Questions to Ask a New Vet Before Registering
Short answer: before you register, check that the practice treats your species and needs, that you understand its fees and what they include, and that you know how it handles emergencies and out-of-hours care. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) suggests owners consider things like species suitability, distance and transport, fees and payment options, emergency arrangements and continuity of care, and encourages speaking to — or visiting — a practice before registering. There is no single right answer to most of these questions. What matters is that the answers suit your animal, your budget and how far you can travel.
By PetCompare Editorial Team · Published 2026-02-08 · Updated 2026-08-17 · 6 min read · Editorially prepared by PetCompare — not veterinary advice
Does the practice treat my animal and its needs?
Not every practice sees every species, so start here. RCVS guidance for owners suggests checking that a practice is suitable for your type of animal and its particular needs before you register.
- Do you routinely treat my species (dog, cat, rabbit, other small pets, exotics, horses)?
- Can you support a specific ongoing condition or age-related need my pet already has?
- What happens if my pet needs referral to a practice with different facilities or expertise?
Is the practice in the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme?
The RCVS Practice Standards Scheme is voluntary. Some practices choose to join and are assessed against the scheme's standards; others do not, and that on its own does not tell you a practice is poor. It is simply one factual question you can ask, alongside everything else.
- Are you a member of the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme, and at what level?
- If not, how do you set and check your own standards of care?
How far away is it, and how would I get there in a hurry?
RCVS owner guidance flags distance and how you would travel as practical factors worth thinking about — including for an unwell animal or an urgent journey. Because out-of-hours care may be provided from a different site, it is worth asking where emergency care actually happens and how you would travel there.
- Where would I need to travel for a routine appointment, and for an emergency?
- Do you have more than one site, and are some services only available at certain sites?
What are the out-of-hours and emergency arrangements?
Emergency and out-of-hours cover is one of the things RCVS suggests owners check before registering. Some practices provide it themselves; others use a separate provider, which may be at a different location. Costs for emergency care can also differ from routine care, so it is reasonable to ask about both the arrangement and the charging.
- Who provides care overnight, at weekends and on bank holidays, and where is it?
- How do I contact you out of hours, and what should I do first?
- How are out-of-hours fees and payment handled?
What will it cost, and what is included?
There are no statutory or nationally set veterinary charges in the UK: practices set their own prices, and costs vary between them. That is why it is worth asking for clear pricing information for the things you are likely to need, and checking what each price actually includes before comparing practices.
- What do you charge for a routine consultation, and what does that cover?
- For a procedure my pet may need, can you explain the treatment options and how the costs break down?
- What is not included in a quoted price — medication, follow-up visits, tests, hospitalisation?
Prices change, so treat any figure you are quoted as specific to that practice at that time.
How are estimates and changes in cost handled?
Clear fee information exists so you can make an informed decision about your animal's care. Ask how the practice communicates costs before and during treatment, and what happens if the situation changes partway through.
- Will I get a written estimate before a significant procedure?
- Who contacts me, and how, if the expected cost changes?
- Can you talk me through alternative options, including lower-cost ones, where they exist?
What payment and insurance options do you offer?
Payment arrangements vary between practices. RCVS guidance points owners towards understanding both the care and the payment side when they register, and towards considering payment options for emergency treatment in particular.
- When is payment due, and what methods do you accept?
- Do you work with pet insurers, and how do claims work in practice?
- Do you offer health plans or instalment options, and what do they include?
How does continuity of care work?
If continuity of care matters to you — for example where your pet has an ongoing condition — ask how the practice handles it. It is also worth knowing how the practice handles records and communication if you use more than one practice — for example a local practice for routine care and another for something specific. Using more than one practice is possible, but it makes clear record-sharing more important.
- Can I usually see the same vet, especially for an ongoing condition?
- How are records shared if another practice is also involved in my pet's care?
- How do you keep me updated if my pet stays in for the day?
Can I speak to the practice, or look around, before registering?
RCVS guidance encourages owners to speak to a practice — and, where possible, visit — before registering, so you can judge whether it suits you. Practices differ in what they can offer here: a clinical area may not be somewhere visitors can go, and a short conversation with the team may be more realistic than a full tour. Once you have registered, act promptly if you are worried about your animal's health rather than waiting.
When you are ready to look at options near you, you can browse veterinary practices on PetCompare Hub.
A note on online reviews
RCVS owner guidance advises treating online reviews with caution: they can be useful background, but they reflect individual experiences and may not tell you much about the clinical care a practice provides. Use them alongside your own questions rather than instead of them.
FAQs
Can I register with more than one veterinary practice?
Yes. RCVS guidance for owners acknowledges that some people use more than one practice. If you do, ask each one how records and communication will be handled so everyone treating your animal has the full picture.
Are veterinary fees the same everywhere in the UK?
No. There are no statutory or set veterinary charges: practices set their own prices and costs vary, which is why the RCVS suggests asking for clear pricing information and checking what is included before you compare.
Is RCVS Practice Standards accreditation compulsory?
No. The Practice Standards Scheme is voluntary, so some practices are members and others are not. Ask the practice directly rather than assuming either way.
What should I do first if I am worried about my pet after registering?
Contact the practice promptly rather than waiting. RCVS guidance encourages owners to raise health concerns quickly and to make sure they understand the practice's care and payment arrangements.