24/7 Emergency
FAQs
Below are some FAQs that cover basic questions you may have about our practice and what happens when you come to our facility with your pet.
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Q. What is CARE?
A. Charlotte Animal Referral & Emergency (CARE) is a state-of-the-art emergency and specialty hospital devoted to the health of your pet. Emergency care is available 24/7, 365 days a year. Our highly trained specialists work closely with your referring veterinarian to diagnose and treat disease. Specialty services include anesthesiology, cardiology, critical care, internal medicine, neurology, oncology, ophthalmology and surgery. CARE does not focus on primary care for your pet such as vaccinations. Whether you are coming to us on referral for a specialized service or in an emergency, our focus is on providing the most comprehensive care with an unsurpassed level of compassion and expertise. CARE is the pet equivalent of a human medical center.
Q. Where is CARE?
A. We are centrally located just south of uptown Charlotte, convenient to uptown, NoDa, SouthPark, Myers Park, Plaza Midwood and Cotswold. Our address is 3726 Latrobe Drive, near the intersection of Monroe and North Wendover roads. See map.
Q. What type of pets does CARE treat?
A. Primarily dogs and cats. Other species may be treated in special cases. We are happy to talk with you about your needs on an individual basis. Please have your primary care veterinarian call us to schedule an appointment or consultation.
Q. My cat gets stressed out at the vet. How can you help?
A. We have a Cat ICU to provide the best care for our feline patients in need.
Q. What information about my pet should I bring on my visit?
A. A list of medications your pet is taking, and any information from recent veterinary visits.
Q. What happens after I arrive with my pet?
A. If you are coming for an appointment with one of our specialists, a Client Services Representative will greet you and get your pet checked in. The patient’s information will be verified, and the specialty service notified of your arrival. If you are coming in an emergency, your pet will be triaged and will be seen as soon as possible depending on what other emergencies are in the hospital. In all cases, your comfort is important to us. Our lobby offers free Wi-Fi, concessions and large-screen TVs, all with your convenience in mind.
Q. What tests is CARE able to run?
A. Digital X-ray, Ultrasound, MRI, CT Scan, Fluoroscopy and Endoscopy. Also, various lab tests are conducted in-house.
Q. How will my primary care veterinarian be involved in the care of my pet?
A. Your primary care veterinarian will be updated throughout the course of your pet’s treatment.
Q. What should I expect when my pet is hospitalized?
A. If your pet is admitted for hospitalization at CARE it could be for Emergency Services or a Specialty Service. Since hospital admissions can be scary and stressful, we’ve created an Admissions Guide to help answer questions about your pet’s stay at CARE. This guide describes how your pet’s doctor will provide updates to you for either Emergency or Specialty Services, and what you should know about visitation, food, bedding and medications.
Q. Where will my pet be kept during their stay?
A. Animals are kept in climate-controlled spaces customized to maximize comfort and minimize stress. Our Intensive Care Unit is staffed with a doctor and nurses 24 hours a day. Our priority is for your pet to be as comfortable as possible during hospitalization.
Q. May I visit if my pet needs to be hospitalized?
A. Owners are allowed to visit pets. We are not currently accepting any personal items (beds, toys, etc.). To learn more, please see our Visitation Policy.
Q. Will my visit to CARE cost more than a visit to my primary vet?
A. While each case is unique, and handled on an individual basis, our goal is always the same: To provide the best possible treatment for your pet, with the highest level of compassion and customer service. Recognizing that a diagnosis for your pet may require advanced testing, we will keep you fully informed every step of the way prior to testing and treatment. We will go over our recommendations, risks associated with each option, and the pricing involved. At every step of the way, you are encouraged to ask questions to help you make the best possible decision for your pet.
Q. How am I billed?
A. After an initial evaluation, you will be provided with a treatment estimate. Clients will be asked to pay the low end of the estimated services prior to the beginning of treatment and the balance will be due when your pet is ready to go home. We accept cash, checks, debit cards, major credit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay. All Pet Card and CareCredit® are available to qualified individuals. Both are healthcare credit cards that extend special financing offers to help you meet your veterinary needs. CareCredit can be used for both humans and pets. The All Pet Card can only be used for pets. Scratch (formerly ScratchPay) is another option for payment. To learn more, please see our Your Payment page.
Q. Where can I go to find information on product recalls and alerts?
A. The American Veterinary Medical Association has a page on their website dedicated to recalls and information on pet foods or animal-related products recalls and alerts. The page is updated regularly and is a trusted source to consult if you need to verify if a recall or safety alert is genuine.
Q. What is the CARE Silent Partner Fund?
A. In response to staff and many of our clients asking how they can help pets in need, we founded the CARE Silent Partner Fund. We know not everyone can afford the costs associated with restoring health to their pet. Our fund lets us provide services to pets whose owners could not otherwise afford treatment. Donations to The CARE Silent Partner Fund are dedicated to assisting owners who are struggling financially. Learn how you can help.
Q. Are there funding sources other than Silent Partner Fund?
A. Yes. Here is a list of resources for funding: Banfield Foundation
The Banfield Foundation’s website has a section called Resources for Pet Owners that allows pet owners to search what assistance organizations are available nationally and by state. Note that some of the organizations on this website will be duplicates of what is listed below.
General Veterinary Care Grants
Brown Dog Foundation
Email: browndog@browndogfoundation.org
They will consider assisting in cases where treatment (not payment) has already begun or occurred IF the pet’s life was truly at risk, provided you complete this questionnaire within 7 days of the onset of the injury/illness. Note: Does not reimburse if payment has already been made.
Bow Wow Buddies Foundation – Broken limb repair, amp, cancer treatment and heart defect repair
Email: bwbuddiesfoundation@cbwcorp.com
Completed grant applications are reviewed on the 1st and 15th of every month. After the review, notifications are sent to the applicants to let them know whether their grant request has been approved. You can apply for a grant up to 30 days after a procedure.
Frankie’s Friends
Phone: 888-465-7387
This program is designed to help with the treatment of emergency and specialty medical conditions where the pet would otherwise suffer, be euthanized, or relinquished without proper veterinary care. Note: Does not reimburse if payment has already been made.
The Onyx & Breezy Foundation
Email: info@onyxandbreezy.org
Financial assistance for medical treatment, food or medication for cats and dogs. Note: Does not reimburse if payment has already been made.
Paws 4 A Cure
Focus on assisting cat or dog owners who cannot afford veterinary care. Does not discriminate against breed, age, or diagnosis. Note: Grant is only for $400.
STARelief
Email: care@starrelief.org
For pets in need of medical care, end-of-life services or emergency boarding/ fostering care. Grant ranges from $100-$500 based on medical urgency, financial need, available funding and eligibility. Pets must be spayed/neutered.
The Mosby Foundation
Email: info@themosbyfoundation.org
Phone: 540-885-2260
Assisting sick or injured cats or dogs. Cannot support emergency situations.
The Pet Fund
Email: info@thepetfund.com
For medical needs pertaining to cancer treatment, heart disease, chronic conditions, endocrine diseases, eye diseases, etc. Will not assist with emergency/ urgent cases. E-mail info@thepetfund.com first and they will reach out if you are eligible for the program.
Grants for Specific Veterinary Illnesses
Cancer Treatment
Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Programs (FVEAP)
Only assists for kittens or cats who are dealing with cancer caused by vaccinations (Vaccine Associated Sarcoma/ Injection Site Sarcoma).
Frankie’s Friends “Bonds Fund”
Phone: 888-465-7387
Provides grants to assist with the cost of specialty eye care for pets whose families cannot afford the full cost of treatment. Financial support may be given to families who demonstrate requisite financial need and whose pets would have a good prognosis for long-term recovery to a normal quality of life. Note: Does not reimburse if payment has already been made.
Miranda’s People
Email: info@mirandaspeople.org
Assists with Cancer treatment
