Whether you're relocating, unhappy with your current clinic, or your vet retired, getting your pet's medical history moved to a new practice takes more effort than it should. Records don't follow your pet automatically the way they might for a person on a shared hospital network — you usually have to ask for them, and sometimes chase them down. Here's how to make it painless.
Why records don't just transfer on their own
Most veterinary clinics run independent record systems that don't talk to each other, even within the same city. Unless you request a copy, your pet's history — vaccine dates, past illnesses, surgeries, allergies, lab results — stays sitting in your old vet's file cabinet or software, and your new vet starts from a blank page.
What to actually request
Ask for the full record, not just a summary. A "summary" from the front desk sometimes leaves out lab values, imaging, or notes a new vet would want to see, especially if your pet has an ongoing condition. Specifically ask for:
- Full vaccination history with dates
- Any diagnoses, surgeries, or hospitalizations
- Recent bloodwork or lab results
- X-rays or imaging, if any were taken
- Current medications and dosages
- Known allergies or adverse reactions
How to request it
Most clinics will email or fax records directly to your new vet, or hand you a printed/PDF copy to bring yourself. A quick phone call or email works — here's a script you can copy:
Some clinics charge a small copying fee (often $10–$25), and by law they can charge for the labor of producing the records, but they can't refuse to release them because of an unpaid balance in most states — check your state's veterinary board if a clinic pushes back.
What to do while you wait
Records can take anywhere from a same-day email to a couple of weeks, depending on how busy the clinic is. In the meantime, tell your new vet what you remember — approximate vaccine dates, any ongoing medications, known conditions — so they're not starting completely blind on your first visit.
Keep your own copy so you never have to chase a clinic again
Once you have your pet's records, add them to PetFolio Health and you'll have them permanently — searchable, shareable, and yours no matter how many times you switch vets.
Get Started FreeAuthoritative resources
- AVMA — Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics (medical records)
Related: this article is part of our Complete Guide to Pet Health Records. See also PetFolio Health features and an example pet health report.
Content updated by the PetFolio Health Editorial Team.
Copy-and-paste vet records transfer request
Hello, I am arranging care for [pet name and date of birth] at [new clinic]. Please tell me what authorization you need to send the complete medical record to [clinic email or secure transfer details]. Please include examination notes, vaccination certificates, medication history, laboratory results, imaging reports and available images, and referral or discharge summaries. Please also send me a copy and confirm when the transfer is complete. Thank you, [owner name and contact details].
Ask the receiving clinic to confirm receipt before your appointment. A payment history or vaccination summary alone may leave out information needed for ongoing treatment. If your pet is receiving care now, ask both clinics how prescriptions, pending results, and follow-up appointments will be handled.
Download a blank pet health record log
Download the pet health record log (CSV) and open it in Excel or Google Sheets. Use one row per event, keep source documents, and enter due dates only after the clinic confirms them. This log is an organizer, not a medical certificate.
Related guides
- How to Organize Pet Health Records: A Practical System
- Puppy Health Records: First-Week Setup Checklist
- Dog Vaccination Schedule 2026: Puppies and Adult Dogs
- French Bulldog Health Problems: What Owners Should Record
- Golden Retriever Health Issues: An Owner Tracking Guide
- Emergency Vet Visit Preparation: Records and Go-Bag
- What to Bring to a Vet Appointment: A Practical Checklist