Choosing a Veterinarian for Your Pet
It is important to have a veterinarian for your pet, but remember that your pet’s health starts with and is ultimately dependent upon the care that you provide for it.
We strongly encourage you to do some research and exercise good judgment while choosing a veterinarian or veterinarian services for your pet. As part of your research, consult with family members, friends and other pet owners who are very satisfied with the veterinarian services that their pet receives. Ask the necessary questions and take note of the reasons why they are satisfied with the services that they receive for their pet.
Amongst your research, consider the veterinarian’s location, facilities, hours of operation and emergency policies and procedures as deciding factors in finalizing the decision of choosing a veterinarian.
The chosen veterinarian’s location and distance or proximity to your home or residence should be chosen based on the convenience of transporting your pet to the facilities. Determine the means of transportation, that is, will you be traveling by public or private transportation. Does the veterinarian handle emergency situations? And if so, consider the difficulties or ease of getting to the facilities in the case of emergencies. Will the vet accept and answer your regular hours and after-hours emergency phone calls? If the vet does not accommodate emergency situations, what are your alternative options during an emergency?
Are the veterinarian’s hours of operation convenient to your schedule? For certain new pet owners, it is often required that you take your pet to the vet frequently for checkups or vaccinations during the first few initial months. Determine if you will require a vet that offers extended evening hours or weekends that can easily coincide with your schedules.
When you find a vet that you are satisfied with, based on all your research and recommendations, it is also recommended that you visit with the veterinarian facilities. Meet the veterinarian prior to finalizing your choice and go prepared with a list of questions to ask. Observe the facilities, their operations, and mode of conduct with other pets and pet owners. Are they kind, friendly, understanding and willing to help?
When you have finalized your decision in choosing the best available vet for your pet, it is important that you document all emergency numbers and locations. Be sure to also document and keep records of all veterinary visits and any vaccinations that your pet receives. Finally, be sure to maintain your pet’s health by taking it for regularly scheduled visits and checkups determined and agreed upon by you and the vet.
For your convenience we have provided printable as well as secured online forms that you may use to help you track and keep a record of your pet’s information and immunization records.
