Apple Country Animal Hospital Policies
At Apple Country, we believe in delivering exceptional veterinary care with compassion, respect, and transparency. We’ve put these policies in place to help keep our schedule running smoothly, ensure the safety and comfort of our patients, and provide the best possible care to every pet that comes through our doors.
We proudly serve the pets of Stow, MA and beyond.
Appointment Policy
We operate by appointment so that we can dedicate quality time to every pet and keep our surgical and medical procedures running on schedule.
- If you arrive late, we may not be able to accommodate your visit and might need to reschedule for another day.
- We do our best to offer same-day urgent care for established patients whenever possible—but spots fill fast, and prompt arrival helps us help more pets.
Patient Arrival Policy
- For everyone’s safety, all pets must be on a leash or in a secure carrier while on hospital grounds.
- Since our COVID protocols, we’ve noticed a big improvement in our patients’ stress levels when they wait in their cars instead of in a busy lobby. Cats aren’t being sniffed, dogs aren’t feeling territorial, and everyone seems calmer when they walk into the exam room.
- To help keep things peaceful, we’ll have you wait in your car until your pet’s appointment begins. Please call when you arrive to let us know you are here.
Missed Appointment & Cancellation Policy
Life happens—we get it! All we ask is that you give us at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. That way, we can offer the spot to another pet in need.
- Repeated no-shows or late arrivals may require a prepaid exam fee to rebook.
- Same-day urgent care appointments are reserved for pets who need immediate attention. If you miss one without notice, it directly affects other families. If you do call—even last minute—we appreciate it more than you know. When we don’t hear from you, we may require a deposit or prepayment for future same-day bookings.
Financial Policy
Payment is due at the time of service.
We accept:
- Cash
- Visa, Mastercard, Discover
- Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay
- Payment plans via CareCredit and Scratchpay
If you have any questions about payment options, just let us know—we’re happy to walk you through them.
Surgery, Dental & Anesthesia Policies
Before Your Pet’s Procedure:
- No food after 10 p.m. the night before, unless told otherwise
- Drop-off is between 7:30–8:00 a.m.
- Text us at 978-897-9271 when you arrive so our surgical team can meet you
- You’ll review and sign a consent form at drop-off, and we’ll confirm the best number to reach you throughout the day
After Surgery:
- Your pet will stay with us for most of the day so we can keep a close eye on their recovery
The doctor will call you to schedule a pick-up time - A technician will walk you through at-home care and answer any questions before your pet heads home
Let us know if you have any questions, we’re here for you and your pets, every step of the way.