Owning a pet is a privilege with plenty of benefits but also responsibilities, and each pet has specific needs including physical, emotional, and financial care. The American Veterinary Medical Association regularly conducts surveys of pet-owning households in the US, and the statistics show that in Florida, 56% of households are pet owners. This state provides plenty of good veterinarians and the vet bills are a little lower than average in the US. 

If you’re a new pet owner and need a good vet, we’ll give you some pointers on how to look for one in Miami.

Photo by Christopher Ayme from Unsplash

Research

Everything starts with good research. If you want to find a vet in Miami that best suits your pet’s needs, as well as yours in terms of pet insurance payments and budget, you must conduct thorough research to see all available options. The Internet is a place where you can find just about anything related to animals and how to take care of them.

The same goes when looking for a vet that is a good fit, close to where you live, and most importantly, doesn’t cost a fortune. Make sure you look for one that offers a great insurance plan since this is crucial for taking good care of them. Consider ones that have top-rated veterinarians, special services, and emergency care.

Ask for recommendations

Ask a friend who already owns a dog or a kitty to recommend a good veterinarian. Vet clinics with good reviews and plenty of recommendations are among the top choices for new pet owners. A friend can also point out where not to go, what things you should consider, and what questions you need to ask when searching for a Vet Clinic.

Remember that people who own a pet are generally good sources of information. Make sure you ask them why they chose their vet, and if your expectations are similar to theirs, you might want to schedule a Visit to evaluate it for yourself.

Breed clubs and special interest groups

If you’re a new purebred dog or a cat owner, visiting breed clubs or rescues can be a great source of information. They have certainly established a strong relationship with a practice that is familiar with the potential health-related issues for a particular breed. Note that all breeds have different health concerns and this is very important when choosing a vet.

Special interest groups in Miami can be a good source of information about vets with experience with your pet’s species. Most of them have a website with information about pets in general which can also be beneficial for a new pet owner like yourself. Make friends and ask questions to get a clearer image of their expectations, and whether they match yours.

What to do once you find a suitable vet?

Once you’ve decided on a few vets for your furry companion, it’s time to visit them and see things for yourself.

Schedule a tour

If you’ve found a couple of potential vets in your area, it’s time to plan a Facility visit without your pet. Any reputable vet practice will be happy to show you around and answer all your questions. Some things that are important to pay attention to when visiting include:

• Closeness to your home, and whether parking is easy;
• Cleanliness of the facility;
• Whether people and animals in the waiting area seem comfortable
• Whether the staff is calm, attentive, and caring.

Prepare questions

When you visit a vet clinic for the first time, in addition to exploring the facility, you must have a couple of important questions prepared to give a full picture of their practice. Some of the questions can be:

• Which emergency services are available, and what facility will you be referred to if they’re not available?
• How are overnight patients monitored, and are diagnostic tests done in the facility or referred offsite?
• What types of payment do they accept?
• Do they support any local animal welfare organizations?

Photo by Alessandro Simonetto from Pexels

Final thoughts

Although finding an appropriate vet can be troublesome and time-consuming, make sure you do good research since your furry companion deserves only the best care. Once you visit the facility with your pet, make sure you ask important questions about their health and what to expect in the future. Finding a good vet clinic can be easy if you know how to look for one, and don’t forget to ask a friend for recommendations.