Emergency and out-of-hours care

Your responsibilities  

As an animal owner, you have a legal duty of care for your pet's welfare. This includes taking reasonable steps to meet their needs, such as seeking veterinary treatment promptly if they are injured or ill. 

Plan ahead  

Being prepared can help you act quickly in an emergency. While every veterinary practice must provide out-of-hours care, the way this is delivered can vary. 

• Check your practice’s arrangements: ask who provides their out-of-hours service and how to reach them.
• Save contact details: store the emergency number on your phone and make a note of the practice address.
• Plan transport: you are usually responsible for transporting your animal to the emergency provider. Consider how you’ll get your animal to the emergency provider, especially at night. Home visits are typically only available for larger animals.
• Keep records handy: have your pet’s microchip and insurance details ready in case they’re needed

Your vet's responsibilities

Every veterinary practice in the UK must provide 24-hour emergency first aid and pain relief. This is a legal requirement.

How practices provide emergency cover

Emergency care might be provided through: 

• A 24-hour service at the practice
• Shared arrangements with other local practices
• A dedicated emergency clinic
• Online services working with local practices 

Whatever the arrangement, your vet must ensure you can access emergency care if needed. The emergency provider should have access to the full range of medicines, equipment and facilities, although this may not be possible in exceptional circumstances. 

First aid and pain relief

In an emergency, a vet’s priority is to relieve an animal’s pain and suffering. This may include:  

• Administering first aid and pain relief
• In some cases, euthanasia (ending an animal’s life to relieve suffering, often called ‘putting an animal to sleep') if it is the most appropriate option

A vet should not unreasonably refuse to provide first aid and pain relief for any animal of a species treated by the practice during normal working hours. They should also help other species until a suitable emergency veterinary service can take over. 

Response times

Online services

Some practices use online emergency services to remotely connect you with a vet. These services must still provide effective first aid and pain relief, often by working with local practices or clinics.

If your practice uses this model, they should explain how it works and ensure you can access hands-on treatment if needed.

Home visits

For large animals, such as horses or farm animals, emergency vets often attend your location, as this is generally more practical and less stressful for the animal. 

For smaller animals, you will usually need to travel to a practice or emergency clinic. Home visits may be available in exceptional circumstances. 

Non-registered clients

Costs

Emergency veterinary care usually costs more than routine treatment. This reflects the expense of providing 24-hour coverage and the urgent nature of emergency treatment.

While practices can't refuse emergency first aid and pain relief, they can discuss costs with you and may ask for payment at the time of treatment. If you're concerned about costs, speak to the practice team. They may be able to offer payment plans or discuss prioritising the most essential treatment.  

Any discussion of costs should not delay first aid or pain relief for your animal.