VCA Canada Central Saanich Animal Hospital

07/28/2025

Meet !

🐾 JENNIFER 🐾 | 30 Years in Veterinary Care

Jennifer has spent her life surrounded by animals. Growing up, she explored the outdoors with her parents, forming an early bond with nature and wildlife. That connection never left her and played a huge part in shaping her path into .

But it wasn’t until years later, working in emergency care, that her bond with animals deepened in a way she never expected. “My first kitten came to me the day he was born. In a plastic bag with a brick, from animal control. I was just tired of euthanizing animals, so I took him home and bottle-fed him. I raised him like he was my kid. We developed a mutual respect and a bond that was otherworldly. A deep, deep connection that until you feel it, you can’t understand.” Then came another. And another. “I depend on them as much as they depend on me.”

That kind of connection — raw, healing, mutual — is what drives Jennifer’s work. And after 30 years in the industry, from private practice to academia, she says this is the first company where she truly feels the people are cared for just as deeply as the pets.

Jennifer is part of the ongoing work across our hospitals to recognize and respond to the emotional toll of veterinary care. Through the , our teams are learning how caregiver burden affects , and how that stress can transfer to professionals. The program offers evidence-based tools to help our Associates manage that burden, reduce burnout, and reconnect with the joy of the work.

For Jennifer, it’s more than a program, it’s a reflection of a culture that finally sees the whole person behind the scrubs.

So when you entrust your pets to , whose hands are they in? The kind that understands that pets care for us just as much as we care for them. And that’s why we care for and support the people behind them.

07/24/2025

Island Health has released information about a Rabies Positive stray kitten that was found in Chemanius. It is suspected that the kitten was infected by a bat, as they are the typical Rabies carrier in BC. This is an important reminder to use caution when interacting with stray animals, and to keep your pets up to date on their vaccines.

Further information on this case can be found here:

Island Health is informing the public that a free-roaming kitten in a rural area of Chemainus recently tested positive for rabies. The likelihood that people not already identified came into contact with this animal is very low, but out of an abundance of caution we are notifying the community.

07/23/2025

Machiashelli and Aristurtle came to see Dr Chou today for a wellness exam! Both tortoises were in good health, even though they get into an occasional scuffle!

We recommend annual wellness exams for all animals, especially exotics as they like to hide symptoms of illness until they are quite sick.

07/23/2025

Summer in Canada means longer days, warmer walks, and a whole lot of panting. Especially from our fur covered friends.

As , we see firsthand how quickly heat and dehydration can sneak up on pets. Whether it’s a dog that overdoes it on a sunny hike, or a cat that’s not drinking enough water at home, the risks are real (and preventable).

We always remind clients: • Keep water bowls full and accessible • Walk dogs early or late to avoid • Watch for signs of overheating (heavy panting, drooling, red gums, or lethargy) • Never leave in parked cars, even for just a few minutes.

isn’t just about filling a water bowl, it’s about paying attention. It’s frozen broth cubes for the pup who plays hard, shaded backyard corners for the sun-loving senior pet, and check-ins with your vet when something feels off.

07/18/2025

🐾 Paw It Forward Friday: Bruce & Zeus 🐾

At the very start of this year, Bruce and his dog Zeus were the victims of a violent home invasion. Zeus, doing what dogs do best, tried to protect his dad at all costs.

The result was catastrophic.

Calgary Police acted quickly. Bruce was taken to Foothills Hospital in critical condition, while Zeus was rushed to VCA Canada Calgary Animal Referral & Emergency Centre for emergency veterinary care.

Zeus’s injuries were devastating. He sustained:
• A fractured skull
• A bullet that passed through his eye socket
• A shattered jaw
• Bullet fragments embedded in his tongue

He underwent enucleation surgery to remove his damaged eye, a mandibulectomy to address his shattered jaw, and soft tissue surgery to remove ballistic fragments from his tongue. He spent five days in the hospital, fighting, healing, and defying the odds every step of the way. Despite the immense trauma, and with the incredible life-saving efforts of the team at , Zeus pulled through and was reunited with his owner Bruce just 6 days after the incident!

Thanks to the support of programs like , Zeus was able to receive the care he needed. Today, he’s recovering with his family, surrounded by love.

We are SO proud to be part of a veterinary community that shows up when it matters most; with compassion, expertise, and heart.💙

07/15/2025

☀️🐾 Summer’s here — and so are the surprises.🐾☀️

From paw burns on hot pavement to unexpected tummy troubles after a backyard BBQ, summer brings plenty of joy… and a few hazards for our furry companions. Whether it’s heatstroke, insect bites, or curious snacking gone wrong, we know how quickly a fun day can turn into an urgent one.

That’s why we’re stepping up to support pet parents when it matters most. In an Emergency.

Now through October 15, should you need us, we’re offering additional support for emergency care to our valued clients — and welcoming new clients with the same commitment to care and community.

If your pet needs us, we’re here; ready to help, with compassionate care and a team you can trust.

📞 Call us to learn more.

07/14/2025

Do you ever wonder why our vets recommend certain vaccines or preventative medications? We base our recommendations based on surveillance studies by various organizations, like Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC). Here are some prevalence maps from the first 6 months of 2025! It’s always a good idea to touch base with our vets prior to a trip, as recommendations can vary between provinces and areas of the USA.

In these prevalence maps, more cases are indicated by a darker shade of orange. Further information on the maps can be found at https://capcvet.org

Anaplasmosis, Lyme disease and Erlichiosis are spread through tick bites. Tick preventatives kill infected ticks before they can spread the disease to your pet. If you find an engorged tick on your pet, speak to us about testing for tick-borne diseases.

Heartworm is spread through mosquitoes. Certain products like Simparica Trio and Revolution Plus contain a Heartworm preventative.

Intestinal parasites like hookworms, roundworms and whipworms are spread through a few different routes, but the most common route for pets is Fecal-oral (eating p**p!). Dewormers come as a sole product, or in combination with some flea/tick preventatives.

07/08/2025

We are looking for a Registered Veterinary Technician to join our small, but mighty team!

We encourage you to apply regardless of your experience level. If you are a newer tech, we are happy to start you off in our mentorship program with one of our experienced techs until you are comfortable.

Guidelines for a successful candidate:
* Have completed a Veterinary Technician or Animal Health Technology program.
* Confidence in surgical preparation, assisting and patient recovery
* Comfortable with anesthetic monitoring and troubleshooting common complications
* Ability to keep detailed and accurate patient records
* Compassionate care for our hospitalized patients and their pet parents
* Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
* Ability to problem-solve or the ability to ask clarifying questions to help you find solutions
* Exceptional interpersonal skills in working with your colleagues and pet parents
* Passion to learn more within the role
* A love for all companion animals!!

More details on the position can be found here! https://www.vcacareers.com/global/en/job/R-209589/Veterinary-Technologist-Central-Saanich-Animal-Hospital-Bonus

07/06/2025

Dr Chou and Dr Clooney are in the Victoria Pride Parade with some of our fellow VCA family! Hope to see some of you in the crowd!

07/04/2025

🐾 Another Pet Pantry Success! 🐾

We’re feeling incredibly grateful after another heartwarming day of giving back to our community.

Some of our team had the privilege of supporting local pet parents through the , in partnership with the amazing folks at VetsForPets. Together, we provided essential supplies, care packages, and preventative veterinary support to pets and their people in need in Victoria.

From all the wagging tails, to heartfelt conversations, it was a reminder of why we do what we do.💙

Thank you to our volunteers, partners, and community for making this possible. We’re already looking forward to the next one!

07/01/2025

🎆 can be a blast — but not always for our pets. 🎆

While we enjoy fireworks, BBQs, and summer fun, our furry companions may experience stress, heat risks, and unexpected dangers. As your veterinary team, we’re here to help you keep them safe and comfortable.

🐾 Canada Day Pet Safety Tips 🐾:
✔️ Fireworks & loud noises can cause anxiety so keep pets indoors in a quiet, secure space.
✔️ Always have updated ID tags & microchips in case your pet bolts from fear.
✔️ Avoid hot pavement — if it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for their paws.
✔️ Never leave pets in parked cars, even for a few minutes.
✔️ Keep alcohol, cannabis, and party food out of reach — they can be toxic to pets.
✔️ Provide shade & fresh water if you’re celebrating outdoors.

We know that questions — and worries — don’t always wait for regular hours. That’s why our is here for you, even when we're "closed". Whether it’s a late-night concern, a weekend “is this normal?” moment, or you just need peace of mind, you can use the app to connect with trusted veterinary support 24/7, access your pet’s medical records, and get guidance when it matters most.

Let’s make this Canada Day safe and stress-free for every member of the family.