Looking for a New Vet in Town?

by Ann Hayward 01/03/2021

Picking the right veterinarian for your pets matters. It will put you at ease every time they need a healing touch. Whether you're new in town, or your pet has a specific issue you'd like carefully tended, here's how to find a vet who will offer you a high standard of care.

Finding the Best Vet in Town: Where to Start

You can start with a simple search: "veterinarian near me." Then, take a look at each website that comes up on the first page of search results. Check out the vets' biographies. Do they belong to the American Veterinary Medical Association? What about your state's or region's veterinary medical association? These are key credentials.

Now, talk with your neighbors who take a keen interest in their pets' well-being. They will be able to give you recommendations. Don't just ask your neighbor which office they use. Ask which of the practice's vets they couldn't do without!

Confirming What You Learn: Supplementing Your Pick With an Online Search

The two strategies above, combined, will start a solid, well-informed search.

Round your strategy out by going onto the online review sites (such as Yelp or Google), and confirm the opinion you have made.

Sure, some people use review sites to vent. But many clients use the sites to praise particular vets and their pets' experiences. And the negative reviews are likely to be answered in a polite, professional way by a good veterinary office.

Your Pet's First Visit: How You'll Know You've Found the Right Expert

During your first appointment, consider all of these aspects good signs:

The place is clean. It looks busy, but not unmanageably hectic.
The office staff members are polite and understanding when answering calls.
Both the staff and the vet make you and your pet feel respected, and put you at ease.
There is a caring protocol for pets' pain management. Neutering and spaying, for example, include pain relief medicine.

You'll want to know there are at least two vets on staff, to offer adequate coverage for absences. And the office should offer at least some weekend hours.

Changing Course: When the Time Comes to Switch Vet Practices

Do not be embarrassed about switching to a new vet if you develop concerns about your current practice. You might also just wish to go with another, highly recommended vet.

But do collect all the necessary information before you switch. Ask for full records pertaining to your pet. These might be handed to you on a disk, or sent directly to your new vet.

Best wishes settling in with the perfect vet to oversee the health of your best buddies for life.

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About the Author

Ann Hayward

Born in Philadelphia and raised in the suburbs, Ann Hayward got her Pennsylvania real estate license at age 18 even before going to college. This second-generation real estate professional followed in the footsteps of her father and two uncles, inheriting their passion for the business. Licensed in DC, Maryland and Virginia, Ann is accomplished in her career, with numerous designations including SFR, SRES, PSA, WHC, and multiunit Housing Development Finance Professional (HDFP) from the National Development Council. She specializes in Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties, Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, all jurisdictions where Ann has lived and knows very well. In addition to her professional expertise, she owns and manages personal investment property, understands and has been involved in the renovation/remodeling process, and has great resources which she shares with clients. When you hire Ann to represent you, she will make your buying or selling experience an enjoyable, rewarding one. Her compassion, sensitivity to her clients’ needs, eye for detail, and ability to see the big picture when guiding you through a purchase or sale are unique assets that will ensure your success. A diverse and relevant background also gives Ann a distinct edge. For 30 years, she worked in fast-paced, high-pressure television and theatrical production, attaining the highest achievement – DGA membership as a Director, and as an award-winning staff and freelance writer. Her keen audio visual skills and design sense benefit sellers in marketing their properties, and are invaluable in helping buyers see the potential of space. A true renaissance woman, Ann was also an income tax professional and office manager for H&R Block, so she thoroughly understands the tax and financial implications of acquiring and selling real estate. Her superior organizational skills are further evidenced as owner of a downsizing/professional organizing business, Managed For You, which allows her to connect with everyone from millennials to boomers and seniors, whether for small space planning or assisting with major decluttering and transitioning. Ann holds an AB in American History from Simmons College, Boston, plus attended Robert Wagner Graduate School of Public Administration where she was a candidate for Doctorate. She additionally studied Film Direction at the American Film Institute in LA, and was a Stanford University post-graduate Professional Journalism Fellow. Personally, Ann is an avid if not very good golfer, and the co-founder of a nonprofit 501c3 organization offering educational guidance, tutoring and counseling for youngsters from elementary school through college admission. She sits on the board of trustees of a nonprofit educational film production corporation as well. (202) 494-6252 [email protected]