Haven Veterinary Services

06/03/2026

Kitten Season Series Part 4: Biting, Scratching, Rough play
Behaviours like stalking, pouncing, scratching, biting are normal in developing kittens, as they instictively learn how to hunt. However, some kittens can get a bit too intense!

To prevent both human injury and the development of future behaviour problems, encourage safe play from the start:
1. Provide lots of opportunities to play with toys that mimic prey so they can channel their predatory instincts. Examples include wand toys, small tossable toys, and cat toys that move quickly.
2. Do not use human hands or feet for play. Redirect a kitten using an appropriate toy (above) so they learn that these are more interesting than hands or feet. Large, kickable toys are great for this!
3. Avoid any physical punishment during play and human interactions. Punishing a kitten for rough play can cause fear and contribute to frustration. We have recently seen several cases of severe, longstanding human-directed aggression in adult shelter cats with this history.

05/29/2026

We are sharing something a little different to wrap up Asian Heritage Month this year- personal reflections from our veterinarians about why this matters. May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada, when we learn about and celebrate the ways Asian Canadians contribute to our diverse society.

Dr. Cheung: I come from a big, close-knit family. Showing up for each other is just what we do, across generations and differences. For me, that sense of collectivism always extended to our pets too. We always had pet companions growing up, and it’s no surprise that both my sister and I became veterinarians!

Growing up in a family where belonging was never in question, and where everyone looked out for everyone, shaped the way I see my work today. I think that’s why this work has always felt personal to me.

Dr. Wong Gordon: I am the proud grandchild of someone who entered the United States “illegally,” leaving China in pursuit of safety and opportunity- for himself and for family back at home. It took one generation of assimilation and living under an assumed identity to lose my family’s language, Cantonese.

Growing up in an in*******al family in a diverse pacific coastal community meant that I was able to learn about many vibrant cultures. It was also isolating. I often felt that I never quite fit in. But I was also surrounded by love, unconditional support, and people who believed in collective care.

We both feel called across generations to nurture the principles of community and One Health, and to speak up for and support people and animals who have been excluded. We bring this commitment to our work and to our lives!

Please enjoy this photo collection of Dr. Gordon’s grandfather with his childhood dog, both of our veterinarians with their families, and enjoying Dr. Sun-Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden here in Vancouver.

05/28/2026

Sometimes shelters will have litters of animals waiting for foster or adoption (especially during kitten season). Do you prefer taking care of a litter of puppies, kittens, rabbits, or another animal? Why?

05/28/2026

What a sweet face! 🍁

05/28/2026

Amazing work from the kind folks at New Westminster Animal Services! We love seeing stories about low-stress and hands-free handling!

05/26/2026

Kitten Season Series Part 3: Adding singletons to a litter

Adding a singleton orphan kitten to a litter can be tempting, but it’s not a risk-free decision. Here’s a very short guide to the benefits and risks:

BENEFITS
* Can be lifesaving for an orphaned kitten who has no other option.
* Gives the singleton warmth and normal kitten contact during a critical social period.
* Reduces need for time-intensive bottle feeding.

RISKS
* Higher risk of spreading serious infectious diseases between the singleton and litter (especially within the first 14 days of introduction).
* We can't be sure why the singleton kitten was found alone. Mixing litters can potentially lead to outbreaks in otherwise healthy litters.
* A nursing queen may experience added stress and may reject the new kitten.

In general, it is recommended to only combine unrelated kittens on a case-by-case basis, when there is no other alternative and after considering risk of infectious diseases. Combined kittens should always be similar ages. Prioritise keeping original litters together as much as possible. Combining kittens is generally most worthwhile when two healthy singletons are present and foster space is limited.

05/21/2026

Kitten Season Series Part 2: Bottle Feeding

Orphaned kittens under 4 weeks old typically need a lot of care, and one of the most important things to get right is feeding! Here’s a quick guide:

* Never bottle feed a kitten that is cold (re**al temp

05/18/2026

This organization is a great source of reliable information for shelter folks. Big discount on their shelter and rescue course this week!

In honor of National Rescue Dog Day on May 20th, The Academy is offering $100 off (nearly half off!) our Shelter and Rescue course. Valid this week only. Enter NationalRescueDogDay at checkout! Read about the course here:

https://academyfordogtrainers.com/shelter-rescue-course/

05/15/2026

Happy Victoria Day weekend! We’ll be closed on Monday, May 18 for the holiday and will reopen with regular hours on Tuesday. Wishing everyone a great long weekend!

05/15/2026

Thank you Paws for Hope Animal Foundation for this incredible opportunity for one of our veterinarians to contribute more to your important work! We value this next stage in our partnership so much!

Read more of Dr. Emilia Gordon's thoughts about how this affects Haven in the comments! 🙂