Can a veterinarian charge fees for providing a copy of a pet’s medical records?

A veterinarian can indeed charge fees for providing a copy of a pet's medical records. This practice is generally accepted because the veterinarian incurs costs associated with the duplication of records and any necessary postage for sending the documents. It is common for veterinary practices to have established fee structures that cover the expenses of printing or copying medical records.

Additionally, regulations may vary by state, but many allow veterinary practices to impose a reasonable fee for these services, as long as the charges are transparent and communicated to pet owners. This approach aligns with the understanding that while pet owners have the right to access their pet's medical records, the veterinary practice is not obligated to provide them at no cost, especially considering the resources involved.