It depends on the clinic. Some urgent-care and same-day clinics say they accept walk-ins; others require an appointment or a call first. A clinic that accepts walk-ins may still be full. On each city page we show the walk-in policy only when the clinic publishes one; otherwise the card says “not published.” We never guess. Call before you drive.
There is no single walk-in rule for every vet. General practices, urgent-care clinics and emergency hospitals all set their own policies, and those policies can change when a clinic is busy, short-staffed, or closed for a holiday.
On each city page, every clinic card has a walk-in line taken from that clinic’s own website:
- Yes means the clinic’s site says it accepts walk-ins. You should still call, because the clinic may be full or may prioritize sicker pets.
- No means the clinic’s site says it does not accept walk-ins. Book online or call as the card describes.
- Not published means we could not find a clear walk-in policy on the clinic’s site, so we do not guess. Call or check the clinic’s website.
If the problem may be life-threatening, do not wait on a walk-in policy. Go to a 24/7 ER. Use the urgent care or ER checklist if you are unsure, and call ahead when you can.
Related questions
Can I take my pet to urgent care instead of the ER?
Yes, when the problem is not immediately life-threatening and your pet is otherwise alert — for example occasional vomiting or diarrhea with the pet still keeping water down, limping but still using the leg, small wounds, or ear problems. Go to a 24/7 ER now for trouble breathing, collapse, a long seizure, heavy bleeding, a swallowed toxin, a male cat straining to pee, and the other emergency signs on our checklist. Many urgent-care clinics close overnight. When in doubt, call a vet or ER.
Is my pet’s problem an emergency?
Treat it as an emergency and go to a 24/7 animal ER for trouble breathing, collapse or not being able to stand, a seizure now or one that lasts more than 5 minutes, heavy bleeding or major trauma, a known or suspected toxin, a male cat straining to pee with little or no urine, a swollen or hard belly, trouble giving birth, signs of heatstroke, severe pain or sudden paralysis, or a serious eye or head injury. If your pet is “off” but alert, a same-day or urgent-care vet is often the better fit. When in doubt, call or go to an ER.
Are vets open on weekends and holidays?
Some urgent-care and same-day clinics are open Saturdays, and some are open Sundays. 24/7 emergency hospitals are open every day, including holidays, unless a clinic’s own website says otherwise. Posted hours change, and the “Open now” filter on our city pages does not know about holidays or sudden closures. Call ahead, especially around Thanksgiving, Christmas and July 4. Each city page lists clinics that post weekend hours, with 24/7 ERs at the bottom.
What should I do if I think my pet ate something poisonous?
Call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (both 24/7; a consultation fee may apply) and go to a 24/7 ER if they advise it, or if your pet is already in distress. Do not give home remedies or try to make your pet vomit unless a veterinarian or poison expert tells you to. A searchable list of common toxins is at https://vetsopentoday.com/pet-toxin-checker.html.
See vets by city for published walk-in rules, or read more in the FAQ.