Getting a new pet can be exciting — and challenging. In addition to planning your day around walks or keeping abreast of litter-box changes, you’ll need to find a good veterinarian who can help you keep your pet healthy. But if you’ve moved to a new city, you might not know how to find a veterinarian. Here are some suggestions to help you find the best doctor for your pet.
What kind of pet do you have?
What you need in a veterinarian may depend on the type of pet you have. If your new pet is a dog or cat, especially a mixed breed, almost all veterinarians will have experience with treatment. But a particular breed of dog or cat, or a less common pet, may necessitate seeking out a vet with experience with that breed or animal. If you bought your pet from a breeder you trust, you can ask that breeder for recommendations. If you’re moving to a new place, Google to see if there’s a community of pet owners in your area. Odds are that if you have a particularly exotic pet, the community is relatively small, and a majority of the group goes to only one or two veterinarians in the area. Bird owners can get information from the Association of Avian Veterinarians .
Get recommendations
If you have a dog or cat, you have more options, so you may have more trouble figuring out which veterinarian would be best. You can ask for recommendations from fellow pet owners in your apartment community, or go on a website that specializes in recommendations and reviews, such as Angie’s List . Another resource is your state veterinary medical association. The American Veterinary Medical Association has links to all 50 state associations. Through the state association, you can check to see if a particular veterinarian is licensed.
Emergency care
You’ll need not only a veterinarian (your pet’s equivalent of your “general practitioner”) but information about where to take your pet in case of a medical emergency. HealthyPet.com, run by the American Animal Hospital Association, offers a directory of accredited veterinary hospitals in the United States and Canada. The American College of Veterinary Surgeons also has a search tool for pet owners. You may find a veterinarian who practices at a 24-hour clinic, or one affiliated with a local hospital. When you’re checking out a veterinarian, find out not only the office’s hours and practices, but its general referral customs.
Veterinary schools
One resource you might overlook is local veterinary schools. If you live near a university with a large veterinary program, you may be able to get your pet treated at the university hospital; if not, you may be able to get information about alumni practicing in your area. US News and World Report last ranked the best veterinary education programs in 2007. But even a smaller veterinary program will have resources to help you locate a recommended veterinarian. Veterinary schools will also be good resources for pets who need specialized treatment, such as vision or hearing problems.
Checking out the vet
Once you find a veterinarian, act as if you’re choosing a doctor for yourself. Visit the office and see how the staff acts towards you and your pet. “Bedside manner” is as important with vets as it is with doctors; if you feel that your questions, or your pet’s distress, are being ignored, then trust your instincts and keep looking. Convenient location will be a factor with an emergency hospital, but don’t make it a primary concern with a veterinarian: for the majority of your pet’s life, if your pet is healthy, you’ll only be making the trip twice a year
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