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If you’re going on vacation and leaving your dogs in the care of a trusted friend or daycare, you probably give them your veterinarian’s phone number. But what other numbers do you keep on file? We can’t call 9-1-1 when our dogs have an emergency, so who exactly should we call? What are the most important resources we should have on hand to be prepared for anything? This list will help you prepare for any type of emergency:
- Your veterinarian – This should be a no-brainer. Whether your dog has chronic ailments or not, you should have your veterinarian’s number handy to give the clinic a quick call if you have a concern. Better yet, just make an appointment!
- Nearest Veterinary Emergency Hospital – Our dogs don’t always get sick or injured (thankfully!), but when they do, they do it after-hours. So it’s important to have your nearest emergency hospital’s information handy. When time is critical, you don’t want to be left searching for the closest open hospital, you want to be able to call and hit the road in a moment’s time.
- Pet Poison Helpline – If you think your dog may have eaten something toxic, don’t hesitate to call the poison helpline on your way to the vet. They take calls 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can reach them at (800) 213-6680. Please note that there is a $39 consultation fee.
- Morris Animal Foundation – Morris Animal Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing veterinary medicine for companion pets, horses, and wildlife. They are the leaders in animal science across the globe and have helped more species in more places than any other. They are happy to try and help pet owners as much as possible, so if you have questions, feel free to contact them toll-free at (800) 243-2345.
- HomeAgain© Emergency Medical Hotline – You do not need to have a HomeAgain© microchip to use this hotline, but you do need to have your microchip number registered. But it’s a small price to pay if you need immediate assistance available over the phone. HomeAgain©’s hotline offers ASPCA veterinarians to guide you through emergencies with your pets at any time of the day or night. If you do need their help, the number to reach them is 888-HOMEAGAIN, or 888-4663-24246. Keep in mind that the consultations are $65.00 per call.
- VetLocater.com – If you do find yourself in need of an emergency hospital but aren’t sure where the closest one is, try visiting VetLocater.com. This site will help find you the closest emergency animal hospital within 5-50 miles of your home or current location. It’s very useful, especially if you are traveling or in an unfamiliar area.
So there you are; six crucial numbers and/or websites that will help you in a pet emergency. We all hope that we never have to face anything serious, but you never know when the time will come. We’d all like to think it won’t happen to us, but it’s better to be prepared anyway. So make a few sticky notes for your house and your wallet, and you will be all set to help your dog anytime, anywhere.
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About the Author
Katie is a professional dog trainer located in Southern California, with a background of experience as a veterinary assistant as well. She has trained and competed with multiple breeds in AKC Obedience and Rally, agility, herding, Schutzhund/IPO, French Ring and conformation. She has been involved in dogs since she was a child, and specializes in protection dogs, working dogs, and aggression issues. You can visit her website, Katie’s Dog Training, to find out more information about her training and accomplishments. When she’s not helping others and writing, she’s out on the field with her Belgian Malinois and Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
