Though many emergencies you may experience at home with your pets require immediate attention by your veterinarian or a veterinary emergency facility, the simple truth is that most pet "emergencies," aren't! Many problems may look severe, and some may cause you to panic, but most of the problems you encounter, especially after hours, can probably wait until morning. It is certainly more comforting to speak to a doctor or a veterinary technician before deciding whether or not you may need to bring your pet in for care, so it is always recommended to have an after hours phone number available where you can speak to someone in case of a problem.