Prepared, Not Scared

Health & Safety.

Reviewed and updated September 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us and we'll fix it.

Poison Control.

Both poison hotlines are staffed 24/7 by veterinary toxicologists; a consultation fee applies, and it's the best money you'll ever resent spending.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control  (888) 426-4435

Pet Poison Helpline  (855) 764-7661

Emergency & Specialty Vets.

A note on how we chose: emergency hospitals earn brutal online reviews by nature - people rate them on the worst day of their lives. So we don't rank them by stars. Every hospital here is open 24/7/365 with emergency clinicians on site. Know the one nearest you before you need it.

MedVet Columbus24/7

300 E. Wilson Bridge Rd, Worthington • The region's flagship emergency and specialty hospital, serving Columbus since 1988

VEG Easton24/7

Morse Rd at Transit Dr (Easton) • Walk straight in, stay with your pet through treatment

The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center24/7

601 Vernon L. Tharp St, Columbus • (614) 292-3551 • Teaching hospital with the deepest specialist bench in the region

MedVet Hilliard24/7

5230 Renner Rd, Columbus • Same MedVet network, west side

Central Ohio Veterinary Emergency (COVE)24/7

585 Sunbury Rd, Delaware • The closest ER for our northern neighbors

If a Pet Goes Missing.

Move fast, stay methodical, and work this list in order:

  1. Call the county shelter. Found dogs are brought to the Franklin County Dog Shelter - call (614) 525-3647 and check their stray listings. For cats, check with Columbus Humane.
  2. File a free report on Pet FBI. The original lost-and-found pet database on the internet, founded right here in Columbus in 1998 - now nationwide, volunteer-run, and always free.
  3. Post a photo to Petco Love Lost. Its photo-matching scans found-pet reports across the country.
  4. Post to Nextdoor and your neighborhood Facebook groups. Most lost pets are found by a neighbor within a mile of home.

And tonight, before any of this is ever needed: make sure your pet's microchip registration has your current phone number.

Pet Insurance.

A list of current pet insurance options with some details about each. I am not associated with any of them and receive no compensation for listing them here.

Trupanion

Why it's here: the catastrophic-coverage standard - 90% coverage with no payout caps, and at participating vets it pays the hospital directly at checkout, so you never front a five-figure bill.

The catch: the priciest on this list, with no wellness coverage. This is pure protection.

Healthy Paws

Why it's here: one simple plan, unlimited payout options, and a reputation for fast, uncomplicated claims.

The catch: enrollment closes as pets age - this is a decision to make while yours is young.

Embrace

Why it's here: the balanced pick - your deductible shrinks each claim-free year, and conditions cured for 12 months can come off the pre-existing list, which almost nobody else offers.

The catch: most tiers carry annual payout caps - choose the ceiling with real vet bills in mind.

Lemonade

Why it's here: the budget pick - among the cheapest premiums, app-based claims often paid in minutes, and leftover premiums go to charity.

The catch: the cheap tiers cap payouts at $5,000-$10,000 a year, which one serious illness can blow through. Buy the high ceiling or look elsewhere.

Still deciding? Pet Insurance Review aggregates over 200,000 verified owner reviews with side-by-side quotes.

Looking for adoption, local stores, or dog licensing? It's all in the Central Ohio Pet Guide.