NorthStar VETS, a 24/7 emergency, trauma and specialty animal hospital located in Robbinsville, N.J., has been certified as a Level I Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Facility by the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS). The certification recognizes hospitals that meet or exceed minimum health care standards and guidelines. This is done with the intent to raise the standard of care and at the same time increase public and professional awareness of emergency services available for pets. NorthStar VETS is the only VECCS-certified Level I veterinary emergency and critical care facility throughout New Jersey, New York, and Delaware. The VECCS program awards three levels of certification based on facility operating hours, equipment and personnel. The Level 1 is, according to the VECCS website: “A Level I emergency and critical care facility is a 24-hour acute care facility with the resources and specialty training necessary to provide sophisticated emergent and critical patient care. This facility is open to receive small animal emergency patients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The Level I facility must have a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care employed full time and available for consultation either on-site or by phone 24/7.”
