Most people start looking for a new vet when something changes: a new puppy or kitten, a move to a new suburb, a chronic condition that needs closer monitoring, or one frightening night when you realise you don’t know where the nearest emergency clinic is.
The choice matters. The right clinic catches problems early, explains options plainly, and is ready when plans go sideways; the wrong fit can mean delays, confusion, and avoidable stress—especially when your pet is unwell.
Why a good veterinarian matters
A veterinarian is your pet’s regular health check, early-warning system, and medical translator. Good care isn’t only about treating illness; it’s about noticing small changes, preventing predictable problems, and helping you make decisions you can live with.
Regular checks and preventative care
Routine examinations are where many issues are first spotted—weight drift, dental disease, skin problems, heart murmurs, lumps that weren’t there last season. Even when vaccinations aren’t due, an annual check is a sensible minimum for most pets, and some will benefit from more frequent reviews as they age or if they have ongoing conditions.1
Quality of life, not just lifespan
Skilled veterinary care supports comfort and function: managing itch and pain, keeping ears healthy, tailoring parasite control, and adjusting diet to suit life stage and medical needs. It also means practical guidance on behaviour and training—especially when a medical issue may be contributing.
Work out what your pet actually needs
Clinics can look similar on the outside, but they don’t all suit the same situations. Before you compare vets, take a moment to name what your pet is likely to need over the next 12–24 months.
- Life stage: puppies and kittens need vaccination plans and desexing discussions; seniors often need closer monitoring and baseline blood work.
- Species and breed factors: some breeds are prone to skin disease, airway issues, spinal problems, or heart conditions.
- Existing health conditions: diabetes, arthritis, kidney disease, allergies, epilepsy—these often work best with continuity and clear follow-up.
- Behaviour and handling: nervous pets benefit from clinics that use calm handling and allow longer consults when needed.
Future-proofing: think about emergencies now
Even if your pet is healthy, it’s worth knowing what happens after hours. Ask the clinic where emergencies are referred, what information they pass on, and how follow-up care works the next day.
Find reputable options (without getting lost in reviews)
Online reviews can be a useful texture, but they’re a poor measure of clinical quality on their own. Instead, use reviews to spot patterns: long waits, rushed consultations, unclear pricing, or consistent praise for communication and follow-up.
Start with official directories and registration
In Australia, veterinarians are registered by state and territory boards. If you want to confirm that a vet is currently registered (or find the right board for your state), start with the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC) list of member registration boards.2
For general guidance and professional context, the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) is the national professional body for vets and provides information for pet owners.3
A practical shortlist you can make in 15 minutes
- List 3–5 clinics within a distance you can manage when you’re tired, rushed, or it’s raining sideways.
- Check services: consults, surgery, dentistry, diagnostics (in-house bloods, imaging), and referral pathways.
- Confirm after-hours arrangements: in-house, shared roster, or a dedicated emergency hospital.
- Call and ask two questions: “How do you handle urgent same-day problems?” and “Can you give a rough fee range for a standard consult and vaccination?”
Visit the clinic: what to look for
A quick visit tells you things a website can’t: how the waiting room feels, how staff move, how animals are handled, and whether communication is calm or hurried.
Clinic environment
- Cleanliness and organisation: tidy benches, sensible separation of dogs and cats where possible, and clear signage.
- Low-stress flow: staff who minimise crowding, keep noise down, and help anxious animals move through quickly.
- Transparency: clear discussion of what’s needed now versus what can wait, and written estimates for bigger procedures.
Staff interactions
Notice how questions are received. A good clinic doesn’t punish curiosity. They explain, check you’ve understood, and welcome a follow-up call when something changes overnight.
Communication: the quiet marker of a good vet
Clinical skill matters, but communication is what makes that skill usable. You should come away knowing what the vet thinks is most likely, what they’re worried about, what you’re watching for at home, and what happens next if things don’t improve.
- Plain language: medical terms explained without talking down to you.
- Options and trade-offs: what a test might show, what it costs, and what changes depending on the result.
- Clear home care: when to return, what counts as urgent, and how to give medications safely.
Policies that matter (especially in an emergency)
Ask about the clinic’s routines before you need them:
- Appointments: do they keep space for same-day urgent cases?
- After-hours: where do you go, and do they send your pet’s notes to the emergency team?
- Payments and estimates: are written estimates provided for procedures, and how do they handle deposits?
Poisonings: know the number before you need it
If you suspect poisoning, time matters. In Australia, the Animal Poisons Helpline provides 24/7 advice for pet owners, including what information to gather and when urgent veterinary treatment is needed.4
Costs: plan for the ordinary and the unexpected
Veterinary fees vary by location, clinic equipment, and the complexity of your pet’s needs. Instead of chasing the cheapest consult, look for steady value: clear explanations, sensible testing, and a clinic that talks about costs before they mount.
Ways to soften surprise bills
- Build a pet emergency fund (even a small buffer helps).
- Consider pet insurance if it suits your situation and budget. Read the Product Disclosure Statement carefully, paying attention to waiting periods, benefit limits, exclusions, and excess payments.5
Making the final choice
When you’re down to two clinics, choose the one that feels steady: the clinic that can explain their reasoning, offers a clear plan, and treats your questions as part of good care. Continuity matters, too—being known by a clinic often improves follow-up and decision-making over time.
Quick red flags
- Refusal to discuss likely costs or provide estimates for non-urgent procedures.
- Routinely rushing through consultations without checking understanding.
- Poor guidance on what to do if your pet deteriorates after hours.
A note on unusual disease events
For most pet owners, the right first step when something looks “not right” is still your local vet. In Australia, some animal diseases are legally notifiable and must be reported to authorities; national guidance is to report suspected notifiable disease to your vet or to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline (1800 675 888).6
References
- RSPCA Pet Insurance (Australia) – Vaccinations for your pet (includes guidance on annual check-ups and vaccination schedules)
- Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC) – Member registration boards
- Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) – Official website
- Animal Poisons Helpline – Contact details (24/7, Australia: 1300 869 738)
- ASIC MoneySmart – Pet insurance
- Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry – National list of notifiable animal diseases
- Outbreak.gov.au (Australian Government) – Report a concern (Emergency Animal Disease Hotline)
- RSPCA Australia – Microchipping
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom