Choosing the right veterinary practice for you and your pets is a very important decision to make. Many factors must be taken into account to make the best choice. We are often asked “Which are the best vets near me?” » There is no best practice, only the best practice for you and your pet. Different practices meet different needs.
Veterinarians
Veterinarians must be registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) to work and practice in the UK. Qualified veterinarians must use the initials MRCVS or FRCVS after their name. You can check if your veterinarian is registered on the RCVS website: www.findavet.rcvs.org.uk.
You can also check if the practice is part of the practice standards system. This is a voluntary initiative to accredit veterinary practices. The aim is to maintain high levels of care through regular inspections and spot checks.
Recommendations
Personal recommendations and word of mouth can be very helpful. They allow you to know the opinions of other pet owners and the experiences of veterinarians in your area. Consider all your options. However, be open-minded about whether their pet’s needs are similar to those you seek from a veterinarian.
Location
Location is a very important factor to consider. When your pet needs to see a veterinarian quickly in an emergency, can you go directly to the vet, quickly and safely? If you don’t drive, it’s a good idea to find out how to get to the vet and whether local taxi companies are happy to transport pets. If you are driving, it is useful to know if the practice has its own parking lot or a parking lot nearby.
Hours of operation
Do the office opening hours and appointment times suit your needs? Some practices may open later in the evening or offer weekend appointments. Some firms may have more than one branch that you may need to visit.
It is also advisable to find out about the practice’s after-hours arrangements and whether they would meet your needs in an emergency. Do they provide their own 24-hour coverage in their building or do they have an outside provider to facilitate this?
Specialized care
Does your animal require specialized or unusual treatment? Some veterinarians may be more specialized or experienced in certain areas or species.
Price
Prices may vary from practice to practice depending on a variety of factors including location and facilities offered.
Some practices may offer health plans where you can pay a monthly direct debit which may include discounts and preventative health treatments such as vaccinations and pest control.
It may be helpful to know if practices are able to provide estimates of treatment and procedures needed.
Veterinary practices should be happy to deal with pet insurance companies and some may be able to claim directly based on their individual policies.
Visit the practice.
It may be a good idea to visit the practice yourself to see what your first impression is. You may be able to have a chat with the front desk staff and see if they are friendly and knowledgeable about the practice.
Some clinics may offer separate waiting areas for cats and dogs if you have a nervous pet.
Remember that although we are not here to replace your veterinary practice, we can offer you online veterinary help and advice. Sometimes being able to consult a veterinarian online can save you unnecessary trips out of business hours to get to your practice.. Our veterinary team is available 24/7 to help you when you need it most.