payment was made up front. After a back-and-forth, the bird was removed from oxygen and handed back to me — effectively turned away. He later died that night, struggling to breathe (it sounded like severe airway distress). I tried to find another vet in Ft. Lauderdale but the clinic I called was closed that day, so I had no real option. I should say again: the assistant’s immediate care was helpful and they have an oxygen chamber — so it’s not like they can’t treat these cases. But the policy (or the doctor’s decision) to refuse treatment without full payment in an obvious emergency is what I find unacceptable. I left upset, and I still get advertising emails from them, which is an odd follow-up. Bottom line: good basics, but the money-first stance made it a bad outcome for my bird.