Much like the way we care for ourselves and our friends and family, our pets are on the same pedestal when it comes to ensuring they’re as healthy as can be. And if you’re conscientious about what clinic and which doctor to select for your fam’s checkups, we’re pretty sure that you feel the same when it comes to scouting for a vet.
There are so many of them mushrooming here and there that it can get a little confusing. But with Shuler Veterinary Clinic & Animal Hospital’s guide on how to find the right vet, you can read through this list and be ready to go vet clinic-hunting.
Steps In Finding A Suitable Vet
1. Website Comparison
If you’re still unsure about which local veterinary clinics in your area are worth going for, the easiest way to make a tentative shortlist is through website comparison. More often than not, facilities that have quality services will also make sure that their websites are updated, easy to navigate through, and are customer-centric.
But beyond this, the main purpose for website-sifting is for you to have a brief overview of the kind of services they offer, pet health care plans, fees (should these be published online), staff on-hand, and the like.
2. Meet The Vets And Let Your Pet Meet Them, Too
The second step is to visit the clinics in person. There’s really no way around this. It may be a bit of a hassle for you busy bees out there), but nothing is too difficult to accomplish with regards to your pawed loveys, right? Because we feel the same way about our own pets’ well-being.
Dropping by veterinary clinics will give you a bit of an insight into how the practice operates. What are the staff like? Are they all licensed? How about the veterinarian physician? Also, is the facility sanitized? Are their machines of the latest make and are up-to-date? What about security?
In parallel to this, having the veterinary practitioners meet your pet will not only help them get acquainted with it, but it will provide you with a window to see how they handle their patients, and if they’re a good match for it.
And yes, it’s a must that you and your pet meet each vet of each clinic you have on your shortlist.
3. Clinic Operations
Inquire about the specifics of how the clinic runs. What are their hours? How do they treat in-house patients? What is their standard protocol for drop-in check-ups? Do they provide overnight pet care services? How do they bill their customers (more importantly, how much do they charge for each specific service)? What kinds of medication and/ or services do they provide for pain treatment, anaesthesia, or surgery?
Ask relevant questions about the practice itself and contrast these pieces of information against the other clinics you’re eyeing.
4. Accreditation
AAHA, or the American Animal Hospital Association, upholds Standards of Accreditation that are recognized in the United States and in Canada. Their qualifications include the evaluation of the entirety of a veterinary practice, from standard protocols in treatments offered, patient care, record-keeping, staff training and licensing, etc.
It’s a must that the vet you decide on has passed said accreditation for you to breathe easy and know that your pet will be in good hands, indeed.
