Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we hear most at Animal Medical Center, 460 Hartman Run Road, Morgantown, WV. If yours is not here, call us at 304-292-0126.
Where pets are family, too.
Becoming a Client
Is Animal Medical Center accepting new clients?
Yes. Animal Medical Center in Morgantown, WV is welcoming new dog and cat patients. Call 304-292-0126 or send the New Client Appointment Request form, and our client services team will contact you within one business day. The usual wait for a wellness visit is a few days to a week. Urgent cases are often seen the same or next day, including new patients.
What kinds of animals do you treat?
Dogs and cats only. Animal Medical Center does not see birds, reptiles, rabbits, pocket pets or farm animals.
How do I make an appointment?
Call 304-292-0126 during business hours, or use the online request forms: one for new clients and a shorter one for pets seen at Animal Medical Center in the last two years. The forms are requests, not instant bookings. A team member contacts you within one business day to confirm the day and time.
Can my sick pet be seen today?
If your pet is already an Animal Medical Center patient, almost always. We reserve part of every day's schedule for sick and urgent visits, so a same-day or next-day appointment is usually possible. Since we make urgent care a priority, we can usually see a new sick patient within a day or two, and often within hours. Call 304-292-0126 as early in the day as you can.
What happens at a first visit, and what should I bring?
A first visit at Animal Medical Center is a thorough, gentle exam with time to ask questions and talk through your pet's needs. Bring any previous veterinary records, a list of your pet's current medications and food, and a fresh stool sample. Bring your pet on a leash or in a carrier. You can come inside or stay in your car for curbside service.
How do I transfer my pet's records to Animal Medical Center?
Tell us who your previous veterinarian was and we will help get the records sent to us. The new client request form asks about this, or you can bring copies to the appointment. You or other hospitals can email records to clientservices@morgantownamc.com. If your pet has never seen a veterinarian, or you don't know its history, that is fine too.
Visiting Us
What are your hours?
Animal Medical Center is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. We are closed Sunday.
Where is Animal Medical Center located?
We are at 460 Hartman Run Road, Morgantown, WV 26505, close to I-68 (Exit 4 or Exit 7), between Sabraton and the Mileground, down the hill from the airport. Our phone number is 304-292-0126.
Do you offer curbside service?
Yes. You can stay in your car and have our team come to you, or come inside with your pet. You choose when you arrive. Clients often tell us how calm check-in and check-out feel at Animal Medical Center. Time in reception is brief, your pet is usually the only one there, and our nurses can often check you out right in the exam room, so there is no juggling pens, papers, prescription bags and a bouncy puppy. A team member is always available to help you and your pet to and from your car.
My pet is nervous or doesn't like the vet. Can you help?
Yes. Gentle, low-stress care is how we practice at Animal Medical Center, for every patient. If your dog or cat is anxious, fearful or may bite, tell us when you schedule so we can plan the visit around their needs. A good experience now makes the next trip to the hospital easier. All pets need to be on a leash or in a carrier while on hospital grounds.
Emergencies and After Hours
What should I do if my pet has an emergency while you are open?
Call 304-292-0126 first, in every case. During business hours Animal Medical Center handles emergencies for our own patients whenever a veterinarian is available, and new clients may be seen if we have capacity. If we cannot see your pet, or it needs overnight or specialty care, we will direct you to an emergency hospital. We also refer to specialists whenever that gives your pet the best outcome.
To be prepared ahead of time, the free Pet First Aid app from the American Red Cross covers what to do until you can reach a veterinarian.
Where do I take my pet when you are closed?
Animal Medical Center is not open overnight, on Saturday afternoons or on Sundays. The closest dedicated emergency clinic to Morgantown is NCWV Veterinary Emergency Clinic at 131 Bunners Ridge Road, Suite 2, Fairmont, WV, 304-363-2227. It is open weeknights from 6 p.m. to 7:30 a.m., from Saturday at 1 p.m. through Monday at 7:30 a.m., and 24 hours on holidays.
For 24-hour emergency care with specialists on site, our doctors recommend AVETS at 2674 Monroeville Blvd, Monroeville, PA, 412-373-4200, or BluePearl Pet Hospital Pittsburgh North at 807 Camp Horne Road, Pittsburgh, PA, 412-366-3400. Call before you leave so they know you are coming.
What if my pet ate something poisonous?
Call ASPCA Poison Control at 888-426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661. Both answer 24 hours a day and both charge a consultation fee. Then call us at 304-292-0126, or an emergency hospital if we are closed, and give them the poison hotline's case number so they can follow up directly.
Costs and Payment
How much does a first visit cost?
An exam at Animal Medical Center is $80. Vaccines, tests and medications are added only as your pet needs them, and we go over costs with you before doing anything beyond the exam. Common first-visit prices:
- Rabies vaccine $33.70; DAPP (dogs) or RCP (cats) vaccine $42.00; Leptospirosis vaccine (dogs) $38.70
- Fecal parasite test $41.90; heartworm test (dogs) $51.40; feline leukemia and FIV test (cats) $72.30
- Nail trim $26.30
A wellness plan can lower those costs, and you can enroll at the first visit:
- Free Vaccines for Life: a one-time enrollment of $235 for dogs or $145 for cats. Core vaccines are then free for life with a wellness exam every year, and non-core vaccines are half price.
- Puppy Plans and Kitten Plans: first-year exams, core vaccines, parasite care and spay or neuter surgery at one package price. Plan graduates enroll in Free Vaccines for Life for $205 (dogs) or $115 (cats).
To schedule a first visit, send a New Client Appointment Request or call 304-292-0126. Prices are current as of September 2026.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Animal Medical Center accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, debit cards, CareCredit, cash and checks. Payment is due in full at the time of service.
Do you offer payment plans?
Payment is due in full at the time of service, and we do not offer billing or in-house payment plans. There are ways to spread out or lower costs: CareCredit offers six-month interest-free financing, subject to credit approval; our Puppy Plans and Kitten Plans can be paid in equal installments across your pet's visits; and Free Vaccines for Life is a one-time enrollment that covers core vaccines for life.
Do you take pet insurance?
Yes, you can use pet insurance at Animal Medical Center. We do not bill insurance companies: you pay us at the visit and submit the claim to your insurer yourself. We gladly provide the detailed records and invoices you need.
Will I get an estimate before surgery or a hospital stay?
Yes. We give a written estimate for all surgery and inpatient care. A deposit of at least 50% of the estimate is due before admission and the balance is due at discharge. Final costs can vary with what your pet needs, and we tell you about any changes before discharge.
What is your cancellation policy?
Please give 24 hours' notice to cancel an appointment and 48 hours' notice for surgery. Missed appointments are charged a $50 fee, which is non-refundable but can be applied toward your next visit.
What happens if a balance goes unpaid or a check is returned?
We work hard to avoid surprises by giving estimates up front. If a balance is ever left unpaid, a $5 monthly billing fee and 1% monthly interest apply until it is paid. A returned check carries a $25 fee.
Wellness Plans
What is Free Vaccines for Life, and what does it cost?
Free Vaccines for Life is a one-time enrollment at Animal Medical Center, with one price for dogs and a lower one for cats. After that, your pet's core vaccines are free for life as long as they have a wellness exam with us every year. Non-core vaccines are half price. The annual exam fee is not included. Current enrollment prices and full details are on the Free Vaccines for Life page.
What do Puppy and Kitten Plans cost, and what do they include?
A Puppy Plan or Kitten Plan at Animal Medical Center is one package price that depends on your pet's age at the first visit. It covers the exams, core vaccines, fecal tests and deworming of the first months, plus spay or neuter surgery. Younger pets need more visits, so they start at the higher price. You can pay up front or in equal installments at each visit, and a plan costs less than paying for the same care separately. Each plan's page has full details and enrollment prices.
Services
What services does Animal Medical Center offer?
Animal Medical Center provides full veterinary care for dogs and cats: wellness exams, vaccines, same-day sick visits, surgery, spay and neuter, dental cleanings and treatment, digital x-rays, ultrasound, in-house lab testing, internal medicine, pain management, microchipping, nutrition advice, and flea, tick and heartworm prevention. See all services.
Do you board pets?
Yes, for current patients only. Animal Medical Center boards dogs and cats that have been seen here within the last year and are up to date on wellness care. Drop-off and pick-up are during business hours, Monday through Saturday. We do not board pets for the general public.
Do you offer grooming?
No. Animal Medical Center does not offer grooming. For current patients only, we do nail trims and can bathe cooperative pets. Clipping is done only when it is medically necessary.
When should my puppy or kitten be spayed or neutered?
For most dogs and cats, about six months of age. Every pet is different, so your veterinarian at Animal Medical Center will recommend the best timing for yours. Large-breed male dogs are often advised to wait until about one year of age so their skeleton can finish developing. Female dogs that have had repeated urinary tract infections as puppies may benefit from going through one heat cycle first, which allows the vulva to develop fully.
Pain management, an IV catheter and IV fluids are standard for surgery here; cat neuters, a much shorter procedure, are the exception. Timely spay or neuter surgery is included in our Puppy Plans and Kitten Plans.
How do I get a prescription refilled?
The easiest way is our online Prescription Refill Request form. You can also request a refill through the VitusVet app, call or text 304-292-0126, or email clientservices@morgantownamc.com.
Most refills are ready within a couple of hours. Request yours ahead and we will have it waiting at the front desk.
If you would rather fill a prescription elsewhere, we will provide a written prescription on request, call it in to a local human pharmacy (for many medications), or accept a prescription authorization form from the online pharmacy you choose.
What flea, tick, heartworm and intestinal parasite prevention do you recommend?
Animal Medical Center recommends year-round prevention against fleas, ticks, heartworm and intestinal parasites such as hookworm and roundworm for all dogs and cats. For the best protection against all of these in dogs, we carry Simparica Trio. For cats, we carry Revolution Plus.
Because these are prescription medications, your pet needs a current exam with one of our veterinarians before we can dispense them. Not a client yet? Call 304-292-0126 or send a New Client Appointment Request and we will get your pet started.
What food do you recommend for my pet?
For everyday feeding, our veterinarians recommend choosing one of the many healthy options available. Widely available, high-quality brands include Science Diet, Purina Pro Plan and Royal Canin. We go over nutrition at every wellness exam and can help you choose for your pet's age, size and health.
Animal Medical Center does not sell regular maintenance food. We carry prescription diets only, from Hill's and some from Royal Canin, and these require a current exam with one of our veterinarians.
Do you provide end-of-life care?
Yes. Animal Medical Center offers compassionate end-of-life support, including hospice care and euthanasia when the time comes. We can arrange cremation, with or without your pet's ashes returned to you. Call 304-292-0126 and we will talk through what to expect.
Do you have kittens for adoption?
Often. Animal Medical Center adopts out kittens year-round, and has kittens available about half the time. Each one is examined, tested for feline leukemia and FIV, vaccinated and socialized. The adoption fee is $120, and a kitten not yet spayed or neutered comes with a $120 voucher toward that surgery here. Check who is available now.
About Animal Medical Center
Who owns Animal Medical Center? Is it a corporate chain?
Animal Medical Center is locally owned, family owned and veterinarian owned. It is not part of a corporate chain. The hospital opened in Morgantown in 1985 and has been owned since 2004 by Dr. Steve Zucker, who practices here alongside Dr. Karin Patterson (since 2007) and Dr. Amy Thibodaux (since 2024). Meet the team.
What does AAHA-accredited mean?
It means an outside organization checks how we practice. Veterinary hospitals are not required to be accredited, and most are not. The American Animal Hospital Association evaluates accredited hospitals on site against nearly 1,000 standards covering anesthesia, surgery, pain management, dentistry, pharmacy, medical records and more. Animal Medical Center has been accredited since 2005, is re-evaluated every three years, and is the only AAHA-accredited veterinary hospital in the Morgantown area. Read more about what accreditation involves.
Local Pet Questions: Morgantown Area
Do dogs have to be on a leash in Morgantown?
Yes. Inside the city, BOPARC states that dogs must be leashed at all times under a City of Morgantown ordinance, including on the rail-trails and in city parks. Elsewhere in Monongalia County, the county leash law requires any dog off its owner's property to be on a leash no longer than six feet, wearing a collar with the owner's name and address, a county license tag and a rabies tag. Dogs on leash are welcome on Morgantown's rail-trails and at Coopers Rock, the WVU Core Arboretum and the West Virginia Botanic Garden. For more ideas, see our post Muddy Boots: Six Fall Dog Hikes Around Morgantown.
Is rabies a concern around Morgantown?
Yes. Rabies is present in local wildlife, mainly raccoons. West Virginia's surveillance report counted 25 rabid animals statewide from January through October 2025, two of them in Monongalia County. State law requires every dog and cat to be vaccinated against rabies by six months of age, indoor cats included. Each August, USDA drops oral rabies vaccine baits for raccoons across the county; if your dog eats one, the health department says the worst likely result is an upset stomach.
Are ticks and tick-borne diseases a problem here?
Yes. West Virginia has been a high-incidence Lyme disease state since 2017. The state health department recorded 2,470 human Lyme cases in 2022, 148 of them in Monongalia County, and found the blacklegged ticks that carry Lyme in the county in every year it surveyed from 2021 to 2023. Dogs here are exposed to the same ticks. Ticks are active year-round unless the ground is frozen solid or fully snow-covered, so we recommend tick prevention every month and a yearly screening test. For pet-specific numbers, see the Companion Animal Parasite Council's parasite prevalence maps.
Does my pet need heartworm and parasite prevention all year?
Yes. Animal Medical Center recommends year-round heartworm and intestinal parasite prevention for all pets. Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes, and the American Heartworm Society recommends giving a preventive 12 months a year and testing every 12 months. These preventives are prescription medications, so your pet needs a current exam with us before we can dispense them.
I am stuck with my pet's behavior. Who can you recommend?
Start with us. Many behavior changes have a medical cause, such as pain, so an exam comes first. Call 304-292-0126 or send a New Client Appointment Request to schedule a behavior visit.
For problems that need a local specialist, we refer to Dr. Lindsay Parenti, PhD, ACABC, CPDT-KA, of Dr. Woof. For what those letters mean and more about her work, see her profile.