1. Get some opinions. Ask around to see where people take their pets, why they take them there, and if they are happy with the veterinarian.
a. Ask friends, family, and co-workers, but be sure to ask them why they see this particular veterinarian. Pet owners often take their pets to a certain clinic just because they always have and always will, or because the veterinarian is a long-time family friend. This doesn't make it the best choice for you.
b. Ask groomers, petsitters, kennels, and other pet service facilities.
c. Ask breeders
d. Ask people at a breed club
e. Ask your local humane society or other animal-welfare groups
f. Ask private pet rescue organizations
2. Educate yourself on the veterinarian's background a. Education
b. Board certification
c. Record with the state's medical board (Have any complaints have been filed?)
d. Record with the local humane society
e. Membership with any professional veterinary associations
f. If the veterinarian is a specialist (behavioral, surgical, ophthalmology, etc.), check to see how he or she qualifies to be a specialist. Be sure that he or she has experience, education, and certification in their specialty.
3. Office Hours, Appointments, and Emergencies
a. What are the regular office hours? Are they compatible with your schedule?
b. Are appointments required?
c. Can you request an appointment with a specific veterinarian? Seeing the same veterinarian will allow him or her to become more familiar with your pet and better able to evaluate whether your pet is ill because he or she has seen your pet before.
d. How many veterinarians are in the practice?
e. Are there technicians and other professional staff members?
f. Who covers the practice when the doctor is unavailable?
g. Is the doctor available to occasionally answer questions over the phone?
h. Will the veterinarian take calls or answer phone messages if a crisis befalls your pet during the evening or weekend?
i. How are emergency calls handled during regular office hours?
j. How are emergency calls handled after office hours?
- Does this clinic provide emergency after-hours assistance, or is there a nearby emergency clinic you will be referred to?
- If your veterinarian refers patients for emergency care, get the address and phone number of the facility and be sure to drive by the emergency facility so you'll know where it is.
- Is the emergency clinic staffed while your pet is there?
- Will there be any time period when your pet will be unattended to?
4. Fees, insurance, and payment methods
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