Animal Care - Choosing a Veterinarian


An Important Decision
Choosing a Veterinarian can be one of the most important things done for the Companion Animals in our families. There are many things to take into consideration. And there are many facts about Veterinarians that need to be gathered. Hopefully, you will be developing a long term relationship with the Doctor. It is important to work with someone you trust and who knows your Family Member.

The first issue is when to begin this process.
Before bringing a new family member in to your home, insuring that a Vet is available for specific species is important.

Even if you are choosing a Cat or Dog, having a Veterinarian chosen before you actually need her/him can be a way to beat the potential stress inherent in an emergency situation. Getting proper vaccinations and spay/neuter surgery performed are the first steps to insuring the health of your new Companion. So having a Vet chosen is essential.

When moving, the stress your Companion experiences could bring on hidden illness. Climate changes or different vaccination requirements for the area are also issues connected to moving that a Veterinarian can assist one with.
So where does one begin?
The first step is to check with various resources for Animals and their caretakers in the area. Private Rescue Organizations will often have worked with many Vets and sorted out the most reasonably priced and trustworthy Veterinarians. Unfortunately, Private Rescue Orgs may not have listings in the phone book. To find them, first check local papers classified section for adoption ads or do an internet search on Animals - Humane Societies - Rescue. If that doesn't work, Local Animal Services Agencies may also have referrals to local Private Rescue Orgs. Unfortunately Animal Services may also have a lot of first hand knowledge about local Veterinarians which they can not give out to the public because they are a publicly funded agency. Finally if your search hasn't produced a Rescue Organization, call Veterinarian Offices and ask them for a referral to one.

Once you've found an organization, keep in mind they are very busy people. It may be difficult to connect with them. A real act of kindness would be to send them a donation in return for the time they've generously given.

The Phone Book remains one of the best resources for information about the resources of communities. One can obtain a lot of important information such as hours and location from the yellow pages.

The internet is also a new and valuable tool. Animal Newsgroups, Chat Rooms, and Web Sites provide important information about Animal Resources throughout the nation.

Next you'll have to weigh various factors before making your decision.
The facts that local Orgs work with specific Veterinarians, people on the internet have referred them, or fancy phone book ads are published does not insure a positive working relationship with those Vets for everyone.
  • Check the office hours against your schedule. Do you need a Vet who is available on Saturdays or has late office hours at least once a week?
  • Does the staff seem knowledgeable and helpful? Does talking with them produce a level of comfort that insures the opportunity to work with them for the life time of your Companion?
  • Can you request a specific Veterinarian in multi Doctor practices?
  • Forms of payment can be an important consideration. Do you want a Vet who accepts credit cards?
  • Determine what services the practice offers. Do they provide emergency services after normal hours? You may find you need more than one Vet. Perhaps they have low cost vaccination clinics that you can take advantage of.
  • If you are caring for Animals other than Cats or Dogs, do not take phone book advertisements as evidence of expertise. Check to see what Veterinarian Associations they are affiliated with. How many Animals within the species you are caring for do they actually see. Check to see if they are continuing their education through conferences.
Finally, visit the offices to make sure that they live up to all that's been promised.
Most practices will let you see the boarding facilities. You will also have an opportunity to meet the staff. One added benefit to this activity will be that you will know exactly where the office is and where you will be parking. This will be helpful when you come in with "Spot" for her first appointment.


Thanks For Caring About Your Fur Kids!


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