Our pets are a part of our family. We don't want to see anything happen to them.

Jennifer Dunlap recently had a scare with her cat Shivon.

I had come home from work it was on a Thursday when my vet is normally closed and she didn't come down like she normally does to eat and I thought well something is up. So I went upstairs she was sitting in the middle of the room with her mouth open and it seemed like she was having trouble breathing," says Dunlap

When there's an emergency people often panic and rush to the nearest place that's open.

Consumer expert Angie Hick says, a recent poll shows pet owner shelling out big bucks for pet emergencies.

“63% of respondents to a recent Angie's List poll said they've had at least one medical emergency with their pet. One-third of those spent more than $250 to restore their pet's health, while 16% spent more than $1,000."

Experts say the best thing to do is find a 24-hour emergency care clinic before you need it and keep the phone number handy a long with a number for your regular vet.

They also say you should know the signs.

Some obvious signs that emergency care is needed include an inability to go to the bathroom, immobility, frequent vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, or bleeding.

You can also look into purchasing pet insurance to help off-set vet costs or create a pet savings account so if something happens to your pet; it can be taken care of without putting other financial responsibilities in jeopardy.

Here are some tips from Angie’s List for finding emergency vet care.

•Prepare for an emergency: Find a highly rated emergency care clinic that’s open 24 hours a day before you need it. Keep the phone number handy, along with that of your regular vet. When searching on Angie’s List, check whether a veterinary office’s profile lists emergency services.
•Ask about training/credentials: Although specialty training is not required to administer emergency and critical care, some veterinarians pursue internships or residency programs to obtain additional experience. Some also become Diplomats of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, which requires an additional three years of intense training in treating life-threatening conditions after receiving a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.
•Keep records: Once you choose an emergency vet have your regular vet fax your pet’s medical records to the clinic and keep a copy for yourself. When seeking emergency treatment, be prepared to communicate any underlying health conditions your pet has and any medications your pet takes.
•Do you need a specialist? If follow-up care is needed, your provider should be able to recommend other certified specialists, such as those trained in ophthalmology, or other fields of veterinary medicine. After you receive a diagnosis and a referral, shop your options for continuing vet treatment if time allows.
•Invest in your pet’s health: Emergency care can be quite costly due to factors like round-the-clock staffing, and state of the art technology. The cost for care varies depending on the care, but most require a fee for the initial exam and some require payment before treatment. Several