Community Veterinary Outreach was established in Ottawa, ON to meet the growing need for integration of veterinary education and care in the community. Community Veterinary Outreach is a registered charity.
Our Mission Veterinary Care program began in 2003 providing preventative health care to animals of the homeless and street-involved at the Ottawa Mission. Operating from a CVO (College of Veterinarians of Ontario) licensed companion animal mobile and staffed with volunteers, animals are examined, vaccinated, treated for internal and external parasites, impanted with a microchip and owners receive education and advice on nutrition, dental care, behaviour, and the benefits of sterilization. In the past 10 years, we have examined, treated, and vaccinated over 1500 animals, and have experienced an ever-increasing rise in demand for this service. We now accept clients on a referral basis from community partnerships that we have developed that include other area shelters, municipal public health, community health centres, and mental health organizations.
By providing preventive veterinary education and care to the animals of those in need, we improve not only the health of the animal, but also support the physical and emotional well-being of their owners or guardians, and contribute to protecting public health. We help to maintain a strong and healthy human-animal bond for those to whom that bond may be the most significant relationship in their life.