VCA Canada Toronto Downtown Animal Hospital

10/21/2026

If your fur baby turns into a trembling puddle (maybe a spicy? puddle🌶️) at the mention of the "V-E-T", you’re not alone, and you don't have to navigate it alone, either. 🥺

Pet anxiety around vet visits is real, but vet care doesn’t have to be stressful. At VCA Canada, fear-free care begins long before you walk through our doors.

🐾 Pre-Appointment Support: From discussing mild pre-visit calming medications to preparing your pet’s favourite high-value treats, we work with you before-hand to build a customized plan.
🐾 A Calm, Gentle Approach to Vet Visits: We move at your pet's pace with quiet exam rooms, dedicated "sniffaris," and gentle touches.
🐾 Thorough Follow-Ups: We check in after your appointment to hear how your pet is resting and make notes for an even smoother visit next time.

Every pet is unique, and personalized care makes all the difference for pets and their people. 🐕🐈

👉 Does your pet get nervous before checkups? Drop your questions below or give us a call to connect with your local VCA Canada team and build a personalized, low-stress visit plan!

10/19/2026

🐾 Meet of Vet et Nous | Myriam: Big Hearts, Small Footprints 🐾

Working in a high-volume emergency and specialty hospital comes with the reality of waste. Patient care relies heavily on single-use items, sterile packaging, and substantial resources. And while the scale of waste in clinical settings can feel discouraging, Myriam Doré, a Team Leader and Animal Health Technician (TSA) at Centres Vétérinaires - Laval, Montréal, Rive-Sud, focuses on practical, attainable solutions within the team’s direct control.

Many people look at the climate crisis and think, “I’m just one person, what difference can I make?”

Myriam chose a different answer: start small, right where you stand.

"I think if we just pause and look around us, we’d realize we can all do a little more for the environment," Myriam shares. "Whether at home or at the clinic, we all share an ecological responsibility. People often assume living sustainably is intimidating or complicated, but it really looks harder than it actually is."

Instead of waiting for an overnight revolution, Myriam began weaving gentle, daily habits into the culture of Rive-Sud. One thoughtful choice at a time, she turned small intentions into everyday realities:

♻️ Reclaiming worn blankets and towels that still have plenty of warmth to give.
📦 Sorting and rerouting surplus supplies and pet food directly to local rescue organizations where resources are stretched thin.
👕 Building a reused uniform closet within the hospital so quality scrubs find a second, third, and fourth life instead of ending up in a landfill.

Her team will tell you that Myriam never lectures; she leads by example. Her quiet optimism is infectious, showing everyone around her that eco-conscious care isn't about being perfectly zero-waste; it’s about doing what you can with what you have, every single day.

"Small daily gestures, repeated consistently, create real ripples for our planet and the generations coming after us. Caring for the earth isn't extra work, it's just another way of caring for the animals we love."

Drop a 💙 in the comments to show Myriam some love for inspiring us to tread a little lighter and love a little deeper!

10/14/2026

POV: You've worked in veterinary medicine so long you hear these sounds in your sleep.

Happy RVT Month! 💙

10/12/2026

🦃🍂 HAPPY GOBBLE GOBBLE DAY! 🍂🦃

From all of us at Downtown Animal Hospital, we wish you and your furry family a very Happy Thanksgiving! 🐾❤️

May your day be filled with good food, great company, full bellies and plenty of cuddles. 🐶🐱

And remember… the turkey may smell amazing, but not everything on the Thanksgiving table is safe to share with our four-legged family members! 😉

🍁 Happy Thanksgiving from the Downtown Animal Hospital Team! 🍁

10/09/2026

8.7 tonnes of food saved, 20,821 meals shared, and the power of purpose in action! That’s ! 💚🍞

Recently, Brianna returned from an inspiring Mars, Incorporated Ambassador Program (MAP) assignment in Dublin, Ireland, teaming up with FoodCloud to tackle food waste and support local communities.

In just one week and across 92 volunteer hours, Brianna and her team of five MAP Ambassadors rolled up their sleeves to make a tangible difference:
✨ 8.7 tonnes of food rescued
✨ 20.1 tonnes of emissions avoided
✨ 20,821 nutritious meals provided to charitable partners across Ireland

Reflecting on her time in Dublin, Brianna shared:

"My experience with FoodCloud in Dublin showed me how even a small group of people can make a meaningful difference when they come together with a shared purpose.

So far, FoodCloud has redistributed over 27,000 kg of Mars food and product, which makes me even prouder to be a MAP Ambassador and, more importantly, a and Mars Associate. I will never forget this experience, the people I met, or the incredible hosts who welcomed us and shared their time and stories with us." 🍀 🇮🇪

Brianna, thank you for representing our values with so much compassion, heart, and dedication. We’re endlessly proud of the difference you’ve made alongside FoodCloud, and we’re so happy to welcome you back home! 💙

10/07/2026

🍁🦃 THANKSGIVING CLOSURE REMINDER 🦃🍁

Please note that Downtown Animal Hospital will be CLOSED on Monday, October 12th for Thanksgiving Day.

🐾 Planning ahead for your pet?
Please make sure you have ordered and picked up any medications, and pet food your pet may need before the holiday closure.

We encourage you to place your orders early to allow our team enough time to prepare everything for pickup.

🍂 We wish all of our clients and their furry family members a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

10/05/2026

October is Registered Veterinary Technician Appreciation Month and we wanted to start it off right with a well-deserved THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to all our incredible RVTs!!! 👏 👏 👏

Our hospitals would be nothing without you all, and we count our lucky stars our teams are filled with such kind, selfless, and FUN RVTs across Canada!💙

Make sure you share this video and let your local vet techs know you appreciate all they do (this month and every day) :)

10/03/2026

🐾💙 OCTOBER IS FUNDRAISE FOR FARLEY MONTH! 💙🐾

Throughout October, Downtown Animal Hospital is proud to support the Farley Foundation and the incredible work they do to help pets and the people who love them. 🐶🐱

The Farley Foundation helps eligible pet owners in Ontario who are experiencing financial hardship access essential veterinary care for their beloved companions.

🍁 All month long, you can help us make a difference!

Ask our team how you can donate or support our in-clinic fundraising efforts during your next visit. Every contribution, big or small, helps keep pets healthy and together with their families. ❤️

🐾 Together, we can help more pets get the care they need.

💙 Downtown Animal Hospital

10/01/2026

09/30/2026

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.

Today, we reflect on the legacy of residential schools, honouring survivors, the children who never returned home, and the communities impacted by intergenerational trauma.

In many Indigenous cultures, animals are seen as teachers, protectors, and part of the sacred balance with the land. As veterinary professionals, reflecting on this reminds us that our work is about more than clinical care. It means honouring these values with humility, respect, and cultural understanding.

Being part of the communities we serve means recognizing the shared responsibility we have in reconciliation. It is a day to listen to Indigenous voices, reflect on the painful truths of Canadian history, and commit to continuous learning and understanding, not just today, but throughout the year.

We encourage our team members, clients, and community to take time today to reflect, learn, and engage with the stories and experiences shared by survivors.

Every Child Matters. 🧡

Support is available 24/7 for Survivors and their families through the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419.