Originally titled "The Canadian Living Vet Finder," from the September 2007 issue of Canadian Living Magazine, on newsstands or click here to purchase online.

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Whether you just adopted a kitten or you're moving to a new city, finding a vet who meets your needs is as important as selecting the right family physician. “The quality of the relationship and bond with your veterinarian is pretty important to feeling good about the health care that you're getting,” says Dr. Darcy Shaw, chair of the department of companion animals at the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown. Here's how to sniff out the best vet in the pack.

1. Ask around
Start searching for a vet as soon as possible. “Don't wait until it's an emergency,” says Dr. Kathleen Cavanagh, a veterinarian based in Ridgeville, Ont. Start by asking family, friends, dog walkers and neighbours where they take their pets. “You trust opinions from people that you know,” adds Shaw, so you can start visiting vets with extra confidence if they come recommended.

Make a list of your top three choices and call the clinics to inquire about a tour or meet-and-greet with your pet. One of the most effective ways to establish whether the relationship between the vet, your pet and you is going to work is to schedule a routine health check, suggests Shaw. “That gives the veterinarian the opportunity to not only discover background history but also get to know your pet,” he says. This can be particularly important if you have an exotic or “pocket” pet, such as an iguana, rabbit or parrot, which some vets may not be experienced in treating.

2. Visit the premises
Outside: Evaluate a clinic or hospital from the outside in. If the premises, such as location, accessibility or parking, are a concern, consider how the hassle will affect how often you visit the clinic. Survey the parking lot: are there any grassy areas where you can take your dog for a quick stop before or after an appointment? Is the parking lot so busy that you fear getting hit on the way into the hospital? Take out a notepad and keep track of pros and cons, starting with the outside environment. This list will grow as soon as you enter a facility.

Inside: Assess the waiting room. Some clinics split their waiting rooms into canine and feline sections so that cats and dogs can't see one another, which helps create a calmer environment. Note the number of people in the waiting room and ask about wait times, but be aware that a full waiting room could be the sign of multiple emergencies, not necessarily long waiting periods.

Cavanagh says many vets will also put educational materials in their waiting rooms or are willing to loan material to clients from a hospital library. These resources can help you learn about medical conditions or how to handle a new pet. Some clinics also offer seminars on caring for puppies and kittens, so if you are looking to learn, this may be a bonus. This interest in informing clients speaks to the vet's care and concern for the well-being of his patients.

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