Your pet is more than an animal who happens to live in the house. That pet is a member of the family. That means you want to make sure your beloved furry friend has the best medical care possible when and as the need arises. Use these tips to find the right vet so you can rest assured that your pet will always have access to the best care.
Ask for Recommendations
One of the best ways to begin your search is to ask people in your social network for suggestions. Talk with your neighbors and see if they have any personal experience with a local vet. Find out if coworkers have pets and who which vets they have consulted in the past. The information they provide will help you rule out local clinics that are not good fits, and point you in the direction of those that should be looked at more closely.
Put the Internet to Good Use
With some recommendations in hand, you can begin doing a little research. Visit the websites operated by local vets and see what services they offer. Remember that you are looking for cold, hard facts and not a lot of words that make you feel warm and fuzzy.
Along with checking vet websites, go to consumer sites that allow past clients to post comments and ratings about the different clinics in town. As you read through those comments, remember that no vet can please every client. What you want to be on the lookout for is any type of recurring issue that indicates your pet would not get the best of care. That issue could be anything from vet who seems indifferent to the well being of the pets to a staff that is apathetic or fails to keep pet owners informed of what is happening.
Visit the Clinic
When you find a couple of clinics that seem to be a good fit, drop by and take a tour of the facilities. The personnel in many clinics are happy to take prospective clients through and point out what they have to offer in the way of medical care, treatment rooms, and even boarding and grooming facilities. If the team at a clinic is less than willing to schedule a tour, take that as a sign to find another place to take your pet.
Accreditation Matters
While at the clinic, take the time to ask about the education of the vet team and the accreditation of the clinic. Confirming that the clinic is accredited by an organization like the American Animal Hospital Association indicates that the facility does meet the high standards necessary to earn such a status. Just as you would not think of having your appendix removed in a hospital or clinic with questionable credentials, you should never settle for pet healthcare that is less than the best.
What Does Your Pet Think?
Animals are often excellent judges of character. If your dog reacts positively to staff members, including the vet, that bodes well for a harmonious relationship. When a normally friendly dog pulls back and wants nothing to do with the vet, visiting a different clinic is a good idea. Even if you don’t sense something is amiss, your pet’s instincts are most likely right.
Remember that choosing a vet is not a matter of calling a few numbers and finding out who is accepting new patients. It does involve finding a clinic with the right combination of service, support, and expertise. Your investment of time and effort will pay off by ensuring your pet always has access to the best care.