Here is how to find a new vet: make a short list of clinics near you, check that the vets are licensed with your provincial regulator, call to ask whether they take new patients and how they handle emergencies, then book a first visit and see how it feels.
Whether you just moved to Toronto, adopted your first pet, or your clinic is no longer the right fit, the steps are the same. This guide gives you a checklist, the questions worth asking, and what to bring so the first visit counts.
Step 1: make a short list of clinics
Start close to home. A clinic you can reach in fifteen minutes matters on a bad day. Good places to look:
- The PetGrid vet directory, by province and city; for example, vets in Toronto.
- The map in the free PetGrid app, which shows vet clinics across Canada, not only the ones on PetGrid.
- Friends, neighbours, your groomer, your dog walker, or a local pet group.
- AAHA's hospital locator, if you want an accredited hospital (more on that below).
Step 2: check the licence and the clinic
In Ontario, the College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO) licenses vets and accredits veterinary facilities. Its Public Register shows a vet's licence status, contact information, education and practice history. Other provinces have their own regulators with similar registers.
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) also accredits animal hospitals in the US and Canada. Accreditation is voluntary, and AAHA says accredited practices are evaluated on about 900 standards, from anesthesia and surgery to medical records and client service. Many excellent clinics are not AAHA-accredited, so treat it as one signal, not a requirement.
In Ontario, the CVO Public Register is the place to confirm a vet is licensed to practise.
How to find a new vet: the questions to ask
Call or email two or three clinics from your list. Their answers, and how they answer, tell you a lot.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Are you taking new patients, and how soon is the first visit? | Some clinics have waitlists |
| What are your hours, and what do you do after hours? | You need to know where to go at night and on weekends |
| Which emergency hospital do you work with? | Saves time in a crisis |
| Do you see my kind of pet? | Not every clinic sees rabbits, birds or reptiles |
| Can I book and message online? | Makes small questions and refills easier |
| How do you share records and results? | You will want copies; see how to get your pet's records |
| How do you give estimates for bigger procedures? | Clear estimates prevent surprises |
Step 3: make the first visit count
Ask your old clinic to send the complete medical record before the visit; our guide on how to switch vets without losing records walks through it. In Ontario, a new vet is expected to get the relevant history from the previous vet, and a complete transfer should take about two business days.
- Your pet's vaccine certificates, including rabies
- A list of current medicines, food and any supplements
- Allergies and past reactions
- Your questions, written down
- A stool sample, if the clinic asks for one
Watch how the team handles your pet, whether the vet explains things clearly, and whether you feel comfortable asking questions. A good fit is personal.
Good signs to look for
There is no perfect clinic, but some things are worth noticing during the first call and the first visit:
- The team answers your questions without rushing you, and explains options in plain words.
- You get a clear estimate before bigger procedures, and you are asked for your consent.
- The clinic is easy to reach, by phone or online, and tells you what to do after hours.
- You can get copies of your pet's records and results without a fuss.
- Your pet is handled calmly, and the team notices if they are scared.
If your new clinic is on PetGrid, or is not
In the PetGrid app's map, clinics on PetGrid show whether they take new patients and book online. Join one to book visits and message it in the app, and you can send it the records you kept yourself; its team checks them before they go on your pet's chart.
For any other clinic, call as you always have. Your records, vaccine card, reminders and share links keep working, and you can tap Invite my vet to PetGrid if you would like the clinic to join; you choose whether PetGrid emails the clinic once, in your name, or just counts your request. If a clinic is missing from the map, you can suggest it. The vets and clinics questions cover the details.
Find your emergency hospital now, too
While you are looking, find the nearest emergency animal hospital and save its number. If your pet needs help when your clinic is closed, that is where to call. Our pet emergency kit checklist has the rest of what to prepare.
Questions people ask
How do I find a good vet near me?
Make a short list from a directory or map and from people you trust, check the vets are licensed with your provincial regulator, and call to ask about new patients, hours and emergencies. Then book a first visit and see whether it feels right.
How do I check that a vet is licensed in Ontario?
Search the College of Veterinarians of Ontario's Public Register. It shows a vet's licence status, contact information, education and practice history.
What does AAHA accredited mean?
It means the hospital voluntarily met the American Animal Hospital Association's standards, about 900 of them, and is evaluated regularly. AAHA accredits hospitals in the US and Canada. Many good clinics are not accredited, so it is one signal among several.
What should I bring to a first vet visit?
Vaccine certificates, a list of medicines and food, allergies, and your questions. Ask your old clinic to send the full record ahead of time.
What if no clinic near me is taking new patients?
Widen your search a little, ask to join a waitlist, and keep your pet's records and vaccine dates up to date in the meantime. For anything urgent, call an emergency animal hospital.
The short version
Finding a new vet is a short list, a licence check, a few phone calls and a first visit. Get your records moved early, and save your nearest emergency hospital while you are at it.
The PetGrid app is free for pet owners, shows vet clinics across Canada on one map, and keeps your pet's records ready for whichever clinic you choose.
Keep your pet's records, vaccines and visits in one safe place. The PetGrid app is free for pet owners, with or without a clinic.
Get the free PetGrid appSources
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