Welcoming a new pet into your family’s life involves more than just bringing them home; your first duties will be getting pet insurance (much-needed if you want to cover any accidents or expensive vets bills) and registering with a local veterinary practitioner. If you’re lucky enough to live in a built-up area, you may even have a choice of practices to choose from. This puts you in the fortunate position of being able to take your pick from a number of practitioners according to how trustworthy and preferable you find them to be.

Patience

Any vet that has been in the field for long enough will have inevitably built up a well of patience and tolerance. Unlike human beings, animals cannot always understand clear instructions. Patience does, however, also refer to their approach towards customers. You are their client, and they must display a certain amount of patience while you are explaining any ailments you are concerned about. It doesn’t matter if it’s someone’s four-year-old hamster that’s nearing its twilight years or a kitten that is simply getting their check-up; patience is almost synonymous with politeness in this regard.

Compassion

Compassion towards both pets and their respective owners is incredibly important in veterinary practices. They are not only looking after the welfare of people’s pets and companions, but also the emotions of their owners. Compassionate staff who empathize with your position should always be at the top of your list when it comes to considering practices to register with.

Professional attitude

The best way to tell if your local vet is taking their practice and duties seriously is whether they have a generally professional approach. This doesn’t just include the vets, but all staff, including receptionists, who should also be polite and formal. Not only this but if the veterinary practice is instantly-discoverable location on Google Maps, this shows that they want to be an active part of their community. For example, if you were searching for a veterinarian in King of Prussia, PA, they should immediately pop up in the side-bar on the results page. They should also have a website with all the relevant contact details needed to reach them in the event of an emergency or to simply book an appointment. When you find a veterinary and grooming practice, such as Heart and Paw, be sure to check out all their services, opening times, and reviews to reassure you that your pet will have a stress-free experience.

Honesty

While no one wants to hear bad news, honesty is key to the integrity of any vet. No veterinary practitioner should lie to you in order to maintain your custom. Being upfront and clear is also important for managing your expectations as an owner. While a bad diagnosis might be hard to handle, it’s important that it is expressed clearly and with absolute honesty. Anyone who is frank and open when in a position of trust is always a preferable candidate.

If you’re picking out vets for your newly adopted pet, then the final decision will always come down to personal preference. If you visit a practice and they are rude, disorganized or unwilling to show warmth when welcoming you into their space, then you must never feel pressured to sign up just out of politeness. You will be visiting the practice regularly for check-ups and medications – you want to register with a place that makes you feel as if you are in safe hands.