Approach the Company First: If you haven't already attempted to resolve your complaint directly with the company, we suggest that you bring your concerns to the attention of the owner or manager. If you are still not satisfied after contacting the company we will be glad to try to assist you.

 

Complaints the BBB Handles

Better Business Bureaus accept complaints that meet the following criteria:

** The complaint includes the complainant's name and postal address;

** The complaint includes the company's name and provides sufficient information to determine the company's location. A mail address or phone number (except for toll-free numbers) will ordinarily be sufficient;
** The complaint seeks assistance from the Better Business Bureau;
** The complaint is from a customer, or the customer's authorized representative, of the company complained about. Authorized representatives include lawyers and guardians or caretakers who are filing on behalf of minor children, the elderly, or persons with disabilities;
** The complaint relates to a marketplace issue (see below for a list of complaints we cannot handle);
** The complaint alleges a problem experienced with the services or products that the company provided or agreed to provide;
** The complaint is not in litigation and has not been resolved by a previous court action, arbitration, or settlement between the parties; and
** The complaint contains no abusive language. The above complaints are handled by the local Better Business Bureau where the company is located.

Complaints the BBB Doesn't Handle

The BBB does not handle complaints about the following:

** Employer/employee disputes.
** Complaints against government agencies unless the government operates a utility and the complaint involves administrative matters such as billing.
** Complaints against individuals who are not engaged in a business (e.g., a person who sells their personal car through a classified advertisement).
** Complaints alleging discrimination or violation of similar statutory/constitutional rights.
** Complaints alleging criminal violations by company employees except for complaints alleging theft by company employees while performing services.
** Complaints raising issues concerning the competency of doctors, dentists, licensed therapists, veterinarians, and lawyers. We would handle billing disputes that do not involve underlying competency issues.
** Complaints that challenge the validity of local, state or federal law. For example, we would not accept a complaint against a cable company seeking a change in rates set by law. We would accept a complaint against a cable company alleging that its charges were inaccurately computed in accordance with applicable rates.
** Complaints that are solely based on the consumer's dissatisfaction with a company's prices;
** We do not process anonymous complaints. At a minimum we need a name and a postal address for the consumer.

The difficulty in coping when a companion animal suffers from an injury—or death—is compounded when you suspect that negligence or abuse by your veterinarian may be to blame. You can help protect your animal before tragedy strikes by seeking out a skilled and caring veterinarian (ask for references from trusted friends and humane organizations and call the local Better Business Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, and State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to check for complaints); seeking a second or third opinion about your animal’s diagnosis before proceeding with surgery or treatment; and carefully monitoring your animal’s stay and treatment at the veterinary clinic. Never hesitate to ask questions about your animal’s treatment and never leave your animal overnight at a veterinary hospital unless you are convinced you must.