How to Find the Right Cornell Veterinary Hospital and Contact Information

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, New York, runs separate hospitals by animal type, so the fastest way to get the right help is to match your animal to one of these four services and call the number listed for it. Companion animals (cats, dogs, exotics, and wildlife) go to the Companion Animal Hospital at 607.253.3060; horses and farm animals go to the Equine and Nemo Farm Animal Hospitals at 607.253.3100; horses on Long Island go to Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists at 516.488.4510; and farms within 30 miles of Ithaca can request Ambulatory and Production Medicine at 607.253.3140. For emergencies, use the emergency phone numbers linked from the site's main menu rather than the routine lines.

Which hospital fits your animal?

Each listing on the site includes a directions link, so you can open the one next to your service before you travel.

What to do step by step

1. Identify the animal category. Companion animals, equine/farm animals, and Long Island horses each have their own line; picking the wrong one sends you to a different hospital.
2. Decide whether it is routine or emergency care. The site separates "Emergency Phone Numbers" from "Routine and Emergency Care" in its menu, so check the emergency page first if the situation is urgent.
3. Call the matching number above. For farm calls, confirm your location is within 30 miles of Ithaca before using the ambulatory line.
4. Open the directions link for that service to plan your route to Ithaca or Long Island.
5. For diagnostic testing rather than treatment, the Animal Health Diagnostic Center (New York State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory) is reached at 607.253.3900.

Other contacts on the site

• General information: Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, New York 14853-6401, 607.253.3000.
• Questions by email: the site provides an "Email Us" link in its contact area.
• The college also publishes a biweekly news roundup you can sign up for if you want updates from its hospitals and research programs.

Common sticking points

• Using the general line for an emergency. The 607.253.3000 number is for general information; emergency contact numbers are listed separately, so check those first.
• Assuming one number covers all animals. The Ithaca companion and equine/farm hospitals have different phone numbers, and Long Island horses use a third.
• Calling ambulatory medicine from outside the service area. That line is described for farms within 30 miles of Ithaca, so farther farms should call the appropriate hospital instead.
• Confusing treatment with testing. If you need lab work or diagnostic guidance rather than a hospital visit, the Animal Health Diagnostic Center has its own number.