Pet Emergencies

WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK YOUR PET IS IN DANGER

If your pet is showing signs of an emergency, please call us right away. Speaking with a team member helps us assess the situation quickly and prepare for your arrival if needed.

Please note, only our Parksville location offers urgent and emergency services.

250-947-1763

Please note - Urgent and Emergency care services are currently available in our PARKSVILLE LOCATION ONLY

Urgent care and Emergency services

Monday: 8:00am – 10:00pm
Tuesday: 8:00am – 12:00am
Wednesday & Thursday: 24 hours
Friday: 12:00am – 10:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am – 8:00pm
Sunday: 8:00am – 8:00pm

During these hours, our team is available to assess urgent cases and advise whether your pet needs to come in immediately.

If you believe your pet is experiencing an emergency, please call before arriving.

We are not an emergency or referral center, which means that walk-ins cannot always be accommodated.

Calling helps ensure your pet gets the right care as quickly as possible.

After hours support

When the Parksville clinic is closed, you will be given the option to speak to a Registered Veterinary Technologist from Animal Healthlink.

They’ll help determine whether your pet needs immediate emergency care or if it’s safe to wait until morning.

Signs your pet needs emergency care

Signs your pet needs emergency care

These symptoms require immediate attention and may be directed to the nearest emergency facility if our team is unavailable:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Seizures or unexplained collapse
  • Difficulty urinating (especially male cats)
  • Severe trauma (ie- hit by a car)
  • Sudden inability to stand or walk
  • Suspected toxin ingestion
  • Bloat or a swollen, painful abdomen (possible gastric dilation and volvulus)
  • Significant bleeding or major wounds
  • Altered consciousness or extreme disorientation

If you’re unsure, please call. Our team or tele‑triage service will guide you.

250-947-1763

Emergency hospitals on Vancouver Island

nanaimo

Central Island Veterinary Emergency Hospital

 

Hours: 8:00am Friday – 8:00am Monday
Telephone: (250) 933-0913

VISIT

Victoria

WAVES Emergency Hospital

 

 

Open 24 hours
Telephone: (778) 432-4322

VISIT

Victoria

Central Victoria Veterinary Emergency Hospital

 

Open 24 hours
Telephone: (250) 475-2495

VISIT

Telephone

Pet Poison Helpline

 

 

Open 24 hours
Telephone: (855) 764-7661

VISIT

Stray Animals

Have you found an animal after-hours and are wondering what to do with them?

We usually recommend keeping the pet safe in a spare room or bathroom until you can contact the SPCA or your local vet clinic. If that is not possible, these resources may be helpful in deciding on the best plan. You can also call our Parksville location at 250-947-1763 and we can help guide you in the right direction. 

If you find injured wildlife, or wild animals in an unsafe location, we recommend calling your local non-emergency police phone line. Please DO NOT disturb wildlife. Although our intentions are good, human interaction with wildlife can often cause more harm than good. 

QUALICUM BEACH

Parksville SPCA: (250) 248-3811

  • For stray cats and dogs during opening hours

SPCA Animal help line: 1-855-622-7722

  • For stray animals and/or cruelty concerns during opening hours

Qualicum Beach Animal Control: 250-752-6921

  • For stray dogs afterhours 

Parksville SPCA: (250) 248-3811

  • For stray cats and dogs during opening hours

SPCA Animal help line: 1-855-622-7722

  • For stray animals and/or cruelty concerns during opening hours

Parkville Bylaw: 250-954-4650

  • For stray dogs afterhours 

Nanaimo SPCA: (250) 741-0778

  • For stray cats and dogs during opening hours

SPCA Animal help line: 1-855-622-7722

  • For stray animals and/or cruelty concerns during opening hours

Coastal Animal Control Services: 250-748-3395 

  • www.coastanimalservices.com

  • For stray dogs after hours

Port Alberni SPCA: (250) 723-5269

  • For stray cats and dogs during opening hours

SPCA Animal help line: 1-855-622-7722

  • For stray animals and/or cruelty concerns during opening hours

RCMP: 250-723-5269

  • For stray dogs or wildlife encounters after hours 

Karen Hoard

Karen’s love for companion animals and their care started at a young age – she first began volunteering with the SPCA at age 7. Over the years, she has been the proud caretaker to hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, salt and freshwater fish, a dozen cats and two beloved dogs. Karen was the manager of Nanaimo Veterinary Hospital from 2011 – 2018 and manager and dog trainer at Best Paw Forward Dog Training from 2015  – 2021. Karen currently shares her home with her husband and their two cats, Miizou and Hezekiah, and their rescue dog, Cypress. In her spare time, Karen’s primary passion is hiking, but she also enjoys gardening, reading, cooking, and anything sci-fi. 

Sarah Yaredic

Sarah has worked in veterinary medicine for almost 10 years. She has spent time working in both general practice and emergency medicine. While Sarah enjoys the critical thinking, fast pace and thrill of emergency medicine, she also loves spending time with the patients that come in for routine care, and learning their quirks and unique personalities. 
 
When not at work, Sarah loves spending time with her family. Sarah has a few hobbies, such as embroidery, painting and reading, that she likes to do when she has a few quiet moments to herself.

Valina Zanetti

I am a recent graduate of Douglas College’s Veterinary Technology Diploma Program and I am currently working as a Veterinary Technician. I’ve been in the field for a few years, starting as a Veterinary Receptionist before moving into my current role. I live with my partner and our two cats, Shadow and Bai Bai. In my free time, I enjoy watching media, reading, cooking, and dabbling in various crafts (even if I’m not very good at them!). I recently moved back to Vancouver Island to be closer to family and friends.

Laura Revane

Laura, an RVT since 2015, enjoys providing thoughtful care for the many fluffy personalities we work with and always strives for a low stress, positive clinic experience. An animal fanatic for life, when not working, Laura likes spending her days playing with her horses and napping on the couch with her cats.

Sarah Christensen

Sarah’s love for animals began at a very young age, and from the moment she could imagine a career, she knew it would be one devoted to their care and wellbeing. In 1999, she attended West Coast College of Healthcare, where she became a Certified Veterinary Assistant, marking the start of a lifelong journey in veterinary medicine.

Through years of hands-on experience, Sarah expanded her skills well beyond her formal training. She was mentored on the job to become a veterinary technician and gained extensive experience in reception, administration, and clinic management. This well-rounded background allows her to see veterinary care from every angle, with a deep understanding of both patient needs and the importance of compassionate, clear communication with clients.

After moving to Vancouver Island in 2014, Sarah discovered her passion for emergency medicine, where her calm presence, strong clinical skills, and dedication to patient care truly shine. She takes great pride in advocating for animals and supporting their families during some of their most stressful moments.

Outside of the clinic, Sarah embraces the West Coast lifestyle. On her days off, she can often be found riding her Harley or dirt bike, tending to her expansive vegetable and fruit garden, swimming in the ocean, or simply floating and soaking in the coastal calm. She cherishes time spent on Lasqueti Island with her large, wonderful family and loves being at home with her partner, daughter, two dogs, and five cats. Sarah’s life, both inside and outside the clinic, is guided by compassion, balance, and a deep respect for animals and the people who love them.

Jill Harrison

Dr. Jill Harrison has been practicing on Vancouver Island since 2014, and graduated Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. With a strong clinical interest in both surgery and internal medicine, Dr. Harrison brings expertise and dedication to every case she handles.

Her passion for veterinary medicine is matched only by her love for her cat, Talulah Rhododendron Jones, who holds a very special place in her heart. When she’s not caring for patients at the clinic, Dr. Harrison can be found exploring her love of the ocean through scuba diving and kayaking, embracing the natural beauty of British Columbia’s coastal waters.

Known for her tremendous compassion and commitment to both her patients and their families, Dr. Harrison strives to provide the highest standard of care and works tirelessly to ensure every animal receives the attention and treatment they deserve. Her warm, empathetic approach makes her a trusted partner in your pet’s health and well-being.  

Moira Reilly

Originally from Saskatoon, Dr Moira has dreamed of becoming a veterinarian since childhood. That dream took her all the way to Perth, Western Australia, where she earned her veterinary degree from Murdoch University in 2017. 

With experience living on three different continents, Moira brings a unique global perspective to her work. She shares her home with Ivy, her beloved labrador, and two rescue cats, Ripley and Roo- both of whom made the journey with her from Saskatoon.

Moira is passionate about all aspects of veterinary care, but she’s especially at home in the surgery suite. Performing procedures in our state-of-the-art surgical facilities is one of her favourite parts of the job. Her love for animals, dedication to their well-being, and warm, compassionate approach make her an invaluable part of our team.

Marwan Abdulhaleem

Dr Marwan is a dedicated veterinarian with many year of experience caring for pets in Egypt and Dubai before bringing his expertise to Parksville. Passionate about providing compassionate, high-quality care, he is skilled in treating both chronic and acute conditions, as wel as performing a range of surgical procedures. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, writing, and making music.

Marwan is an internationally trained vet, with seven years of working experience. While completing the process of licensure in Canada, he works under direct supervision.