Terms of Business
Fees
Professional fees are booked at an hourly rate to keep our pricing fair and simple. Time is charged from ‘wellies on to wellies off’. Better organisation on farm = better value from us!! Drugs, materials and consumables are booked in addition to professional fees.
Our visit fee varies depending on the urgency of the call. For work that is booked in advance there is a reduced visit fee as this allows us to plan our diary in order for us to be as efficient as possible. All fees are subject to VAT at the current rate.
Private TB testing has its own fee structure depending on the number of animals tested. Please speak to one of us to give you a specific cost for your group of animals to be tested.
Payment
Invoices are issued at the end of each calendar month. All items remain the property of Axe Valley Large Animal Vets Limited until payment is received. Payment is required within 28 days. This allows us to keep the cost down to yourselves and helps you to keep pace with your own financial situation. We accept payment by debit or credit card, cheque, bank transfer or cash. Cheques should be made payable to ‘Axe Valley Large Animal Vets Limited’. Payment details can also be found on your invoice. BACS payments are encouraged.
Late Payments
Our terms relating to payments of amounts invoiced are strictly 28 days. We reserve the right to charge a late payment administration charge as well as interest at a rate of 2% per month. If for any reason you are unable to settle your account as requested we ask for you to discuss the matter as soon as possible with the Director or Large Animal Administrator.
Non-Payment
We reserve the right to pursue unpaid fees. Civil proceedings may be issued or the matter handed over to a debt collection agency. Any cost incurred will be added to the debt and interest added under The County Courts Act 1984 or subsequent legislation. WE reserve the right to ask for cash payments or refuse to carry out further work if payment is not made out in accordance with these terms of business.
Returned Cheques
We will pass on our bank charges for any represented cheque.
Out of Hours Emergencies
We provide an emergency service which is available outside normal working hours, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Visits outside of normal office hours will incur an additional visit charge. During the night and at weekends, phone calls to the practice will be diverted to an answering service who will contact the vet on duty to call you back immediately.
Cancellation
We reserve the right to charge a cancellation fee for any appointment cancelled less than 24 hours prior to a visit.
Insurance
Under FSA regulations we are unable to recommend a particular insurance policy. However, Axe Valley Large Animal Vets Ltd strongly supports the principle of insuring your horse against illness or accidents. We are able to complete insurance forms for you but it is your responsibility to settle your account and reclaim fees from your insurance company.
Vaccine Reminders
As an additional service to our clients we endeavour to send reminders for vaccinations. However, it remains the owner’s responsibility to ensure their horse’s vaccinations are up to date.
Passports
Section 9 of the horse passport must be signed to state if or if not the horse is intended for human consumption.
Prescriptions
We are happy to provide you with a prescription for animals under our care however there is a charge for this service. Our policy is for the animal or farm to be re-assessed every 6 months for which there is a charge for the examination. Under current pharmaceutical legislation we are unable to accept the return of medicines.
Use of Your Details
Axe Valley Large Animal Vets Limited is registered under the Data Protection Act. Your details will not be passed onto any third party. However, we may from time to time contact you by telephone, email, text or post with details of services and events we provide which may be of relevance to you. If you do not want to receive these contacts, please let us know and we can update our records accordingly.
Complaints
We hope that you never have to complain about the standard of service received by Axe Valley Large Animal Vets Limited. However, if there is something which you are not happy with we would encourage you to let us know as soon as possible so that appropriate action can be taken. Please contact the large animal administrator in the first instance. We will endeavour to respond promptly.
Abusive Behaviour
Any aggression or abuse directed towards any of the staff members of Axe Valley Large Animal Vets Limited will NOT be tolerated.
Variation in Terms of Trading
No addition or variation of these conditions will bind the practice unless it is specifically agreed in writing and signed by the Director.