What do we do if our pet gets sick and the veterinarian's office is closed?

It was a question that came to us via Facebook and it was worth looking into because, for many of us, pets are like family.

Unlike Syracuse, there is no local 24/7 animal hospital.

"Everybody has talked about it but we don't believe that there's enough population to sustain it," said Dr. Christopher Jank, a veterinarian at the Watertown Animal Hospital.

The hospital which has a reciprocal agreement with three other offices to offer after-hours emergency care.

"There are four veterinary clinics around Watertown that are cooperating with an emergency service - North Country Animal Health Center, Watertown Animal Hospital, Animal Doctors Veterinary Clinic on State Street and South Jefferson Veterinary Associates - would cover for those clinics. Doctors are on call 24 hours, but there are no clinics that are open 24 hours," said Jenk.

Policies vary among other offices so you should talk to your vet. 

While Hilltop Mobile Vet Clinic has its own after-hours number, neither the Limerick Veterinary Clinic nor the clinic at fort drum offer after-hours assistance.

Even when after-hours care is available, pets sometimes have to be referred to Syracuse.

All pet owners are encouraged to find a vet and get established.

Like people, animals should have regular checkups and if there is an emergency, it will make it easier to get help.