When you arrive, our team will assist with check-in and make the process as smooth as possible. A veterinary nurse will review your pet's medical history and assess the urgency of their condition. While we see pets based on the severity of their symptoms, we strive to minimize wait times and keep you informed. If life-saving care is needed, your pet will be stabilized as soon as possible. After the doctor’s exam, we will review the findings, care plan, and associated costs with you.
Once your pet's treatment plan is approved, a deposit may be collected at that time. Depending on the caseload and severity of your pet's condition, you may choose to drop your pet off and wait elsewhere but please discuss with our team prior to leaving. We understand that emergency care can be stressful, and we do our best to guide you through every step, ensuring both you and your pet feel supported throughout the visit.
FAQ
How do I know if it’s an emergency?
Pet emergencies can appear in many forms. If you’re concerned about your pet’s health, give us a call, and our team will assess the situation and answer any questions. You can also visit our page outlining the most common signs of pet emergencies.
Do I have to call before coming in?
We accept walk-ins, but we strongly recommend calling ahead so we can prepare for your pet's arrival and ensure they're seen as quickly as possible.
How quickly will my pet be seen?
We see pets on a triage basis, meaning pets with more severe conditions are treated first. Less urgent cases may experience a wait, but we work to ensure every pet receives timely care and keep you informed of any delays.
What should I bring for my pet's emergency visit?
In urgent situations, we understand your focus is on getting your pet here safely. The most important information to have is your pet’s medical history, including any current medications or known medical conditions. All of this will be asked in our online check-in form, so there’s no need to worry if you don't have everything on hand immediately.
Do you offer payment plans or accept pet insurance?
We understand that emergency care is unexpected and can be costly. We require payment at the time of services and offer options like CareCredit and Scratch Pay. We also accept pet insurance. A detailed treatment plan, including costs, will be reviewed before initiating any treatment. If your pet requires hospitalization, we will keep you updated with your invoice and will discuss any additional estimates as needed throughout their stay. Full payment is required at time of discharge.
When are you open?
We're open 365 days a year, including all major holidays, for emergency care for dogs, cats, and exotic pets.
What type of pets do you see?
We treat dogs, cats, and exotic pets like small mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Do you handle euthanasia?
Yes, we offer compassionate euthanasia services, ensuring your pet's comfort during this difficult time. Our team will guide you through the process.
What if my pet can’t get out of the car?
If your pet needs assistance, call us ahead of time. Pull up to our door and we’ll meet you at your car to provide assistance.
Do you provide preventive care?
Yes, although we are an emergency pet hospital, we offer wellness care for exotic pets by appointment. For preventive care for dogs and cats, we recommend contacting your nearest GP veterinarian.
Your Care Team
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Dr. Taylor Frey
Medical Director
Dr. Frey grew up just outside of Philadelphia PA but moved around a little bit throughout her college years. She has lived in Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Dr. Frey recalls always wanting to be a veterinarian for as long as she can remember, and she never recalls considering any other profession. She graduated from The Ohio State for undergrad with a bachelor’s degree in Zoology. She got her DVM from the University of Tennessee and then completed a small animal rotating internship at a specialty hospital in Nashville.
Throughout vet school Dr. Frey focused on zoo and exotic animal medicine, and she has had the amazing opportunity to work at a few different zoo’s as well as travel abroad for work. It is because of these experiences that she has a strong passion for exotic animal medicine and being able to provide general and emergency care to all kinds of pets. Throughout her life she has had pet guinea pigs, rats, birds and rabbits and she currently has a dog, a snake and foster rabbits. Dr. Frey is pretty easy to identify at work as her hair is always a bright color but that color does change on a regular basis to keep it fun and exciting! When Dr. Frey is not at work you can find her throwing some axes (she is in a competitive league), snowboarding, traveling and just spending time with friends and family.
Dr. Rachel Hughes
Veterinarian
Dr. Rachel Hughes grew up in Montgomery County, Maryland. After receiving her bachelor's degree in biology from University of North Carolina- Wilmington in 2011 she traveled up north to Canada to complete her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at Ontario Veterinary College. Once completing her studies there, she decided to escape the cold and finally moved back 'home' to Maryland. While her primary job is at a general practice in Pikesville, MD, she loves emergency medicine and has been working consistently with the Ellicott City team since 2019. She really loves the variety of cases she sees in both general practice and emergency medicine, and enjoys working with pets and their families to come up with a plan as a team. In the ER, it is especially stressful when beloved pets are sick and it is her goal to make people feel comfortable and help guide them through their options of how to best help their pet. She loves many aspects of veterinary medicine but is especially interested in surgery, wound management, and ultrasound imaging. She has a very special bond with all of her pets, currently two adorable cats named Indi and Funyun and a new puppy named Nellie. Her bond with her own animals motivates her to go above and beyond for her patients and treats them the way she would want her own animals treated. She tries to be extra thorough when working through cases to give each patient the special attention they deserve. When she does have free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, binging true crime documentaries/podcasts, hiking/camping, and going to see live music.
Dr. Amanda Jones
Veterinarian
Dr. Jones grew up in Mercer County, New Jersey (Central Jersey, it exists!). As a child she remembers always wanting to become a veterinarian. Dr. Jones decided that this was certainly the career for her right before she began applying to college. Dr. Jones graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor's degree in Animal Sciences with a pre vet focus, and had a minor in dance. She proceeded on to Kansas State University to obtain her DVM degree. Dr. Jones resides in Baltimore, and joined the Ellicott City team in September of 2022. She has a Great Date named Cleo (who often accompanies her to work!), two cats (Simba and Kovu), two guinea pigs (Clifford and Arlo), and a 3-legged bunny named Cherie. When not at work, she enjoys reading and collecting books, dancing, playing video games, and exploring Baltimore. A fun fact about Dr. Jones is that breakfast is her favorite meal - so no matter the time of day, breakfast food as to be her first meal, or she feels that her entire day is thrown off!
Dr. Jennifer Kelleher
Veterinarian
Dr. Jennifer Kelleher holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Kelleher loves making a difference in animals' lives through her specialized care and the bonds she forms with pets and their owners. She's especially passionate about tackling tricky behavioral issues, helping pets and their families live happier, healthier lives together. Dr. Kelleher is equally passionate about emergency care, recognizing the need for reliable support during life’s most critical moments. A canine lover at heart, Dr. Kelleher shares her life with six dogs: Milo, Harper, Annie, Chad, Petey and Daphne. When she's not at work, you'll find her hiking with her dogs, participating in dog sports, reading, or watching movies.
Dr. Melissa Reidy
Veterinarian
Dr. Melissa Reidy has been with EAH off and on for ten years! Originally from Maryland, she made the decision to attend veterinary school in Dublin, Ireland in 1999, graduating in 2004. After returning home to Maryland, she spent many years in general practice before turning her attention to emergency and relief work. Her special interests include feline medicine, geriatric medicine, and palliative care. She is also very involved with traditional chinese veterinary medicine, or TCVM, and enjoys helping her patients with alternative therapies such as acupuncture and herbal medicine. Dr. Reidy lives in Glen Burnie with her four cats and two shih tzus, Mose and Stanley, and in her free time enjoys hiking, kayaking, and traveling with the dogs..
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