What does an RVT do at the Ontario SPCA?

What does an RVT do at the Ontario SPCA?

October is RVT Month, and it’s an opportunity to celebrate the Registered Veterinary Technicians who play such an important role in the lives of animals at the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society.

Across our 13 animal centres, five veterinary clinics and community outreach teams, RVTs bring their knowledge, skill and compassion to work every day. Their role goes far beyond medical care. They help animals feel safe, advocate for their needs and work closely with their teams to ensure each animal receives the care and support they need to thrive.

A day in the life of an Ontario SPCA RVT

Across the Ontario SPCA, RVTs care for animals in our centres, support community pets in our veterinary clinics and bring veterinary services to communities across the province.

For an RVT in an animal centre, the day can include conducting intake exams, monitoring animals’ health, providing nursing care and working with veterinarians and animal care teams on treatment and behaviour plans. They help prepare animals for surgery, administer medications, monitor recovery and provide individualized support for animals who are sick, recovering or experiencing fear and stress.

“I think my favourite thing about my job is bringing in an animal that is sick or wounded and being able to give them all the necessary medical care so they can thrive a, get adopted, and go on to live a wonderful life,” says Kara Olsen, RVT at the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society Durham Region Animal Centre. “I want to help as many animals as possible find homes and I am able to do that with the amazing team we have here at the Ontario SPCA.

At our veterinary clinics, RVTs care for animals belonging to families in the community. They welcome patients, gather medical histories, prepare animals and equipment for procedures, assist with anesthesia and surgery, and closely monitor patients throughout their procedures and recovery. They also support wellness and technician appointments, collect samples, administer vaccines and medications as directed, assist with diagnostics and answer questions from pet families.

Across both settings, RVTs play an important role in keeping animals healthy and comfortable. They maintain medical records, manage medications and supplies, support infection prevention and biosecurity, and help ensure animals receive appropriate follow-up care.

Their work also extends beyond our centres and clinics. Through mobile veterinary services and community programs, our RVTs help bring essential care closer to the people and animals who need it.

Whether they’re caring for an animal in our centre, supporting a family and their pet in a clinic or bringing veterinary care into a community, our RVTs are an essential part of helping animals receive the care they need.

Helping train the next generation

Making veterinary care more accessible also means investing in the people who provide it. The Ontario SPCA is proud to support and nurture the next generation of animal care professionals.

The Ontario SPCA partners with colleges across the province, including St. Lawrence College, Collège Boréal, Seneca College, Georgian College and Algonquin College, providing opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in animal care and veterinary settings.

These partnerships take different forms. Students may complete placements at our animal centres or clinics, gain experience caring for animals, or work with animals from our care as part of their veterinary education. At Seneca College, for example, we provide animals for an adoption-readiness program that gives students in the Veterinary Assistant and RVT programs practical experience while helping prepare animals for adoption.

By opening our doors to students and supporting these educational partnerships, we’re helping build the knowledge and skills that will shape the future of animal care.

Thank you to our RVTs

The work of an RVT isn’t always easy. There are challenging days and difficult moments, but there are also incredible ones – seeing an animal recover, watching a frightened animal become more comfortable and confident, and knowing you played a part in helping them move forward.

This RVT Month, we’re celebrating more than 30 RVTs and Veterinary Technicians across the Ontario SPCA. Thank you for everything you do for animals and the people who love them. We’re incredibly fortunate to have you on our team.

Interested in a career as an RVT? Learn more about what they do and how to become one.

Are you an RVT interested in joining our team? View our job postings for current opportunities.