VEG ER for Pets opens new location in Cranberry Township
CRANBERRY TWP — A new center is reimagining the way pets receive emergency care.
Pets and owners of all sizes and species will be covered around the clock, 365 days of the year after VEG ER for Pets opened its doors to the public at 7400 Cranberry Springs Drive with a ribbon cutting on Thursday, Jan. 22.
One way the hospital differs from traditional veterinary care is that owners have the opportunity to stay with their animals as they’re treated.
“We want to keep people and their pets together, so we encourage people to stay throughout the whole process,” manager Lenore Harrison said. “We also have the option for people to stay overnight if they would like to.”
Harrison said at least six doctors will be on-hand 24/7, with other travel doctors and dozens of support staff rotating in to ensure the needs of every pet are met.
Unlike more traditional spaces of its kind, the interior of all VEG ER for Pets is an open-space floor plan, allowing the staff and owners to feel more at ease.
“Openness is very important to us,” Harrison said. “We have the open concept so that you can see what’s happening. I think that transparency really helps the communication and the flow for everyone.”
The hospital also runs on a no deferment policy, meaning every pet will see treatment upon arrival. It also works on a walk-in basis, with no appointments necessary.
While there are other veterinary hospitals already established, Harrison said the availability will be a game-changer for owners seeking a quick solution.
“You can also call and talk to a doctor at any time,” she said. “If you’re concerned, we’ll get a doctor on the phone with you right away to talk through things so that’s not as scary.”
Harrison said she’s seen “a little bit of everything” in her experience working in emergency services for pets, and encourages anyone who comes across wildlife in need of care to turn to the hospital.
“We’ve already connected with the local police department,” she said. “So if there’s wildlife or anything like that, please bring it in. We’ll figure it out.”
Cranberry’s VEG ER for Pets location is the 119th store of its kind to open across the country, and the first one in 2026.
“This is a gorgeous facility,” said Denise Martin, president of Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber of Commerce. “There’s a lot of new people that are moving into the area, so that means more pets. We are thrilled that we have such a lovely facility for folks to come to and are especially excited that they’re open 24/7 because you can never predict when your pet will have an emergency.”
