The Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS) offers a certification program aimed at raising the standard of patient care and to increase public and professional awareness of high-quality facilities in which veterinary emergency and critical care are practiced. The VECCS Facility Certification program identifies 3 certification levels based on operating hours, equipment, and personnel. VECCS advocates the following building standards, infrastructure, staffing, equipment, supplies, medical records, and resources as the requirements for VECCS Certified Facilities. This certification recognizes veterinary emergency and critical care facilities that meet or exceed the guidelines formulated by VECCS as centers of excellence, with Level I being the highest.  

By becoming certified, you will demonstrate that your facility has met or exceeded the minimum guidelines set forth by the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society. Certification also shows your commitment to the promotion of a positive environment and team approach to raising the level of patient care, setting you apart from other hospitals. VECCS Certified Facilities will receive the following:

  • Wall certificate and window decal
  • A press releases template
  • Listed on Facility Certification sign at IVECCS
  • Recognition in Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care
  • Recognition on the VECCS website and social media
  • Access to 3 counseling sessions for all staff members through CorpCare EAP
  • Tagged as a VECCS Certified Facility in any paid VECCS Career Center job posting

Any hospital that is dedicated to the practice of quality emergency and critical care medicine that meets or exceeds the minimum requirements set forth by VECCS is eligible.

New Application:
$500.00; includes a non-refundable application fee of $250.00 and an approval fee of $250.00.

Re-Certification Fee:
$400.00; includes a non-refundable application fee of $200.00 and an approval fee of $200.00.

The term of VECCS Facility Certification is two years from the date the application is approved.

Applications are submitted online through the VECCS Awards Platform.

The VECCS office will send you a confirmation email once the application has been received. Please allow 4-6 weeks for review of the application documents.

VECCS Facility Certification is certifying the facility itself, this means that if you move locations you will need to submit a new application for the new location. You cannot be re-certified at a different location and when you move, your certification is considered void. If you change names, we can simply update that in our systems and send you a new certificate for $15. To update your facility’s name, please contact [email protected] or call 210-698-5575.

VECCS Facility Certification is one requirement of VetCOT’s Veterinary Trauma Center verification, among others. For more information, please visit vetcot.org

Yes! We have facilities that are certified outside of the United States. There may be some distinct differences in certifying bodies, credentials, and approved medications available. You can submit your application through the portal and email a letter to [email protected] to explain the differences in your application from US standards.

Questions still not answered?

Contact us at [email protected] or (210) 698-5575.