Your pet is hurting, panicking, or too big to lift, and suddenly the hardest part isn’t choosing a vet, it’s getting there safely. We sit down with Cheryl Brady, founder of Vet Care Express Animal Ambulance, to talk about what a real animal ambulance looks like and why pet emergency transport can change the outcome for both pets and pet parents in Sarasota and Manatee.

Cheryl breaks down how her team is trained and equipped to handle stressful situations, from painful injuries to pets that may bite out of fear. She also shares the moment that pushed her to build the service after a friend's dog was hit by a car, plus what she discovered when she researched the idea and realized this “obvious” resource barely existed. Since 2010, Vet Care Express has helped more than 19,000 pets reach the veterinary ER, specialty care, or the right next step without adding chaos to an already scary day.

We also get practical about the calls people don’t expect: helping crate and transport cats, assisting pet owners who can’t safely drive while comforting an anxious animal, supporting families when a pet passes away at home, and coordinating with vets and crematoriums. Cheryl clears up a big misconception too, many people assume an animal ambulance must cost thousands, but her mission is to keep the service affordable so money doesn’t delay care. She even teaches pet CPR, because preparation is part of loving your animal well.

If you’ve ever wondered what to do when you can’t get your pet to the vet, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share with a fellow pet owner, and leave a review so more families know help exists when it matters most.