Rice Village Animal Hospital Policies | Houston, TX Veterinarian

Making Veterinary Care Simple & Stress-Free in Houston

At Rice Village Animal Hospital, we’re committed to making your experience smooth, transparent, and convenient. Below you’ll find our appointment policies, payment options, and answers to common questions from Houston pet owners.

Veterinary Appointment Policy in Houston, TX

We recommend scheduling an appointment to ensure timely care for your pet.

  • Walk-in visits are accepted based on availability
  • Emergency cases always receive top priority
  • Scheduled appointments are seen next

Need to book a visit? Schedule your appointment today to reserve your preferred time.

Know Before You Go:

Vaccination, Preventive Care & Testing Requirements

For the safety and wellbeing of all pets and staff, we require pets to be current on the following core vaccinations:

  • Rabies
  • Distemper/Parvo
  • Bordetella
  • Leptospirosis

To help maintain a clean and safe environment for all pets in our care, a negative fecal test within the past 12 months is required for grooming services. Intestinal parasites can be easily transmitted in shared spaces such as grooming areas, play yards, and kennel environments. This helps ensure a safe and healthy environment for your pet as well as all other pets in our care. If your pet is due for testing, you are welcome to bring a stool sample no more than 24 hours old, or we can collect a sample during your visit if needed as a convenience.

It is strongly recommended that pets remain current on flea and tick prevention as well as heartworm prevention year-round to help protect against preventable disease.

If you would like to start your pet on heartworm prevention, a negative heartworm test is required prior to starting medication. This ensures your pet is heartworm negative before beginning prevention and is also required by most manufacturers to maintain product warranties in the event a pet becomes positive while on prevention and compliance can be confirmed.

Flea Policy

For the comfort and safety of all pets, if fleas are identified at check-in, a flea treatment will be administered at an additional cost.

Pet Arrival Guidelines for Safety

To ensure a safe and comfortable environment for all pets and people:

  • Dogs must be on a leash and under control at all times
  • Cats must be in a secure carrier or on a leash
  • Separate cat and dog waiting areas are available to reduce stress

Payment Options at Rice Village Animal Hospital

We require full payment at the time services are rendered.

Accepted Payment Methods

  • Visa
  • MasterCard
  • Discover
  • American Express
  • Cash
  • CareCredit

Flexible Payment Plans with Cherry

We’re proud to offer Cherry Payment Plans, making veterinary care more accessible for Houston pet owners.

With Cherry, you can:

  • Split treatment costs into smaller monthly payments
  • Get approved quickly with no hard credit check
  • Start care right away without financial stress

Apply before your visit: https://pay.withcherry.com/rice-village-animal-hospital

Credit Card Processing Fee (Effective April 1, 2026)

To maintain fair and transparent pricing:

  • A 3% processing fee applies to all credit card transactions
  • No fee for cash or debit payments
  • To avoid fees, select debit and enter your PIN at checkout

This approach allows us to continue investing in advanced equipment, quality care, and our veterinary team—without increasing overall service costs.

Veterinary FAQs | Houston Pet Owners Ask

How much does a vet visit cost in Houston?

The cost of a veterinary visit depends on your pet’s needs, including exams, vaccines, diagnostics, or treatments. We’re happy to provide a detailed estimate before any services are performed.

Does pet insurance save money?

Yes, pet insurance can significantly reduce the cost of unexpected illnesses or emergencies. Many Houston pet owners use insurance for peace of mind and financial protection.

How do I find a veterinarian near me in Houston accepting new patients?

Look for a veterinary clinic that offers:

  • Strong online reviews
  • Clear communication and transparent pricing
  • Flexible scheduling and availability

Rice Village Animal Hospital is proud to welcome new patients and provide compassionate, high-quality care.

Looking for a Vet in Houston, TX?

Rice Village Animal Hospital is here to support you and your pet every step of the way—from routine wellness visits to advanced medical care.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment or learn more!