Really dumb question for dog owners....

GermanGirl2007

Hey NYC Nesties!  My husband and I are moving to New York in a few months, and I will actually be out there this weekend browsing apartments. As I was thinking through where to live with my gigantic dog, I suddenly had a really random question come to mind....

How do you get your dog to the vet if you don't have a car?  This probably sounds SO stupid, but I have never been without a car before and have never had to think about it. Obviously if it is just a routine appointment and the vet is close, I can walk him.  But what if he is really sick. I seriously can't even lift my dog (he is 98 lbs.), let alone bring him anywhere. Do vets do house calls if the dog can't be moved?

Again, I realize this probably sounds like a moronic question, but I appreciate any info. And TIA for being patient with me....I feel like I am in WAY over my head, so I may have other questions that I haven't seen addressed on any of the "moving to NY" threads.

firedancer22

you're on to something, as a lot of vets actually still do housecalls around here.  also, i have moved my animals (and taken them to the emergency vet) in cabs before, with no problem.  ...though i have cats, not a ginormous dog, so i don't know how that would pan out!

when you get here and decide where you'll be living, check back.  i have lived in queens and brooklyn, and can recommend good vets in both boroughs.

 

GermanGirl2007

Thank you SO much!  We are actually looking in Queens....probably Astoria, but I am actually going to be out there this weekend to check things out.  Once I have a better idea I will check back.   Thanks again.

Pokeybear1

I have also taken my cat in taxis and on buses. 

 

There are pet taxi services. Some offer emergency calls. I've never used one, so I don't have any personal recs for those.  

Liza3394

Even though our dog is small and portable, we've chosen vets' that are in walking distance. That said, on the few occasions we've had emergencies, we just took a car service to the 24hr emergency vet. But it's good to have the pet taxi as an option.

Joanis018

I live in Astoria and have a great vet! Here's the Yelp reviews.  They're open til 9pm on weeknights, so when my dog broke out in hives at 730pm last week they fit us in right away.  Can't beat it.  I've called a couple of times with "emergencies" (I'm way over protective) and they fit us in right away.

But since you didn't come here looking for a vet, but rather a way to get to the vet... I've taken my dog in cabs before.  You can call a car service (I also have a great Astoria car service - I've called them and asked to pick me up right away and they're there within a minute or two ) or get a yellow cab.  I once had a cab driver ask me to keep the dog on the floor, but he got bored down there and the cabbie didn't say anything when Brady climbed back to the seat.  

GermanGirl2007

Joanis018:

I live in Astoria and have a great vet! Here's the Yelp reviews.  They're open til 9pm on weeknights, so when my dog broke out in hives at 730pm last week they fit us in right away.  Can't beat it.  I've called a couple of times with "emergencies" (I'm way over protective) and they fit us in right away.

But since you didn't come here looking for a vet, but rather a way to get to the vet... I've taken my dog in cabs before.  You can call a car service (I also have a great Astoria car service - I've called them and asked to pick me up right away and they're there within a minute or two ) or get a yellow cab.  I once had a cab driver ask me to keep the dog on the floor, but he got bored down there and the cabbie didn't say anything when Brady climbed back to the seat.  

AWESOME that you mentioned Astoria, AND recommended a vet, because that is where we are thinking of moving to! Thanks SO much for the links!