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Monday 7:30am - 7pm Tuesday 7:30am - 7pm Wednesday 7:30am - 7pm Thursday 7:30am - 7pm Friday 7:30am - 6pm

VCA Canada Pretoria Animal Hospital

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Ottawa, ON
VCA Canada Pretoria Animal Hospital

At VCA Canada, we're pet people too. We understand the importance of your morning snuggles and the t A healthy pet is a happy pet. Our hospital is here for you.

That's why our team of trained professionals offer quality care for your companion. We know them inside and out, which means we know when things are good and when we need to pay more attention.

04/08/2026

👀 Eye spy...👀

Can you spot the ticks on Sully? 🤔

You may need to zoom in closely to see them. 🔍🐶

Even though it is winter, it is important to think thermometer 🌡️, NOT calendar. 📆

can be active in colder weather when protected under snow, leaf litter, and brush. Deer ticks (those that can potentially transmit Lyme disease) become active and seek hosts when temperatures reach 4 degrees Celsius or warmer. This means they can be active year round in some locations. ❄️

The good news is you can help protect your pets BEFORE exposure. Stay informed about the tick risk in your area and ask us how to help prevent and protect your pet from ticks. 💙

04/01/2026

Celebrating 27 amazing years of caring for pets and the people who love them 🐾. It seems like just yesterday, on April 1, 1999, that we opened our doors.
We’re so grateful for the trust, support, and relationships we’ve built along the way. Thank you for letting us be part of your and your pets’ lives—here’s to many more years together!

03/30/2026

🐾 Meet | Dean and the Front-Row Seat to a Furever Home 🐾

Growing up an introverted kid in South Africa, animals were Dean’s first avenue for experiencing calmness and connecting with the world.

He spent his days in the garden catching spiders, snakes, and bugs, building "little homes" for them. "I just loved the animal world and always having the African wilderness at my doorstep," he recalls.

Dean found that animals provided a sense of peace that humans often couldn't. "The calmness they bring to a person, it helped me come out of my shell." But in the veterinary world, he realized that for many new pet owners, that initial connection can be clouded by the stress of the unknown.

That is why Dean is such a passionate advocate for the VCA Canada . A program designed to protect that calmness during the first 21 days of a new adoption.

The program removes the initial barriers to care, offering a complimentary exam and up to $250 in veterinary services. For Dean, it’s about more than just a check-up; it’s about being a support system for those early days. "We can be that guiding voice to give new pet parents a sense of community and a place to go," he explains.

By supporting these early moments, the program allows Dean to witness the best part of his profession. "It can be like having a front-row seat to a romance movie," he says. "You get to watch relationships develop and love affairs happen right before your eyes."

Ultimately, Dean’s goal is to ensure every new owner experiences that life-changing bond he felt as a child. "When you get it, you want everyone to be able to have it." 💙

03/25/2026

Ziva is showing off some of her favorite tricks today 🐶, but Pogo wanted to make sure everyone knows that dogs aren't the only ones who can master the art of the "ask." 🐱

While these moments are adorable, they are actually doing something incredible for our pets' neuro-brain health. Trick training is one of the most effective ways to promote .

Learning a new behavior creates new neural connections. This "brain plasticity" is vital for keeping pets sharp as they age, helping to stave off cognitive dysfunction. For a dog like Ziva, following a complex command requires intense focus and impulse control, which engages the prefrontal cortex.

For Pogo, "tricks" aren't just for show, they engage a cat’s natural problem-solving instincts. It provides a healthy outlet for their predatory drive, reducing stress and anxiety.

Training isn't just about "good manners", it’s about building a resilient, healthy brain. Plus, the bond it builds between you and your pet is the best "side effect" of all. 😉

What is your pet’s favourite or most impressive trick? 👇

03/23/2026

🐣 🐶 Who’s ready for a Spring Break-out for ? 🐶🐣

Forget the flowers! We’re tracking a different kind of growth! These little ones are getting ready to spring out of the womb and into the world any day now! ✨

It’s like a 1000-piece puzzle, but with tiny spines and skulls. It’s the ultimate ," puppy edition.

Put on your radiologist hat and give us your best guesses! How many puppies are joining the pack? 🕵️‍♀️

03/16/2026

🐾 | Danny and a Lifeline for the Lifesavers 🐾

Every veterinarian has a "why" that started long before they put on a stethoscope. For Dr. Daniel Joffe, it was the dogs he grew up with; his best friends who seemed to know exactly what he needed before he even said a word. "They watch over you and take care of you, more than we ever think that they could", he remembers.

By Grade 2, Danny knew he wanted to be a veterinarian. He imagined a life of "puppies and kittens", but the reality of the profession brought a different kind of weight. "I certainly didn’t know just how much veterinarians, as humans, needed to be taken care of, too", he says. He saw talented colleagues leaving the field after catastrophic events or formal complaints, feeling like they had no one to talk to.

In the veterinary world, a "bad day at the office" can be life-changing. When a patient is lost or a complaint is filed, the emotional toll on our doctors and support staff can be devastating.

And that's why, as one of three core architects, Dr. Danny Joffe created , a VCA Canada initiative designed to ensure no doctor or support staff member ever feels like they're left hanging.

The program connects clinicians with experienced "Listening Coaches" and peer support during their toughest professional moments. "Wouldn’t it be nice if we could give doctors the same kind of loyalty and support that our pets give us" Danny asks.

By making these difficult conversations public and less taboo, the program is helping good veterinarians stay in the profession they love. For Danny, the goal is simple: ensuring his colleagues know there is always a path through the hard days. "We want to show our people that someone is there for them" he says, "the same way our pets are always there for us." 💙

03/13/2026

This , we are pausing to reflect on the incredible bravery of the K9 teams who serve our communities and our country. Among those heroes is Millie, a vital member of the Canada Task Force 1 K9 team.

Millie has spent her career navigating the toughest environments to bring hope and safety to others. And now she’s taking on a different kind of mission: being a mom to a brand-new pup who may one day follow in her paw-steps. 🐾

We are incredibly proud to support the team with preventative and wellness care. 🩺

Thank you for your service, Millie. 💙

03/11/2026

Late night vet question? There’s an app for that. 📱🐾.

Did you know we have a myVCA App that offers FREE 24/7 live chat with a licensed veterinary professional for our hospital’s clients. 💬🐶.

You can also access your pets’ vaccine records, lab results, and book appointments on the app. Download it today at vcacanada.com/myvca-app 📲🐱.

We are here to support you and your pet, day or night. ❤️🐾.

03/08/2026

🩺👩‍⚕️ We Rise by Lifting Others 👩‍⚕🩺

In our experience, the real power of lies in our network. With the 3,640 women who support each other, share hard-won knowledge, and ensure that when one rises, we all do.

It happens in the small, collaborative moments; the huddles over a difficult X-ray or the late-night brainstorming on a surgical approach. For the women who make up 88% of our teams, it means that a breakthrough in one room becomes a teaching moment for the whole hospital. It’s this constant exchange of expertise that turns us into a powerhouse of innovation.

We are incredibly proud of the resilient women on our teams who model this mindset every day. By giving their time, expertise, and compassion, they are ensuring that we all gain a stronger, more connected, and more compassionate veterinary community. 💙

03/04/2026

We all want the best for our pets, but the 'perfect' diet can feel like a moving target. 🎯

Understanding the foundational differences between cats and dogs (as well as the pros and cons of cooked vs. raw food) is key to keeping your furry family members healthy.

Let's break down some essentials:

🥬 Raw vs. Cooked: While raw diets may look more "natural," when we look at the science, nutrition is about more than just protein; it’s about safety, digestibility, and the unique biological blueprints of our cats and dogs.

💦 Hydration Management: Both dogs and cats need a balance. While dogs are generally good at self-regulating their water intake, cats can be extremely water-sensitive. Providing moisture-rich food can be a game-changer!

❗ Unique Requirements: Always remember that cats are obligate carnivores, while dogs are adaptable omnivores that can even digest starch. Their metabolisms differ in fundamental ways.

At the end of the day, nutrition isn't one-size-fits-all. It's about finding the right balance for your unique pet while keeping your home environment safe from harmful bacteria. Whether you're navigating a picky eater or looking to level up their hydration, we’re here to help you cut through the noise with science-backed care.

For more nutritional guidence, check out our pet resources here 👉 https://bit.ly/4suvWNP or give us a call today if you have any questions.

03/02/2026

🐾 | Jesse and the 411 on RVT 360 🐾

For Jesse, the love for animals all started with a Blue Heeler named Flynn. He was an early riser who loved to chase snowmobiles and birds, and for a young girl who was just small enough to pick him up, he was her entire world. But when Flynn began having seizures when Jesse was just four, everything changed. "Seeing my parents struggle to make decisions for him was difficult", she remembers. "The lack of information and the feeling of helplessness that we experienced is what encouraged me to pursue a career in veterinary medicine."

Today, that same passion for communication is what drives her in the program at VCA Canada. This initiative selects experienced Registered Veterinary Technicians for focused mentorship and advanced training to help alleviate the strain caused by the increased demand on the country’s veterinarians.

For Jesse, it’s about more than just the technical side of the job. "I originally thought I wanted to be a vet, but switched to vet tech, and it is such a better fit for me," she shares. "The doctors do the exams but then spend a lot of time on research and paperwork. I’ve found that being up and with the patients and the clients just fills my soul a bit more."

And it's through our RVT 360 program, that Jesse is able to do wellness exams and lighten the doctor's load, ensuring that every family gets the clear communication she wished she had as a child. As she puts it, "RVT 360 has given me a chance to do more in my career, more than I may have thought possible. It brings me joy that this is the way the industry seems to be going. Honestly, I don’t think I would have these opportunities if I hadn’t been at VCA Canada."

When we empower our technicians to use their full skills, the result is simple: "More minds, more eyes, more hands-on the pet, and more conversations about them. When all is said and done, more pets are being seen and getting the care they deserve."

02/27/2026

🐾 Today's is for Frisky 🐾

Frisky and his owner have been part of the family for years, building a long-standing relationship with a care team that knows his personality just as well as his medical history.

But recently, that bond was put to the ultimate test. After a series of major life setbacks and a difficult hip replacement of his own, Frisky’s dad was struggling just to move. So when Frisky was brought in to his team at VCA Canada Northumberland Animal Hospital about a growing mass over his eye, his owner felt completely defeated believing that saying a final goodbye was the only kindness left to give.

But his care team didn't see a cat at the end of his road. They saw a bright, purring, gentle boy who just needed a helping hand.

Knowing this bond was too precious to lose, our teams went to work. With the support of VCA Canada’s program, we were able to provide the funds for the surgery 🙌 because for us, "care" means more than just a medical chart, it means keeping families together.

In a true display of teamwork across our network, the DVM specialists at VCA Canada Foster Park Animal Hospital stepped in to perform the procedure, ensuring Frisky got the expert care he needed.

We are so proud to support our teams across all our locations that lead with their hearts. Whether it’s in a surgical suite or through a routine check-up, our mission is to ensure that the bond between pets and their parents remains unbroken.

We are happy to report Frisky is back home with his devoted owner and they are both very happy! 💙

Address

16 Pretoria Avenue
Ottawa, ON
K1S1W7

Opening Hours

Monday	7:30am - 7pm
Tuesday	7:30am - 7pm
Wednesday	7:30am - 7pm
Thursday	7:30am - 7pm
Friday	7:30am - 6pm

Telephone

+16135650588

Website

http://www.vcacanada.com/pretoria

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