Toronto Humane Society's new animal health-care clinic to serve 10-12K clients a year
· Toronto Sun
The Toronto Humane Society estimates between 400,000 to 500,000 cats and dogs in the city live without a consistent relationship with a veterinarian.
So to fill that gap the THS opened a new Community Animal Health Care Centre on Wednesday with the goal of delivering about $1.5-2 million annually in affordable (below market rate) veterinary services.
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“When we look at access to care in the community, one of our primary limitations has always just been the space that we have available to serve clients,” said THS CEO Phil Nichols.
“So what we wanted to do was get more capacity to serve more clients. So the new centre is going to permit us to do another 10,000 to 12,000 clients annually, predominantly through our preventative wellness programming. But later this year we’re going to be expanding scope as well and looking at getting into urgent veterinary care so that can be done as outpatient clients. But I think the closest correlative we’re using is what you would go to a walk-in clinic for yourself for, it’s that level (for pets). So not getting into emergency care but if your (pet has) got an ear concern or a cough, you can come in and get that appointment booked within 24 hours and get on your way. ”
Nichols says affordability, geography, and a shortage of vets are reasons for a large number of cats and dogs being underserved in Toronto in terms of health care.
New clinic just blocks from THS
The New Community Animal Health Centre is a 2,000-square-foot space at the base of a condo unit just across the Queen St. bridge over the Don Valley Parkway at 632 Queen Street E., just blocks from THS at 11 River St. (and Queen St.).
“We wanted it to be a little closer because this is our first foray into an external site so we can make sure we get all of the kinks worked out and know how to do the multi-side management well,” said Nichols.
The Community Animal Health Care Centre will provide preventive services including exams, vaccinations, and diagnostics, but the plan is to open two more vet clinics and at least one hospital in the next five years.
“Our 2026 to 2030 strategic plan, we have set the target of opening three additional sites,” said Nichols. “At least one to two more clinics similar to the one we’ve just opened at 632 Queen but we’re also in the entry level stages of planning and building out a 16,000-18,000-square-foot comprehensive hospital (in a different location).”