The short answer
Sydney has twelve hospitals that say they are open 24 hours. By area: inner city and east, SASH Alexandria and the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Camperdown; inner west, MediPaws Leichhardt and ARH Homebush; north, SASH North Ryde, the North Shore centre at Artarmon and SASH Northern Beaches at Balgowlah; west, SASH Prospect, ARH Minchinbury and VECA Norwest at Rouse Hill; south, VSOS at Miranda and VECA Campbelltown. NEVS at Terrey Hills and Urgent Vet at Rose Bay cover nights and weekends.
Call ahead, every time. Two hospitals publish an emergency consultation price (VECA $199, ARH Homebush $280, checked November 2026). These are published reference prices, not a quote, and tests and treatment cost extra; ask the hospital for an estimate.
Which Sydney emergency vets are open right now?
The table lists the hospitals across greater Sydney that take emergencies. Twelve say they never close. NEVS and Urgent Vet are after-hours services. Hours are copied from each hospital's own page.
| Hospital | Address (as published) | Hours (as published) | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| SASH North Ryde (Small Animal Specialist Hospital) 24/7 · North-west and Ryde | 1 Richardson Place, North Ryde NSW 2113 | Open 24 hours, 365 days per year | (02) 9889 0289 |
| SASH Alexandria 24/7 · Inner south and east | 5/476 Gardeners Rd, Alexandria NSW 2015 | Open 24 hours, 365 days per year | (02) 8913 4000 |
| SASH Northern Beaches 24/7 · Northern Beaches | 4 Roseberry St, Balgowlah NSW 2093 | Open 24 hours, 365 days per year | (02) 9875 0000 |
| SASH Western Sydney 24/7 · Western Sydney | 1 Rowood Road, Prospect NSW 2148 | Open 24 hours, 365 days per year | (02) 8609 9444 |
| Animal Referral Hospital (ARH) Homebush 24/7 · Inner west | 250 Parramatta Road, Homebush West NSW 2140 | Open 24 hours, 365 days | 02 9758 8666 |
| Animal Referral Hospital (ARH) Greater Western Sydney 24/7 · Western Sydney | 5/1 John Hines Ave, Minchinbury NSW 2770 | Open 24/7 | 02 8610 3400 |
| University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Sydney (UVTHS) 24/7 · Inner west | 65 Parramatta Road, Camperdown NSW 2050 | Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (cats and dogs) | (02) 9351 3437 |
| MediPaws Leichhardt 24/7 · Inner west | 233 Catherine Street, Leichhardt NSW 2040 | Emergency department open 24/7, 365 days a year, including public holidays and weekends | 1800 678 387 |
| North Shore Veterinary Specialist and Emergency Centre 24/7 · Lower North Shore | 63 Herbert St, Artarmon NSW 2064 | 24/7, including public holidays | (02) 9436 4884 |
| Veterinary Specialists of Sydney (VSOS) 24/7 · South and Sutherland Shire | 106 Parraweena Road, Miranda NSW 2228 | 24/7 emergency | (02) 8376 8767 |
| VECA Campbelltown (Veterinary Emergency Care Australia) 24/7 · South-west (Macarthur) | 5/10 Blaxland Rd, Campbelltown NSW 2560 | Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year | (02) 9129 5888 |
| VECA Norwest 24/7 · Hills District | 7/2 Capital Pl, Rouse Hill NSW 2155 | Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year | (02) 9129 5800 |
| Northside Emergency Veterinary Service (NEVS) After hours · North Shore and Northern Beaches | 16 Myoora Road, Terrey Hills NSW 2084 | After hours: nights, weekends and public holidays, 365 days a year | (02) 9452 2933 |
| Urgent Vet Rose Bay After hours · Eastern Suburbs | 8 Newcastle Street, Rose Bay NSW 2029 | Weeknights 7pm to 8am; continuous from 2pm Saturday to 8am Monday; 24 hours on public holidays | 02 8360 8887 |
Each hospital's website, read on 9 November 2026. Hours change, so always phone first.
Two more to know about
- ARH Baulkham Hills. The Animal Referral Hospital locations page lists a Baulkham Hills hospital at 19 Old Northern Road, (02) 9639 7744. Its own hospital page did not load when we checked on 9 November 2026, so we could not confirm its hours. Phone before you go.
- Central Coast. SASH Central Coast at 2 Bounty Close, Tuggerah lists itself as 24/7 on (02) 4311 1311, for readers north of the Hawkesbury.
Which one is closest to me?
- CBD, Eastern Suburbs and inner south: SASH Alexandria or UVTHS at Camperdown, or Urgent Vet at Rose Bay after hours.
- Inner West: UVTHS at Camperdown, MediPaws Leichhardt or ARH Homebush.
- Lower North Shore: the North Shore Veterinary Specialist and Emergency Centre at Artarmon.
- Upper North Shore and Ryde: SASH North Ryde, or NEVS at Terrey Hills after hours.
- Northern Beaches: SASH Northern Beaches at Balgowlah, or NEVS at Terrey Hills after hours.
- Parramatta and Western Sydney: SASH Western Sydney at Prospect or ARH Minchinbury.
- Hills District: VECA Norwest at Rouse Hill.
- Sutherland Shire and St George: VSOS at Miranda.
- Macarthur and South West Sydney: VECA Campbelltown.
24/7 hospital, after-hours service or your regular vet?
| Option | When it is open | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 24/7 emergency hospital | Every hour, every day | Anything urgent at any time, and weekday daytime emergencies when your own vet cannot fit you in |
| After-hours emergency service | Nights, weekends and public holidays | Problems that start after your regular vet closes, if it is the closest option |
| Your regular vet | Business hours | Anything that can wait a few hours, follow-up care after an emergency visit, and your pet's history |
| Specialist consultations | Mostly weekdays, often by referral | Surgery, imaging and complex cases. Most of the 24/7 hospitals above also house specialists; the North Shore centre, for example, says its specialist consulting hours are Monday to Friday. |
A practical rule: if your regular vet is open and can see you soon, call them first, because they know your pet. If they are closed, cannot fit you in, or the problem is on the “go now” list below, go to the nearest emergency hospital. Emergency hospitals see the sickest animals first, so a stable pet may wait.
When is it an emergency? Go now
The University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Sydney lists the signs that need urgent care: difficulty breathing or collapse, severe trauma or bleeding, seizures, sudden weakness or paralysis, persistent vomiting or diarrhoea, severe pain or distress, suspected toxin or poison exposure, and sudden changes in behaviour. In Sydney, add these:
- A tick found on the body, or wobbly back legs, a changed bark or retching
- A suspected snake bite, even if your pet seems fine afterwards
- Heavy panting, drooling or collapse on a hot or humid day
- A swollen, tight belly with retching that brings nothing up
- A male cat straining in the litter tray with little or no urine
If you are unsure, call. UVTHS says that if you have any concerns, contact the team or bring your pet in.
Sydney emergencies to know about
Paralysis ticks, all year
The paralysis tick lives along the whole NSW coast and bushland, and Sydney carries a year-round risk, with a peak in spring and summer. The toxin causes paralysis that is very likely to be fatal without treatment. RSPCA NSW lists the first signs as a change in bark or meow, vomiting and wobbly back legs. If you find a tick, it says to remove it, keep your pet calm, and take your pet and the tick to a vet the same day. The RSPCA Knowledgebase adds: give nothing by mouth, and do a daily fingertip search, starting at the face, neck and ears. Ask your vet about a tick-prevention product; it does not replace the daily search.
Snakes
Snakes become more active as the weather warms, and Sydney has a lot of bushland edge, so a dog that noses into long grass or scrub can meet one. RSPCA NSW says to keep your pet calm and quiet and take it to a vet immediately, because the chance of recovery is much greater with early treatment. Do not wash the wound or apply a tourniquet, and do not try to catch or kill the snake. The RSPCA Knowledgebase warns that a dog can collapse and then seem to recover, so go even if your dog looks better.
Heat
Sydney summers are humid, with heatwave days above 35 degrees. Flat-faced breeds, overweight dogs and very young or old pets struggle most. The RSPCA's heatstroke advice is to start cooling straight away with room-temperature or cool water on the fur and skin, keep air moving, and get to a vet immediately. Never leave a dog in a parked car. Our pug breathing and heat guide covers the breeds most at risk.
What to do on the way
- Call the hospital first. Say what happened, your pet's species, size and age, and when you will arrive. The team can prepare, and may send you elsewhere if they are full.
- Keep yourself safe. A frightened or hurt animal can bite, even a gentle one. Move slowly and keep your face away from its mouth.
- Carry your pet safely. Put cats and small dogs in a carrier. Lift a larger dog on a towel, blanket or board held by two people, keeping the back straight if it cannot walk.
- Bring what you can grab in a minute. Any packet, plant or bait your pet ate, the tick in a sealed bag, and a photo of the snake from a safe distance.
- Do not give human medicines. Many are toxic to dogs and cats. Give nothing by mouth unless the vet tells you to.
- Have a second person drive if you can, so someone can watch your pet.
Adopting in Sydney?
Sydney rescues list dogs and cats that come desexed, microchipped and vaccinated. Save an emergency number the day you bring yours home.
Browse Dogs in Sydney →How much does an emergency vet cost in Sydney?
Emergency care is expensive, and the consultation is only the start. Two Sydney hospitals publish an emergency consultation price; the rest ask you to call.
| Hospital | Published emergency consultation | What the hospital says about it |
|---|---|---|
| VECA (Campbelltown, Rouse Hill) | $199 | Same at either hospital, day or night, with no after-hours, weekend or public holiday surcharge |
| ARH Homebush | $280 | From its Emergency & Critical Care Price Guide, headed ARH Homebush and ARH Greater Western Sydney. Covers the emergency assessment; excludes diagnostic testing, imaging, medications, hospitalisation and advanced treatments. |
Published reference prices read on each hospital's website on 9 November 2026. They are not a quote and can change; ask the hospital for an estimate before treatment starts.
What the hospitals publish about paying:
- SASH (North Ryde and Western Sydney pages): accepts pet insurance from most major providers, offers GapOnly for eligible insurers, and lists Afterpay, VetPay, ZipPay and Zip Money payment plans.
- VECA: lists EFTPOS, major cards, phone wallets, Afterpay, Zip Pay and VetPay, and processes GapOnly claims for partner insurers.
Afterpay, Zip and VetPay are credit or finance products, each with its own fees, limits and approval checks. Read the terms before you sign. The RSPCA warns that snake bite treatment can lead to a large vet bill, so the best time to sort out how you would pay is before an emergency, with pet insurance or a savings buffer.
Set this up before you need it
- Save two numbers: the closest 24/7 hospital from the table and a second one in case the first is full.
- Know the drive at night. Sydney traffic changes which hospital is really closest; check the route at the hours you are likely to need it.
- Keep a carrier and an old towel where you can reach them quickly, and a tick remover in the kitchen drawer.
- Know your pet's weight, medicines and microchip number, or keep a photo of the adoption paperwork on your phone.
- Decide how you would pay a large bill, and read any insurance policy's waiting periods before you rely on it.
If you are adopting, ask the rescue which tick prevention the dog or cat is on and when the next dose is due, because a gap in cover is a real risk in Sydney. Rescue pets usually arrive desexed, microchipped and vaccinated, so the emergency kit is the next job. Our best dog rescues in Sydney guide lists the groups we track, and the Sydney dog registration guide covers the NSW Pet Registry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which emergency vets in Sydney are open 24 hours?
Twelve Sydney hospitals say on their own websites that they are open around the clock: SASH at North Ryde, Alexandria, Balgowlah and Prospect, ARH at Homebush West and Minchinbury, the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Camperdown, MediPaws at Leichhardt, the North Shore centre at Artarmon, VSOS at Miranda, and VECA at Campbelltown and Rouse Hill. We checked each page on 9 November 2026.
Is there a 24 hour vet in the Eastern Suburbs or inner city?
The closest 24/7 hospitals to the city and Eastern Suburbs are SASH Alexandria on Gardeners Road and the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Sydney on Parramatta Road, Camperdown, which treats cats and dogs. MediPaws at Leichhardt says its emergency department is open 24/7, and ARH Homebush is further west on Parramatta Road. In the Eastern Suburbs, Urgent Vet at Rose Bay is an after-hours service, open from 7pm to 8am on weeknights, from 2pm Saturday to 8am Monday, and 24 hours on public holidays.
Is there a 24 hour vet on the North Shore or Northern Beaches?
Yes. The North Shore Veterinary Specialist and Emergency Centre in Artarmon says it is always open, 24/7, including public holidays. SASH Northern Beaches in Balgowlah and SASH North Ryde are both open 24 hours. NEVS at Terrey Hills covers nights, weekends and public holidays.
Is there a 24 hour vet in Western Sydney?
Yes. SASH Western Sydney at Prospect and ARH Greater Western Sydney at Minchinbury are both listed as open 24/7. For the Hills District, VECA Norwest at Rouse Hill is open 24 hours a day, and for Macarthur, VECA Campbelltown is too.
Do I need an appointment or a referral at a Sydney emergency vet?
Not for an emergency at the hospitals that say so. SASH says no appointment or referral is needed for emergency care at its Northern Beaches and Western Sydney hospitals, and VECA says you do not need a referral or an appointment. Calling ahead still helps the team prepare.
How much does an emergency vet cost in Sydney?
Two Sydney hospitals publish an emergency consultation price. VECA lists $199 at Campbelltown and Rouse Hill, day or night, with no after-hours, weekend or public holiday surcharge. ARH Homebush lists $280 in a price guide headed ARH Homebush and ARH Greater Western Sydney, excluding tests, imaging, medicines and hospital stays. Both checked November 2026; these are reference prices, not quotes.
Can I pay a Sydney emergency vet bill off over time?
Some Sydney hospitals offer finance. SASH lists Afterpay, VetPay, ZipPay and Zip Money, and VECA lists Afterpay, Zip Pay and VetPay, and both process GapOnly claims for partner insurers. These are credit or finance products with their own fees and terms, so read them before you sign.
What should I do if I find a paralysis tick on my dog in Sydney?
Treat it as an emergency. RSPCA NSW says to remove the tick, keep your pet calm, and take your pet and the tick to a vet the same day. The RSPCA Knowledgebase adds: give nothing by mouth.
What should I do if my dog is bitten by a snake in Sydney?
Keep your dog calm and still, call the nearest emergency hospital and go now, even if your dog seems to recover. RSPCA NSW says the chance of recovery is much greater with early treatment, and not to wash the wound or apply a tourniquet. Do not try to catch or kill the snake.
What is the difference between a 24/7 vet and an after-hours vet?
A 24/7 hospital never closes. An after-hours service opens when regular clinics shut, usually overnight on weekdays, and runs longer on weekends and public holidays. In Sydney, most of the hospitals we list are 24/7, so a daytime emergency can go to one of them if your own vet cannot fit you in.
Who do I call if my pet ate something poisonous?
If your pet is unwell, call an emergency hospital first. For advice on whether a swallowed substance is dangerous, the Animal Poisons Helpline runs a 24/7 line on 1300 869 738 and listed consultations from $79 when we checked in November 2026. Have the packet or plant name ready.
Should I save an emergency vet number when I adopt a dog?
Yes. Save the nearest 24/7 hospital in your phone on adoption day, alongside your regular vet, and ask the rescue when the dog's tick prevention is next due. A new dog in a new home is more likely to slip out, eat something odd or pick up a tick before you know its routine.
Keep exploring
Best Dog Rescues in Sydney
The shelters and foster rescues we track across Sydney.
Dog Desexing Cost in Sydney
What desexing a dog costs in Sydney.
Dog Parks in Sydney
Off-leash areas, and the bushland edges where ticks and snakes live.
Cats for Adoption in Sydney
Current cat and kitten listings from Sydney rescues.
Find your Sydney dog
See adoptable dogs from Sydney shelters and foster-based rescues, refreshed regularly. Ask each rescue about tick prevention and vet history before you bring one home.
See Adoptable Dogs in Sydney →