I am submitting a formal complaint regarding unethical practices at Vetco, located within Petco at 921 Harley Strickland Blvd, Orange City, FL, and a potentially fraudulent animal rescue associated with them. Below is my complaint, which I previously sent to Petco Customer Relations.On February 14, 2025, I brought my cat, Ophelia, to Vetco after she ingested a cord. The attending veterinarian informed me she required immediate surgery, but after reviewing an X-ray on their phone, they left, and I never saw them again. Instead, a veterinary technician, Cheyenne, returned with a surgery quote between $2,104.95 and $2,930.95—excluding imaging and examination fees, bringing the total cost close to $4,000.Due to ongoing medical expenses from a recent thyroid cancer diagnosis, I expressed financial concerns. Rather than being offered financing options, Cheyenne told me my only choices were to surrender Ophelia to a rescue that would cover the costs or euthanize her. I explicitly stated I did not want euthanasia but was not given any alternative financial solutions. When she asked if I had CareCredit, I misunderstood it as a clinic membership rather than a credit line, and no application or financial aid guidance was offered.Feeling helpless, I surrendered Ophelia, believing it was the only way to save her life. That evening, I called Vetco to check on her and was told she had been transferred to the rescue but was "picked up and that should give you an idea of how she is doing," leading me to believe she had received the surgery.The next day, I found no mention of Ophelia on the rescue’s (Kenzie’s Kitten Rescue) Instagram page. By February 16, I secured the full $4,000 for her care and contacted the rescue’s operator, Kenzie, offering to pay and reclaim her. Kenzie initially said she would consult her "board," but later stopped responding.Further investigation revealed disturbing discrepancies:Kenzie publicly stated the rescue lacked funds for Ophelia’s surgery, contradicting what I was told at Vetco. She also stated that her cost for the surgery was 700-900, less than 1/3rd what I was quoted for the same procedure. She falsely claimed on social media that I requested euthanasia for Ophelia, which is libelous.She admitted on Instagram that her er GoFundMe was flagged and donations forcibly refunded, raising concerns about financial misconduct.She identified herself on Facebook as a Vetco employee, creating a conflict of interest as she facilitates pet surrenders and then solicits donations for their care.After multiple calls to Vetco corporate, I was finally connected with a clinic manager, Holly, who admitted their technician should have informed me about financing options but shifted responsibility to the rescue.I believe I was coerced into surrendering Ophelia under false pretenses, and Vetco’s failure to disclose financial options contributed to this distressing outcome. The rescue’s practices raise serious ethical and legal concerns.I request an investigation into Vetco’s financial disclosures, their relationship with Kenzie’s Kitten Rescue, and the return of Ophelia, as my surrender was not made with full informed consent. I am filing formal complaints with all relevant regulatory bodies.
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