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Early in 2024, WVS set out to re-establish our clinic boundaries to reduce after-hours work encroachment and veterinary fatigue, improve overall staff safety, and address the ever increasing administrative burden placed on us by our Professional College. This campaign started with a stop-motion video, The Adventures of LegoVet Episode 5, “And how was your day dear?”, which can be found on the Veterinary Tales page.

Given the success of these changes in supporting WVS’s long-term capacity to help the horses, farm animals, and companion animals that cannot be transported to a clinic setting, these policies have remained in effect.

Prescription refills are not considered an emergency service. Please allow up to 1 week for refills, and plan accordingly. WVS staff will strive to respond to after-hours but non-emergency phone calls, text messages and emails within 24-48 hours of receipt. We continue to prioritize emergency services for established clients and direct referrals from other veterinary clinics; anyone else looking to become a client will be put on a wait-list until space opens up.

Also starting in 2024, WVS became more selective with the patients and clients we keep. Appropriate restraint, (re)training, pre-sedation, stress-free environments and rebooking of appointments for difficult animals continues to be encouraged; we are committed to work with such patients until it becomes clear to WVS staff that our involvement is not helping the animal.

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I
While the clinic is open from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, regular appointments / consultations will be booked between 9:00 am and 4:30 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm on Thursday.

II
An emergency appointment refers to services provided outside of regular booking hours. WVS does not guarantee an immediate after-hours response.

III
Prescriptions will be filled and available for pickup / drop-off during regular business hours only.

IV
Non-emergency requests and prescription refills can be completed online using the forms on the Book an Appointment page.

V
Leave a message with the AI Phone Agent between 5:00 pm and 8:30 am weekdays, and all day / night on Tuesdays, weekends, and holidays, if you require a call back. A call back will be at the veterinarian’s discretion.

VI
Regardless of urgency, text messages and emails received after-hours will be responded to within 24-48 hours. If you have an emergency, please call the clinic at 250-667-5534.

VII
Established clients are those who have had one of their pets seen by WVS within the last 2 years.

VIII
There will be a wait list for all new clients, and for previous clients not seen within the last 2 years.

IX
Direct referrals from veterinary colleagues, and animals in absolute distress that cannot be transported to a clinic setting, may be eligible for emergency services.

X
Aggressive / dangerous animals must be properly restrained. Pre-sedation is an option, if it is deemed necessary by the client or veterinarian.

XI
WVS reserves the right to remove aggressive / dangerous animals from our patient list.

XII
Any aggression or abuse (including language) directed towards our staff will not be tolerated.

XIII
All day Tuesday and 9 am-12 pm on Thursdays is reserved for administrative tasks and same-day emergencies.