People might like to tease “cat ladies” and people who treat their pets like kids, but we have a heartwarming fact to silence these nasty critics. According to a recent survey of American pet owners, 66% said they view their pet as their best friend. That’s because dogs and cats really do make great friends; these trusty animals have evolved side-by-side with human beings.

We belong together.

If you are a new pet owner, of if you’ve recently moved to a new area, then one of the most important things you can do is to find a 24/7 urgent pet care center near you. Just like any parent would do for their children, you should know exactly where to take your little pup or kitten in the case of an emergency. Trust us, you don’t want to be frantically Googling “urgent pet care near me” in the middle of the night.

Find Emergency Veterinary Services BEFORE Disaster Strikes…

Remember when you were a child and your parents would leave you with a babysitter? Do you remember that they used to leave a piece of paper on the refrigerator with a list of phone numbers to call in emergencies? Poison control, doctors, neighbors, and other emergency contacts. Yes, this was most likely in an age before smartphones, but even 2015 parents leave similar information for their babysitters today.

You should have a similar list of phone numbers written down for your pet, too. Especially if you ever ask a friend or neighbor to pet sit for you, you’ll want to make sure you know exactly what they should do if the worst happens. Not only will this help protect your dog, cat, or other family pet in emergencies, it will also give you peace of mind in happier times as well.

If possible, you should also try and find an urgent pet care center that also provides routine tests and vaccinations. That means the veterinarian or clinic will have a personal history treating your sick dog or cat if you do seek out urgent pet care one day in the future.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals estimates that there are as many as 80 million pet dogs and 96 million pet cats living in U.S. homes. And at one point or another, all of those animals will need emergency care. Don’t wait, be prepared for anything.