Animal hospitals are hospitals that provide veterinary care for sick or injured pets like dogs, cats, rabbits, birds and small mammals. The doctors specializing in animal medicine are known as veterinarians. These hospitals include 24 hour emergency veterinary services in addition to surgical, standard medical and dental veterinary care. They also provide specialized treatment including advanced diagnostic services, internal medicines and surgery. The other services include orthopedic care, radiology, and cardiology. Exotic pets like reptiles, ferrets, pocket pets etc., are also taken care of there. Pharmaceutical products are available in the animal hospitals to provide total pet care. Animal hospitals also conduct a variety of pet wellness programs, including vaccinations and routine health examinations. Animal hospitals play a vital role in the prevention of diseases of animals that can be transmitted to man.

The services provided by a good animal hospital include complete health care, diagnosis, animal sheltering, animal behavior and training programs, and pet population control. Some hospitals also offer kennel-boarding facilities. These boarding facilities are doctor supervised and are safe and comfortable for a pet while the owner is away. The kennel boarding facilities can be day care for working owners or for long stays. Animal hospitals also provide pets for adoption.

To provide better health facilities to animals, the American Animal Hospital Association was founded in 1933 by seven veterinary professionals. AAHA serves more than 3,000 hospital members in the U.S. and Canada, and over 36,000 veterinary care providers in North America and overseas.

With owners willing to spend money on their pets well being, the availability of luxury services and products has considerably increased. More animal hospitals are now coming up with the objective of providing full support for the total health care of animals.