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Expanded Hours for La Conception Pet Hospital in Goleta : 12/23/2009

To help fill the void left when CARE closed this week, La Conception Animal Hospital announced that they will now be open 7 days a week to assist pets with routine and emergency care. Hours: Saturday-Thursday, 8 am-7 pm; Fridays, 8 am-5 pm. Location: 7126 Hollister Avenue in Goleta (across from Costco), (805) 685-4513.

Karen Lee Stevens

Care was a great hospital : 12/23/2009

They were caring to animals and took in resuce animals free of charge.
They will be greatly missed

Dog owner

: 12/23/2009

I hope this gives opportunity for someone else to open an emergency clinic that is not so extremely exorbitant in their charges. Everyone I know with pets would rather take the change with an injured or ill pet over the weekend to wait until their regular vet opened, because the costs of this clinic were so high. Yes they did good work, but geeze, they were really socking it to the residents with their prices.

They will be missed : 12/23/2009

Hopefully a new hospital will open. They saved my dog from chocolate poisoning just a week ago. It was $300 but the peace of mind was priceless. Sammy is doing just fine.

CinSB

La Concepcion closed on X-mas and New Years : 12/23/2009

Just called La Concepcion and they are open 7 days a week except for X-mas and New Years

Pet Owner

Care was not that great : 12/23/2009

I took my 12 year old dog to Cares at night when it was clear he was suffering from a long illness. The Cares staff did a poor job on many levels and ended up make a bad situation much worse. Then they charged big $$ on top of that!
S.B. can do better than that!

S.B. Native

Sad : 12/23/2009

I find it poor taste that in the face of 60 people who dedicated their lives to helping animals for little personal financial benefit, people who lost their jobs 4 days before CHRISTMAS, that there are posters complaining about the cost medical care at CARE.
The cost to run a veterinary hospital is large. They use the same supplies (medications, anesthetics, surgical supplies, ultrasounds, bandages, IV Fluids, syringes, catheters, etc) as in human hospitals, then you have a working in hospital laboratory for the majority of your medical needs IMMEDIATELY, digital radiography with a boarded radiologist on call for no extra charge, access to specialists and consults with specialists 24hrs a day on all cases, and then there was all the FREE care for the county and city injured animals, the wildlife, or the unijured lost animals who were lovingly cared for until their families were located in the morning because they were brought to CARE instead of a shelter....
To all who think the prices are CARE were horrible, wait until you get your first bill in Ventura. Then you can complain about HUGE prices at Pet Emergency Clinic and VMSG, too.
Veterinary professionals do not go into the business to make huge amounts of money, its the passion to help animals. I'm sorry that passion wasn't conveyed to the community and all anyone posting here can say about the people at CARE, regardless of the circumstances of now, is about the money.
This situation is horrible and has caused 60 people to flood the community looking for jobs in a time of economic crisis. I applaud Dr Wright and the other specialists and staff members that are staying in the area, weathering the harsh storm, and hoping against hope to rebuild this Phoenix from the ashes so that the community of Santa Barbara can have another 24hr hospital dedicated to helping animals in need. Hopefully this can happen sooner rather than later. And hopefully people will mention how thankful they are for having a hospital in times of need, with caring specialists and staff who have dedicated so much of themselves to the community, instead of people only mentioning that the cost was too much for the care provided.
Remember, you can always get your pets insurance, like you have, and your cost would be significantly less.

disappointed

: 12/23/2009

Please don't be disappointed. CARE helped my pet on several occasions, and I took injured wildlife in for care when I came across them. I'm not commenting about any lack of care or dedication on the part of the staff–anyone who works under the veterinarian is underpaid in my book. But the costs were very high, and many people can't afford it. It's not that we want services so cheap it's a deal, we just want services that we can use without going broke. There is a balance between affordability and care, and I've felt the balance rested more on the side of lack of affordability. I hope the next place gets that equation right. So sorry people were let go. Dedicated animal folks are the best in the world. Good luck finding new jobs, and soon. And thank you all for your care over the years.

losing sight of what matters : 12/24/2009

It is truly unfortunate that Santa Barbara had to lose such a crucial service. It is sad to watch something so great fall apart right in front of your eyes all because Dr Purvis let her personal vendetta against someone get in the way of running her business properly. She spent massive amounts of money on a legal case that she could have never won, and sadly she knew that. Not only did she waste her own money but she wasted all of the clincs money as well fighting for a lost cause. You cant throw a partner out of a business and expect no repercussions, and instead of admitting she was wrong and just giving what was owed almost 2 years ago she dug herself a nice financial whole that there was no way out of and she knew that, she and she alone put CARE in the situation that it is in now, there is no one else to blame but her. She said it herself, she would rather watch the place burn than to let Dr Wright put in his best efforts to try and fix it. Because she had so much pride and couldn’t just walk away and let Dr Wright resume ownership now there is no CARE and its 60 + employees are out of a job the WEEK OF CHRISTMAS. Then she goes and sends a letter out to the vets basically telling them it is all Dr Wrights fault, Dr Purvis you need to look in the mirror . One word KARMA.....

Dubi....

Dr Purvis' finances need to be investigated : 12/25/2009

The community is better off without Dr. Purvis and the sooner she leaves the better. I hope Dr Wright can have all of the other vets rally around and open another emergency clinic here as soon as possible. Dr. Purvis may have deliberately pushed C.A.R.E. into bankruptcy by gross mismanagement to hurt Dr. Wright. I hope someone investigates her financial records.

For my dog

Cost : 12/26/2009

To the "cry babies" who are whining about cost of vet care....Shut up! If you cannot afford to own your property, yes your "pet" is actually property, do not own it in the first place. This is free enterprise and they can charge what they deem as appropriate for their time and service. If you don't like it don't go there. No one is putting a gun to your head to take your property to the emergency vet. If you cannot afford the cost of living in Santa Barbara then you should move to a more affordable city. How about Bakersfield? Vet costs there are much less than they are in Santa Barbara for reasons that are obvious.

Ronald T

Previous post : 12/26/2009

Eeeewwww, another hateful person who thinks Santa Barbara is just for people in their income bracket. Go find a gated community somewhere that is perfect for you. Laid back beach communities of California used to be such friendly places. You must have relocated from somewhere else.

Sad days : 12/27/2009

I enjoyed caring for your sick and injured animals, and I was impressed daily by the lengths owners would go for their pets. I am sad that CARE is closed, and I am sad that Dr Purvis was so spiteful. There were TWO offers to buy CARE and pay off the debt owed so we wouldn't have to close. Dr Purvis and Dr lane REJECTED them in favor of filing bankruptcy and sticking it to Dr Wright. I personally believe she deliberately ran the business into the ground to avoid paying him. Its a sad way to say good bye to the place I have worked at for years. I saw some miracles there. Dr Purvis is most definitely EVIL, but the rest of staff are wonderful. The other doctors there are so compassionate and caring, and BRILLIANT! I sincerely hope her greed and malice do not cost too many animals lives since the closest animal hospital is now over 30 minutes away. Most of us are upset about that MORE than being unemployed the week of Christmas.

Former employee of CARE

Eeeewwwwww : 12/28/2009

Just another whining cry baby who thinks someone else should pay their bills. Just because you are either lazy, incompetent, inept, or just plain irresponsible doesn't mean that you have the right to dictate to someone else what they should charge for their services. It is FREE ENTERPRISE! I guess you do not understand the concept. Also, obviously your reading comprehension needs improvement as well because the post was about responsible pet ownership, not about people who have been successful in their financial dealings (to your obvious and sorry envy. Pathetic!). IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO OWN A PET AND PROVIDE PROPER MEDICAL ATTENTION, DO NOT OWN ONE!!. And do not blame other people for your irresponsibility!!!

Ronald T

Post from the indignant local : 12/28/2009

there is nothing more gratifying than pushing the price of real estate and cost of living up so as to deny the so called "locals" like you the ability to afford to live here. your spite and sense of entitlement is disgusting. I hope you are bitter and angry the rest of your life, or until you are forced to leave.

mike J (relocater from LA)

Ronald T : 12/28/2009

Sounds like Ronald T is off his head meds again... But if he was able to listen, he might like to know what no one is dictating charges for CARE only stating that the fees were excessive for services rendered. If there was a alternative to CARE people would have gone. I had a miserable experience with CARE my letter/emails regarding that service went unanswered for weeks until I got a b.s. excuse filled call from Purvis.
Glad to see them gone so someone (Dr. Wright?) can fill the void.

S.B. Native

Mike J : 12/28/2009

Back in the day on the overpass at rincon someone painted "L.A. Go Home!"
It was meant for loosers just like you.

S.B.Native

Pretty funny : 12/28/2009

That is actually pretty funny since Santa Barbara, as we all know, is really just another suburb of the great city of Los Angeles. Anyway, If you want me to "go home!" as your graffiti demands, you are going to have to make me. Otherwise I am just going to stay here in this suburb of L.A. and do my best to make your life more and more miserable to you with my presence. Hopefully, you will soon be forced to leave because you have outlived your means of living in this particular neighborhood of L.A. When this occurs, I am happy to buy your house from you. Sprawl, overcrowding and higher real estate prices!! Also, "S.B. Native", before you call somebody a "looser" (sic), maybe you should learn how to spell. It really isn't very becoming of someone who is so smug. It ruins your facade. Peace, and see you around town.

mike J (relocater from LA)

Alternative Medicine Prices : 12/28/2009

Since we're all capitalists, why don't we take advantage of that and start a business that offers pet meds at reduced prices? Why is my vet charging me $55 for metronidazole that I can get for $25 online?
With the escalating costs of care and medicine, pretty soon only rich people will be able to own pets, and then they better buy a lot more euthanization needles for the local shelters. I can't believe that pet insurance is the answer- why would it work any better for pets than it does for people? If it does, then maybe we should buy pet insurance for people!

Outside the Box

: 12/28/2009

Hey Mike J and Ronald T, what is with the hate? Why would you hate people that don't make as much money as you supposedly claim to do? That's a subject to discuss on your psychiatrist's couch. Are you missing your balls and so rely on your money as proof of manhood? Certainly sounds like that is the case. You'll die early from stress and with no friends. We win!

squirm : 12/29/2009

No, its just fun watching people like you squirm. It is not hate at all, merely entertainment. Watching your sense of entitlement and selfish disdain for "outsiders" get you worked up is really fun. It is amazing how easy you are to manipulate. Peace

mike J

CARE Experience : 12/29/2009

Since moving up to Lompoc, I've had to bring two of my beloved pets to CARE because the next closest place was in San Luis Obispo County. Both times, options were given to me that ranged from euthanasia to comfort care to extreme life-saving measures. I was not pressured one way or the other at any time, and was allowed to choose the treatment that was in my pets' best interests as well as what I could handle financially. In both cases, both my pets and I were treated with respect and compassion by all members of the staff, and I feel that they received the best medical care available anywhere.
One time while waiting in the reception area, a family brought in their dog that had been hit by a car and had a serious but treatable injury. They did not want to put the money into the treatment of the broken bone and instead requested to have the otherwise young and healthy dog euthanized. CARES staff advised the family that if they signed the dog over to them, they would be able to treat it and find it a home to adopt and care for it. That dog was saved that day because staff cared more about helping an animal than pushing for more money.
Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the closure of this facility, I am sad that a place I trusted with my pets' lives will no longer be available to me or my pets, and I am hoping that we will be able to get the same consideration and service in the future from whatever other option we will have available to us.
To everyone at CARES, I appreciate everything you did, not just for my pets, but for me and my husband. You were worth every single penny.

Bunny & Kitty Mommy

Advertisement? : 12/29/2009

The above post sounds like a thinly veiled advertisement from a former employee. We are not that gullible.

: 12/29/2009

Sounded genuine to me.

Wright's friends and their propaganda : 1/14/2010

Purvis and Lane did NOT reject the offer to sell the hospital - Wright did. There are documents to this effect that all of we employees received. Dr. Purvis/Lane never intended to keep Wright from his due amount - they only expected him to DO WHAT HE SAID - get boarded. When he did not, after SEVEN YEARS - they the enforced the contract that HE AGREED TO. Wright is the one who hides behind thiese accusations, not Purvis.
It's very, very sad to see Wrights friends who support him - tell lies of greed, mismanagement, etc. In fact, it's ironic. Of the partners, the one most after money has always been 'the man.' To the comment about Wright and other specialists sticking around - Wright is NOT a specialist. He cannot call himself a specialist. He never has been and likely never will be a specialist - a residency trained, non boarded surgeon .... that's it. GET IT FOLKS. Call VMSG - ask what a real specialist is.
And by the way, Purvis has NOT filed bankruptcy to 'stick it to Wright' - CARE has NOT filed bankruptcy. Wright may in the end force this issue as he is the one that has not been willing to negotiate. Dr. Purvis attempts to take the high road and say little has left a lot in the way of Wright & Company re writing history.
CARE employees who stand by Wright may get what they deserve - to have to work for him. If so, God be with the animals and the community. Don't assume everything you read is true, Start with the bankruptcy. See if you can find it filed - it's mid January - GET THE FACTS STRAIGHT AND QUIT HIDING BEHIND ANONYMOUS POSTS. I'd work for Dr. Purvis again in a heartbeat. She's the one who created this place, attracted the real specialists and has taken the hits without retaliation. She's the one who bothered to train us, not Wright. He barked at and belittled me. I think he's a big bully and nothing more.

Previous post obvious shell : 1/27/2010

I wonder if it was Purvis or Lane who wrote that last post. Of course it was anonymous after they whined about anonymous posters. Hypocrites!

Anonymous - lol

my family owes CARE a huge debt of gratitude : 1/30/2010

first - i plead bipartisan so, \ no political rebuttal please. Dr. Wright expertly repaired our beloved husky shepherd's hind legs after soft tissue was ravaged from years of overactive adrenal gland flooding her body with too much cortisol, breaking down connective tissue (Cushing's disease). hope i have somewhat clinically accurate. (i spent years treating this malady with complicated suppression interludes, expensive meds - even from Costco.)
before CARE, same pup had Mast Cell cancer in 2001. then, we had to drive to Redondo VCA for tumor excise - and 5 round trips each Saturday thereafter for 5 mins of radiation to the leg.
Dr Wright fixed the husky's legs in 04/05. in 2006, Dr. Purvis saved our then 13 yr old tabby cat lterally on the brink of death, from sudden onset bacterial kidney infection. we went at 1 am; our Jasmine unresponsive. three days later, she was weak from aggresive treatment, but alive. today, now almost 17, she's doing splendidly.
we owe a huge debt of gratitude to CARE, to both Drs. Wright and Purvis (and another vet Eric or Rick? lovely person with reddish hair). in my view all are highly skilled vets; support staff knowledgeable and caring. thank you! i'm deeply sorry to learn of unfortunate litigation involving superb clinicians. we wish all CAREgivers best of luck. hope we have a local facility as good as CARE in the near future.
p.s. this longtime single mom has now laid down the law, animal lover she is - no more wounded sparrows, elaborate rat habitats in closets, $8 hamsters needing $40 tumor removals. 'no honey, we're not taking in another shelter pup for awhile.'

Kim C.