Information Hub

Appointments

Valley Farm operates primarily by appointment to ensure that every patient receives the time and attention they need.

Our consulting hours are:

7 am to 7 pm Monday to Friday

9 am to 1 pm Saturday

Appointments can be booked quickly and easily through our online Pet Portal.

When booking an appointment, please include:

• Owner name
• Pet name
• Reason for the visit
• Preferred appointment time

Booking appointments through the portal allows you to select the correct veterinarian and consultation time for your pet.

Book an appointment here.

Birds & Exotic Pets

Valley Farm sees a variety of exotic pets, including birds, reptiles, and small mammals.

These species require specialised knowledge and handling, so it is important to select the correct appointment type when booking.

Please note that not all veterinarians treat exotic species.

We do not treat large primates or venomous snakes. Should you require assistance, please get in touch with us first!

Emergencies

If your pet is experiencing an emergency, please come straight in. It is advisable to call the practice (012 991 3573) to let us know you are coming.

Examples of emergencies include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Severe trauma or bleeding
• Collapse or inability to stand
• Seizures
• Ingestion of toxins or foreign objects

This is not a full list of emergencies; please call if you are concerned.

Emergency cases are prioritised based on medical urgency. Arrival time and case severity may affect waiting times if multiple emergencies are being treated.

Medication Requests

Repeat prescriptions and medication refills should be submitted through the Pet Portal.

Please allow 24 hours for processing, as prescriptions must first be reviewed by a veterinarian and then prepared by our pharmacy team.

By law, all pets on chronic medication must be seen by a veterinarian every 6 months. We endeavour to do our best to remind you when you pets chronic medication script is expiring; however, we request that you keep tabs on this as well.

Please note:

• Some medications require a recent consultation before they can be dispensed
• Controlled medications may require a recheck examination

Please note that we do not process medication orders over weekends. Any medication ordered after 2:00 pm on a Friday will only be available for collection on the following Tuesday after 1:00 pm, provided there is no public holiday affecting processing times.

Submit medication requests here.

Hospitalised Patient Updates

We understand that having your pet in hospital can be stressful.

We would prefer to focus on providing the best care for your pet so ask that you and your family nominate one person as our contact person for updates. Please make sure we have their number, and they keep their phone with them. Where possible, our veterinarian will schedule a call time with you and, workload allowing, they will contact you at this time.

Owners of hospitalised patients will receive the following updates from us, usually after morning rounds:

• A WhatsApp message with a picture of your pet and a quick update from the attending nurse. (during the week)
• The attending Veterinarian will call you daily to discuss your pet's care and also give you an update on your account.
• If there are any significant changes in your pet’s condition, we will contact you. Please keep your phone with you!

Costs & Invoices

Veterinary costs vary depending on the diagnostics, treatments, and level of care required.

For procedures or hospitalised patients, our team will usually discuss estimates before treatment begins so owners can make informed decisions.

Invoices are payable at the time of collection unless alternative arrangements have been made in advance by management.

Should the need arise, we recommend looking into MediWallet for assistance with your account. T’s and C’s apply.

Please note – All hospital admissions require a 50% deposit at the time of admission unless prior arrangements are made with management.

Pet Insurance

Valley Farm supports clients who have pet insurance policies.

In most cases, accounts must be settled directly with the hospital first. Owners can then submit their invoices and medical records to their insurance provider for reimbursement.

Our team can assist by providing the documentation required for insurance claims.

Medipet – All consultation fees must be settled after the consultation. We will provide you with an invoice, which you can use to submit your claim on the Medipet website.

We are happy to claim directly from Medipet on your behalf for accounts over R5,000. You will be liable for the excess at the time of your departure. This applies to hospital stays only. (excluding spays and castrations)

Pre- authorization for Medipet can take up to 48 hours. Should you require approval from Medipet, please factor this into your hospital admission timeline.

OnePlan – All OnePlan clients must settle their consultation fees at the time of departure. We cannot claim directly for consultations.

For emergency admissions, you will be required to pay 50% of the cost estimate provided to you by the attending vet. We will initiate the pre-auth process after the deposit is made. You are solely and fully liable for the full account until we have received approval from OnePlan. For scheduled procedures, we can assist with acquiring pre-authorisation, provided they are done 48 hours before admission.

OUTsurance Pet – All consultation fees must be settled after the appointment. We will provide you with an invoice and claim form, which you can use to submit your claim on the OUTsurance website or app.

For Pre-Authorisation, you are required to contact OUTsurance and log the claim yourself. Once you receive a reference number and provide that number to us, we can then initiate the pre-authorisation process.

All other insurance companies – We cannot claim with any other insurance companies on your behalf. You will therefore need to pay for all consultations and hospital stays at the time of departure from the practice. We will provide you with an invoice to submit to your medical insurance.

Disclaimer – We do not work with or for any of the insurance companies so do not know the terms and conditions of your policy. As the pet owner you remain liable for any accounts not settled by your insurance. We will always do our best to assist you with your claims but will not falsify information or accounts.

Costs for Basic Services

Please note that these prices are as of March 2026 and can be changed at any time as deemed necessary by management.

Approximate costs can be provided for common services such as:

• Standard consultations – R570
•  Vaccinations cat and dog (kitten/puppy) – R775
•  After-hours consult fee – R1890

Specialist Vet Consultations: R1,575

Senior vet consultations: (Drs Tim Krafft, Dean De Kock, Anthea Michaletos and Jeanetta Uys) R860

Because each patient and condition is unique, final costs may vary depending on the treatment required.

Online Shopping – click and collect

Many routine pet care products can be ordered through our online shop or mobile app.

Products available include:

• Dog and Cat foods
• Prescription veterinary diets
• Parasite preventatives such as Bravecto
• Supplements and general pet care products

Shop online here.

Referred Patients

Valley Farm regularly accepts patients referred by other veterinary practices for specialised diagnostics or treatment.

Our specialists are:

Dr Ross Elliott - Specialist Surgeon

Dr Klaas-Jan van de Wetering - Specialist Surgeon

Dr Marthinus Hartman - Specialist Surgeon

Dr Lo-An Odayar - Specialist Ophthalmology

Dr Ryan Friedlein - Medicine Specialist

Dr Muhummad Seedat – Medicine Specialist

Dr Susan Fouche - Reproduction Specialist  

Dr Gareth Zeiler - Specialist Anaesthetist & Critical Care

Dr Anthea Michaletos – Senior Emergency and Critical Resident

Dr Etienne Basson - Specialist Anaesthetist

If your pet has been referred to us, please ensure we have the following BEFORE your appointment, where possible:

• Previous medical records to be emailed by your vet to reception@valleyfarmvet.co.za
• Current medications listed at the time of appointment
• Any relevant test results or imaging to be emailed by your vet to reception@valleyfarmvet.co.za

The above information will assist our vet with your consultation.

Our team will work closely with your primary veterinarian and provide feedback regarding treatment and follow-up care.

Updating Owner or Pet Details

Keeping your contact information up to date ensures we can reach you quickly regarding your pet’s care.

Owners can update their personal details and pet information through the Pet Portal or mobile application.

Update your details here.

Stray Animals

If a stray animal is brought to Valley Farm, our team will first scan for a microchip and attempt to identify the owner.

Stray pets are held for a short period (typically 24–48 hours) while we attempt to locate an owner. If no owner is located, then they are transferred to a registered rescue or the SPCA for further care and possible rehoming.

Rescue organisation we refer to:

. SPCA Watloo/Tshwane

. Pretoria Dog Rescue

. Cats 9 Lives

. Maltese, French poodle, Yorkie rescue

. Wollies Rescue

. BSH Rescue

. Catz R Us

. Onderstepoort Cat Interest Group

Registering a Pet’s Microchip

Microchipping is one of the most effective ways to reunite lost pets with their owners.

Once your pet has been microchipped, it is important that the chip is registered with a recognised database and that your contact details remain up to date.

Our team can assist with scanning and registering microchips where required.

At Valley Farm, we use Identipet microchips. Please see the steps below on how to register your microchips if you are unsure:

1. Download the Identipet app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store
2. Create your Identipet account
3. Log in to the app

• Sign in with your email + password
• If you used Identipet before, you may need to import your pets into the new app

4. Add your pet

• On the home screen, tap “Add Pet”

Enter:

• Pet name, breed, etc.
• Microchip number

 You can:

• Type the number manually
• OR scan the QR code on the microchip packaging (fastest + most accurate)

5. Complete owner details

• Add/update:
  1. Phone number
  2. Email
  3. Address

⚠️ This is critical — the microchip only works if your contact details are correct

6. Save and confirm registration

• Submit the profile
• Your pet is now registered on the Identipet database
• You may receive confirmation or be able to view/download the microchip certificate in the app

Important things you should know

• You can edit details anytime in the app
• You can transfer ownership via QR code (very quick)
• You can add multiple pets under one profile
• Keeping details updated = highest chance of getting your pet back

Compliments or Complaints

We value feedback from our clients.

Compliments and general feedback can be directed to:

Christina
christinam@valleyfarmvet.co.za

If you have a complaint or concern, please contact Julia, our practice manager, so that it can be addressed appropriately. julia@valleyfarmvet.co.za

Services We Provide

Valley Farm Animal Hospital offers a wide range of veterinary services, including:

• General consultations
• Preventive healthcare and vaccinations
• Advanced diagnostics and imaging (X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI)
• Surgery and specialised procedures
• Dentistry
• Intensive Care
• Avian & Exotic pet care
• Hospitalisation and critical care
• Specialist referrals

Our goal is to provide comprehensive veterinary care while supporting both pets and their owners throughout every stage of treatment.