New pet and no vet yet — how to choose the right one

Getting a new pet is exciting, but many people delay finding a vet until something goes wrong. By then, you're making a rushed decision in a panic, often choosing whoever has an appointment rather than whoever is right for your animal. A vet you barely know during an emergency is stressful for everyone—you, your pet, and the veterinarian trying to help without proper history.

The vet landscape in South Africa is more varied than most people realise. There are solo practices tucked into suburbs, multi-branch chains in shopping centres, university teaching hospitals, after-hours emergency clinics, and specialist referral centres. Each serves a purpose, and none is automatically "best." What matters is finding the right fit before you need them urgently.

The different types of vets and what they do

General practice vets handle routine care—vaccinations, check-ups, dental work, minor injuries, neutering and spaying. They're your first port of call and usually know your pet best over time. These practices range from small, owner-operated clinics to busy multi-veterinarian setups. A general vet diagnoses most everyday problems and refers you to specialists when needed.

Emergency and after-hours clinics operate outside normal business hours and on weekends. They're equipped for urgent cases but aren't meant to replace your regular vet for ongoing care. Using them repeatedly without a primary vet relationship means no one has your pet's medical history.

Specialist referral practices focus on areas like orthopaedics, cardiology, dermatology or ophthalmology. Your general vet refers you here if your pet needs advanced diagnosis or surgery.

24-hour animal hospitals combine general practice with emergency facilities under one roof. They're often larger, more expensive, and useful if you want continuity during emergencies, but not essential for most pet owners.

Starting your search the right way

Begin by listing vets within reasonable distance from home. Load-shedding, traffic and Johannesburg's size mean convenience matters—if a vet is too far, you'll be tempted to skip routine visits. Ask other pet owners in your area which vets they use and why. Their real experiences reveal things marketing won't.

Once you have a shortlist, phone or visit. Ask whether they're currently accepting new patients (some practices do reach capacity), what their emergency protocol is, and whether they have particular experience with your pet's species or age group. If you have a puppy, ask about their vaccination schedule and puppy socialisation advice. These conversations tell you whether the practice's approach aligns with how you want to care for your pet.

Check their basic credentials. Ask to see evidence of veterinary registration and whether the practice is registered with relevant industry bodies. This isn't a substitute for thorough vetting later, but it's a sensible first filter.

Consider visiting the practice in person before you need it. A clean, organised space with staff who listen and answer questions clearly suggests they'll bring the same care to treating your pet. If the waiting room feels chaotic or the receptionist is dismissive, that's often a sign.

Don't confuse price alone with quality. Fees vary, but a vet who charges less isn't necessarily worse, and a more expensive one isn't automatically better. What matters is transparency—they should explain what services cost and why, and you should feel confident they're recommending what your pet needs, not what maximises the bill.

Once you've chosen a vet, commit to at least one routine visit before anything urgent happens. This establishes your pet's baseline health and builds a relationship. Your vet will know your pet's personality, any quirks, and will be far more useful to you when problems arise.

Strove can help you discover and compare local vets in your area, read verified reviews from other pet owners, and get a sense of each practice before you book. Finding a vet should never be a last-minute scramble.