Month: November 2020

Drinking Water Testing Safety Facts Revealed

Air Quality and Water Testing

Mold isn’t a bad word.Every home has mold and without it the world wouldn’t be habitable for humans or animals. Mold only becomes a problem when there is too much of it,when it causes problems for your health,or when it is unsightly and causing damage to property.

This is where mold testing comes in.Take a look at this simple guide to mold testing to determine if you need mold testing,and what kind of testing best suits your needs

Residential inspection offers Air quality testing and water testing. is a full service environmental analytical laboratory, specializing in mold analysis, servicing home inspectors and mold testing professionals nationwide

unique and distinguished by offering the Mold|Safe Accuracy Guarantee, the only mold warranty in the country. The Accuracy Guarantee covers up to $3,000 for remediation of any visible mold for 90 days after an inspection when the inspection report indicates no visible mold or problematic mold counts in the air.

offers the long-sought after assurance by home and mold inspectors that home buyers, home sellers, and real estate agents can rely on to ensure they are getting a problem free property.

Well Water Testing

Prior to purchasing a home with a well, it’s important to have the well tested to make sure it’s in good condition. It’s also important to test the water that comes from the well to ensure it’s safe for human consumption

Home Inspections can provide you with well inspection services, including water quality testing services. We’ve been providing people throughout the state with well water inspections for more than a decade, and we have the experience it takes to spot potential problems during well water testing and inspection.

The water well inspectors from Home Inspections typically begin by performing load tests on a well. This helps us determine if a well is experiencing any issues with regard to water pressure, water flow or recovery. We’ll also examine the individual components within the well to ensure they’re operating properly. Following the inspection, we can provide suggestions for any repairs that might need to be made to the well, either now or at some point in the future.

Water Quality Testing

If your family gets drinking water from a private well, do you know if your water is safe to drink? What health risks could you and your family face? Where can you go for help or advice? The EPA regulates public water systems; it does not have the authority to regulate private drinking water wells

Approximately 15% of Americans rely on their own private drinking water supplies, and these supplies are not subject to EPA standards, although some state and local governments do set rules to protect users of these wells. Unlike public drinking water systems serving many people, they do not have experts regularly checking the water’s source and its quality before it is sent to the tap. These households must take special precautions to ensure the protection and maintenance of their drinking water supplies.

What does the testing cover?

Arsenic

Uranium

Coliform

E.Coli

Nitrates

Nitrites

pH

Chloride

Hardness

Copper

Iron

Manganese

Source Lead

Fluoride.

WATER ANALYSES INTERPRETATION GUIDE

Arsenic, Uranium, Coliform, E.Coli, Nitrates, Nitrites, pH, Chloride, Hardness, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Source Lead, Fluoride Water Testing.

Should I test my water quality?

When you make an offer to purchase a house with a private well, perform a test to analyze water quality. Make your contract contingent on obtaining the desired test results. Use a state-certified laboratory, and if you are allowed to draw water samples yourself, be sure to follow the instructions carefully.

The EPA recommends that you test well water annually for nitrates and coliform bacteria, but the lab may suggest additional tests important for your specific property or region

Such as:

Testing for pesticides if the home is built on the site of an old orchard or farm.

Testing for volatile organic chemicals if an oil tank is buried on the property, or if commercial storage tanks are buried nearby.

Testing for lead if the home has lead pipes.

Lead tests are important for homes with public water, too, since contamination occurs after the water enters the plumbing.

The results of your water tests might show contaminants that are offensive, but not health risks. The lab can advise you about the differences between that type of contaminant and dangerous contaminants, and their possible sources. Don’t hesitate to ask as many questions as it takes to answer all of your concerns.

Water Testing for Private Wells and Springs

Homes in different areas obtain water from different sources: a home within the city limits may draw water from a municipal source, while homes in rural areas often obtain water from a well or spring. Water taken from a municipal system is usually monitored closely by the municipality for various bacteria and contaminants. If the bacteria count reaches a certain level due to spring runoff, heavy rains or a heat wave that explodes the bacteria count, a “boil water advisory” is issued.

People in rural areas do not have the luxury of continuous monitoring of their water source. Their water may be contaminated in a number of ways: agricultural runoff can deliver pesticides, nitrogen and coliform bacteria to their well, rodents may find their way into the well or spring, or colonies of insects may set up camp in their water source.

That depends upon several factors.

If the home will be financed with an FHA or VA loan, the lender will most likely require a Standard Scan or an FHA Scan at the very least. The FHA Scan tests for coliform, lead, nitrates and nitrites. However, it may be best to order a more complete water test if you have any concerns about nearby sources of water contamination

Ask yourself if you have any concerns about the water source as it relates to it’s proximity to agricultural areas, major highways that are heavily salted in winter, gas stations, industrial facilities, landfills, and the home’s septic system. Water can become contaminated with bacteria, e coli, and any number of heavy metals and industrial pollutants if the water source is near any of these influences.

Another concern may be the material used in the plumbing system of the home: some of the water distribution piping in the home may be made of lead, which could contribute to elevated levels of lead in the drinking water. Ask your home inspector to identify the plumbing materials in the home, including the main water inlet, to determine if lead contamination may be a concern.

Principles Of Accounting And Accountant Assumptions

Discovering the 4 Types of Accounting

Multiple types of accounting careers exist within the financial industry, with each performing a differing range of functions. Branches of accounting vary based on the employment setting, range of responsibilities and daily activities, types of available advancement, and other factors. This article will break down various types of accounting and their careers into four broad categories. Though different professional accounting sources may divide accounting careers into different categories, the four types listed here reflect the accounting roles commonly available throughout the profession. These four branches include corporate, public, government, and forensic accounting. An undergraduate degree is most often required for any accounting career, while previous master’s work, especially in the accounting field, is often strongly preferred. Below, we’ll explore the nuances of each common area of accounting.

Corporate Accounting

Overview: According to a summary published by AccountingTools.com, corporate accounting involves the use, handling, and filing of a company’s financial data often for the purpose of external reporting and tax compliance. To accomplish their role, corporate accountants must be well apprised of certain widely held accounting methodologies to maintain accurate records and to keep their financial and tax submissions in compliance with appropriate rules, regulations, and standards. A few of these common types of accounting principles, standards, and procedures include Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the Internal Revenue Code (IRC).

Jobs Possible: The types of jobs in which someone might be involved in corporate accounting often involve external reporting. This could include working with the financial statements a corporation or preparing their tax filings. Executive positions such as financial controllers, analysts, and Chief Financial Officers (CFO’s) are also considered financial accounting roles. Many traditional financial accounting positions include managerial responsibilities.

Public Accounting

Overview: Public accountants work with external clients, most often companies, corporations, or individuals. Their responsibility to clients is to help ensure their financial statements, records, and filings are accurate. Public accountants often work closely with tax regulations and financial reporting and must maintain an up-to-date knowledge of both GAAP and the tax code. They must also understand, and be able to apply, industry-standard accounting frameworks and best practices. Public accountants must possess strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail. Excellent people skills are also key, to effectively interact with clients.

Jobs Possible: Public accounting positions are found in public accounting firms that serve external clients. Clientele could range from small local firms that serve individuals and small businesses to international corporate conglomerates that serve multi-billion-dollar companies. Public accountants can advance into management positions at a team or company-wide level, depending on the nature of the firm. Public accounting work can also often lead to leadership positions within their firms.

Government Accounting

Overview: Government accountants work within the context of local, state, or federal government entities. They often work within frameworks that differ from those employed by public accountants. Government accountants are also often more strictly vetted, and in some positions will be responsible for keeping privileged or confidential information.

Jobs Possible: Government financial professionals perform a wide range of duties. They might audit private documentation or tax submissions, maintain the financial records of government branches or bodies, or manage government resources. OneWire Resources, a resource for financial professionals, warns that government positions may not be as highly compensated as comparable positions in the private sector. However, government positions offer certain perks and advantages that can offset lower earning power. According to a comparison by Monster.com, government jobs often offer substantially better educational, insurance, healthcare, and retirement benefits than many civilian jobs.

Forensic Accounting

Overview: Forensic accounting refers to a branch of accounting that collects, recovers, and reconstructs financial data when it is difficult or impossible to obtain. In addition to understanding accounting principles and practices, forensic accountants must be resourceful, creative, and able to solve often-complex problems. A sample job listing for a forensic accountant from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) stresses the importance of collaboration, communication, and investigative skills. Previous coursework in law, or related experience, is also often attractive to potential employers in this field.

Jobs Possible: Forensic accounting positions can vary widely. Some forensic accountants are employed by larger law firms while others are employed by legislative entities. Government agencies including the FBI, the IRS, and beyond also employ forensic accountants. Still, other forensic accounting professionals prefer to be self-employed and work on a contract basis for corporations, insurance companies, and other private entities.

An accounting professional may choose from a wide range of employment scenarios and desired amenities to match their ideal career situation. Options include fast-paced positions that change often and may feature significant travel, to more standard positions that provide stable working conditions and responsibilities. Career choices may include roles that require significant teamwork and interpersonal interaction to positions that are primarily data-oriented which might require minimal outside personal contact.

Industry & commerce

The success of an industrial or commercial concern is very much tied up with economics, i.e. budgeting, cash flow, cost control and accounting systems.

Director, company secretary, chief accountant, chief executive, financial adviser, management accountant and internal auditor are just a few of the possible job titles for accountants in industry or commerce.

Accountants in industry form an important part of the management team. Sophisticated computer systems are widely used to store and analyse financial information quickly and accurately.

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING

This area is concerned with keeping records of monetary transactions. Tasks include the setting up and supervision of a firm’s internal audit, preparing the accounts and reports for directors, protecting the firm’s assets and investments, and preparing share prospectuses in order to raise new capital. Wages, salaries, taxation, expenditure and invoices are also handled in this section.

MANAGEMENT & COST ACCOUNTING

Budgetary control, forecasting needs and expenditure monitoring are the main tasks. The work may also include analysing and comparing costs, explaining financial information to non-financial managers and preparing management reports.

To cost a job, service or operation, calculations must include a price element covering labour, materials, machinery, buildings and fuel.

OTHER SPECIALISATIONS

Treasury management involves sophisticated financial housekeeping; for instance, ensuring the best borrowing rates, keeping stock-piling and debts to a minimum, streamlining invoicing procedures and investing the firm’s money. Tax management and pension fund management can also be separate jobs.

Accountants trained in industry and commerce can do similar work in public services (e.g. local or national government) or move sideways into fields such as management consultancy.

How Financial Accounting Differs From Managerial Accounting

Financial accounting and managerial accounting are two of the four largest branches of the accounting discipline (tax accounting and auditing are the others). Despite many similarities in approach and usage, there are significant differences between the two. These differences center around compliance, accounting standards, and target audiences.

Main Objectives of Both Accounting Practices

The main objective of managerial accounting is to produce useful information for a company’s internal use. Business managers collect information that encourages strategic planning, helps them set realistic goals, and encourages an efficient directing of company resources.

Financial accounting has some internal uses as well, but it is much more concerned with informing those outside of a company. The final accounts or financial statements produced through financial accounting are designed to disclose the firm’s business performance and financial health. If managerial accounting is created for a company’s management, financial accounting is created for its investors, creditors, and industry regulators.

Past and Present Use

The information created through financial accounting is entirely historical; financial statements contain data for a defined period of time. Managerial accounting looks at past performance and creates business forecasts. Business decisions should be informed by this type of accounting.

Investors and creditors often use financial statements to create forecasts of their own. In this way, financial accounting is not entirely backward-looking. Nevertheless, no future forecasting is allowed in the statements.

Understanding an Accounting Method

All businesses need to keep accounting records. Public companies are required to do so. Accounting allows a business to monitor every aspect of its finances, from revenues to costs to taxes and more. Without accurate accounting, a business would not know where it stood financially, most likely resulting in its demise.

Accounting is also needed to pay accurate taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If the IRS ever conducts an audit on a company, it looks at a company’s accounting records and methods. Furthermore, the IRS requires taxpayers to choose an accounting method that accurately reflects their income and to be consistent in their choice of accounting method from year to year.

This is because switching between methods would potentially allow a company to manipulate revenue to minimize their tax burdens. As such, IRS approval is required to change methods. Companies may use a hybrid of the two methods, which is allowable under IRS rules if specified requirements are met.

Cash Accounting

If you’re a business owner, adopting the cash accounting enables you to focus only on corporate transactions involving cash. Other economic events — those with no monetary input — don’t matter because they don’t make it into financial statements. Under the cash accounting method, a corporate bookkeeper always debits or credits the cash account in each journal entry, depending on the transaction. To record customer remittances, for example, the bookkeeper debits the cash account and credits the sales revenue account. Don’t mistake an accounting cash debit for a banking debit. The former means an increase in company money, whereas the latter reduces funds in a client’s account.

Accrual Accounting

Under the accrual method of accounting, a company records all transactional data, regardless of monetary inflows or outflows. In other words, this accounting type incorporates the cash accounting method, but goes beyond it to take into account all transactions making up a corporation’s operating activities. In a financial dictionary, “accruing” means accumulating an item and recording it as legally binding even though no cash payment takes place. The phrases “accounts payable” and “accounts receivable” perfectly illustrate the concept of accrual. Accounts payable — also known as vendor payables — represent money a business owes vendors at a given point in time. The entity accrues the payables until it settles the underlying debts. The same analysis applies to customer receivables — the other name for accounts receivable — which represents money clients owe a business.

Upholstery Cleaning Before The Holiday Season

Steam Cleaning Upholstered Furniture

Steam cleaners remove stains, imbedded dirt and odors from most upholstered furniture, and at the right temperature, they can also disinfect sofas, chairs and ottomans. A steam cleaner relies on hot water rather than chemicals or scented shampoos, making it ideal for a wide range of fabrics and for people sensitive to fragrance. Don’t steam-clean upholstery that is sensitive to water, including leather, and always check the furniture’s care tag for specific cleaning recommendations.

Get the Right Equipment

A subpar steam cleaner makes little difference in the cleanliness and appearance of upholstery, but a unit with an upholstery attachment with stiff bristles gently scrubs the upholstery, loosening dirt and stains quickly. A medium- to large-size tank reduces refill trips, saving time; a 48-ounce tank lasts approximately 45 minutes with continuous steaming, while a small 6-ounce tank runs out in as few as 10 minutes. If a smaller unit is your only option, choose a steam cleaner that heats quickly. The temperature achieved by the device is also important: A cheap steam cleaner that only heats water to a relatively tepid temperature won’t loosen dirt as effectively or disinfect the upholstery. A steam cleaner should reach at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit to sanitize upholstery and 212 degrees to disinfect.

Vacuuming and Pretreating

Vacuum the furniture thoroughly with a soft-bristle attachment before cleaning to give the steam cleaner a head start. Pretreating stains also leads to the best results. Plain vodka removes many food stains as well as grass and ink spots, while mild detergent and water remove coffee and some fatty stains, such as those caused by cheese. Use a dry cleaning solvent on more stubborn stains. Test your chosen spot treatment in a hidden area before tackling the actual stain; not all fabrics stand up well to stain removers, and certain products may cause lightening or discoloration.

Steam Cleaning Tips

Read the directions provided by the steam cleaner manufacturer thoroughly before starting. Work your way from the top of the furniture down and spend ample time on each section. A quick once-over won’t remove dirt and stains effectively, nor disinfect the upholstery. Spend at least 1 minute per section for the best results, and up to 5 minutes per section if your steam cleaner only reaches a lower heat. Don’t add shampoo or upholstery cleaner to the tank. A traditional steam cleaner isn’t outfitted with a rinsing tank, and any shampoo will remain in the upholstery. When you’re finished, refrain from sitting on or using the furniture until it’s completely dry. Speed up the process by opening windows or setting up a box fan in the room.

Benefits of Professional Steam Cleaners

When faced with excessively dirty upholstery, hiring a professional is in the best interest of your furniture. Professional steam-cleaning companies utilize industrial-strength equipment that remove even the toughest of stains, and the technician’s experience ensures that he or she doesn’t damage the upholstery in the process. Keep your upholstery clean by steam-cleaning on your own annually, and hire a professional every other year for a deep cleaning. Depending on your lifestyle and the condition of your furniture, you may be able to do this less often or invest in yearly professional cleanings. While steam-cleaning is one of the best ways to make your furniture last for several years, over-cleaning breaks down the fabric and the dyes, wearing the upholstery out quickly. Steam-clean only when it’s necessary and keep furniture in top shape by vacuuming once a week and cleaning stains immediately with a spot remover.

THE STEPS OF CLEANING AND MAINTAINING YOUR UPHOLSTERY

Furniture stains are very unsightly and can take away from the aesthetic of even the most well designed room. Although spills are inevitable and sometimes unavoidable, they don’t always have to stain. With proper spot cleaning and routine maintenance, you can prevent unsightly stains and keep your upholstery looking and feeling like new for years to come. This brief guide will help you clean and maintain your upholstery to maintain its fresh new appearance.

Clean Spills Quickly

When someone spills coffee, soda, or red wine on your upholstered furniture, blot the spill immediately with a clean folded towel. Rubbing the spill will only cause the staining liquids to penetrate the fabric, so remember to blot gently. Before you use a mild cleaning product, test in an inconspicuous area to see if the cleaner has a negative reaction with the fabric

Vacuum Regularly

One important aspect of upholstery cleaning and maintenance is regular vacuuming. Vacuum your upholstered furniture weekly to remove surface soil and prevent dirt from becoming embedded into the fibers. If using a brush attachment, always use a soft bristled brush so you don’t snag and tear the fabric.

Turn Over Loose Cushions

You can greatly extend the life of your upholstered furniture by periodically turning over loose cushions. This easy maintenance step allows for an even distribution of wear and tear which helps the cushions maintain their shape and avoid looking dirty and worn.

Call a Professional

The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification recommends having your upholstered furniture professional cleaned every one or two years. An upholstery cleaning company can remove stains and restore fabric so your furniture looks and feels like new.

Furniture Upholstery

The only downside to upholstery is what can happen when it comes into contact with liquids. Unlike solid surfaces, upholstery fabrics are vulnerable to spills and stains and, therefore, will inevitably require occasional cleaning and care. Savvy homeowners know that not all fabrics are alike. And even more importantly, they also know that this means not all fabrics can be treated the same.

To make it easier for our customers to care for their upholstered Gabby furniture, we classify all of our fabrics under one of four categories. These four cleaning codes explain the exact methods for achieving the best results when cleaning and caring for fabrics. Every one of our fabrics and samples are labeled with one of these four codes, so referencing care and cleaning instructions is a breeze.

Here is a quick look at our four cleaning codes for fabric care.

W: Standing for “water-based only,” this cleaning code is found on fabrics that should not be cleaned with solvents. Rather, these fabrics should be cleaned, but not over wet, with water-based shampoos or foam upholstery cleaners.

S: Fabrics labeled with this cleaning code are to be treated with dry-cleaning solvents. The most important thing to remember with this code is to not use water. You do not want to saturate or get these fabrics wet.

SW: This cleaning code is more lenient. Fabrics marked “SW” can be treated with shampoo or dry-cleaning solvents as you desire.

X: Certain fabrics should not be cleaned with water, solvents, or any other cleaners. Rather, it’s only recommended that these fabrics are vacuumed and brushed lightly.

All of our Choice Fabrics and Finishes, for instance, are cleaning code “S.” This collection features some of our most popular imported designs, now available with over 17 fabrics and 5 unique wood finishes to choose from for customized transitional-style seating. Homeowners and designers love using this collection to turn visions into fabulous designs with fabrics that enhance interiors and express personal style

There are a couple of other additional tips we always offer our customers. First, we recommend keeping all covers on cushions. They may have zippers, but we urge you never remove cushion covers to be separately laundered or dry-cleaned. We also carefully instruct customers to refrain from using bleach or any tumble method cleaning service. This may damage, shrink, or destroy the backing of upholstery fabrics. Finally, most of our pile fabrics – no matter the cleaning code – can be brushed to restore their original appearance.

Care & Cleaning

Spot cleaning

Treat spills and stains as soon as possible. Test on hidden area to ensure fabric and colour are not removed. Gently scrape any soil or mop any liquid from the surface of the fabric. Use of soap or detergent with water should be approached with caution since overzealous rinsing to remove soap residue may result in over-wetting, water marking and possible wetting of substructure (this may create other stains or damage products).

For non-oil-based stains use warm water and non-toilet soaps which do not contain optical brighteners (consider Velvet soap, Lux Flakes, Softly). Mix a small amount of soap and warm water solution and apply to the stain, rubbing gently. Blot dry with a clean towel. Apply cool water (preferably filtered or distilled water) and blot dry again. Then with a hair dryer, working out from the centre of the stain, dry quickly to prevent rings forming. It is generally preferable to clean whole panels of fabric in this way rather than trying to spot clean specific areas.

For oil-based stains following the same basic guidelines as above, apply a proprietary brand solvent based cleaner and try to clean generally in panels rather than spot cleaning specific areas. A helpful industry ‘secret’ for spot removal of oil based biro marks is by the application of conventional hair spray or Glen 20.

A First Aid Kit for Fabrics

To further enhance spot cleaning results, have introduced the Halo Fabric Care Kit which includes Halo spot cleaner for most household stains, Halo fabric deodoriser to help neutralise pet and general odours and Halo fabric protector to restore liquid repellency on fabric sections that have been spot cleaned

Professional fabric servicing

Fabrics recommend that water-based ‘Fluro chemical’ type fabric protectors be applied by licensed applicators only. Check your care label first to see if a mill-applied protection was incorporated during fabric manufacture. Fabric protectors do not eliminate the need for vacuuming, routine cleaning or proper care. They will, however, make spot cleaning and vacuuming quicker, easier and more efficient between professional cleans and keep your fabric looking cleaner longer, as well as extending its life. Professionals applying fabric protectors must always pre-test to qualify fabric suitability.

Warning

Extreme caution should be taken if considering treatment of velvets and pocket weaves with stain repellent products. Some high pile velvet and pocket weave jacquards may change in surface character if stain repellent treatments are incorrectly applied. Extra care should be taken to pre-test for these fabrics.

Upholstery Cleaning for All Furniture Types

Try as you may to protect your furniture, whether you have a house full of kids and animals or it’s just you alone, spills and stains are inevitable. And even if you are careful and manage to avoid big disasters and small spills, cleaning furniture thoroughly is an important task that many people forget about. In fact, you may not even realize how much bacteria and allergens have built up in your upholstery — and which could even be contributing negatively toward your health.

Because of all this, it’s crucial that you make sure to clean your couches and other furniture thoroughly and regularly. Professional upholstery cleanings are the best way to eradicate bacteria and allergens, but proper maintenance in between cleanings is also essential. Here is a guide to everything you need to know about furniture and upholstery cleaning for each type of furniture.

What is the Best Way to Clean a Fabric Sofa?

There are a few different ways to tackle a fabric sofa, some are things that you should do regularly, and some at larger intervals or when a spill occurs:

Dry brush

Sometimes removing dirt and crumbs can be as simple as using a dry brush to loosen and sweep it off. Be sure to lay down something to catch the debris, or vacuum after.

Vacuum

A vacuum also works wonders on a fabric couch. Without having to get into water and water-based solutions, you can utilize a hand-held vacuum to clean and get into the nooks and crannies.

Wash covers

The benefit of some fabric furniture is that it has covers that you can simply unzip and wash in a regular machine. If yours has these covers, be sure to check for the specific washing instructions for that material.

Use baking soda

Sprinkling baking soda over a fabric couch can be a great way to remove odors and loosen stains, before vacuuming it up. You can also create a solution for a deeper clean or spot clean, with equal parts baking soda and water. Take care using baking soda on some upholstered surfaces like microfiber and leather.

How to Maintain Leather Furniture

Many people love the durability of leather furniture, as well as the perception that it is easy to clean. However, a great deal of attention is required when you have leather furniture, as many of the most common upholstery cleaning products will break down leather finishes and could cause permanent damage.

Here are some tips for maintaining leather furniture:

Wipe up spills as quickly as possible

Be sure to use towels or cloths that are soft and absorbent to lessen the potential for scratching the leather.

Keep it away from sunlight and ventilation

Placement of your leather furniture is more important than you think. Things such as sunlight or being placed directly next to an air-conditioning vent can age the leather much quicker.

Things That Veterinarian Say That Drive Pet Owners Crazy

Questions to Ask Before Finding a New Veterinarian

Getting a new pet, or your first pet, is an exciting time. Getting to know your pet is one of the most enjoyable stages of the process of raising a pet. Especially with cats, as their natural curiosity and sudden feats of athleticism and energy are constant entertainment. Whether you’re adopting an adult cat or bringing home a kitten, you’re going to want to establish a relationship with a veterinarian.

Before you start to canvas your area for available pet hospitals and start asking questions to determine if they’re a fit, you first need to decide whether you want to choose a small practice or a large practice. The answer to this question will help you qualify the pet hospitals into a smaller groups. If you want your new kitten to see the same vet each-and-every visit, you’re going to want to select a smaller practice. With a big practice, you’re most likely going to see a handful of different vets during your various visits as your your kitten grows into a cat.

Never had a pet and don’t know which to pick? Think about your personal preference when you see your doctor. Do you like to see the same doctor every time that knows your personally or do you enjoy the technology and speed of a large clinic? You’ll likely want the same for your pet.

Once you’ve decided, you’ll be able to glean from the different pet hospitals websites whether or not they qualify as a small practices or a large one. Also, quickly factor in location. Decide how far you’re willing to travel in order to see the vet. Make a list of three or four that are the right size and distance for you and prepare to ask them the following questions.

What is the average wait time for appointments?

If earlier you decided to go with a smaller practice, you should expect the wait time to be a bit longer than if you went with a larger practice. It’s always advisable to take your cat into the vet for regular visits, which in those cases you’re be able to comfortably set those appointments well in advance.  But, unfortunately, more than likely your cat will have something come up that requires your vet’s attention. In those cases, it’s nice to have the peace of mind that your pet will get in front of an experienced vet within a couple days of calling for an appointment.

If your job makes it difficult to get away during standard hours, a related question you might want to ask is how difficult is it to obtain a weekend appointment. Some cat appointments will take you no longer than 15 minutes, in which a quick lunch-hour appointment will be doable. Others, however, can take close to an hour, which puts a strain on a cat owner with a strict working schedule.

How far is the office from your Home?

How far are you willing to go?  Many people will drive an hour or more to see a specific vet, but the majority of people want a veterinarian to be nearby, especially in the case of an emergency.

Did you know that the majority of dog owners will find a vet within 5 miles of their home? In fact, many people choose a vet solely on the basis of proximity to their home.

How much do they charge?

This is tricky and often a delicate topic, but it is important to you if finances are a priority.

You should also feel comfortable with the fee schedule.  Is it reasonable or do you feel the veterinarian is more interested in money than your dog.

When your dog will need a surgery or other procedure, it is worthwhile to ask for an itemized quote of charges so you can be prepared.  If you are given a set fee, be sure that it covers everything.

What is your AAHA accreditation?

The American Animal Hospital Association has standards of excellence, such as separate areas for quarantine, that offer an additional level of trust. Learn about a potential vet’s level of accreditation to decide if it meets your standards.

What about emergency and referral services?

If the worst happens, you need access to life-saving care. Practices often partner with other veterinary clinics to offer rotating 24-hour emergency services.

Do you have separate waiting areas for dogs and cats (or other critters)?

That can ease the stress level of your pet, and it might be a very important consideration for some owners.

Are they familiar with your particular breed?

It doesn’t mean that you won’t let them take care of your dog if they aren’t familiar with the breed; however, it does help to know if they’ve worked with other dogs of the same breed. Many pet owners actually look for this in a veterinarian. It’ll give you a lot of comfort in a way that your vet may have already encountered problems with the breed and may be able to anticipate issues or handle issues swiftly if they do come about. You can ask this question, but don’t hold it against your potential vet if they say no. It might be an opportunity for them to get to know your dog better, and in return, be able to provide better care for your pet.

How long have they been in practice?

The length of a veterinarian’s practice doesn’t necessarily reflect expertise, but in majority of cases, it just might. New practices will have many other things to get around to in order to get established, and in some ways, it might compromise the quality of care provided to your dog. Practices that have already been established for a long time are used to the back work required in running a clinic, and can therefore focus more on the animals themselves. Finding a practice that has been around for at least a couple of years should be fine, unless you’re confident and willing to work with a completely new veterinarian. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with supporting a new clinic, as long as you check credentials and make sure everything else is legit.

Do they specialize in large or small animals?

Specialization is quite important. You might not want to take your dog to a clinic that only specializes in smaller reptiles or the like. A good veterinarian will refer you to another vet that can handle your dog’s issues if they can’t, but that’s not always a guarantee. Most of the time, you’re better off finding a vet on your own that typically works with the type of animal you have. This will eliminate issues later on when your dog gets sick and you can’t figure out what’s wrong with him or her. Time is always sensitive matter when dealing with any type of dog sickness, so it’s imperative to have a veterinarian that’s used to the type of animal you may have.

How many doctors are in the practice?

It is important to not only know how many Veterinarians are in the practice, but also who they are. There may be times when your Veterinarian is out of the office and you will need to see another Veterinarian within the practice.

In addition to knowing who the other staff Veterinarians in the practice are, it is a good idea to inquire about any services they may or may not perform and if they see emergency cases when your Veterinarian is out of the office.

What are your payment options/package deals?

It’s good to know if your Veterinarian’s office offers any type of payment plans or if payment is due up front. This can help you to prepare for unexpected Vet bills.

And while most practices require payment at the time of service, many practices offer puppy and/or senior packages. Puppies require frequent veterinary care, which leads to higher than normal veterinary bills. To offset this expense, many practices offer puppy packages, which give you discounts on exams during your puppies vaccination series and/or bundled vaccine pricing.

As for our “young at heart” senior dogs, many practices will offer discounts on certain days for senior dogs or offer a senior package that mimics the puppy discount package with discounts on annual exams and testing. It’s just as important for your senior dog to have routine blood work tests as it is for a young dog.