The RIO Vista Promise

R - Respect - We build meaningful relationships and respect the human-animal bond. Respect allows us to work together while honoring each other’s differences.

I - Innovation  – We believe that innovation and education are the keys to providing our patients the most compassionate, ethical and quality care.

O  –  Outstanding -  Your pet deserves nothing but the best, and we strive to exceed expectations.

Leaving Home and Arriving at the Hospital

Please leave home at an appropriate time and plan to arrive ten minutes early for any scheduled appointment. This allows for ample time to check in, get your pet settled in the exam room, and answer introductory questions. 

Even if your pet is very friendly and social, some pets that come to the hospital are uncomfortable or scared and may nip if they feel threatened. Because of this, we do ask that you bring your pet in on a leash or in a carrier. We do have leashes available for you to borrow and cardboard cat carrier for purchase. 

Some cats can be difficult for owners to bring in for regular visits. If you need extra help getting your cat to us, the American Association of Feline Practitioners has a brochure that can be very helpful.  Click here to view. 

In our front lobby, we provide carrier covers to help reduce stress on your feline friend. Please help yourself to a cover from the bin labeled carrier covers. These have been sprayed with Feliway, a pheromone (or kitty scent) that reduces stress. 

For our canine companions who are nervous about their visit, we have Adaptil bandannas available. Simply ask one of our team members. We have two separate waiting areas, and we encourage clients to sit wherever they feel more comfortable. 

We make a sincere effort to see every appointment on time and in an effort to provide the best care, we rely on an appointment-based schedule. If you arrive more than 5 minutes late for your appointment, you will be asked to reschedule. Emergencies do occur in our line of work and will be triaged and treated on a priority basis. If there is a delay in our schedule our staff will notify you.

What You Should Bring and What to Expect

We encourage clients to bring any health records, vaccine information, blood work, or paperwork that they have obtained from a breeder, adoption agency, or previous veterinarian.

We recommend checking a fecal sample once a year, so if your pet is due for theirs or has never had one, please bring it along to your first visit!

For our adult dogs and cats, our staff will discuss health concerns for our geographical area, incorporating your pet’s lifestyle, and their age before making preventative care recommendations.  Our team will talk to you about diet, lifestyle, exercise, and discuss any behavior concerns that you may have. An estimate can be provided prior to any services.

With puppy or kitten visits, we ask that people block out a little more time for their first trip in. Our first visit with a puppy or kitten includes information about the type of lifestyle you expect with your new pet, which vaccinations we would recommend for those activities, and why. We also like to address any training or behavioral concerns as well as nutritional recommendations. This appointment also allows you to ask any questions that you may have as a new pet owner.

Our Financial Policy

To make costs as easy and manageable as possible, we accept cash as a priority form of payment. We also offer payment with a 3% processing fee for any transaction with a Visa Mastercard or Discover credit card. We offer payment plans through our partnerships with the organizations of Care Credit  and Scratch Pay. Payment is due at the time services are rendered. When requested, our staff will make every attempt to provide an accurate and detailed estimate regarding your pet’s medical plan, including pricing information. 

All new clients are required to pay a $75 booking fee to reserve their first visit. This fee is applied as a credit to your first appointment and can be returned if the appointment is changed or canceled 24 hours in advance. 

All established clients who wish to book more than one pet during a single visit are also required to pay a $75 booking fee to reserve this extended appointment time.  This fee is applied as a credit to your extended appointment time and can be returned if the appointment is changed or canceled 48 hours in advance. 

All surgeries require a $100 booking fee to reserve a surgical appointment. This fee is applied as a credit to your surgical invoice and can be returned if the appointment is changed or canceled 72 hours in advance. 

Any established client who fails to provide our office with a 24 notice of cancellation of an established appointment will be required to pay a $75 booking fee prior to booking their next visit. This fee is applied as a credit to your appointment time and can be returned if the appointment is changed or canceled 24 hours in advance. 

If our office is not notified in the appropriate amount of time, the booking fee for any visit is forfeited as a credit for any service. If a booking fee needs to be returned, it may 

Client Code of Conduct

Our hospital is a healing environment. We understand that having a sick or injured animal is stressful.

Our team is committed to your animal and to serving you with courtesy, compassion, and respect. We expect that they be treated in the same manner so that we can properly attend to the needs of your animal. 

Rio Vista Veterinary Hospital has zero tolerance for unprofessional, disrespectful, or aggressive language or behavior, including failure to respond to instructions and safety recommendations. 

Out of respect for our patients, staff, and clients, any incidents may result in refusal to treat and removal from our facility. 

Our return policy

We cannot accept returns for unused prescriptions dispensed by our office or over-the-counter products unless a manufacturer's guarantee is offered. This is a legal guideline established by the FDA and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. Prescription diets and a few select nutraceuticals dispensed by our office may be eligible for manufacturer reimbursement.

We do not offer refunds on any service or procedure performed at our facility.