It's not a question of signing anything, unfortunately. It's part of their Terms and Conditions of business. If you engage in business with them (which, bizarre as it sounds, is, legally speaking, what you are doing when you hand over your dog for treatment), then you agree to abide by their terms and conditions.  I didn't realise about the clause either. They don't exactly flag it up. But it is there on the website if you search hard enough and it applies to both hospitals. 

The thing is that if you are getting a good service, which it certainly sounds as though you are, then it really doesn't matter. It's only when things go wrong, as they did for us, that such things assume significance – great significance, in my case, as it means I am prevented from talking about what happened unless I am prepared to run the risk of facing a lawsuit.

It's worth adding that in the UK at least, the law is positively in the dark ages when it comes to protecting the welfare of animals. They are considered as property, pure and simple and there is no legal redress, for example, for causing unnecessary suffering, only for financial loss. This is something I would really like to see changed.

All best to you and Eurydice. I so loved that video of her galloping along in her new booties!

Meg and Clare xx

We are all just trying to do the best we can to save our babies or at the very least to give them a good, happy life for as long as possible. 

Absolutely, Teresa! Here's to that! And from the looks of your galloping girl you are doing a splendid job of it.

I too am so sad about Otis. It is really heartbreaking.

Hugs to you and Eurydice,

Meg and Clare xx