Patient Information

At our veterinary animal hospital in Montecito, our team is dedicated to our beloved patients and their proud owners, backed by years of experience and a true passion for pets. 

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What to Expect at a Veterinary Appointment

Understanding what you should expect at your first appointment will help make the process easier for both you and your pet.

Our Pet Care Philosophy

We are delighted to serve pet owners in Montecito, and are dedicated to providing state-of-the-art veterinary care to you and your pet with care and compassion. 

We are passionate about preventive care, educating our clients so they can make informed decisions, and providing comprehensive emergency and surgical care to Montecito pets.

Hospital FAQs

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive from clients about payment options, appointment booking, hospital policies and more. 

• What types of payment options are available?

  Payment in full is expected at the time services are provided or upon discharge of your pet. We accept payment by cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.

• Are there payment plans available for my pet’s care?

  We are proud to offer CareCredit as a financing option. They offer an easy application process that will give you results in minutes.

• How easy is it to transfer files from my past veterinary hospital?

  Very easy! You can EITHER provide us with a signed, written consent, and we will request the records for you, OR, you can call your previous veterinarian to request your pet’s records. (Under California Business and Professions Code section 4855 the veterinarian is obligated to provide you with a summary of your pet's medical record.)

  The expectation is that the records will be provided within a "reasonable" amount of time.

• What should I bring to my first appointment?

  Please bring any information about your pet's medications, diet history and other current history including flea control. We ask, if possible, to bring a fecal sample (the "fresher" the better), especially if your pet has diarrhea.

  For cats, bring them in a cat carrier. For dogs, please have them on a leash at all times in our reception area. If you have any questions about your visit, please call our office staff. You might also want to write down any questions you may have for the doctor(s) during your visit.

  Additionally, it is always wise to bring a notebook with answers to your questions so you have a log, (though we always attempt to send you with printed information when possible).

• Will I be provided with an estimate of costs?

  You will receive a good-faith estimate of the cost of our services before your pet is treated. However, unforeseen circumstances may arise that impact your final bill. 

  We always discuss our written estimate with all clients before they leave our facility. A deposit based on our estimate is required before any further treatment is administered.

• Should I call ahead to book an appointment?

  Yes, please call ahead to schedule an appointment to ensure we are able to see your pet. 

  If your pet needs emergency care during our regular business hours, please contact us right away.

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• What is your appointment cancellation/no-show policy?

  If it is necessary to cancel an appointment, please do so 24 hours in advance. An early cancellation will give another client to use the space in our schedule.

  Because we know time is important to everyone, we have adopted the following policy:

  • If an appointment is missed, or cancelled “late” (with less than 24 hours notice in advance of the appointment time), a policy notice reminder will be mailed to the client.
  • A second missed or “late” cancellation will result in another letter and a missed appointment charge, which is the client’s responsibility to pay.
  • With further missed or late appointments, the client will continue to incur the missed appointment charge.

  We hope you understand the need for this policy and thank you for allowing us the opportunity to take care of your pet’s healthcare needs.

  Cancellation or Postponement of Scheduled Medical Procedures

  A 50% deposit is required at the time a procedure is scheduled. The remaining balance is due at the time services are rendered.

  Because we must have the appropriate staff on duty for particular medical procedures, we require 48 hours notice if you need to postpone or cancel a scheduled procedure. If the procedure is cancelled or rescheduled within 48 hours, the deposit is non-refundable.

  We hope you understand the need for these policiesand thank you for allowing us the opportunity to take care of your pet’s healthcare needs.

• What types of animals do you treat?

  We take care of all small domestic pets such as cats and dogs, and exotic pets such as birds, rabbits, reptiles, and rodents.

• Where can I purchase my pet's prescription and food?

  You can purchase all the medications and specialty food your pet needs either via our online store or our in-house pharmacy.

• What are the fees associated with a specialty appointment?

  You are financially responsible for the initial examination fee and any diagnostics or treatment that you consent to for your pet’s treatment. This payment is due at the time of service.

  For further hospitalization, diagnostics, or veterinary surgery, a deposit is required upfront with payment due in full when your pet is discharged.

• What are the fees associated with an emergency visit?

  Once the staff and doctors have examined your pet, an estimate for treatment will be given to you to determine a treatment plan.

  If further hospitalization, diagnostics or surgery are required, a deposit is required upfront, with payment in full due when your pet is discharged. 

• Do you accept pet insurance?

  Yes. We ask that you have all paperwork organized and we will gladly sign and provide copies of any medical records required by the insurance company. It is the client’s responsibility to communicate with the insurance company.

• Can I go to either Montecito Pet Hospital or San Roque Pet Hospital and have all records accessed at both?

  Yes. Records, lab results, etc. are shared online at all times. For example, if you are a MPH client and need to be seen on a Saturday when MPH is closed, you can call San Roque Pet Hospital to make an appointment.

  The veterinarian on duty won't miss a beat as they will have access to all your pets records (as opposed to the ER).

• Which services are available as a result of the partnership between both Montecito Pet Hospital and San Roque Pet Hospital?

  For your convenience, and as a part of the Santa Barbara Veterinary Group, clients/patients of Montecito Pet Hospital have access to 2 different hospitals with the collaboration of 5 veterinarians.

Pet Owner Resources

Here are some helpful links for your pet's health.