Policy Statement
Published: October 2015
Revised: March 2018
Introduction
In November 2012, Council established a Shelter Medicine Task Force (SMTF) to examine animal welfare issues related to shelter care in Ontario and to make policy recommendations
The SMTF Report was published in September 2013, and one of its recommendations was to permit Accredited Companion Animal Hospitals or Offices to seek, for the purpose of establishing an accredited satellite location at a shelter, an exemption to the “self- contained facility requirement” (as required by the Accreditation Standards for Veterinary Facilities in Ontario) through the authority of the Accreditation Committee.
The public interest rationale for this recommendation is to remove any unnecessary regulatory barriers to improve access to veterinary services, inclusive of spay-neuter procedures, to shelter animals in Ontario.
The establishment of a satellite location for shelter medicine is intended to mitigate the risks associated with the transportation of shelter animals to and from accredited veterinary facilities for treatment by:
- Reducing the associated costs to the shelter which ultimately would allow more animals to receive necessary veterinary care.
- Eliminating the chance of contagions being introduced to the companion animal hospital – which reduces the risk to animal and public health.
- Reducing transport stress on animals.
Purpose and Scope
This Policy Statement applies to all veterinarians who are considering overseeing a satellite location that is linked with his/her Companion Animal Hospital or Companion Animal Office for the purposes of providing veterinary medicine to animals housed in shelters.
A veterinarian seeking to add a satellite location for the purposes of providing shelter medicine must apply to the Accreditation Committee for an exemption. An approved exemption will be accompanied by a signed acknowledgement and undertaking (sample attached in PDF version)
An approved satellite location for the purposes of shelter medicine will be noted on the public register.
Legislative Authority
Veterinarians Act, R.S.O. 1990, s. 17(3), 17(4)
College publications contain practice parameters and standards which should be considered by all Ontario veterinarians in the care of their patients and in the practice of the profession. College publications are developed in consultation with the profession and describe current professional expectations. It is important to note that these College publications may be used by the College or other bodies in determining whether appropriate standards of practice and professional responsibilities have been maintained. The College encourages you to refer to the website (www.cvo.org) to ensure you are referring to the most recent version of any document.