For most people, choosing the right vet for their pets is much harder than
choosing the right physician for themselves. When choosing a vet, you're
not just looking for someone with exceptional medical skills, but also for
someone with excellent people skills who understands you and your pet. And
since most veterinarians work with a team of professional support staff,
you'll want to evaluate them, too, as you look for the best fit for you and
your furry family members.

The worst time to find a vet is when your pet has a medical emergency, so
plan ahead and do your research before you need one. The following
suggestions can help you in your search.

Yellow Pages/Internet Search

While this is a good start, I think this should only be a first step.
Proximity to your home will certainly be a factor in your decision, but it
shouldn't be the only one. A good vet is well worth driving a few extra
miles. If you're using the internet to look for a vet, use common sense if
you're visiting review sites such as Yelp. The opinions posted there are
only that - opinions. Do your own research and make up your own mind after
visiting potential vets.

Word of Mouth/Referral From Friends

With most service businesses, word of mouth is usually the best way to
find a provider. But a word of caution: make sure that the person referring
you shares your philosophy when it comes to how to care for a pet. Not all
pet owners consider pets members of the family, and even among the ones who
do, there are varying degrees. Don't necessarily trust a referral from
someone you just met. When I got Feebee, who was my first cat, I was not
only clueless when it came to how to select a vet, I was also new to the
area, so I did what most people would do - I asked a neighbor who had a dog
and a cat and didn't pursue any other recommendations, nor did I research
the clinic myself. I later found out that the vet I took Feebee to had a
reputation for cutting corners during anesthetic procedures, especially in
the area of pain control. Sadly, I didn't find this out until after Feebee
had already been neutered and had had a dental cleaning.

Membership in the American Animal Hospital Association

Member hospitals voluntarily pursue and meet AAHA's standards in areas of
quality medical care, facility and equipment.

For Cats - Look for a Feline Vet

If at all possible, look for a vet specializing in cats. Cats are not
small dogs, and feline vets can address your cat's special needs better.
Your cat's vet visit may also be less stressful in a feline-only hospital.
(Read Is Your Vet Cat-Friendly for more on this topic). For a listing of
feline veterinarians, use the Find a Feline Practitioner search on the
American Association of Feline Practioners' website.

Facility

Does the hospital have separate cat and dog waiting areas? Is the hospital
clean and odor-free? Is the staff dressed in clean uniforms and lab coats?
Don't rule out an older looking hospital - a fancy new facility doesn't
always guarantee that your pet will also get top-of-the line medical care.

Make an Appointment Without Your Pet

I think this is the best way to evaluate a veterinary practice. Make an
appointment and ask for a tour of the facility. By going to see potential
vets without your pet, you will be more relaxed and it will give you a
chance to evaluate not only facility, but also the practice philosophy of
the clinic. If you want to speak to a veterinarian during this trial visit,
offer to pay for an office visit. Most vets will not charge you for an
introductory visit, but it sets the right tone for a future relationship of
mutual respect. Come prepared with a list of questions that are important
to you. For example, if you're holistically oriented, make sure that your
vet is, too, or at the very least, is open to holistic modalities even if
he or she doesn't practice them.