New Clinic for a More Compassionate Future
It’s a question that often leads to heartbreak: “Is there any vet care you can give my pet?”
Most of the time, our answer — unless the pet is surrendered — is no.
We’ve taken many steps to say ‘yes’ more often to keeping more pets with their people. Despite our efforts, we’ve still seen a rising number of pets surrendered because their family cannot afford to care for them.
But yesterday, a city council decision on the zoning of a property in Vanier may have changed everything.
Working with our supporters, community leaders and Ottawa’s veterinarians, we’ve been planning for the future. City council’s decision puts us much closer to building a new Community Veterinary Clinic. If all goes according to plan, in two years we expect to open the clinic’s doors and support our very first clients.
The clinic will provide subsidized veterinary services to pets whose families typically wouldn’t be able to access veterinary care. It will also house our pet food bank, wellness clinics and dog training classes — it’s going to be a complete hub for animal well-being.
Finding the right location was one of our greatest preoccupations in planning for the clinic. I know all too well that our shelter on 245 West Hunt Club Road is too difficult to reach through public transit. The location in Vanier is central and has great access to buses — a critical feature to best support the pets who will rely on the clinic.
The clinic will keep more pets with the people who love them, allowing the shelter to be even more prepared for the animals who truly have no other option.
I’m proud of the hurdles we’ve leapt this week, and it’s the support of a caring community that will keep our momentum moving forward. As a $9.4 million project, this is no small feat. Through the generosity of legacy donors and early supporters, we have secured about a third of the necessary funds to bring the Community Veterinary Clinic to life.
Ottawa has shown time and time again that we are a community that cares deeply for animals. The Community Veterinary Clinic is our next leap in creating an even brighter future for the animals counting on us.
Join us in pushing forward one of our biggest projects ever for pets.
Sharon Miko
President & CEO