Veterinarians in Wisconsin are licensed through the Veterinary Examining Board, which is part of the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). DATCP publishes a list of licensed veterinarians and takes complaints online.

Wisconsin law requires dogs to be vaccinated against rabies by a veterinarian no later than 5 months of age, and again before the vaccination expires. In the City of Madison, every dog or cat 5 months or older must also be licensed each year; you need proof of a current rabies vaccination, and licenses run from January 1 to December 31. Other communities set their own pet licensing rules, so check with your city or village.

When choosing a clinic, ask about after-hours and emergency care, whether they see exotic pets, and how they handle estimates for bigger procedures.