Pet Emergency Phone Number:
02 4627 1333
What to do in an emergency
Prevent further injury to your pet or yourself
This is common sense, and obviously it will depend on the circumstances. If for instance your pet has been hit by a car, you should move it off the road. And be careful – don’t risk injury to yourself. Even the most loyal family pet can bite you when it’s distressed or in pain.
Provide First Aid if necessary
Sick or injured animals should first be examined by you, and kept warm and dry. The article on Common Emergencies will provide information to help you provide appropriate first aid for your pet. Refer to the birds and wildlife, and stray dogs and cats pages which explain how to care for these injured animals.
Call for veterinary assistance if needed
Phone your local veterinarian, or if they are closed contact one of the emergency centres below. Calling one of our clinics will put you in touch with the help that you need. During business hours emergencies are always given priority, whether you have an appointment or not.
Please phone first – we can advise what to do, and make sure that a vet will be available when you arrive.
If we’re closed, call us on 02 4627 1333 and our after-hours service will refer your call to one of two dedicated emergency centres – either the Animal Referral Hospital at Homebush, or SASH Western Sydney Specialist Hospital. Both of these centres operate an emergency service with staff on the premises 24/7.
When should you call for emergency after-hours help?
Ultimately this decision is yours, but we would consider it to be an emergency if your pet:
- is having difficulty breathing
- has lost consciousness
- is having sustained ( > 5 mins) or repeated seizures
- is bleeding uncontrollably
- has eaten snail bait, or another poison
- has been in labour for more than 2 hours without delivering a puppy or kitten
- has any problem that you think could be life-threatening or that is causing him/her significant pain or distress, and it can’t wait until we are open.
For emergencies on a larger scale…
The EMA (Emergency Management Australia) has issued an Action Guide concerning the safety and welfare of pets in a large scale emergency or disaster.
Animal Emergency Centres
If you have an emergency outside of our opening hours, please contact your nearest emergency vet below.
Animal Referral Hospital
250 Parramatta Road, Homebush
The Animal Referral Hospital is situated beside Sydney Markets on the corner of Parramatta and Flemington Roads in Homebush. Bus routes 378 and 380 will get you there.
Phone: 02 9758 8666
Opening Hours
Monday – Friday: 6pm – 8am
All weekend: 5pm Friday – 8am Monday
SASH – The Small Animal Specialist Hospital
1 Rowood Road, Prospect
SASH Western Sydney is open for emergencies and specialist appointments.
Phone: 02 9061 6836
Opening Hours
24/7 including public holidays.
Related content
- It’s Spring Time! post
- Common Emergencies in Dogs and Cats article
- Toxic Foods, Plants and Other Substances article
- Holidaying with Your Pet article
- Wildlife and Rescue service