Questions to Ask a New Vet Before Registering
Quick answer
Before registering, confirm the practice treats your species, that you understand its fees and what they include, and that you know exactly who covers emergencies and where. RCVS owner guidance suggests weighing species suitability, distance and transport, fees and payment options, emergency cover and continuity of care — and speaking to the practice first.At a glance
- There are no nationally set vet fees in the UK — practices price independently.
- Out-of-hours care may be delivered from a different site, at different rates.
- The RCVS Practice Standards Scheme is voluntary; non-membership is not a red flag on its own.
- Treat online reviews as background, not evidence of clinical quality.
By PetCompare Editorial Team · Published 2026-02-08 · Updated 2026-08-17 · 4 min read · Editorially prepared by PetCompare — not veterinary advice
Ask about your animal
Not every practice sees every species, so start here.
- Do you routinely treat my species (dog, cat, rabbit, other small pets, exotics, horses)?
- Can you support an ongoing condition or age-related need my pet already has?
- What happens if my pet needs referral elsewhere?
- Are you in the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme, and at what level? If not, how do you set your own standards?
Ask about emergencies and distance
Emergency cover is one of the checks RCVS flags before registering. Some practices provide it themselves; others use a separate provider, so out-of-hours care may be provided from a different site.
- Where would I travel for a routine appointment, and for an emergency?
- Who covers overnight, weekends and bank holidays, and where is that?
- How do I contact you out of hours, and what should I do first?
- How are out-of-hours fees and payment handled?
Ask about cost
Practices set their own prices, so ask what a quote actually includes before comparing.
- What do you charge for a routine consultation, and what does that cover?
- What is not included in a quoted price — medication, follow-ups, tests, hospitalisation?
- Will I get a written estimate before a significant procedure, and who contacts me if costs change?
- When is payment due, do you work with insurers, and do you offer health plans or instalments?
Any figure you are quoted is specific to that practice at that time.
Ask about continuity
If continuity of care matters to you — for example where your pet has an ongoing condition — ask how the practice handles it.
- Can I usually see the same vet, especially for an ongoing condition?
- How are records shared if another practice is also involved?
- How do you keep me updated if my pet stays in for the day?
Before you commit
RCVS guidance encourages speaking to a practice — and visiting where possible — before registering. A clinical area may not be open to visitors, so a short conversation with the team is often more realistic than a tour. Once registered, act promptly if you are worried about your animal rather than waiting.
When you are ready, browse veterinary practices near you.
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.