HOWELL, NJ — A walk-in, urgent care practice for your cat or dog has opened in Howell, and it’s inviting the community to celebrate at a grand opening event on Sunday.
PriorityVet-Pet Urgent Care offers services seven days a week from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., the company says. You can view its website here.
The urgent care concept helps pet owners deal with a familiar dilemma: Your pet seems sick or has a minor injury and your regular vet is closed. Animal hospitals that are open 24/7 can be few and far between.
But PriorityVet can medically stabilize your pet – and give you peace of mind – so you can take your cat or dog to your regular vet the next business day, says Carmen Di Clemente, marketing/referral coordinator for PriorityVet.
The practice has had a soft opening for the past two months, but is now having a grand opening with tours, music and pet prizes this Sunday.
The facility is independently owned and has one other location in Toms River that it opened in 2017, Di Clemente said.
He said PriorityVet doesn’t require an appointment. “You can be seen quickly, there is less stress and it’s generally closer to home,” he said.
He said Dr. Steve Cudia is the founder of PriorityVet and formerly was a veterinary surgeon.
“Veterinary urgent care is intended to bridge the gap between primary care and emergency or specialty care,” explained Cudia in a news release.
He said that his approach – “only focusing on the urgent care needs of pets without distraction or delay – expedites pet care, keeps fees down and ensures that world class urgent care is provided.”
He said that for veterinarians, PriorityVet can become an extension of their own hours and services.
“We are an integral element in the continuum of care that cats and dogs need – exactly like their human counterpart,” Cudia said.
PriorityVet solely concentrates on afterhours urgent care. By not offering routine services, it does not compete with the pet owner’s regular veterinarian, the company says.
The practice is having the grand opening event in Howell on Sunday, April 16, at Howell Plaza from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
There will be a ribbon-cutting, giveaways, tours and free food from Howell Plaza restaurants.
Plus, there are hospital tours and staff on hand to answer questions. There are pet prizes, too, and leashed dogs are welcome to join their humans at the event.
Beginning at noon there is a ribbon cutting and remarks from town officials in attendance – Councilpersons Susan Fischer, Fred Gasior and Ian Nadel and Township Manager Joseph Clark.
Also starting at noon, WRAT Radio Station 95.9 FM will be broadcasting on site.
Just go to the PriorityVet-Pet Urgent Care storefront and adjacent parking area at 4012 Route 9, Howell, 07731, next to Harbor Freight within the Howell Plaza Shopping Center. The shopping center is at the corner of Route 9 South and Aldrich Road. Visit www.HowellPlaza.com.
