24/7 Emergency Vet in Ellicott City | Emergency Animal Hospital of Ellicott City

Emergency Animal Hospital of Ellicott City

24/7 Emergency Vet in Howard County, MD

Emergency Animal Hospital of Ellicott City provides 24/7 emergency veterinary care for dogs and cats across Ellicott City, Columbia, Howard County, and the greater Baltimore region. Whether your pet has suffered an injury, ingested something toxic, or is experiencing a sudden illness, our emergency veterinary team is here to help—24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Experiencing a Pet Emergency?

Emergency Veterinary Care for Pets Across Central Maryland

Emergency Animal Hospital of Ellicott City provides trusted, 24/7 emergency veterinary care for pets throughout Howard County, including Ellicott City, Columbia, and surrounding Baltimore-area communities. From the moment you walk through our doors, our priority is not only treating your pet, but also supporting you through every step of the emergency care process. We listen closely, communicate clearly, and ensure you have the information you need to make confident decisions about your pet’s health.

When the unexpected happens, our experienced emergency veterinarians and support team are ready to respond. Equipped with advanced diagnostic technology and around-the-clock medical expertise, we provide prompt, compassionate care for a wide range of pet emergencies—because when every second matters, so does having a team you can trust.

Emergency & Specialty Veterinary Services in Ellicott City, MD

Emergency Vet Care & Stabilization

When your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, our emergency veterinarians act quickly to assess, stabilize, and begin treatment. We provide immediate care for injuries, illnesses, toxicities, breathing difficulties, and other urgent conditions.

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24/7 Hospitalization & Monitoring

For pets requiring extended care, we provide round-the-clock monitoring in a calm, supportive environment, with treatment plans tailored to each patient’s condition.

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Exotic Pet Care

We provide emergency and wellness care for exotic pets, including reptiles, birds, small mammals, and aquatic species. Exotic doctors are available for many shifts, but availability varies, so we recommend calling ahead before arrival.

Learn More About Exotic Pet Care »

Veterinary Acupuncture

Veterinary acupuncture can help support pain management, mobility, neurologic conditions, and overall quality of life. Treatment plans are tailored to your pet’s individual needs and are available by appointment.

Learn More About Acupuncture »

Your 24/7 Emergency Care Team

Dr. Taylor Frey

Medical Director & Veterinarian

Dr. Frey grew up just outside of Philadelphia, PA but moved around a little bit throughout her college years. She has lived in Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Dr. Frey recalls always wanting to be a veterinarian for as long as she can remember, and she never recalls considering any other profession. She graduated from The Ohio State for undergrad with a bachelor’s degree in Zoology. She got her DVM from the University of Tennessee and then completed a small animal rotating internship at a specialty hospital in Nashville.

Throughout vet school, Dr. Frey focused on zoo and exotic animal medicine, and she has had the amazing opportunity to work at a few different zoos as well as travel abroad for work. It is because of these experiences that she has a strong passion for exotic animal medicine and being able to provide general and emergency care to all kinds of pets. Throughout her life she has had pet guinea pigs, rats, birds and rabbits and she currently has a dog, a snake and foster rabbits. Dr. Frey is pretty easy to identify at work as her hair is always a bright color but that color does change on a regular basis to keep it fun and exciting! When Dr. Frey is not at work, you can find her throwing some axes (she is in a competitive league), snowboarding, traveling and just spending time with friends and family.

Dr. Rachel Hughes

Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Rachel Hughes grew up in Montgomery County, Maryland. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of North Carolina-Wilmington in 2011 before heading north to Canada to complete her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College. After finishing her studies, she decided to escape the cold and return home to Maryland. Dr. Hughes now works full-time at an emergency hospital in Ellicott City, where she has been a part of the team since 2019.She loves the fast-paced and diverse cases in emergency medicine and is passionate about helping pets and their families navigate difficult situations. She understands how stressful it can be when beloved pets are unwell and makes it her goal to ensure clients feel supported and informed about the best options for their pet’s care. Her clinical interests include surgery, wound management, and ultrasound imaging, and she is committed to treating every patient with the same care and attention she would want for her own animals.

At home, Dr. Hughes shares a special bond with her pets: two adorable cats, Indi and Funyun, and a playful (and sometimes naughty) dog named Nellie. Her love for her own animals inspires her to go above and beyond for her patients. Recently, her family has grown to include her baby daughter, Penelope, who brings endless joy to her life. In her free time, Dr. Hughes enjoys traveling, reading, hiking, camping, binging true crime documentaries and podcasts, and attending live music events.

Dr. Jennifer Kelleher

Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Jennifer Kelleher holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Kelleher loves making a difference in animals’ lives through her specialized care and the bonds she forms with pets and their owners. She’s especially passionate about tackling tricky behavioral issues, helping pets and their families live happier, healthier lives together. Dr. Kelleher is equally passionate about emergency care, recognizing the need for reliable support during life’s most critical moments.

A canine lover at heart, Dr. Kelleher shares her life with six dogs: Milo, Harper, Annie, Chad, Petey, and Daphne. When she’s not at work, you’ll find her hiking with her dogs, participating in dog sports, reading, or watching movies.

Dr. Melissa Reidy

Associate Veterinarian & Acupuncture Certified

Dr. Melissa Reidy has been with EAH off and on for ten years! Originally from Maryland, she made the decision to attend veterinary school in Dublin, Ireland in 1999, graduating in 2004. After returning home to Maryland, she spent many years in general practice before turning her attention to emergency and relief work. Her special interests include feline medicine, geriatric medicine, and palliative care. She is also very involved with traditional chinese veterinary medicine, or TCVM, and enjoys helping her patients with alternative therapies such as acupuncture and herbal medicine.

Why Pet Owners Trust Our Emergency Team

Emergency Vet FAQs

We care for dogs, cats, and a wide range of exotic pets including reptiles, birds, small mammals, and aquatic species. Visit our Exotics page to learn more about the exotic pet species we see.

If your pet is showing sudden symptoms or just not acting like themselves, give us a call. We’ll help you assess the situation and guide you on next steps. You can also check our emergency care page to learn what symptoms require immediate attention.

We triage patients by urgency. Pets in critical condition are seen immediately, while those in stable condition may have a short wait depending on case severity. Our goal is always safe, timely care for every patient.

We accept debit cards, all major credit cards, CareCredit, ScratchPay and cash. We do not accept personal checks, nor do we have the ability to offer in house financing. To learn more about CareCredit, visit our Financing page.

While we are primarily an emergency animal hospital, we offer wellness care by appointment for exotic pets. For routine care like check-ups, vaccines, or spay/neuter procedures for dogs and cats, we recommend you see your primary care veterinarian.