Selecting a New Vet

Congratulations on your newest family member! To keep your new pet feeling happy and healthy every day, it’s important to find a veterinarian that fits your needs. 

But where should you start your search? What are your best resources, and what should you look for in a vet? Here are a few tips to get you started!

Seek recommendations

• Ask a friend. If you know a fellow dog-owner who is happy with their vet, there’s a good chance you’ll be comfortable with them as well. Or, ask a neighbor you see out walking with their dog. Animal lovers are always eager to share good resources with each other, strangers or not.
• Breed clubs or other interest groups. If your dog is a purebred, they may have specific health factors which would be best monitored by a veterinarian well versed in that breed. You can find reputable clubs online dedicated to just about any breed out there, so a quick online search should get you started. 

Follow up with research

• Check the basics of each veterinarian first, like location, office hours, and forms of payment. You’ll want to make sure you can get to your vet easily when you need them, whether for a routine appointment or if your pup has an issue that needs attention. If your schedule makes it tricky to get to vet appointments during regular business hours, ask if they have other time slots available during the week, and how many staff members are on site at that time. 
• See if the practice communicates via email, or if they book appointments online, if that’s important to you. Many veterinary practices use online portals which can make it easy to schedule a visit, check your dog’s records, or sign up for vaccination reminders. 
• Look through their website to see how many veterinarians they have on staff, their backgrounds, and their specialties. You should also be able to confirm that the vets are members of a professional veterinary association such as the American Veterinary Medical Association, as well as their state veterinary association.
• Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, make a visit to the office and get a feel for it. Is the receptionist friendly and helpful? Does the office seem clean and well kept? If you’d like to see an exam room, feel free to make that request if they’re not super busy that day.

Finally, follow your gut. If you’ve gathered good input, taken the time to research the practice, and genuinely feel like you’ve found a good fit for both you and your dog, you can rest easy knowing your new pup’s health is in good hands.