Banfield Pet Hospital operates more than 1,000 locations across 42 states and Puerto Rico β the majority of them inside PetSmart stores. Most are open Monday through Saturday, many on Sundays, and all of them take appointments online or by phone. Here is everything you need to find the right one and know what to expect when you arrive.
π Find a Banfield Pet Hospital Near You
Tap any button to update the map. Always call your specific location before visiting β hours, services, and walk-in availability are set independently at each hospital. The national phone number connects you to the right team for your ZIP code.
π Map shows general results β verify hours directly before visiting.
banfield.com/locations Β·
Browse by State Β·
Price Estimator Tool
π Banfield Contact Information β Every Number You Might Need
Different problems require different numbers. The main customer care line covers general questions and location help. Wellness plan issues have dedicated lines. Use the right one and you will reach someone faster.
π₯ Find a Location & General Appointments
π Wellness Plan (OWP) β Enroll, Questions, Billing
π¨ Cancellation, Disputes & Pet Death Billing
π Online Pharmacy & Prescription Orders
The 1-877-656-7146 number connects to national customer care β useful for general questions and account issues. For same-day appointments, walk-in questions, and anything specific to your local hospital, call that location directly. Find the direct phone number for your nearest Banfield at banfield.com/locations β every hospital page lists its own local number, and a local call will always be answered faster than routing through the national line.
π‘ What You Should Know Before Your First Visit
These are the questions pet owners search most often about Banfield β often in a rush, often at inconvenient hours. Answered here, plainly.
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Does Banfield take walk-in appointments? Occasionally β but walk-in availability is set by individual hospitals and changes daily. Call your specific location first. Never just show up hoping for a same-day slot on a busy week.Banfield’s website says to call ahead for walk-in availability because there is no chain-wide policy β each hospital sets its own same-day schedule based on how booked they are. On a quiet Tuesday morning you may be seen within the hour. On a Saturday in summer, the same location may be fully booked until the following week. The safest approach: call your nearest hospital’s direct number the morning you want to come in. You can book online through banfield.com or the Banfield app for the next available slot, which is often same-day or next-day during weekdays.
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What are Banfield’s typical hours? Most locations run 8 AM to 6 PM on weekdays, Saturday similar, Sunday hours vary β some locations are closed Sundays. Hours differ by location. Always verify before going.There is no single Banfield schedule β hours are set by each individual hospital. What’s typical: Monday through Friday 8 AM to 6 PM, Saturday 8 AM to 5 or 6 PM, and Sunday either 10 AM to 5 PM or closed entirely. A few high-traffic urban locations run earlier (7 AM) for drop-off clients. The most reliable way to confirm today’s hours for your specific location is to call the direct hospital number or check that location’s page on banfield.com β Google hours for chain businesses can be wrong, especially if a location changed its schedule recently.
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Is Banfield inside PetSmart β do I need to go through the store? Most Banfield hospitals are inside PetSmart stores, but the hospital entrance is typically separate β a dedicated door on the side or front of the building, not through the main pet store floor.The vast majority of Banfield locations operate inside PetSmart buildings, but they function as a separate business with their own entrance, their own waiting area, and their own staff. You don’t typically need to walk through the pet store to reach the clinic. The hospital entrance is usually marked with Banfield signage on the exterior of the building. When searching for parking, use the PetSmart address β the Banfield hospital is within that same structure. If you’re having trouble finding the clinic door, call ahead and they’ll walk you through exactly where to enter.
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What services does Banfield actually offer β is it just vaccines? Much more than vaccines. Full wellness exams, dental cleanings, blood panels, X-rays, spay and neuter, surgery, microchipping, DNA testing, parasite prevention, in-house pharmacy, and 24/7 telehealth for plan members.Banfield is a general practice β not just a vaccine station. Every hospital offers physical exams, core vaccinations, heartworm testing, fecal testing, microchipping, professional dental cleanings (under anesthesia), diagnostic blood work, urinalysis, X-rays, spay and neuter surgery, and soft tissue surgeries such as mass removal and wound repair. Many locations offer DNA breed and health testing through Wisdom Panel. An in-house pharmacy means prescriptions can be filled the same day. What Banfield does not offer: 24-hour emergency care, specialist referrals within the hospital, or overnight hospitalization in most locations. For emergencies, ask your Banfield location to recommend the nearest emergency animal hospital β a good team will have that number ready for you.
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Is the first visit really free? The exam is genuinely free for new patients β a complete head-to-tail physical at no charge. Any vaccines, tests, or medications recommended during that visit are billed separately. You are not obligated to buy a plan.Banfield offers a complimentary first exam for new dog and cat patients at all US locations. This is a full examination by a licensed veterinarian β eyes, ears, mouth, heart, lungs, abdomen, joints, and skin β at zero cost. The exam itself is free. What is not free: any vaccine administered, any blood work drawn, any fecal test run, any medication prescribed, or any additional diagnostic test recommended during the visit. For a puppy getting first vaccines plus deworming and a fecal test, expect a bill of $150β$250 for those services even though the exam itself costs nothing. You are also not required to enroll in a wellness plan to receive the free exam β and a Banfield employee should never make you feel otherwise.
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Does Banfield offer drop-off appointments? Yes β drop-off is actually Banfield’s most common appointment type. You leave your pet in the morning, go about your day, and pick them up when the team calls. In-room appointments are also available and recommended for first visits.Drop-off is designed for working pet owners β bring your dog or cat in the morning during the hospital’s opening window, the veterinary team cares for them during their shift, and you pick up at the agreed time (usually afternoon). The vet calls you during the day with findings and to discuss any recommendations before performing additional tests or treatments. In-room appointments are typically recommended for a pet’s first visit, for anything involving a complicated health conversation, or any time you want to be present for the examination. Ask specifically for an in-room visit when you book if that matters to you β and know you are entitled to be present for your pet’s exam if you request it.
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Does Banfield accept pet insurance? Yes β Banfield accepts most pet insurance plans. Insurance can be used alongside a wellness plan. Pay at the visit and submit the claim to your insurer for reimbursement, as you would at any private practice.Banfield is not affiliated with any specific pet insurance carrier and does not bill insurers directly β the same model as most veterinary practices in the US. You pay for services at the time of the visit and then submit a detailed invoice to your insurance company for reimbursement. The Optimum Wellness Plan and pet insurance serve different purposes: the wellness plan covers planned, routine preventive care at a predictable monthly cost. Pet insurance covers unexpected illness, injuries, and emergencies. Many pet owners carry both β the plan handles the routine annual costs, the insurance handles anything that goes wrong unexpectedly. Ask your Banfield hospital for an itemized invoice after any visit β that is exactly what most insurers need to process a claim.
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Can I get prescription medications without a full appointment? For refills on an existing prescription, yes β call your local Banfield or use the Banfield Shop at banfield.com/shop for home delivery. New prescriptions always require a current exam and a valid vet-client-patient relationship (VCPR).Federal law requires that a veterinarian have an established relationship with your pet before prescribing medications β meaning your pet must have been examined within a timeframe appropriate to the medication and condition. For refills on already-prescribed medications, Banfield’s in-house pharmacy or the online Banfield Shop can fulfill them without a new appointment, provided the prescription is current and has refills remaining. For new medications, a current exam is required. For convenience, the Banfield Shop offers home delivery and automatic refill options β useful for flea and tick preventives, heartworm prevention, and other regularly dispensed items. Call 888-626-3992 for pharmacy and online order questions.
β° Typical Hours & Services β What to Expect at Most Locations
These represent the most common schedules and services across Banfield’s US network. Individual hospitals vary β treat these as a starting point, not a guarantee. Verify your specific location at banfield.com/locations before traveling.
| Day / Category | Typical Hours / Availability | Notes for Planning |
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| Monday β Friday | 8:00 AM β 6:00 PM (most locations) Β· Some open 7:00 AM for drop-off | Best slot for new patient exams and complex cases β more staff available mid-week |
| Saturday | 8:00 AM β 5:00 or 6:00 PM (most locations) | Busiest day β book in advance, walk-in less reliable on Saturdays |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM β 5:00 PM at some locations Β· Many locations CLOSED | Always verify Sunday status β do not assume a location is open on Sunday |
| Holidays | Reduced hours or closed Β· Varies by location and holiday | Call ahead before any holiday visit β hours often not updated on Google Maps in time |
| Wellness Exams | Available all open days Β· In-room and drop-off | First exam free for new patients β vaccines and tests billed separately |
| Vaccinations | Available all open days Β· Must be done at an office visit | All vaccines require an exam β cannot get shots without a vet visit |
| Dental Cleaning | By appointment Β· Requires drop-off Β· Pre-anesthetic bloodwork required | Schedule several days in advance β dental procedures fill quickly |
| Surgery (spay / neuter / soft tissue) | By appointment Β· Drop-off Β· Not emergency surgery | May require pre-surgical consultation and bloodwork at a prior visit |
| X-rays / Diagnostics | Available most open days Β· Same-day at exam if needed | Billed separately from exam and plan β ask for price estimate beforehand |
| Pet Chatβ’ (Telehealth) | 24/7 for active Optimum Wellness Plan members | Text or video chat with a vet professional β not a substitute for in-person emergency care |
| Emergency Care | NOT available at Banfield | For emergencies, go to a dedicated emergency animal hospital β Banfield will refer you |
π Your Situation β The Right Move for What You’re Dealing With Right Now
β οΈ What to Know Before You Walk Through the Door
- Your pet’s vaccination records β paper or digital. Banfield has your history in their system for returning clients, but a first visit with a new patient goes faster with records in hand.
- A list of any medications your pet takes, including flea/tick preventives, supplements, and prescription drugs β name, dose, and how often.
- A fresh fecal sample in a sealed bag, no more than 12 hours old, if the visit includes a fecal parasite test. A quarter-sized sample is enough.
- Your insurance information if you plan to file a claim β ask for an itemized invoice at checkout.
- A secure carrier or leash. Banfield hospitals have a shared waiting room. Cats must be in a carrier. Dogs must be on a non-retractable leash in the building.
This is the most important thing to know in advance, because discovering it in the middle of a crisis is genuinely dangerous. Banfield is a scheduled general practice. It does not staff 24-hour emergency services, does not have intensive care units, and cannot treat life-threatening situations. If your pet is experiencing any of the following, go directly to a 24-hour emergency animal hospital β not Banfield: collapse, difficulty breathing, suspected poisoning, bloated or distended abdomen, seizures, inability to urinate (especially in male cats), severe trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, or pale/white gums. Find your nearest emergency vet now β before you ever need one β and save that number in your phone today.
- “Is the specific veterinarian who will see my pet the same one for each visit?” Continuity of care matters, especially for pets with health conditions. Some high-volume locations rotate staff frequently.
- “Can I be in the room during the exam?” You are entitled to be present. In-room appointments make this straightforward β request one when booking.
- “What will I be charged today beyond the exam?” If you’re a new patient, the physical exam is free. Everything else β vaccines, tests, medications β is billed separately. Ask for an estimate before any procedure begins.
- “How long will the visit take?” Drop-off appointments may mean leaving your pet for several hours. In-room appointments are typically 30β45 minutes.
- “Do you offer interpreter services?” Banfield provides translation services for over 350 languages, including ASL, by phone or video during your appointment β just ask ahead of time.
The most common Banfield complaint is unexpected billing β particularly around wellness plan cancellation. If you are in a dispute: always communicate in writing. Email [email protected] for plan issues and [email protected] for billing disputes β a written record is essential if the issue needs to be escalated. If calling, ask for the name and employee ID of whoever you speak with and note the date and time of the call. If you feel a charge is unauthorized, dispute it with your bank or credit card company in parallel with contacting Banfield. For unresolved disputes, file a complaint with your state attorney general’s consumer protection office β Banfield has a documented history of adjusting positions after formal complaints are filed.
This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary medical advice. Banfield Pet Hospital hours, services, contact numbers, and pricing vary by location and are subject to change β verify current details directly at banfield.com or by calling your local hospital before visiting. For veterinary emergencies, contact a dedicated 24-hour emergency animal hospital immediately. All contact information was verified at time of publication. This page has no financial relationship with Banfield Pet Hospital or Mars Inc.