About the College of Veterinarians of Ontario
In serving the public interest, the College seeks to understand the risks involved in the practice of veterinary medicine and collaborates with partners to develop solutions which reduce the potential for harm to animals and people.
The College
The College licenses more than 5,500 veterinarians and accredits over 2,400 veterinary facilities in Ontario. The role and authority of the College is set out in the Veterinarians Act and regulations made under this legislation. The veterinary profession in Ontario has been regulated since 1877.
- Issues licences to qualified individuals
- Sets standards that support safe, quality veterinary care
- Inspects and accredits veterinary facilities to assure a professional environment
- Investigates and resolves concerns about a veterinarian and their practice
- Administers quality practice programs to promote continued competency and ongoing growth
Learn more about the College
Mission, Vision and Principles
Mission
Governing the veterinary profession in the public interest.
Vision
Public confidence in veterinary regulation.
Principles
In collaboration, we strive to be:
- Transparent: Ethical, fair, clear and direct
- Reliable: Competent, well-informed, evidence-based and adequately resourced
- Relevant: Risk-aware, current, responsive and nimble
- Independent: Mandate-focused and objective
- Compassionate: Approachable, supportive and adaptable to context
- Inclusive: Respectful of all voices, conscious of personal bias, open-minded and committed to learning
- Accountable: Performance driven, impact oriented and publicly responsible
Celebrating our history
The regulation of veterinary medicine in Ontario has a rich and progressive history in serving people and their animals. For nearly 150 years, the veterinary profession has demonstrated its commitment to animal welfare, public health, and quality medicine. As we move toward becoming the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario, we are taking time to look back and celebrate the important moments and milestones which serve as our foundation.
Our timeline, "Celebrating our history," shares how it all 
began. In the mid-1800s, veterinarians focused on caring for farm animals, with 189 farriers and veterinary surgeons recorded in the 1871 census. By the early 1900s, pets were becoming part of more families, and the Veterinary Science Practice Act broadened to include both livestock and companion animals.
Subscribe to Community Connection
The College invites you to subscribe to Community Connection, the CVO Public Newsletter. The College supports quality and safety in the delivery of veterinary medicine in Ontario. The newsletter shares information on College activities, programs and resources and is circulated five times a year.
Our Promise to You
You’re important to us. We are committed to providing you with great customer service that supports our vision and reflects our principles. We welcome opportunities to assist you.
