Moving is stressful. You have so many balls to keep in the air at the same time. But if you have a dog, you have to put find a veterinarian at the top of your list.
If you have a family, you want to keep everyone positive about the move while you are worrying about getting all the pieces in place.
The same goes for the four-legged members of your family.
While you try to keep their routine as normal as possible, you will be making important decisions about their future. And again, you have to make the decision to find a veterinarian a priority.
Home or abroad?
If you are moving within your own country, things are clearly easier. You know that the vet will speak the same language, and you know something about the professional qualifications that vets are required to have.
If traveling overseas, things will be a little more complicated. You will need to do some research about the way things are done in your new country.
Either way, if you have the opportunity to pay preliminary visits to your destination, then it would be a good idea to visit a couple of clinics. You may want to register with a vet before the move, especially if your pets have any existing medical conditions.
Ask the right people
There is nothing like a personal recommendation. You can start by asking your own vet for a suggestion. You never know, they might be able to recommend a vet clinic in Dubai or other major cities through their own channels and contacts.
If you are moving for work, you could ask to be put in touch with one of your fellow workers in the new area who is a pet-lover.
If going abroad, check out the expat forums in the area where you are moving. There will be someone who has experience of finding a vet, and people are always willing to share their knowledge.
Know what to look for to find a veterinarian
As you start your research, make a checklist of the things that are going to be important to you in choosing a vet.
- Is the clinic a member of a top professional association? In the US that would be the American Veterinary Medical Association or the American Animal Hospital Association. Most other countries would have a similar organization.
- How close is the clinic to your residence? How far would you have to travel with a sick animal?
- Does the clinic offer out-of-hours emergency service and home visits?
- Does the clinic have any specialties that you think might be important? This could particularly apply if you have an unusual animal or one which has a breed tendency to particular conditions.
- When you visit, does the staff seem welcoming, calm, and confident? Do the nurses seem interested in your pet? When you take your pet for initial examination, does the vet perform a thorough examination and take a full history?
Make a choice
If you research your potential clinics and are clear what you are looking for, you should soon be able to find a vet that suits you and your pet, wherever you may be going.
Corey Robinson has moved several times in the past 10 years due to work. He’s now an expert and packing up home and moving on, but wherever he goes, his dog goes too. He shares his tips and knowledge on how best to take your dog with you when you move.
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