Frequently Asked Questions

The concept of a full service mobile veterinary practice is a new and intriguing idea for most people. We therefore expect you to have some questions over what our vision is, and how we may be a good fit for you and your pets needs. As we want you to feel comfortable with the service and care you will receive through our practice we have considered some of the most common questions you may have.

Please take a minute to read through our FAQ page and hopefully you’ll find the answers you’re looking for, and if not we’re just a phone call away – call us at (716) 463-7296. We look forward to hearing from you!

Why should I choose a mobile vet?

Our services are designed to provide convenient, high quality, personalized veterinary care. By bringing the hospital to you, we hope to take some of the challenges out of pet ownership, and make life a little less stressful for you and your pets. Here are some examples of how our mobile services could benefit you:

 

  • You struggle or are unable to get your frightened cat into the carrier. We can examine practically every pet right inside their home where they are most comfortable. If we need to utilize any of the equipment on the vehicle or perform more specialized procedures, we will be responsible for safely moving your pet into and out of the vehicle.
  • Your pet gets sick, or urinates and defecates in the carrier or in your vehicle, because they don’t travel well: No more messy carriers, soiled car seats, or urine soaked, stool covered pets….
  • You have to drag or carry your dog into the hospital because they are unwilling, or unable to go inside: We prefer to examine patients in their natural environment where they are most comfortable, giving us a more accurate interpretation of how your pet is feeling. We would rather you not have to move your pet if they are sick, uncomfortable or unable to get around well.
  • You have to take time off work to take care of your pet’s wellness needs, sometimes several times a year because you have multiple pets: We will work with you to coordinate each pet’s wellness visits so they can all have their checkups, vaccines and other wellness needs met at the same times each year. With the exception of unplanned illnesses, this will allow you to minimize time away from work.
  • You have small children and have trouble finding a sitter so you can bring your pets to the hospital and you would rather NOT have to bring the children with you: You and your children can wait at home for us to arrive, allowing you to carry on with your day as usual.
  • You are physically unable to get out of your home to take your pet to a hospital: We will bring everything your pet requires to stay healthy right to your doorstep.
  • You are simply too busy to schedule a trip to the hospital: Once we have met you and your pets, we can perform our medical duties while you carry on with your business in and around your home.
  • You and your pet get anxious and upset while waiting in the traditional veterinary hospital lobby for your appointment: No more loud, cramped waiting rooms, because you will be in the comfort of your home while you wait for us to arrive.
  • You are afraid to expose your pet to possible illnesses while at the hospital: We can provide all the care that the more susceptible, young unvaccinated and senior pets require.
  • You are worried that your sick pet might become “sicker” due to the stress of a trip to the hospital: While it may be necessary for your sick pet to be hospitalized, we can make the initial assessment and begin therapy prior to admitting them to a hospital for more intensive care.
  • You can’t get a ride to the hospital: Do not worry, we can bring everything that will be needed to provide routine care, as well as more advanced testing and therapy. In the event that your pet requires more intensive care in a hospital, we will be happy to provide transportation for them and assist you with any concerns during their stay.

How do I make an appointment?

We are available by appointment only on Monday-Friday. Our daily practice hours can be found on our homepage. These hours may change based on client demand and will vary during the winter and summer months. To schedule an appointment please call us at (716) 463-7296. Do not be discouraged if you are asked to leave a message, it likely means we are visiting with another client and we will call you back as soon as possible. You may also send us an email requesting an appointment. If you are a new client please fill out our New Client Form prior to your appointment so that we can know best how to meet your pet’s needs.

Will you need to come into my home or apartment?

Our goal is to provide complete veterinary care where your pet is most comfortable. Our examinations can be performed right in your home if this is preferred by you and your pet. In some cases we may need to move your pet into our mobile unit to be closer to our equipment or perform a more delicate procedure. Depending on the nature of our visit, status and personality of your pet, and your personal preference, we can make the decision where we will perform our work once we arrive at your residence. Our vehicle is 26ft long and 12ft wide, so we do require a reasonable parking space away from heavy traffic. We will discuss this when we arrange your appointment.

Can you do everything that can be done at a traditional style veterinary hospital?

Our vehicle is fully equipped, in fact it’s like a small hospital “on wheels.” We have all the same capabilities as a regular hospital. We have a refrigerator for our vaccines and items that must be kept cold. We have a full pharmacy and stock a select supply of our preferred heartworm and flea & tick products. We have a complete laboratory, where we can analyze blood, urine, skin, fecal, or other specimens. We have state-of-the-art blood analyzing machines to run complete blood counts (CBC’s) and blood chemistries (organ system functions, electrolytes, blood sugar, etc). We can take digital x-rays, perform ultrasounds and have anesthesia for surgical and dental procedures. See our services page for more details. If your pet was to need 24hr intensive care and hospitalization we would make arrangements with you for what was most appropriate for your pets’ needs. This may include a recommendation to transfer your pet to a 24hr facility. At this time we are not offering 24hr hospitalization.

Where will you perform surgery, and what will happen to my pet after the procedure?

Our vehicle has a surgical suite that is equipped with brand new, state-of-the-art surgical equipment, including general anesthesia, advanced monitoring and patient thermoregulation. Depending on the surgical procedure to be performed we may elect to proceed while parked right outside the home, or we may transport your pet to our home office which offers a quiet, secure location for the procedure and recovery. Each patient will receive one-on-one attention throughout the entire procedure and recovery. We will discharge your pet to you once we feel they are fully awake and comfortable. If there are any concerns about your pet’s condition, or you are uncertain about caring for them, we will make arrangements for overnight monitoring at the local 24hr emergency clinic. We will perform routine surgical procedures for most patients, see our services page for more information, or please contact us to discuss your pets’ anesthetic/surgical needs.

What extra fees are there for coming to my home? Will it cost more than a traditional vet?

The only true additional cost for our services is a “housecall” fee. This amount is primarily based on the distance we must travel to visit your home or residence. Our standard house call fee covers all homes within a 20 mile radius from our base location of East Aurora. There will be an additional mileage fee assessed beyond this which covers for increased drive time and fuel costs. At this time we will not be providing service outside of a 40 mile radius. There is only one house call charge per visit, regardless of the number of pets we will be seeing.

The other difference between us and the traditional hospital is the length of time we will spend with you and your pets. We believe that there is a certain value to the individual attention you will receive from Dr. Jenni, and as such, our examination fees may reflect this. The remainder of our goods and services are priced based on local averages. Please contact us for further pricing information.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept cash and all major credit cards excluding American Express at this time. Payment is due at the time of service.

 

How long will a visit take?

Depending on the nature of our visit, we anticipate spending anywhere from 20-30 minutes with each pet for wellness checkups and 30-60 minutes or longer for more involved visits such as illness visits, quality of life discussions, or euthanasia.

 

What happens if my pet is humanely euthanized or passes away at home?

We understand how hard it is to lose a beloved pet and then be faced with the difficult and painful decision of how to honor them after death; maybe a home burial or perhaps you are considering cremation. If cremation is planned, we will provide transportation to our hub office where we will securely hold your pet until our locally owned licensed crematorium picks them up for transport to their facility. We realize how difficult it can be to entrust your cherished pet with “strangers,” but we promise you that they will treat them as if they were their own! Please contact us to discuss this sensitive matter in more detail and for more information.

How far will you travel from your base location?

We will be providing service to Buffalo and most of the Northtowns and Southtowns. In an effort to maintain reliable service we will routinely be covering a distance of up to 30 miles from our base location. We will not be providing service beyond 40 miles. Please contact us to discuss your individual needs.

What if I have an emergency?

In the event of a true emergency, we will make every effort to get to you as soon as possible during the day. If you do not reach us or we have not returned your message in a timely manner, either during the day or after hours, we recommend that you take your pet immediately to the nearest stationary hospital or emergency clinic. In these instances, time is often of the essence, and we may not be able to get to you quickly enough. Information for the various emergency hospitals can be found here.