Pet owner and dog walking out of the VMC building.

VMC continues to limit overnight small animal emergency cases

For the time being, the WCVM Veterinary Medical Centre will continue to restrict its overnight intake of small animal emergency patients from 10 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. due to heavy demand and limited staff.

The VMC began limiting its overnight emergency caseload on Oct. 21, 2022, and had committed to reviewing the situation by the end of January 2023. 

Since the VMC's emergency and critical care team is still facing challenges caused by the heightened demand for emergency services and limited staff, the hospital's leadership team decided to continue the service restriction. 

The VMC will regularly assess both caseload and staffing levels, and as necessary, the hospital will adjust its messaging to referring veterinarians and animal owners.

Here's a summary of the VMC's policy for the overnight intake of small animal emergency patients: 

  • The VMC’s clinical team will restrict patient intake to life-threatening cases (red zone) only from 10 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. each evening/night.
  • Whenever staffing levels and caseload permits, the clinical team will see patients that fall under the urgent condition (orange zone).
  • The VMC may need to restrict patient intake to life-threatening cases even during daytime hours.

Please ensure that your clients are aware of the following steps: 

  • CALL 306-966-7126 before bringing your pet to the VMC
  • EXPECT longer than normal wait times for clinical service
  • BE PREPARED for a change in clinical services. The VMC may be unable to accept non-urgent cases if caseload is high.

As well, please heed the hospital's "call in advance" recommendation for all referring veterinarians and veterinary clinics. Click here for more information.