Staff at the Burnaby Veterinary Hospital spent Sunday providing free care for animals at the SPCA.
In all, the clinic provided an estimated $20,000 to $25,000 worth of procedures for cats and dogs needing homes.
"They have nobody else," said Claudia Richter, head veterinarian and co-owner of the clinic. "There are just some animals left behind and they don't get the proper care they need."
Richter, and clinic co-owner Trent McClements, started Vets in Action in 2013, providing a full day of free care for the SPCA.
"Our plan was to have a clinic that was really involved in the community and to give back to the community," Richter said.
This past Sunday marks the second time she and her staff have donated a day's work. They did 11 dental procedures on cats and dogs, 11 spays and neuters, 12 ultrasounds and one bladder surgery.
"This year, we found what was really, really needed was dental care, there are so many animals out there, and so many people don't know they have really bad teeth and the animals are in pain," Richter said.
Richter said all of the animals are fine and recovering well, and several have already been adopted.
The clinic's generosity means the SPCA spends less on vet care and has more money to help more animals.
"That money is saved up so we can help other animals we may not be able to help otherwise," said Burnaby branch manager Ryan Voutilainen. "It's amazing, absolutely amazing, to see so many people come together to help out animals."
This year, a Surrey veterinarian clinic also came on board and provided free care for SPCA animals. Voutilainen is hoping more veterinarian clinics across the province will come on board for Vets in Action day.
Most of the animals that received vet care on Sunday have already been adopted, and the puppies went quickly.
"They went that fast, because they were that cute," Voutilainen said laughing.
To see animals currently up for adoption, visit www.spca.bc.ca/branches/burnaby/adoption.
