Wellness Services

The Public Veterinary Clinic is operating a telemedicine and curbside service to serve you and your pets. Entry for Public Veterinary Services is currently limited to only our Humane Euthanasia appointments.

Toronto Humane Society operates Public Veterinary Services through a social enterprise model. Our fee structure is set so that we can best serve all pet parents in need. We have a two tier pricing model that takes the small profits from our full paying clientele and uses them to subsidize and provide lower cost services to qualifying individuals in need.

In addition to the funds provided by our clinic clientele additional support for free and subsidized services is also provided through annual grantors and funders. Please see here for a list of our supporters

Wellness Services will be closed for Family Day this Monday, February 15th, 2021.

Book your Telemedicine Appointment for Wellness Services Now. Please submit a form request here: Public Veterinary Service Request Form and one of our staff will be back in touch with you to firm up a time.

How the Wellness Service Operates Vaccine FAQ during COVID-19

PVS Vaccine FAQ for THS Staff and the Public during COVID-19

THS is following national and provincial guidelines to protect people and pets during the pandemic.

Which vaccines are essential during the pandemic?

Rabies vaccines are considered essential because of the danger of rabies to people but many animals have been vaccinated before and can be presumed to be immune even if their vaccines are due. Rabies vaccine appointment should only be made for:

Pets that are due for their first rabies vaccine.
Pets that had their first rabies vaccine but have not had a booster.

Core vaccines These are vaccines that are recommended for all pets. Our concern here is infections that could be fatal or infect people, namely parvo in puppies, panleukopenia in kittens and leptospirosis in some areas.

These are the groups where vaccines should not be postponed:

Puppies, kittens and unvaccinated adult pets.
Rabies vaccines required by Public Health.

These are the animals where vaccines could be postponed:

Middle-aged and older animals that are overdue for boosters. Even if they are years overdue, in most cases they will still be protected.
Animal has had at least two rabies vaccines in its life.

How can a risk assessment be booked?

A telemedicine consult can be booked with one of the THS medical staff. An appointment will then be booked by a customer services agent who will take payment for the vaccine at that time.

Can my pet get deworming, parasite control and a microchip at the vaccine appointment?

Puppies and kittens that come for vaccine appointments will be dewormed as usual. If parasite control (i.e. flea or tick products or heartworm preventives) or microchips are needed, these should be booked and paid for when the vaccine appointment is made.

How will the actual appointment work?

You will be asked to remain in your car or maintain social distancing outside the vaccine clinic entrance. A staff member will come to get the pet and take them into the clinic while you wait outside, and bring them back after the appointment. A registered veterinary technician will inform you of any concerns identified during the appointment.

How the Wellness Service Operates

All appointments will have an initial tele-medicine consult in advance of their curbside appointment so that our Veterinary Care Team are able to obtain a patient history and discuss any concerns.

Telemedicine Consults

All telemedicine appointments are 15 minutes in length each animal, which includes a brief virtual examination. At the time of the appointment, the veterinarian will discuss your pet’s eligibility for our current services.

After your telemedicine consult, you will be connected with one of our Client Service Agents who will take your payment over the video call. For any services that require a medication pick-up or animal drop-off at the shelter, you will be scheduled another date and time or notified of how medication will be shipped to you.

For more information on the importance of establishing a relationship with a local full service veterinarian for your pet, please click here.

Weighing Your Pet

Some services may require you to provide an accurate weight of your pet. Please view the following videos for tips on how to properly weigh your pet:

Humane Euthanasia Service

Toronto Humane Society provides a humane compassionate euthanasia service for those in need. At this time due to pandemic restrictions only one guardian is permitted to enter the facility with the pet.

The decision to say good-bye to a beloved family members is difficult and heart-breaking. We understand that this can be extremely challenging and pose many questions that you may not know the answers to. While we are here to support you in the ways that we can, please see the following link for additional supports surrounding pet loss.

Pet Loss Support Resources

We are unable at this time to facilitate the return of ashes following after care.

Fees and Vaccine Reaction Information

Our standard operating procedures have been adjusted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. All appointments will be performed initially via telemedicine using video conferencing, with curbside appointments booked after as needed. The current available services include:

Heartworm prophylaxis and flea/tick preventatives
Vaccinations
Microchipping
Humane euthanasia

Click here for heartworm testing & preventative policies.

Click here for vaccine reaction information.

PRICING GUIDE

Click here for our wellness pricing guide.

Subsidized Services

Toronto Humane Society recognizes that affordability of care is the largest barrier that pet parents face when trying to provide the best life for their furry companions.It is with this understanding that we have built our operations to help overcome this hurdle for many.

Our services offer subsidized and discounted rates to individuals currently receiving income supplementation from:

Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP); or
Ontario Works (OW); or
And or, Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS); or
Possess a Certificate of Indigenous Status(CIS)

Proof of subsidy will be required and must be registered to the pet owner. A monthly statement which includes the owners full name, and breakdown of costs received is the only acceptable form of proof. Drug cards are not sufficient.

Discounts available to qualifying individuals can be found within the fee guides listed above.

Additionally, qualifying Rescues and Animal Welfare Agencies may also qualify for discounts and service subsidies. If you are a representative of a rescue or Animal Welfare Agency and would like to discuss further options please contact our Senior Manager, Client Care and Partnerships here.

How to Book an Appointment

HOW TO BOOK:

If you would like to book an appointment for one of our services, please submit a form request here: Public Veterinary Service Request Form

Emergencies

If your pet is having an emergency, please call your nearest veterinary emergency clinic. Please see here for a list of local veterinary emergency hospitals.

Clinic Location

Services operate within the Toronto Humane Society facility at 11 River Street on the north east corner of River St. and Queen St. in the east end of downtown Toronto. Please make your way to the bright green door towards the back of the building.

Parking is available in the visitors parking lot behind the shelter (spaces are limited).

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO BRING ALL DOGS ON LEASH, AND CATS IN A SECURE CARRIER

Spay/Neuter Location

If your dog is vocal around other dogs (often barks) please take them for a walk, or keep in your car (if the weather is not to warm) until your appointment.