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Owning a pet

How to Choose a Vet Practice

What to look for in a vet practice, from out-of-hours care to cat-friendly and exotic expertise.

By Dr Hana LindqvistVeterinary review: Dr Elena Marsh5 min readPublished 2026-09-29Updated 2026-09-29
Illustration of an open notebook and checklist with a curious dog looking on

Register before you need one

Sign up when you get a pet, not during an emergency.

Questions to ask

  • Who covers nights and weekends?
  • Do you see my species? (important for rabbits, birds and reptiles)
  • What do vaccinations and check-ups cost?
  • Is there a health plan to spread costs?
  • Are you accredited as cat friendly?

Visit first

A tour shows you how clean the practice is and how staff handle animals.

Price transparency

Ask for written estimates for planned treatment. You can get prescriptions to buy medicines elsewhere; practices may charge a fee for writing one.

References

  1. Choosing a vet — RCVS Find a Vet
  2. Cat Friendly Clinic — International Cat Care