Veterinary Referral & Emergency Center of Westbury

Our Story

At VCA Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center of Westbury, we provide full-service critical and emergency care. We deliver the best medical care for pets and the best experience for pet owners.


Our veterinarians, technicians and pet-friendly support staff are trained to the highest standards. Their thorough knowledge of the latest procedures and medicines ensures that our patients receive the best care.

Hometown Care at Veterinary Referral & Emergency Center of Westbury

If your pet is experiencing a medical crisis or needs to see a specialist, we are here to help. Please do not hesitate to contact us at 516-420-0000.

VREC Westbury emergency and critical care department offers 24 hour admissions for urgent, critical, or emergency situations in Long Island, Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Queens. We also offer continuous care on weekends and holidays, to cater to any and all needs that might arise for your cat or dog. We are dedicated to one thing: helping your pet get well.

Our team works closely with you and your family veterinarian to provide an unparalleled level of comprehensive, specialized care from diagnosis through aftercare. You have our assurance: from the moment you arrive at our hospital, you'll be assisted by experienced, knowledgeable, and compassionate members of our staff. Specialists are on hand to provide emergency and critical care; internal medicine; neurology and neurosurgery; oncology; and general surgery.

At the Veterinary Referral & Emergency Center of Westbury, we pride ourselves on our caring nature and our knowledgeable, well-trained staff. Our full-service hospital is uniquely qualified to address major, life-threatening, or otherwise challenging health problems in your dog or cat's life.

While the professional aspects of our hospital take a prominent role, we never forget our primary mission: keeping people with their pets to enjoy longer, happier, healthier lives. Our goal is to make sure that your experience with us is the best it can be.


We are Fear Free Certified

VREC Westbury has taken on an important initiative designed to further the hospital’s purpose of improving the quality of life for patients, clients, the family veterinarian, and our staff. Less stress means greater safety and well-being for patients, and The Fear Free initiative will help to create better medical outcomes and experiences for your pet.

How Fear Free Works
A typical example of how Fear Free works is when a stressed, fearful pet is sitting in the lobby, and a VREC Westbury team member takes that pet out of that environment as soon as possible (into a quiet room or area). In the new, less stressful space, pheromones are sprayed on towels and blankets to help soothe the patient, and the doctor and technician speak calmly and move slowly to prevent the patient from being startled. Treats are employed to coax the patient through the treatments and exams. This allows us to turn a negative atmosphere into a positive one.

What VREC Westbury did to Take Veterinary Care to the Next Level
The Fear Free initiative provides veterinary team members with the knowledge and tools to not only look after a pet’s physical well-being, but his/her emotional well-being, too. We know that stress and anxiety associated with taking a pet to the veterinarian is a significant obstacle in delivering medical care. Fear leads to trauma for patients, and as a result, pet parents visit their veterinarian less frequently or not at all. The Fear Free initiative is a solution that can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, resulting in a better experience for all involved, including pets, pet
parents, and veterinary health care teams.

Many of our team members are Fear Free Certified and we continue our commitment to enhancing the level of care we provide to our patients.

You may find more information about this initiative and how you can make your own home Fear Free at fearfreepets.com.


Patient Forms and Documentation

Please be sure to check with us before your first visit to find out what forms and other information you will need to bring with you.

Accreditations & Affiliations
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Fear Free Certified Professional Logo
Fear Free Certified Professional

As veterinary professionals, we know that the stress and anxiety associated with taking a pet to the veterinarian is a significant reason why pets don't always receive the medical attention they need. Fear Free℠ veterinary visits reduce feelings of stress, resulting in a better experience for all involved, including pets, owners, and veterinary health care teams. Having a Fear Free℠ Certified Professional can help alleviate your pet's fear, anxiety, and stress when visiting our hospital.

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VECCS Level 1
Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society

The Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS) offers certification programs to veterinary facilities that provide emergency and critical patient care. This certification is to recognize those hospitals that meet and exceed the minimum standards and guidelines published by the VECCS. The VECCS does this to raise the standard of care, while also increasing public and professional awareness in the area of veterinary emergency and critical patient care.

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VCA Pet Cancer Care Alliance

VCA’s goal is to help treat your pet’s cancer, giving you and your pet more quality time together.

At VCA Pet CancerCare Centers, our oncology teams design individualized treatment plans for each pet patient using the most advanced and effective treatments available—much like those used in human medicine. Today’s cancer treatments have fewer side effects, so most pets remain comfortable and happy throughout treatment.

LEARN ABOUT THE VCA PET CANCERCARE DIFFERENCE AND THE STORIES OF PETS WE’VE HELPED AFTER A CANCER DIAGNOSIS

Helpful Resources

Lionbridge provides over-the-phone and video interpretation services for non-English-speaking and American Sign Language (ASL) clients. In real time, veterinary providers can enlist an expert Lionbridge interpreter to facilitate a clear exchange of information between themselves and clients. Lionbridge’s on-demand, remote interpretation services enable effective and accurate communication with clients. This service empowers clients to be heard and spoken to in their own language, which in turn facilitates a deeper understanding of the care your pet needs.  

Learn more about Lionbridge’s interpretation services: https://www.lionbridge.com/content-transformation-services/interpretation-services/.

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