Burnaby's SPCA branch has been tapped for a pilot project with the goal of making animal care more accessible.
The non-profit and TELUS announced a new partnership on Wednesday (Nov. 2) to create a new health pet service that will offer reduced rates for virtual consultations for dogs and cats in BC SPCA care.
"Working together with organisations like the BC SPCA is part of our deeply meaningful and enduring philosophy to 'give where we live,' a social purpose that drives and inspires our team to contribute and connect with local initiatives doing good in the community," TELUS Health spokesperson Juggy Sihota said in a news release.
"As the number of dogs and cats in animal centres increases, we’re proud to be able to provide much needed virtual veterinary support and financial contributions."
The BC SPCA says the service was especially helpful when a mother cat named Wasabi came into its care, along with her kittens, when Wasabi's owners surrendered her.
"When Wasabi first arrived at the North Cariboo animal centre, she was fearful and very protective of her kittens," a news release said.
The BC SPCA said the animal care centre was able to use the TELUS Health MyPet app to secure a virtual vet consultation where the vet was able to prescribe anxiety medication for the cat so she would be more comfortable in the animal centre and with staff who were caring for her and her kittens.
"The TELUS Health MyPet app will help free up time for our animal care team to focus on providing loving care and enrichment for the animals in our centres," BC SPCA chief operations officer Parm Takhar added.
"MyPet will help us care for animals and serves as an excellent complement to the fantastic support that local veterinary clinics provide us on a daily basis."
From now until Nov. 26, TELUS Health says it will donate $2 to the BC SPCA for every download of the TELUS Health MyPet app.
New pet owners at seven BC SPCA locations across the province will also receive a discount on their first TELUS Health MyPet consultation upon adoption of a cat or dog:
- Alberni-Clayoquot Community Animal Centre
- Burnaby Community Animal Centre
- North Cariboo Community Animal Centre
- Prince Rupert Community Animal Centre
- Quesnel Community Animal Centre
- Shuswap Community Animal Centre
- South Okanagan Community Animal Centre
