Western College of Veterinary Medicine to resume wildlife services

On Friday, the WCVM said it has reversed its decision and will resume normal intake of wildlife patients and clinical services at the Veterinary Medical Centre on Aug. 18.

The veterinary college says it has spent the past year reviewing its clinical services to ensure patient care and training for students remains high quality.

The institution also said the review of wildlife services offered in the veterinary teaching hospital is not directly linked to the temporary closure of the zoo, exotics and wildlife service.

“The hospital’s review of its wildlife service continues as planned with the goal of completion by November 1, 2026,” the veterinary college said in a statement.

“Consultation with key stakeholders is a normal step in the hospital’s clinical service review process, and any changes stemming from the clinical service reviews will be communicated to hospital clients and the public in a timely manner.”

The WCVM said the three-week pause to services does not have any impact on veterinary students’ clinical rotations or the college’s Doctor of Veterinary Medicine curriculum.

Rory Langelier, a third-year student at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, said after learning of the closure to the wildlife services, she and other students went on a public campaign to let others know the importance of the program.

“It was pretty surreal, to be honest with you,” she said after learning the college’s wildlife services would resume.

“I’ve done some animal activism in the past, and a lot of the time it just feels like it doesn’t get traction.”

While she said the review is still happening, she said she still wants to raise awareness about the importance of the program and why it should be kept.

Langelier said the wildlife and exotics program at the WCVM is what sets the college apart from other veterinary schools in Canada.

She added that wildlife care is a lot different than that of dogs and cats because there are no owners paying for them.

Veterinary clinics are left to care for wildlife, Langelier explained, noting it is important work in the community.

“It’s helping them have a second chance at life and return to the wild,” she said.

“It’s important for us students because we’re getting opportunities to become better wildlife veterinarians, but also exotic veterinarians because we’re getting to see cases that we may not see come in as your regular owned exotic case.”

by Mia Holowaychuk/CKOM

Western College of Veterinary Medicine to resume wildlife services

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