After-Hours Veterinary Care
Status: Transition Council received background information on the work of the after-hours veterinary care working group at its October 16, 2024 meeting.
Overview
After-hours veterinary care is part of the veterinarian’s professional responsibility under the veterinarian-client-patient relationship and is tied to the notion of the social contract. After-hours veterinary care requirements are outlined in the current regulations under the Veterinarians Act. Veterinarians are also required to be readily available in-person for adverse reactions to prescribed drugs.
The College has a Policy Statement on After-Hours Care Services and currently has a working group studying the current challenges and potential solutions relating to after-hours care.
The Transition Council is expected to be reviewing a regulatory concept related to after-hours veterinary care in December 2024.