Whether we have pets or not, we all lead busy lives. Our schedules are always full and we keep moving from one thing to the next. Finding the time to take our pets to the vet can be very difficult.
Whether it’s for a routine check-up or if your pet becomes ill during your busy schedule, you may be wondering if it’s okay to have someone else take over for them. Generally, it’s okay to have someone else take your pet to the vet, but you should be able to speak to the vet over the phone to avoid any misunderstandings. But let’s assume you already have a good relationship with your vet, who may have their own rules for their facility, so we’ll go over each situation and how to handle it.
Pet Ownership Laws: Who can take your dog to the vet?
Realistically, there is no law that prohibits someone else from taking your dog or cat to the vet. Just about anyone can take your pet for treatment. If the vet knows the pet belongs to someone else, they may take steps to contact the owner before making any major decisions. If you are willing to cover the costs, rather than the person taking the pet, you may need to make arrangements with the vet prior to treatment.
If you don’t have a doctor’s fee for the person who takes your animal to the vet, you may need to pay them over the phone or give them some cash so they can take care of it if necessary.
Communication is key
There are several ways to have someone else take care of your pet. While it may not be necessary, it is a good idea to have your vet on call during appointments. The vet can call you after examining your pet to clarify your pet’s medical history and discuss the treatment plan. Involving a third party can increase miscommunication, cause stress for both the owner and the veterinarian, and lead to poor outcomes.
If you can’t speak to a veterinarian in person, it’s a good idea to have a written, verbal, or other record that you have given permission to someone else to care for your pet and to consent to any major procedures, such as surgery or euthanasia. It’s also important to tell the person who brings your pet to the vet as many details as possible about what’s happening with your pet so that they can communicate it to the veterinarian. Otherwise, it may be harder for your veterinarian to figure out what’s going on, which could result in longer visits, the need for additional tests, delayed and costly treatment.
Written communication
If you have a friend or family member who can adopt your pet, you can always write a quick note to the vet’s office letting them know you are fully aware of your pet’s condition, your wishes, etc. This way, the vet can use the note to confirm the details of your visit if necessary.
Plus, this is a great opportunity to give them permission to take your pet to the vet for future appointments so they don’t have to go through the same procedures again and have no problems in the future.
Verbal consent
In most cases, all that is required is to call the veterinarian and tell them that someone else will be bringing your pet, along with any other details you would like to share.
If medications, IV fluids, x-rays, or other invasive tests or procedures need to be administered, you may receive a call from the vet’s office requesting consent for treatment.
document
If there is any paperwork that needs to be given to the vet prior to treatment, you can also email or fax it to the vet’s office or send it to the person who brought your pet in. This is usually unusual and unnecessary, but can be useful in some situations.
For example, if your regular veterinarian cannot treat your pet or is not nearby, you may want to have someone take your pet to another veterinarian or facility for treatment. Injection records and other documentation can help an unfamiliar veterinarian familiarize themselves with the various treatments, medications, and other care your pet has already received.
This way, no extra work is required and those selected for the task do not need to remember details of previous care.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I take my neighbor’s pet to the vet?
Sometimes situations suddenly arise that really call our morality into question: say, for example, there is a dog tied up in someone’s backyard, and it’s obvious that the dog is suffering, but it’s not being cared for.
Or maybe a neighbor’s cat is roaming the neighborhood and is injured and not getting proper treatment, and you might feel obligated to take it to the vet yourself.
It is not advisable to take your neighbor’s pet to the vet without your neighbor’s knowledge. Express your concerns to your neighbor. You do not know if the animal has actually already been treated by a vet. It is also not advisable to give medicine to your pet without your neighbor’s knowledge, as you do not know the animal’s medical history. Your neighbor may give you permission to take your pet to the vet.
If your neighbors don’t listen to your concerns and you’re worried about the animal’s welfare, you can ask your local authorities for help. Abandonment can be an act of animal cruelty, which is prohibited by federal law in the United States.
2. Can I take a stray cat to the vet?
If you see a stray or wild cat and know it needs help, please help it! Any stray animal can be taken to a vet for treatment. It may also be a lost pet that is microchipped, in which case it may be possible to reunite it with its owner. If not, contact your local shelter to see if they have the space and capacity to care for these animals.
3. Will people who take their pets to the vet have to cover the cost?
The person who takes the pet to the vet after the appointment is responsible for paying, but you can also cover the bill or send cash or a card instead of paying out of pocket.
You may be able to call the vet’s office and pay over the phone with your credit card information, and of course you also have the option of reimbursing your friend or family member once the appointment is over. This would be a private arrangement that can be worked out between you and your friend.
Alternatives to in-person appointments
If you can’t take your pet to the vet because of a busy schedule or time off work, there is an alternative: a veterinary telehealth visit. This works similarly to a human telehealth visit and is a great option if you have general questions about your pet’s health. You can schedule a virtual appointment at a time that is convenient for you.
Veterinary telemedicine services such as PangoVet are becoming increasingly popular, but they often can’t prescribe medication or give a specific diagnosis — they can, however, answer questions and let you know if your pet needs an in-person veterinary examination.
Conclusion
This can put your mind at ease, because getting someone to take your pet to the vet is really easy, and if you do a few preparations before taking them, it should be relatively easy for your friend or family member.
Remember that in these situations, funds will be one of your main concerns. Before you accept a pet, you need to know who will cover the costs. You could pay the vet or send cash to a friend on your behalf.
Other than that, there are no specific laws against it, but it may be helpful to get a veterinarian’s opinion before making an appointment.
Featured image credit: Frau aus UA, Shutterstock
