Choosing the right vet is one of the most important decisions you can make for your dog. You and your vet will form a partnership working for the health and longevity of your faithful friend. Here are some tips to help you go about finding a vet.

The first step is to ask around and compile a short list of potential vets in your area. Ask your dog-owning neighbors where they take their dogs and what experiences they have had with different vets. If you don’t have any dog-owning neighbors, or, even if you do, you might consider calling some local shelters and asking them for veterinarian referrals.  Also, if you have adopted or purchased your dog locally, you might be able to get some recommendations from the shelter or breeder.

Some things to consider when getting suggestions and narrowing down your list: