Forms, policies and after-hours care
Everything you need between visits, in one place.
This page covers the forms, insurance, payment and cancellation questions that used to live on five separate pages of the old site. If your pet needs help right now and Bethany is closed, the emergency list below is the first thing on this page for a reason.
If your pet needs help and we are closed
Bethany's own referral list for after hours.
Bethany does not run its own after-hours emergency service. Instead, the practice publishes this list of emergency and specialty hospitals in the area, so you are not searching for a number while you are worried about an animal. Two entries below see exotic pets specifically, and are marked as such.
Companion Animal Specialty and Emergency Hospital
(815) 479-91191095 Pingree Rd. Ste 120, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Veterinary Emergency Group, Schaumburg
Exotics(847) 430-49381287 East Higgins Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60173
Midwest Bird and Exotic Animal Hospital
Exotics only(708) 453-81817510 W North Ave., Elmwood Park, IL 60707
Vello: records, appointments and messaging, without a phone call.
Bethany moved from PetDesk to Vello, an app from IDEXX, for the day-to-day back and forth that used to mean waiting on hold. Vello carries your pet's vaccine records, lets you request an appointment, and gives you a direct messaging line to the practice, all available around the clock rather than only during office hours.
The number tied to Vello for text messages is (815) 991-4556. This is the only phone number here that can receive a text. The main office line, (815) 239-6938, is for calls. Hablamos espanol, y mensaje de texto es preferido para preguntas no urgentes, o para agendar citas.
The three forms you might need before a visit.
Each of these is available printed at the front desk and online through the practice. Filling one out ahead of an appointment saves time once you are in the building.
New Client Form
For a first visit as a new patient. Ask the front desk for a copy, or fill it out online before you come in.
Canine Rehabilitation Referral Form
For a dog starting Jodie's rehabilitation program, whether the referral comes from Bethany's own surgical team or from elsewhere. See the rehabilitation therapy page for what the program covers.
Pet Care Consent Form
Consent paperwork the practice asks for before certain visits and procedures. Call the office at (815) 239-6938 if you are not sure whether yours is on file.
Pet insurance and paying for care.
Bethany does not restrict which insurer you use, and recommends Pawlicy or PetCoverage.ai if you want to compare plans before choosing one. With the exception of Trupanion, every insurer requires payment at the time of service, with the claim submitted by you afterward for reimbursement. Trupanion is set up to pay at the time of service directly.
For care itself, the practice accepts CareCredit, Scratchpay and Embrace, and offers a "Make a Payment" portal for settling a balance without calling in. If cost is the reason a visit is being put off, Bethany also keeps an Emergency Pet Fund, a community donation fund available in the hospital or through a Donate Now button, meant for exactly that situation.
Rescheduling, cancelling and running late.
Please cancel or reschedule an appointment at least 24 hours ahead when you can. Arriving 10 or more minutes late may mean the appointment needs to be rescheduled, and two or more missed or late-cancelled appointments may require a non-refundable exam pre-payment to hold future bookings. None of this is meant to be a penalty. A missed slot is time another sick or injured animal could have had.
If you need help getting your pet into the building, call (815) 239-6938 once you have arrived and someone will come out to help.
Aftercare and local shelters.
Bethany works with Compassionate Care Animal Cremation, which runs a 24-hour line at (331) 688-2937, for families who need that arrangement made.
For anyone looking to adopt, foster or otherwise support local animals, Bethany also points clients toward two area organizations: Tails Humane Society at 2250 Barber Greene Rd, DeKalb, IL 60115, and The Barn on Baseline at 16173 Base Line Rd, Genoa, IL 60135.
Still have a question
The front desk can answer it faster than a form can.
Call (815) 239-6938, or text (815) 991-4556 for anything that is not urgent. For the full hours and directions, visit the contact page.