VCA Canada Central Saanich Animal Hospital

08/25/2026

Miss Houdini was in this morning for a little assistance laying her egg. She is a chronic egg layer, and we suspect she got a little low in her calcium stores, leading to the egg getting stuck on its way out. After giving some supplemental calcium, Houdini got an injection of oxytocin to stimulate contractions and out popped the egg with a little bit of l**e!

08/24/2026

🐾 Meet of Vet et Nous | Christine: A Journey of Openness & Acceptance 🐾

"Growing up, I was often judged. Animals, though, were always a refuge. They don’t judge. You can just be." 💙

Meet Christine, an outstanding Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) at l'Ormière whose journey is a beautiful testament to resilience, passion, and the power of a supportive workplace.

Entering clinical practice 15 years ago—when autism (ASD) was poorly understood—was incredibly difficult. After facing post-traumatic stress and questioning her path, Christine’s love for animals brought her back. She joined the team at l’Ormière and laid her cards on the table from day one:

"I told the team: 'I’m autistic. If something comes up, please come see me. You have to tell me.' Communication makes all the difference."

With that open communication, Christine has truly found her fit and flourished. Today, she is the clinic's "encyclopedia" (colleagues always turn to her above-average memory!) and her deep empathy makes her incredibly gifted at supporting pet parents through delicate, emotional moments.

We aren't the only ones inspired by her. The Ordre des médecins vétérinaires du Québec (OMVQ) was so moved by Christine's journey that they created a unique, dedicated RVT Excellence Award, "Coup de Cœur" Mention specifically to honour her story! 🏆

At home, she’s happily cuddled up with her two 15-year-old rescue cats, Acadie and Nami. 🐱🐱

"After a very difficult start, it was at l’Ormière that I rebuilt myself, and my confidence... I think we can all be a little more tolerant. Not just for autism, but for everything. Just a little more patience and respect." 💙

08/19/2026

Did you know that water is one of the most powerful tools we have to help your pet heal, rebuild, and thrive? Whether they are recovering from orthopedic surgery, managing arthritis, or navigating neurological conditions, hydrotherapy and the underwater treadmill provide a low-impact, highly effective workout that gets them back on all four paws faster!

📍 Where to Find Healing Waters 📍

While not every location has an underwater treadmill, several of our specialized VCA Canada Animal Hospitals feature dedicated veterinary rehabilitation teams equipped with advanced hydrotherapy technology.

📍 VCA Canada Newton Animal Hospital (Surrey, BC) – Proudly offering physical rehabilitation with a special focus on customized underwater treadmill therapy.

📍 VCA Canada O'Sullivan Animal Hospital (Barrie, ON) – Featuring a dedicated underwater treadmill and hydrotherapy pool.

📍VCA Canada Tri Lake Animal Hospital & Referral Centre (Lake Country, BC) – Proudly offering the Okanagan's only underwater treadmill therapy, led by our board-certified rehabilitation specialist.

📍VCA Canada Central Victoria Veterinary Hospital (Victoria, BC) – Providing comprehensive physical rehabilitation, including advanced underwater treadmill workouts.

📍VCA Canada Mississauga Oakville Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital (Oakville, ON) – Delivering targeted post-operative and geriatric care utilizing state-of-the-art underwater treadmill systems.

Rehab services and equipment vary by location. Reach out to your local hospital to discuss a referral or find specialized rehabilitation services near you!

08/17/2026

Ever heard that black cats are bad luck? 🐈‍⬛ Distrust the folklore. Trust the science (and us)! 🧪

They may actually be more resilient. The genetic mutation that causes melanism (black fur), is suggested to be linked to genes associated with viral and disease resistance. It's also the most common coat colour in the world which really just means there's more of them to love! 💙 🐈‍⬛

As well as it's these high levels of melanin that cause their irises to be richly pigmented, producing those iconic, vibrant golden-copper or deep yellow eyes.

Happy ! Drop your house-panthers below. We want to know what some of their funny quirks are.👇

08/14/2026

You know we love a ! It’s when we take an extra moment to celebrate what it means to be active partners in the communities we serve.

But today, we’re taking on a massive journey. 6,600 kilometers away, to be more precise! ✈️🇮🇪

One of our very own Associates, Brianna, has been selected for the prestigious Mars, Incorporated Ambassador Program (MAP)! From August 16–22, Brianna is heading to Dublin, Ireland, to volunteer with FoodCloud, an incredible organization tackling the dual challenges of food waste and food poverty.

This is a true full circle mission. Brianna will be out in the fields harvesting surplus crops, helping prepare hot meals in the Food Cloud kitchens, and delivering them to local families in the community. 🔄🌱

Back home, Brianna already lives this spirit every day by managing her massive garden plots, donating harvests to 11 neighbourhood families, and volunteering with the underhoused. Now, she gets to bring those exact skills to a global stage!

Please join us in wishing Brianna a safe and inspiring trip in the comments below, and give us a follow to get all her Irish updates! 👇

08/13/2026

08/12/2026

The ultimate "chic" luxury isn’t a designer leather collar. It’s the absolute peace of mind that comes with a microchipped pet.

But here is a little insider secret: simply calling our hospital or booking a vet visit doesn’t actually update your pet’s microchip details. Because our hospital database and your pet's registry provider are completely separate, only you can log in to make those address or phone number changes official. If you've recently moved or changed numbers, consider this your gentle reminder to log in directly with your registry provider and keep those details current.

If you're sitting there thinking you aren't even sure if your pet is microchipped, or if you have absolutely no idea where to find their microchip number, please don't stress. That is exactly what our veterinary team is here for. You are always welcome to reach out to us so we can perform a quick, painless scan to locate that number for you.💙

08/07/2026

Have you ever sat back and just been completely blown away by the sheer kindness of your neighbours?

That is exactly how our entire team is feeling after one of our annual fundraisers for A Voice4Paws Canine Rescue. This year's event was a beautiful, chaotic, and incredibly sweet reminder of that collective power. Thanks to your incredible generosity, this years event was a massive success for animals in need!

Every year we watch our amazing Customer Service Representative, Carla, pour her heart into coordinating this beautiful tradition, and once again she was joined by an army of kind souls. From the local bakers who stayed up late to sweeten our bake sale, to the neighbours who cleaned out their closets for our thrift shop, to the local businesses who donated beautiful prizes for our silent auction. THANK YOU! 💙

When you support a activation like this, you aren't just helping us reach a fundraising goal. You are actively helping us stock regional pet food pantries, fund emergency veterinary care, and organize free vaccine clinics for local families who need a helping hand. It is hands-on, neighbourly love in its truest form.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. We’re already counting down the days until next year!

08/07/2026

We wish Brielle all the best as she starts her journey to become a veterinarian at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine! We were lucky to have Brielle working with us as a veterinary assistant this summer, and know she is going to be a great vet one day!