The short answer
Tauranga's emergency vet is Bay After Hours Veterinary Hospital, 1450 Cameron Road, Greerton, phone 07 220 9775. It opens 6pm to 8am Monday to Thursday, runs from Friday 6pm right through to Monday 8am, and is open 24 hours on public holidays. We could not find a Tauranga hospital open around the clock every day, so from 8am to 6pm on weekdays, call your regular vet.
Call ahead if you can. The hospital does not publish a consultation fee; it gives an estimate range and asks for a deposit before treatment. Emergency care is expensive, so ask for an estimate.
Which Tauranga vet is open right now?
| When | Who to call | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Thursday, 6pm to 8am | Bay After Hours Veterinary Hospital, 1450 Cameron Road, Greerton | 07 220 9775 |
| Friday 6pm to Monday 8am | Bay After Hours Veterinary Hospital | 07 220 9775 |
| Public holidays, 24 hours | Bay After Hours Veterinary Hospital | 07 220 9775 |
| Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm | Your regular vet | Your vet's number |
Hours and address from the Bay After Hours Veterinary Hospital website, read on 9 November 2026. The site gives 07 220 9775 in its header and contact details. It also shows 0800 BAY VET, but the number that link dials does not spell those letters, so ring 07 220 9775. Hours can change, so phone before you go.
About Bay After Hours Veterinary Hospital
- What it is. It describes itself as a dedicated referral hospital combined with overnight emergency care, and the emergency veterinary hospital for all of the Bay of Plenty, there for your pet until your regular clinic opens.
- No appointment needed. No referral or appointment is necessary and it accepts walk-ins, but it asks you to call and say you are on your way.
- One vet on site. It says it has one veterinarian on site at a time and does not do home visits or call-outs.
- What it can do. It lists emergency treatment and critical care, digital x-ray, ultrasound, surgery, on-site blood analysis, ECG monitoring, treatment of poisoning, blood transfusions and overnight monitoring. CT scanning is at its sister clinic in Hamilton.
- In the morning. On weekdays, pets that stayed overnight must be collected before 8am and taken home or back to your regular vet, who handles follow-up care.
What local clinics say about after hours
VetCare Tauranga in Bethlehem and Cherrywood and Bayfair and Papamoa Vets in Mount Maunganui and Papamoa both list Bay After Hours Veterinary Hospital as their after-hours clinic. Te Puke Vet Centre says it has the support of an after-hours service for companion animal emergencies. Some clinics also run their own after-hours phone line for their clients; VetCare Tauranga, for example, tells clients to ring (07) 576 9555 after hours and wait for instructions from its duty vet. Check your own clinic's website or the message on its phone when it is closed.
After-hours hospital or your regular vet?
In a city with a 24/7 hospital, you can go there at any hour. In Tauranga, the time of day decides it. From 8am to 6pm on weekdays, call your regular vet first, because they are open and know your pet. VetCare Tauranga, for example, says it will always prioritise an emergency patient regardless of appointment. Ask your own clinic now how it handles emergencies, rather than in a crisis.
From 6pm on weeknights, all weekend from Friday 6pm, and on public holidays, ring Bay After Hours Veterinary Hospital. It says it runs like a human accident and emergency clinic: a nurse triages each animal on arrival and the most urgent are seen first, so a stable pet may wait.
If you do not have a regular vet yet, sign up with one this week. A clinic that already has your pet's records can act faster. The nearest hospitals we found that say they run a 24/7 emergency service are in Auckland, listed in our Auckland emergency vet guide.
When is it an emergency? Go now
If you think your pet needs emergency treatment, phone. Treat these as urgent:
- Difficulty breathing, collapse or sudden weakness
- Being hit by a car, a bad fall or a deep wound, even if your pet seems fine
- Seizures, or bleeding that will not stop
- Retching that brings nothing up, with a swollen belly
- Repeated vomiting, or vomiting with blood
- A male cat straining in the litter tray with little or no urine
- Anything poisonous eaten, including rat bait, algae, chocolate or human medicine
- Difficulty giving birth
Which Bay of Plenty emergencies should I know about?
These are the urgent risks that official New Zealand sources warn about.
Toxic algae in lakes and rivers: go now
LAWA (Land, Air, Water Aotearoa), run with New Zealand's regional councils, says dogs are at the greatest risk from toxic algae because they play and scavenge in water. If you suspect your dog has eaten toxic algae, treat it as an emergency and contact your vet immediately. Signs include lethargy, muscle tremors, rapid breathing, twitching, paralysis and convulsions. Keep your dog on a lead and away from water with a bloom or algal mats, and if it has been in the water, wash it with fresh water and stop it licking its fur. LAWA and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council post current warnings; check them before a swim.
1080 bait in forests: go now
If you take your dog walking or hunting in bush areas, the Department of Conservation says dogs are highly susceptible to 1080 poisoning, usually from eating poisoned carcasses rather than bait, and that the outcome is usually fatal. Look for DOC's warning signs at track entrances and keep dogs out until they come down, usually four to eight months after a drop. If you think your dog has eaten bait or a carcass, call the vet, say you suspect 1080, and go immediately: DOC says there is no antidote, but dogs can sometimes be saved with early action. DOC's page also lists first-aid steps; read it before the trip.
Heat
The SPCA lists the signs of heat stress as excessive panting, drooling or hyperventilating, and seeking shade. Never leave a dog in a parked car. If you see a dog in a hot car, the SPCA says to act immediately and call the SPCA on 0800 SPCA NZ or the Police. A dog that collapses or cannot settle after heat needs a vet now.
Poisons at home
For advice on whether something swallowed is dangerous, the National Poisons Centre says it is not expert in animal poisonings and points pet owners to their vet or the NZ Animal Poisons Helpline on 0800 869 738, which charges for its service. If your pet is already unwell, call the vet first.
What should I do on the way to the emergency vet?
- Call first. Say what happened, your pet's species, size and age, and when you will arrive. The hospital can prepare and tell you about the wait.
- 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, your pet's medicines, and identification if you might apply for finance.
- 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 Tauranga?
Bay of Plenty rescues list dogs and cats that come desexed, microchipped and vaccinated. Save your vet and the after-hours number the day you bring yours home.
Browse Dogs in Tauranga →How much does an emergency vet cost in Tauranga?
Bay After Hours Veterinary Hospital does not publish a consultation fee, so we do not quote one. Emergency care is expensive, and the consultation is only the start. Here is what the hospital says about paying, from its FAQ:
- Estimate and deposit. It gives an estimate range, because an exact quote is not always possible, and asks for a deposit of the low end of that range before treatment or surgery starts. The balance is due at discharge.
- Insurance. Insured owners still pay, because the hospital cannot contact insurers after hours. It provides the medical notes and a copy of the invoice for your claim.
- Finance. It says it offers Q Card and Afterpay. If you apply at the clinic, bring identification and allow an extra half hour. It also says it accepts cash.
Q Card and Afterpay are credit products, each with its own fees, limits and approval checks. Read the terms before you sign. The best time to sort out how you would pay a large bill is before an emergency, with pet insurance (check its after-hours cover and waiting periods) or a savings buffer.
What about injured wildlife?
For a sick or injured native animal, call the Department of Conservation hotline, 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468). For non-native wildlife, DOC says to contact your local SPCA or a wildlife rehabilitator.
Set this up before you need it
- Register with a regular vet and save its number, plus 07 220 9775 for Bay After Hours Veterinary Hospital.
- Learn the gap. Weekdays from 8am to 6pm are your vet's job; weeknights, the weekend from Friday 6pm and public holidays are the after-hours hospital's.
- Keep a carrier and an old towel where you can reach them quickly.
- 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 deposit at short notice.
If you are adopting, ask the rescue for the dog's or cat's vet history and which treatments are due next. Rescue pets usually arrive desexed, microchipped and vaccinated, so the emergency plan is the next job. Our best dog rescues in Tauranga guide lists the groups we track, and if your new dog ever slips out, start with our Tauranga lost and found pets page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a 24 hour emergency vet in Tauranga?
Not one that is open around the clock every day, as far as we could find. Bay After Hours Veterinary Hospital at 1450 Cameron Road, Greerton, opens 6pm to 8am Monday to Thursday, from Friday 6pm right through to Monday 8am, and 24 hours on public holidays. From 8am to 6pm on weekdays, call your regular vet. We checked the hospital's website in November 2026.
What is the phone number for the Tauranga after-hours vet?
Bay After Hours Veterinary Hospital lists 07 220 9775 in its header and on its contact page, so use that number. The site also shows 0800 BAY VET, but the number behind that link does not match the letters, so we do not list it. The hospital says no referral or appointment is needed and it accepts walk-ins, but asks you to call and say you are on your way so the team can prepare and tell you about any wait.
What do I do if my pet has an emergency on a weekday during the day in Tauranga?
Call your regular vet straight away. Bay After Hours Veterinary Hospital is closed from 8am to 6pm on weekdays, so daytime emergencies go to your own clinic. If you have no regular vet, phone the nearest clinic and ask. Registering with a vet before you need one avoids this problem.
Is the Tauranga after-hours vet open on public holidays?
Yes. Bay After Hours Veterinary Hospital says it is open 24 hours on weekends and public holidays. Phone 07 220 9775 before you go, because opening hours can change.
How much does an emergency vet cost in Tauranga?
Bay After Hours Veterinary Hospital does not publish a consultation fee, so we do not quote one. It says it gives an estimate range and asks for a deposit of the low end of that range before treatment or surgery, with the balance due at discharge. Emergency care is expensive, so ask for an estimate.
Can I pay the Tauranga after-hours vet off over time?
The hospital says it offers Q Card and Afterpay finance options. If you apply at the clinic, it asks you to bring identification and allow an extra half hour. Both are credit products with their own fees and terms, so read them before you sign.
Do I still have to pay if my pet is insured?
Yes. Bay After Hours Veterinary Hospital says it cannot contact insurers after hours, so you pay and then claim from your insurer. It gives you the medical notes and a copy of the invoice for the claim.
Does my Tauranga vet send me to Bay After Hours at night?
Many do. VetCare Tauranga and Bayfair and Papamoa Vets both list Bay After Hours Veterinary Hospital as their after-hours clinic, and Te Puke Vet Centre says it has the support of an after-hours service for pets. Some clinics also run their own after-hours phone line, so check your own clinic's website or after-hours message.
Where is the nearest vet open 24/7 to Tauranga?
The nearest hospitals we found that say they run a 24/7 emergency service are in Auckland. For most Tauranga emergencies the closer options are your own vet in the daytime and Bay After Hours Veterinary Hospital at night, at weekends and on public holidays.
What should I do if my dog swims in water with toxic algae?
Treat it as an emergency and contact your vet immediately if you think your dog has swallowed algae. LAWA says signs include lethargy, muscle tremors, rapid breathing, twitching, paralysis and convulsions, and to wash your dog with fresh water and stop it licking its fur.
Who do I call if my pet ate something poisonous?
If your pet is unwell, call a vet first. The National Poisons Centre says it is not expert in animal poisonings and directs pet owners to their vet or the NZ Animal Poisons Helpline on 0800 869 738, which charges for its service.
Should I save an emergency vet number when I adopt a dog in Tauranga?
Yes. Save your regular vet and 07 220 9775 for Bay After Hours Veterinary Hospital on adoption day. Because Tauranga has no round-the-clock hospital, knowing which one to ring at which time of day matters.
Keep exploring
Best Dog Rescues in Tauranga
The Bay of Plenty rescues we track and how each one works.
Lost Pets in Tauranga
Report or search for a lost or found dog or cat.
Emergency Vets in Hamilton
The Waikato's after-hours hospital and when it is open.
Emergency Vets in Auckland
Auckland's 24/7 and after-hours hospitals by area.
Cats for Adoption in Tauranga
Current cat and kitten listings from Bay of Plenty rescues.
Find your Tauranga dog
See adoptable dogs from Bay of Plenty shelters and rescues, refreshed regularly. Ask each rescue about vet history before you bring one home.
See Adoptable Dogs in Tauranga →