Getting a New Pet

Tips from Great Falls Animal Hospital

So you’re ready for your family to grow? Getting a new pet is always an exciting time – whether you’re adopting a middle-aged abandoned dog or starting anew with a kitten. In every case, we’re here for you and your new pet today, next month, and in 10+ years. If you are about to become a new pet parent, visit our New Clients page to discover and learn all about what to expect, download essential new pet forms, and more!

There are many things for you to take into consideration when adding another furry friend to your family. Do you already have pets? What “tricks” will you (or should you) teach your pet? What kind of food should you buy? How do you make this affordable?

The first step is to make an appointment with your veterinarian so they can examine the pet, administer the appropriate vaccinations, and do a few tests to make sure he or she is happy and healthy. While at this visit, it is important to talk to your vet about two things:

If you’re adopting or buying a baby animal, you should also start thinking about training. There is a plethora of helpful information out there on what you should teach your pet and the best way to go about doing this. Pet Health Network, the ASPCA, and Vetstreet all offer themselves as informative and valuable resources.

Here are some more valuable links to help you along you and your pet’s journey:

If you ever have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call our office at (703) 759-2330. We hope you and your new pet create rich and fun memories together!

The Right Choice for Your Beloved Pet

A dog groomer dries a bichon maltese dog with a hair dryer.

Five Decades of Care

When experience matters choose a veterinary hospital that is backed by more than 50 years of experience. We’re here to combine our experience and compassion to care for your beloved pet.

Many Payment Options

We know how stressful and expensive it can be when your pet is sick. We truly care about your pet’s health, let us work with you to find the best payment option for your pet’s visit.

Our Mission for Your Pet

We are guided by the common understanding that the hospital’s foremost mission is to keep our patients healthy and enjoying life with their families.

Real Stories from Real Owners

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We had a chick that had a kinked neck about 2 weeks into her life. Thought it might be wry so added some vitamins to no avail. She was our only buff orpington and I assumed that she'd either get better or pass but two weeks later she was still kicking and still had a kinked neck. Decided to take her to the vet really just to see if her quality of life could be okay and Dr. Payton checked her out and took great care of her, explained what she thought was the most likely cause, and gave us some anti inflammatory medicine to hopefully help relieve some tension and help her heal. She was kind enough to teach us how to administer droplet medication to a chick as well, which is not something I'd normally do but my wife quite likes this particular chick. She made it look a lot easier than it is.We didn't have to wait long, the rest of the staff was friendly, and we had no issues at this vet.The price was reasonable even though I realize it may be a bit silly to take a chick to the vet.I'd take birds here again and highly recommend Dr. Payton Smith
From the day we brought our bunnies, Peach and Poppy, home it's been a roller coaster. Both of our girls came to us very sick and were later diagnosed with Pasteurella. After many visits, we've gotten to know the incredible staff. Through every high, every setback, and every difficult decision, the entire team has guided us with kindness, compassion, and support.A huge thank you to Dr. Speak, who has been nothing short of amazing. She has been with us since the very beginning, caring for both Peach and Poppy. She walked alongside us through the heartbreaking loss of Peach with so much empathy and continues to guide us through Poppy's ongoing health journey. We truly couldn't have asked for a better veterinarian.Thank you to Dr. Zeledon for taking such wonderful care of Poppy during both her spay and her recent abscess removal surgery, and to Dr. Free for the exceptional care and reassurance during Poppy's recent ER visit.To every veterinary technician and staff member, thank you. Your kindness, patience, and genuine love for animals are evident in everything you do. You always take the time to answer our questions, ease our worries, and care for our pets as if they were your own. While we never imagined this would be our journey, we are incredibly grateful to have had such an amazing team guiding us every step of the way. You've never made us feel like just another appointment, and we will never forget the kindness and compassion you've shown us.
We and Finley loved Dr Newman! She was warm, loving and caring. And she taught us a great trick to cleaning Finley's ears! We've had Springers all our lives and she was the first to show us a better way. So grateful!
There are no words that could truly express how grateful I am to the entire team at this animal hospital.When my dog, Diamond, developed a life-threatening urinary blockage, they acted quickly and gave her the emergency care she desperately needed. They were compassionate, professional, and kept me informed every step of the way during one of the most stressful moments I’ve ever experienced.Because of their knowledge, dedication, and fast action, Diamond is home with me today recovering. They didn’t just treat my dog—they saved her life.Thank you to every veterinarian, technician, and staff member who cared for Diamond with such kindness and compassion. I will never forget what you did for my family. I highly recommend this hospital to anyone who wants the very best care for their pet.
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Monday – Friday: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday: 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
Sunday: Closed

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