TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Last Updated: 11/08/2025

Welcome to Richmond Animal Hospital

These Terms and Conditions govern your use of the Richmond Animal Hospital website and services. By accessing our website or using our services, you agree to these terms.

Acceptance of Terms

By using our website (richmondanimalhospitalvt.com), booking appointments, or receiving veterinary services, you accept and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions and our Privacy Policy.

If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use our website or services.

About Our Services

Richmond Animal Hospital provides veterinary medical services for small animals and pocket pets including:

Wellness and preventative care
Surgery and dentistry
Urgent care
End-of-life care
Microchipping
Diagnostic services
Pharmacy services

Services are provided by licensed veterinary professionals in accordance with Vermont state regulations and veterinary medical standards.

Medical Disclaimer

This website provides general pet health information for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Never disregard professional veterinary advice based on information from our website
If you think your pet has a medical emergency, call us immediately at (802) 434-4935 or visit an emergency veterinary hospital
Information on our website may not be complete, current, or applicable to your pet's specific situation
Always consult with Dr. Sherman or a licensed veterinarian before making medical decisions for your pet

Appointment Booking and Cancellation

Scheduling:

Appointments can be scheduled by phone at (802) 434-4935 or through our online booking system (when available)
Appointment availability is subject to our schedule and clinical capacity
We reserve the right to reschedule appointments due to emergencies or unforeseen circumstances

Cancellations:

Please provide at least 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule
Late cancellations or no-shows may be subject to a cancellation fee
Repeated no-shows may result in requirement of advance payment for future appointments

Urgent Care:

Same-day appointments are provided based on availability and medical urgency
We cannot guarantee same-day availability for all urgent requests
Life-threatening emergencies outside our hours should be directed to emergency veterinary hospitals

Payment Terms

Payment is due at the time services are provided unless other arrangements have been made in advance.

Accepted Payment Methods:

Cash
Credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express)
Checks
CareCredit financing (subject to approval)

Estimates:

We provide cost estimates for procedures and treatments
Final costs may vary based on your pet's actual needs and any complications
You will be informed of significant cost changes before proceeding

Outstanding Balances:

Accounts more than 30 days past due may be subject to collection procedures
Collection fees and interest may be added to delinquent accounts
Medical records and future services may be withheld for unpaid balances

Insurance:

We do not directly bill pet insurance companies
We provide detailed invoices for you to submit to your insurance provider
Payment is still due at time of service regardless of insurance coverage

Prescription and Pharmacy Services

Prescriptions:

All prescriptions require a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR)
Prescriptions may only be issued following an examination and diagnosis
We typically require annual exams to maintain an active VCPR for prescription refills
Controlled substances require more frequent monitoring

Online Pharmacy Partnership:

We partner with Blue Rabbit as our preferred online pharmacy
Use code DEAL20 for 20% off your first order
We cannot guarantee the safety or authenticity of medications purchased from non-authorized sources
Prescription transfers to other pharmacies may take 2-3 business days

Patient Portal (Coming Soon)

When launched, the patient portal will allow you to:

View your pet's medical records
Book appointments online
Request prescription refills
Pay bills and view invoices
Message our veterinary team

Portal Terms:

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials
You must notify us immediately of any unauthorized access
Portal messages are not monitored 24/7 and should not be used for emergencies
We will respond to non-urgent messages within 24-48 business hours

Intellectual Property

All content on this website—including text, images, logos, graphics, and design—is the property of Richmond Animal Hospital and protected by copyright laws.

You may not:

Copy, reproduce, or distribute website content without written permission
Use our name, logo, or branding without authorization
Modify or create derivative works from our content
Use our content for commercial purposes

You may:

View and print pages for personal reference
Share links to our website on social media
Quote brief excerpts with proper attribution

User Conduct

When using our website or services, you agree to:

Provide accurate and complete information
Keep your contact information current
Not use our services for unlawful purposes
Not attempt to interfere with website functionality
Not transmit viruses or malicious code
Treat our staff with respect and courtesy

We reserve the right to refuse service or terminate access to users who violate these terms or engage in abusive behavior toward our staff.

Links to Third-Party Websites

Our website contains links to third-party sites including:

Emergency veterinary hospitals (BEVS, PEAK)
Online pharmacy partners (Blue Rabbit)
Pet care resources and educational content
Community partners and organizations

We are not responsible for the content, privacy practices, or terms of third-party websites. Your use of linked sites is at your own risk.

Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law:

Richmond Animal Hospital is not liable for indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from use of our website or services
Our total liability for any claim shall not exceed the amount you paid for the specific service giving rise to the claim
We are not liable for interruptions, delays, or errors in website functionality
We are not responsible for outcomes beyond our reasonable control

This limitation does not affect:

Our liability for medical malpractice (governed by separate malpractice insurance and Vermont law)
Your rights under Vermont consumer protection laws
Claims for intentional misconduct or gross negligence

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Richmond Animal Hospital, Dr. Nicholas Sherman, and our staff from claims, damages, and expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

Your violation of these Terms and Conditions
Your violation of any law or regulation
Your violation of any third-party rights
Your misuse of our website or services

Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR)

A valid VCPR is required for us to provide medical advice, prescriptions, and treatment. A VCPR exists when:

Dr. Sherman has examined your pet in person
Dr. Sherman has sufficient knowledge of your pet to make medical judgments
Dr. Sherman has agreed to provide ongoing veterinary care
You have agreed to follow Dr. Sherman's recommendations
Dr. Sherman is available for follow-up care or has arranged emergency coverage

A VCPR typically requires:

An initial in-person examination
Annual wellness exams to maintain the relationship
More frequent visits for chronic conditions or controlled medications

Medical Records

You have the right to access your pet's medical records in accordance with Vermont law.

To request records:

Contact us at (802) 434-4935 or info@richmondanimalhospitalvt.com
Records will be provided within 7 business days
We may charge a reasonable fee for copying and mailing records
Records may be withheld if there is an outstanding balance on your account

We maintain medical records for a minimum of 7 years as required by Vermont regulations.

Emergency Services and After-Hours Care

Our Hours: Monday-Friday: 8am-5pm
Closed weekends and holidays

After-Hours Emergencies: For life-threatening emergencies outside our hours, contact:

Burlington Emergency Veterinary Specialists (BEVS): [Phone number]
PEAK Veterinary Specialists: [Phone number]

Coming Soon: 24/7 after-hours phone support for guidance on whether your pet needs emergency care.

We are not liable for outcomes when clients delay seeking emergency care or choose not to visit emergency hospitals outside our operating hours.

Changes to Terms and Conditions

We reserve the right to modify these Terms and Conditions at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date.

Significant changes will be communicated through:

Email to registered clients
Prominent notice on our website
Notice at check-in for in-person visits

Continued use of our website and services after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

Severability

If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.

Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of the State of Vermont.

Disputes should be resolved through:

Direct communication with Richmond Animal Hospital management
Mediation, if mutually agreed upon
Vermont state courts (Chittenden County), if litigation is necessary

Exceptions:

Medical malpractice claims are governed by Vermont medical malpractice law
Small claims court is available for qualifying claims
Either party may seek injunctive relief for intellectual property violations

Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms and Conditions:

Richmond Animal Hospital
233 E. Main Street
Richmond, VT 05477
Phone: (802) 434-4935
Email: info@richmondanimalhospitalvt.com

For medical emergencies: Call (802) 434-4935 during business hours or visit an emergency veterinary hospital.

Acknowledgment

By using Richmond Animal Hospital's website and services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions and our Privacy Policy.