7/5/11

When moving abroad with pets you should find a new veterinarian



When moving abroad with pets, one of the most important things you should do is find a new veterinarian. A good first step is to ask local people you already know, or your new neighbors, for a recommendation .
One of the first things to check out is if a clinic has any special certifications, proving that they adhere to certain standards. Also, be sure that they offer the services you need, be it boarding, grooming or surgical services. Another important issue is location, as you should ideally choose a clinic close to your house, in case help is needed on short notice. In addition, a good idea is to check whether your vet provides emergency services.
Once you choose a clinic, and before visiting, you may want to make a phone call, to make further enquiries. Here are several useful questions that you can ask:
  1. What types of animals do you treat?
2.    How many vets do you have on staff?
3.    Do you provide emergency services?
4.    How many technicians do you have on staff and how long have they worked there?
5.    How much do your services cost?
6.    How long have you been in practice?
7.    How long have the vets been practicing?
8.    Do you have specialists on staff? If not, do you work with other practices?
9.    What services do you offer?
10. What are your working hours? Do you work on weekends?
11. Will you provide a tour of your facilities?
Once you decide to visit the clinic, pay attention to the atmosphere. The reception itself should reflect professionalism and good organization. A good sign is if the clinic is very busy and if staff is attentive to its clients. Look around for any thank you cards, brochures, information bulletins or newspaper clippings. Also, if there are any clients waiting, talk to them and check if they were satisfied with the service.
Consider these points whilst looking around:
- Is the place hectic?
- How does the staff seem to treat the clients and their pets?
- How do you react to this place?
- Is the place clean?
- How would your pet react to this place?
- Are people friendly and knowledgeable?
It may take visits to a number of vets before you find one you are comfortable with, but do take the time - you want to know your pet will have the best care possible.

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