Avian and Exotic Service, Ontario Veterinary College (Unfortunately being phased down, sign petition)

Jul 19th, 2022

I am an owner of six bunnies and my bunnies have been the patients of OVC for several years. Although two bunnies passed away under the care of OVC, I still choose to trust OVC. Despite OVC claims that it is one of the top ten veterinary schools, OVC started using corporate management methods to hire VPs and other unnecessary staff a few years ago. OVC did a lot of huge advertisements and publicity, but OVC now said that OVC has budget constraints and is losing money. OVC chooses to close the Avian and Exotics specialty service. The question is that because OVC closes the Avian and Exotics specialty service, intern students in the future cannot get any training opportunities to learn how to treat and save avian and exotics animals. How could those future veterinarians learn how to treat and save avian and exotics animals? How many avian and axotics animals could be misdiagnosed and died? How many students interested in this area could not find an intern opportunity or a job in this area in Ontario or Canada? The veterinary level in Ontario and Canada will not meet the professional standard in this area. Could the decision-makers of OVC undertake these serious and long-term consequences? Since OVC sets a very high threshold for the admission of small animals, all patients must be referred by other veterinary clinics in order to have the opportunity to be admitted by OVC. I can understand that OVC must respect other private clinics since OVC is set up for training and educational purposes. However, because the thresholds are too high, many people do not know that they can bring their rabbits and other small animals to OVC. Resulting from this, OVC has limited revenues and could not make profits. This is a vicious circle and it is simple and clear. As a decision-maker should know the root of the issue. I am very frustrated and angry that in the past many outstanding interns and professionals specializing in small animals such as rabbits had nowhere to turn and were forced to go south to the USA, due to the stupidity of the decision-making to close the Avian and Exotics specialty service. It causes us as innocent owners to suffer from the pain when we see our pets are sick and have nowhere to go. After closing down the Avian and Exotics specialty service, is OVC still qualified to be No. 1 in Canada? Is it still qualified to be ranked in the top ten in North America? I believe that if the decision-makers of OVC could lower the threshold for animal admission, cut those fancy corporate management jobs, and with a slight increase in fees, the Avian and Exotics specialty service shall be able to continue to operate and survive. All pet owners would continue to trust OVC and these future veterinarians and students will look forward to joining it. Please carefully re-evaluate this decision. It will not only have an impact on the income of OVC, but also on the physical and mental health and well-being of small animals. It also affects the profession and the future of veterinarians in Ontario.
Jul 7th, 2022

Mar 7th, 2022

Feb 23rd, 2022

OVC was absolutly amazing with neutering one of my sugar gliders. From drop off to pick up to aftercare as well. They were so attentive and knowledgeable... I cant believe they are closing. This is a real loss to the exotic pet community and im crossing my fingers they decide not to close!!!!
Nov 15th, 2021