FAQ

• What exactly does this service provide for me & my pet?
  We are a 24-hour pet poison control center which provides treatment advice for pet owners and veterinarians caring for potentially poisoned pets. We will make an assessment as to the risk of harm to the pet, provide initial recommendations for treatment that can be provided at home, and, when necessary, direct you to your veterinarian for further evaluation and treatment. We will then provide the veterinarian with the necessary treatment advice to assist them in delivering the appropriate care for the pet.
  

• Is there a fee for this service?
  Yes. There is a one-time consultation fee of $35 per incident. This fee covers not only the initial consultation, but also any follow-up consultations made with the pet owner and/or veterinarian.

• Why do we charge for this service?
  Our sole purpose is to ensure that pets stay healthy. Our single goal is to prevent their injury or illness from potential poisonings. To accomplish this, we operate a 24-hour pet poison control center which requires considerable effort, resources, and expense. Unlike public poison control centers in the human sector, veterinary poison control is allotted no tax dollars to support their existence. The Pet Poison Helpline does not receive any state, federal, or other public funding. If we did not charge, we could not exist.
  

• What if my pet’s treatment requires additional phone calls to you?
  Once the initial consultation is paid, there will be no further costs regarding the case. You will not be charged again for follow-up guidance.

• What is the procedure if my pet needs immediate veterinary treatment?
  We provide you with a case number. You simply relay the case number, along with our phone number, to your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can then call us and receive treatment advice throughout the entire course of treatment for no additional fee.

• Why would my veterinarian need your assistance?
  Poison control and toxicology is a specialty. Also, poisoning incidents are not frequently encountered by the veterinarian and when they are, each incident usually involves different substances and circumstances. Therefore, most veterinarians appreciate a resource for obtaining vital information for poisoning emergencies.

• Is there any animal, or toxic ingestion with which you cannot assist us?
  No. We have the staff and the expertise to confidently deal with any type of exposure with any species of animal.

• Who staffs this service?
  The Pet Poison HELPLINE™ is staffed by veterinarians, licensed veterinary technicians, clinical toxicologists, and other health care professionals. All of our medical staff members have received extensive training in the area of veterinary toxicology. We keep abreast of new research and information in the field of toxicology to ensure that every caller receives the most accurate treatment advice possible for the care of the pet.

• What is the SafetyCall Pet Poison Helpline™?
  The SafetyCall™ Pet Poison Helpline™ is a division of SafetyCall International. SafetyCall International is a human and animal poison control center whose staff has greater than 25 years experience in assisting pet owners and veterinarians with the treatment of pet poisonings.