How do I know if my pet needs emergency care?
If you are not sure if you should bring your pet to our hospital, please contact us.
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Should I make an appointment?
Animal Emergency Care does not accept appointments. Our hospital is open 24 hours a day, every day. We can treat your pet any time the need arises, day or night. If you have a veterinary emergency, please call us at (978) 263-1742 so we can prepare for your pet's arrival.
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Will there be a veterinarian at the hospital when I arrive?
Yes. A veterinarian is always on duty at Animal Emergency Care.
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How long will I have to wait before my pet is examined by a veterinarian?
All pets are triaged when they arrive at Animal Emergency Care. Patients are examined according to their triage status, which means that unstable or critical patients are given priority. Just like at a human ER, your wait may be short or long, depending on the hospital’s caseload and the needs of more critical patients. Your patience and understanding is greatly appreciated.
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How much is it going to cost?
There is an initial fee for each patient who is examined by one of our veterinarians. All other services, including diagnostic testing, surgery, medications, and hospitalization, are additional. After examining your pet, our team will develop a health care plan appropriate for your pet’s condition so you can better understand the recommended treatment and associated costs.
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Why are your fees so high?
Emergency veterinary care is often more costly than the preventive care you receive through your family veterinarian. The expense of providing and maintaining a fully staffed, 24-hour emergency hospital is reflected in our fees.
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Can you bill me?
No. Animal Emergency Care requests a deposit prior to providing services for your pet. The remaining balance must be paid in full when your pet is discharged from the hospital. For your convenience, we accept cash, debit cards, VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and CareCredit. For more information or to apply for CareCredit, click here.
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Who will care for my pet if it is hospitalized overnight?
At Animal Emergency Care, our patients are supervised around the clock by our skilled team of veterinarians and veterinary technicians.
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May I visit my pet in the hospital?
If your pet’s medical condition permits, you may make arrangements to visit by calling (978) 263-1742. Visits must be limited to 30 minutes; shorter times may apply to certain patients. Visits cannot be scheduled during medical rounds* and may be delayed or postponed due to hospital caseload.
*Our team performs medical rounds on all patients twice daily. We will be unable to provide you with an update, allow visitation, or discharge your pet during these times:
8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
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Will my veterinarian receive a report?
Once your pet is discharged from Animal Emergency Care, the medical records will be faxed to your family veterinarian. Our team is always available to discuss your pet’s condition and health care needs.
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How can I volunteer?
Due to the often serious nature of veterinary emergencies, Animal Emergency Care cannot accommodate volunteers.
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