When your pet is suddenly ill or injured, the “where should we go?” question is only half the decision. The other half is whether you can help the veterinary team triage safely at the start. For many Burlington-area caregivers, UVM Health’s Emergency Department (University of Vermont Medical Center) is one of the emergency options to consider—especially because it operates open 24 hours and publishes clear expectations for registration and triage at arrival.
Before you load the car, keep this place-specific guide handy so you can make the call, prepare the right information, and reduce delays once you arrive.
Use the triage phone call to match your pet’s urgency
The emergency team’s first step is assessing urgency. On UVM Health’s Emergency Department page, the hospital notes that a triage nurse is responsible for evaluating your condition before you are seen by an emergency medicine provider. That makes your pre-arrival communication important: you’ll want the staff to understand what changed, when it started, and what symptoms are worsening.
UVM Health lists the Emergency Department phone number as +1 802-847-2434. Calling helps you confirm they can manage your situation and gives you an opportunity to ask about the practical intake process for the specific case you’re bringing in.
Know the basics before you head to 111 Colchester Ave
This Emergency Department is located on UVM’s Main Campus in the West Pavilion, 111 Colchester Ave Level 1, Burlington, VT 05401. Plan to arrive with enough time to complete registration and security screening, since everyone entering is required to pass through screening that includes a metal detector and bag scanner.
UVM Health also states that everyone receives treatment, regardless of ability to pay. If your pet is too ill to provide needed information, a family member can help. That said, having the key details ready (name, address, and a current medication list) can make the registration step smoother and may reduce how long you wait in intake.
Bring a “medication and records” packet
One of the most actionable pieces of UVM’s “Your Visit” guidance is to arrive with your pet’s medications—or at least a list of medications. If you can, include any relevant medical records (recent diagnoses, recent test results, or discharge paperwork) and note any known exposures or injuries.
This is especially helpful if your pet has chronic conditions or you suspect an incident that might interact with existing medications. Even if the emergency team will still triage based on what they observe, a medication list can support faster, safer decision-making.
Understand what “open 24 hours” means for real-world intake
UVM’s Emergency Department is listed as open 24 hours. “24 hours” doesn’t automatically mean “instant on day one,” but it does mean you have a consistent place to contact when symptoms are escalating after hours or during weekends.
UVM Health also emphasizes the triage model: treatment is based on the seriousness of your situation, and you’ll be seen as soon as possible depending on urgency. For pet owners, this translates into a preparation goal: be ready to answer questions about what symptoms look like right now and what you’ve noticed since they started.
What to ask when you call (so triage gets the right info)
When you’re on the phone with the Emergency Department, focus your questions on details that affect prioritization. You may want to ask:
- What information should you bring for first-stage intake?
- Whether they want you to come immediately based on your pet’s symptoms
- Who should be present for consent and registration steps
And since UVM’s site notes that you (or a family member) must sign a consent form that allows staff to treat and bill insurance, confirm whether there are any practical expectations for how consent will be handled given your specific situation.
Quick reassurance: what caregivers can control
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed in an emergency. What you can control is communication and readiness: call +1 802-847-2434, arrive at 111 Colchester Ave Level 1 with your pet’s medication list and key medical history, and be prepared for registration and security screening. With a triage nurse evaluating urgency first, the goal is to help the team understand what’s happening right away so your pet can move through intake safely.
