It’s 2am. Your dog won’t stop panting. Your cat is straining in the litter box. Your instincts are screaming — but you don’t know where to go, and your regular vet’s voicemail picks up. We get it. This guide exists so that when that moment hits, you already have the answer.

New York City has more than 1.1 million dogs and 500,000+ cats — and a network of 24-hour emergency animal hospitals that is, frankly, one of the best in the world. But it’s borough-specific, easy to navigate wrong under stress, and changes more than most pet owners realize. Here’s what’s verified, current, and ready to screenshot.

First: Know the Life-Threatening Signs That Cannot Wait

Before we get into locations, you need this list. These symptoms require an emergency vet right now — not morning, not after you Google for 20 minutes. Consult your veterinarian for any health concerns, but these are the situations where time is the variable:

• Difficulty breathing, choking, or blue/white/grey gums
• Collapse, sudden inability to stand, or paralysis
• Seizures lasting more than 2 minutes, or multiple in a few hours
• Suspected poisoning — chocolate, xylitol, grapes, raisins, medications, rodenticide
• Severe trauma — hit by a car, fall from height, serious bite wound
• Distended abdomen with unproductive retching in dogs (possible GDV/bloat)
• Cat straining to urinate with little or no output — a urinary blockage is a medical emergency
• Uncontrolled bleeding that does not stop with 5 minutes of direct pressure

If your pet is showing any of these, call ahead to the nearest 24-hour facility below and head there immediately. Most ER vets prefer you call en route so they can prepare.

The Poison Hotline — Save This Now

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435 — 24/7/365

Available around the clock, every day of the year. A consultation fee may apply. This line is staffed by veterinary toxicologists and is the most reliable first call when you suspect your pet has ingested something dangerous. Have the product name, your pet’s weight, and approximate amount ingested ready when you call.

24-Hour Emergency Vet Hospitals by Borough

Manhattan

Manhattan is the best-covered borough for emergency vet care. Three major networks operate here, giving you multiple options if one location has a long wait.

The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC) — Upper East Side

The AMC is NYC’s premier emergency animal hospital — a Level 1 Veterinary Trauma Center and one of the largest veterinary hospitals in the world, operating since 1910. No appointment needed for emergency or urgent care. They have more specialists under one roof than anywhere else in the region.

• Address: 510 E 62nd St, New York, NY 10065
• Phone: (212) 838-8100
• Hours: 24/7/365 — no appointment needed for emergencies
• Website: amcny.org

BluePearl Pet Hospital — Midtown

• Address: 410 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019
• Phone: (212) 767-0099
• Hours: 24/7

BluePearl Pet Hospital — Downtown/Flatiron

• Address: 1 W 15th St, New York, NY 10011
• Phone: (212) 924-3311
• Hours: 24/7

VEG (Veterinary Emergency Group) — Upper East Side

• Address: 1215 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10065
• Phone: (212) 223-3500
• Hours: 24/7

VEG — Chelsea

• Address: 735 6th Ave, New York, NY 10010
• Phone: (646) 582-8882
• Hours: 24/7

Brooklyn

Brooklyn has strong 24/7 coverage, with a Level II trauma center and multiple specialty hospitals serving every neighborhood.

VERG Brooklyn — Park Slope

VERG is a Level II trauma center — equipped for serious and life-threatening cases, walk-ins accepted around the clock.

• Address: 196 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
• Phone: (718) 522-9400
• Hours: 24/7
• Website: verg-brooklyn.com

BluePearl Pet Hospital — Gowanus, Brooklyn

A 20,000-square-foot facility with dedicated surgical suites for soft tissue and orthopedic cases.

• Address: 190 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
• Phone: (718) 596-0099
• Hours: 24/7

VEG — Williamsburg

• Address: 87 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249
• Phone: (917) 423-6444
• Hours: 24/7

Queens

BluePearl Pet Hospital — Forest Hills, Queens

This is the only animal hospital in New York City offering hemodialysis — used to treat toxin ingestion and kidney failure. If your pet has ingested a toxin and is in renal distress, this is where you need to be.

• Address: 107-28 71st Rd, Forest Hills, NY 11375
• Phone: (718) 263-0099
• Hours: 24/7

The Bronx

The Bronx has fewer dedicated 24-hour facilities than other boroughs — a real gap in NYC’s pet care infrastructure that is worth knowing about before an emergency happens. Bronx residents should pre-plan their route to the nearest option:

Key Bronx tip: The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center in Manhattan (510 E 62nd St, (212) 838-8100) is frequently the fastest accessible option for South and Central Bronx residents via the 4/5/6 train or the FDR Drive. Call ahead while en route. For northern Bronx, confirm current hours and availability with the Long Island City Veterinary Center (nycvetgroup.com).

Staten Island

Greater Staten Island Veterinary Services (GSVS)

The primary 24-hour emergency option on the island. Advanced diagnostic technology including CT imaging, on-site lab, and pharmacy — no referral or appointment needed for emergency care.

• Address: 3135 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10314
• Phone: (917) 830-1380
• Hours: 24/7
• Website: gsvs.org

Low-Cost and Free Veterinary Care in NYC

Emergency care is expensive — and in NYC, it costs roughly 9% above the national average. A single ER hospitalization can run $3,000–$10,000. Here are the verified, currently operating resources for pet owners who need help with costs.

ASPCA Community Veterinary Clinics

The ASPCA operates three NYC community clinics offering free wellness care — physical exams, vaccines, diagnostics, and medications — for income-eligible pet owners. All appointments are required. Phone for all three locations: (844) 692-7722. Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm.

• Bronx (South Bronx): 501 E 161st St, Bronx, NY 10451 — Zip codes: 10451, 10454, 10455, 10456, 10459
• Brooklyn (East New York): 464 New Lots Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11207 — Zip codes: 11207, 11208, 11212
• Queens (Long Island City): 36-02 14th St, Long Island City, NY 11106 — Zip codes: 11101–11106, 11368–11370, 11372, 11373, 11377

Eligibility requires proof of public assistance: NYCHA, Medicaid, SSI, SSDI/Disability, TANF, SNAP, or WIC. Proof of residency in the listed zip codes required.

ASPCA Animal Hospital — Manhattan (Low-Cost Urgent Care)

Urgent care for pets whose owners earn under $50,000/year in total annual household income. Handles urgent illness, injury, and end-of-life services — not a routine care or full emergency facility. For life-threatening situations, go directly to a 24-hour hospital above.

• Address: 424 E 92nd St, New York, NY 10128 (Upper East Side)
• Phone: (646) 259-4080
• Hours: Mon–Fri, 8am–4:30pm | Closed weekends

NYC ACC Community Pets Program

The Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) connects pet owners with free spay/neuter appointments, pop-up vaccine clinics (rabies, DA2PP, Bordetella for dogs; FVRCP for cats), free microchipping, and referrals to emergency care funding partners. Visit nycacc.org or stop into any ACC shelter to get connected.

Is Pet Insurance Worth It in NYC?

For most city pet owners, yes — particularly for younger pets and breeds prone to orthopedic or digestive issues. NYC vet costs run about 9% above the national average, and a single emergency hospitalization can cost $3,000–$10,000. Pet insurance averages $53–$98/month for dogs and $28–$50/month for cats in New York, depending on coverage tier.

Top-rated options for NYC in 2026 according to NerdWallet and U.S. News: ASPCA Pet Insurance (broadest coverage), Lemonade (~$56/month for dogs — most affordable), Pumpkin (~$23/month for cats), and Healthy Paws (unlimited annual coverage). Compare deductibles, reimbursement percentages (70–90%), and whether exam fees are covered. Consult your veterinarian about what makes sense for your pet’s breed and life stage.

While you’re planning, this summer’s heat is already a factor. Check out our NYC Dog Owner’s Summer Playbook — heat exhaustion is one of the most common summer ER visits, and knowing the rules ahead of time can prevent a 2am drive to the animal hospital.

Quick Reference — Screenshot and Save

• 🚨 ASPCA Poison Control: (888) 426-4435 — 24/7
• 🏥 AMC Manhattan (Level 1 Trauma): 510 E 62nd St | (212) 838-8100 | 24/7
• 🏥 BluePearl Midtown: 410 W 55th St | (212) 767-0099 | 24/7
• 🏥 BluePearl Downtown: 1 W 15th St | (212) 924-3311 | 24/7
• 🏥 VEG Upper East Side: 1215 2nd Ave | (212) 223-3500 | 24/7
• 🏥 VEG Chelsea: 735 6th Ave | (646) 582-8882 | 24/7
• 🏥 VERG Brooklyn (Level II Trauma): 196 4th Ave | (718) 522-9400 | 24/7
• 🏥 BluePearl Brooklyn: 190 3rd Ave | (718) 596-0099 | 24/7
• 🏥 VEG Williamsburg: 87 Kent Ave | (917) 423-6444 | 24/7
• 🏥 BluePearl Queens (hemodialysis): 107-28 71st Rd, Forest Hills | (718) 263-0099 | 24/7
• 🏥 GSVS Staten Island: 3135 Victory Blvd | (917) 830-1380 | 24/7
• 💊 ASPCA Animal Hospital (low-cost urgent): 424 E 92nd St | (646) 259-4080 | M–F 8am–4:30pm
• 💊 ASPCA Community Clinics (free/income-eligible): (844) 692-7722 | By appointment, M–F
• 🐾 NYC ACC Community Pets: nycacc.org

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best 24-hour emergency vet in Manhattan?

The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC) at 510 E 62nd St is NYC’s only Level 1 Veterinary Trauma Center, open 24/7/365. BluePearl has Midtown (410 W 55th St) and Downtown (1 W 15th St) locations, and VEG operates on the Upper East Side (1215 2nd Ave) and in Chelsea (735 6th Ave) — all 24/7, no appointment needed.

Is there a 24-hour emergency vet in Brooklyn?

Yes — three of them. VERG Brooklyn at 196 4th Ave, Park Slope (718-522-9400) is a Level II trauma center. BluePearl Brooklyn at 190 3rd Ave, Gowanus (718-596-0099) is also 24/7. VEG Williamsburg at 87 Kent Ave (917-423-6444) serves North Brooklyn around the clock.

What is the ASPCA Animal Poison Control number?

(888) 426-4435 — 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A consultation fee may apply. Save it now.

How do I know if my pet needs emergency vet care right now?

Go immediately for: difficulty breathing or blue/white gums, collapse, seizures over 2 minutes, suspected poisoning, severe trauma, a distended abdomen with retching (bloat in dogs), or a cat straining to urinate with no output. When in doubt, call the nearest 24-hour vet — they can help you triage over the phone. Always consult your veterinarian for guidance on your pet’s specific health needs.

Where can I get low-cost veterinary care in NYC?

ASPCA Community Veterinary Clinics offer free care for income-eligible residents in the Bronx (501 E 161st St), Brooklyn (464 New Lots Ave), and Queens (36-02 14th St, Long Island City). The ASPCA Animal Hospital at 424 E 92nd St, Manhattan provides low-cost urgent care for households under $50,000/year. NYC ACC’s Community Pets Program offers free spay/neuter and vaccine events — visit nycacc.org. Call (844) 692-7722 for ASPCA clinic appointments.