Choosing a vet is one of the most important decisions a pet owner makes. There are a number of things to keep in mind when choosing a veterinary care center and finding the best vet (or vets) for your pet.

Every pet needs a good general care vet and some require one or more specialty veterinarians. Examples of veterinary specialties include: care of exotic animals or a particular species, holistic care, osteopathic care, ophthalmology, anesthesiology, toxicology, oncology, behaviorism, nutrition, sports medicine, emergency medicine, dermatology, dentistry, and so on.

There may be a few dozen to a few hundred veterinary care practices and hospitals in your area. Talk to coworkers, friends and family pet owners, as well as trusted pet professionals (your favorite groomer, trainer, boarding kennel operator, pet sitter, doggy daycare provider, and pet boutique owner) and ask for recommendations. What veterinarians do they use and why?

Put Your Vet to the Test

When choosing a vet you are hiring a professional. Put them to the test! I suggest using the following questionnaire as a framework from which you can start evaluating potential vets or your satisfaction with your current veterinarian. This framework contains a guideline of sample questions to ask yourself and your vet about how well the vet in question meets your criteria; and will be an even more effective evaluation tool when supplemented with your own questions and concerns.

Cost

How do the prices compare with other vets in town?

• Specialty vets may cost considerably more than general care vets
• Call local veterinary offices and request office visit prices. Survey as many as possible and use their responses to determine a baseline rate for your area.

Does the veterinary care clinic accept your pet health insurance provider?

Do they offer discounts for multiple pets from the same household?

Ethics

Business ethics: Check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure there are no complaints on file.

Professional Associations: Is your vet a member of any professional organizations? (Ex. American Veterinary Medical Association - AVMA, American Animal Hospital Association - AAHA)

Services

Do they offer grooming?

Do they offer boarding?

Do they offer appointments on weekends? Evenings?

Do they offer emergency services on nights, weekends, and holidays? If no, to whom do they refer clients for emergency care?

Facility/Convenience

What is the average wait time for an appointment?

How close is the location from your home?

Is it easy to find a parking space?

Is the facility clean and well-lit?

Your Pet's Needs

How much experience does your vet have with your pet's unique special needs? How many cases per year does he or she treat?

If your veterinarian does not have experience addressing your pet's particular needs, will he or she refer you to a specialist and work with that specialist on a customized wellness plan?

Specialty Association...

Most people like to choose a vet or pet clinic that is close to their home. Not only does this make it more convenient, but it is also important to have a vet or animal hospital nearby should your pet experience a medical emergency. Most cats don't like to be confined for a car ride, so a shorter trip to the vet is less stressful for your feline friends.

If you are choosing a vet for the first time, word of mouth is probably the best way to get started. Ask your pet-owning friends, relatives and neighbors if they can recommend a local vet that they've used. If you don't know anyone in the area, a groomer, dog trainer or animal shelter professional should be able to give you some tips. If you contact a veterinary school, they will be able to provide you with a list of vets in your area.

Veterinary care should be a routine part of your dog or cat's life. It's always best to see a vet for a routine examination or vaccines first, so if you have to come in for a serious pet illness or emergency, you'll know that you have a medical professional with whom you feel comfortable. Finding a vet who relates well to the human owner is just as important as finding one who works well with your pet. During a medical event, the pet owner is often just as nervous and upset (if not more) than the dog or cat.

If you can't afford a veterinary clinic, there are sometimes more economical options through a local pet shelter or animal rescue group. With costs for pet medical care increasing, there are many different types of pet insurance available now too.

Web searches can be helpful to help determine the best veterinary option for your pets. Dogster.com and Catster.com have local recommendations that you can search through to find someone suitable in your area.

Veterinary medicine is a highly-specialized field. Veterinarians have to complete the same number of years in medical school as human physicians and the competition to get into a top veterinary college is extremely intense in North America. Top vet schools in the U.S. include the University of California at Davis and Cornell. Some veterinarians are board certified in particular areas of medicine, such as cardiology or ophthalmology. They have studied an additional two to four years to get this specialized degree.

Veterinary offices may be small, single-doctor operations or very large animal clinics. Services will vary according to size. Many of the larger operations offer boarding facilities as well as pet grooming in addition to medical care.

What are some details I should look for when choosing a vet?

• Is the facility clean and comfortable?
• Are the technicians and front office and other clinic employees friendly and professional?
• How many veterinarians are available at the clinic? Are you able to choose one as your permanent vet so that you can see the same individual each time you come in?
• You should be able to see the degrees and credentials of your veterinarian posted on the w...

One of our responsibilities as pet owners is making sure our pets are kept healthy. Keeping up with vaccinations and vet check-ups are crucial to your pet's well-being. Below is a checklist of what you might want to keep in mind when choosing and visiting your vet.

• First, find the right veterinarian, based on referrals from friends and family or online research.
• Call the vet's office to make an appointment and to find out what the fees are for various procedures so you're not shocked when the bill comes.
• Write down all your concerns so you're ready when the vet asks if you have questions.
• Bring a fecal sample with you so the vet can examine it for worms.
• Arrive on time for your appointment, because many vets' offices are quite busy. If you have a small dog, have him in his carrier. If you have a large dog, make sure he is leashed.
• If you have health and vaccination records, bring them with you and have the receptionist start your dog's health file with them.
• During the appointment, let the vet handle your pet on her own - any physical interference by you can be a distraction. Take this time to ask your questions.
• When you're satisfied with your visit and feel confident you can complete any actions the vet wants you to take, it's time to wrap it up.
• Pay your bill and be sure to ask the vet when she thinks your pet's next appointment should be. If you have a puppy, it may be as soon as a few weeks, but older dogs may not need more than an annual che...