Moving to a new city means you’ve got to make a lot of new connections. From finding a new school for your kids to a new doctor for your family, you’ll have your hands full with decisions. Despite that, don’t forget to make time for the furry members of your family – that is, your pets.
It’s important to find a new vet as soon as you move to a new town. Doing so means you won’t be at a loss for where to go should any of your pets get suddenly sick or hurt. Read on for tips on how to find the perfect veterinarian for your needs.
Animal lovers, take note
If you’re an animal lover, you surely consider your pets to be members of your family. Given that, it’s important to choose a new veterinarian with the same care and thoroughness you put into the search for a new family doctor.
It’s best to begin your search before your move takes place. That way, you’ll have a veterinarian in place from the day you arrive at your new home. Besides, you’re likely to be busy with the countless necessary tasks that come with getting settled into a new house and won’t easily find time to choose a new veterinarian.
Conduct a thorough interview
Choosing a new veterinarian is best handled by conducting over-the-phone interviews (unless of course you can talk to the potential vet in person). Try to get the veterinarian on the phone herself. If that’s not possible you can at least get a good impression of a vet clinic by talking to a receptionist or veterinary technician.
Here’s a list of questions to ask when choosing a new veterinarian:
- What types of animals are treated in your clinic?
- How many veterinarians are on your staff?
- How long has each veterinarian been in practice?
- How many technicians are part of your staff?
- How long have your technicians worked at the clinic?
- Are emergency services available?
- If you don’t provide emergency services, what animal hospital are you affiliated with?
- What types of specialists do you employ?
- What do you charge for your services?
- When are you open?
- Do you offer tours of your clinic?
Assess your first impressions
Beyond your list of questions, it’s a good idea to go with your gut feeling. In other words, first impressions count when you’re choosing a new veterinarian.
Consider things like the warmth and friendliness of the staff when you called or visited. If you indeed were able to visit, look around for signs of cleanliness and professionalism. If possible, try to talk with other clients and ask them whether they’ve been satisfied with the veterinary services of that clinic.
Learn to do the most important procedures yourself
If your animals have unique needs, it’s a good idea to learn how to conduct certain procedures yourself. That way, if choosing a new veterinarian takes more time than you planned, your animal won’t be without the care he or she needs.
Common procedures for high-need animals include giving injections, drawing blood, cleaning anal glands, and giving sub-Q fluids. Ask your current veterinarian if he or she is willing to give you a lesson in any of these procedures. If possible, perform the procedure in front of your vet for additional guidance and instruction.
Moving takes a toll on everybody
Remember, moving to a new home can be stressful for everybody – animals included. Take precautions for care for all members of your family, not just the human ones. You’ll be glad you did when your move to a new home comes without the stress, illness, or accidents many other people see their pets go through.
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