Hamilton/Burlington SPCA launches Remote Vet Services Program

The Hamilton/Burlington SPCA has launched a new Remote Vet Services Program to bring animal care where access to a veterinarian is extremely limited.

The SPCA says the lack of consistent access to spay and neuter services, vaccinations and parasite prevention can lead to animal populations growing quickly, which increases the risk of disease. This places added strain on communities and the animals in their care.

This new mobile veterinary program delivers physical exams, vaccinations, parasite prevention, microchipping, population control solutions and follow-up treatments to animals directly where they live.

The remote vet program has already made four visits to some of Ontario’s most remote communities.

It has also delivered more than 600 services, including 180 non-surgical birth control implants that are about the size of a grain of rice to help reduce dog and cat overpopulation.

According to the SPCA, the rice-sized hormonal implant is placed just beneath the skin and suppresses fertility for a minimum of six months. They add that there is no anesthesia, surgery or extended recovery involved.

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