Condition of dogs sold through online auction in Manitoba sparks investigation
“A humane society should really ask the question of whether or not it is appropriate to sell animals at auctions. Animals are living, sentient creatures, they’re not used cars, they’re not stolen bikes, and they should be treated with some modicum of respect. They are not commodities, they’re living things and should be re-homed responsibly.”
-our own Dr. Jonas Watson speaking to CBC on tonight’s 6 o’clock news, in the wake of revelations about dogs being discarded by consignment via the Grunthal Auction Service for as little as a few dollars each.
The sale of live animals to the highest bidder, with absolutely no other screening of any kind, leaves not only dogs, but also horses, goats, rabbits, birds and other species, at serious risk of falling into the hands of unsavory people seeking to profit off both their lives and their deaths.
Our thanks to CBC Manitoba and reporter Brittany Greenslade for exposing a longstanding problem in the province, recently made worse by backyard breeders frantically unloading their now worthless stock following the COVID puppy market crash.
Roxie’s rehomed! Sandy’s still looking…
An update on our sweet little bun Roxie, the star of Manitoba Theatre For Young People’s stage production of “The Velveteen Rabbit;” we are thrilled to announce that she’s finally found a home!!!
Roxie’s new owner reports that she has settled in nicely, and “is an absolutely wonderful bunny… affectionate, excellent litter habits, and super active.” Her owner says she roams freely in the house, spending most of the day on a chair under the dining table or on the fireplace hearth.
We’re so grateful to CTV News Winnipeg, both for sharing Roxie’s story a few weeks back, and for this update from last night’s 6 o’clock newscast.
But no sooner had we bid farewell to Roxie than another sweet bunny ended up on our doorstep. Now Sandy, GPAH’s latest visitor, a young, male Holland lop from all the way up in Churchill, MB, is looking for a loving home of his own. And though he may have no theatrical experience, he’s certainly demonstrated himself to be quite a ham!
If you or anyone you know might be interested in meeting and potentially adopting Sandy, please call Grant Park Animal Hospital at 2044778600 or email
[email protected]
Thespian rabbit Roxie seeks loving home
Our thanks to CTV News Winnipeg for their story tonight on our celebrity patient, Roxie the abandoned bunny, who made her stage debut last fall in the Manitoba Theatre For Young People’s stage production of “The Velveteen Rabbit.” We’re hoping this coverage will help our girl finally find the loving home she so dearly deserves - prospective adopters can call us at 2044778600. Catch the replay of this story Wednesday morning (tomorrow) on CTV Morning Live - Winnipeg.
Tortoise v. cantelope
Cutest first patient of the day 🐢!
Bowser the red footed tortoise was in for a pedicure and beak trim. Despite her reluctance about the procedures- and her impressive resistance to sedation- she eventually “came out her shell” and made many friends (and ate many fruits 🍈) during her visit with us!
Canadian Animal Blood Bank visits GPAH
We had an amazing day with our friends Beth and Michael from the Canadian Animal Blood Bank (CABB) hosting a blood donor clinic, in an effort to meet the growing demand for canine blood products (over the holiday season, CABB’s head office received 40 requests for packed red blood cells that they were regrettably unable to fill due to shortages at the bank).
Thanks to CTV News Winnipeg for highlighting the desperate need for new canine blood donors and showcasing Grant Park Animal Hospital’s superstar patients including first time blood donor Stevie, and blood product recipient Bella (thanks also to their wonderful owners 😉).
If you want to help save the lives of countless pets in dire need, consider enrolling your own dog as a blood donor.
For more information, please visit the CABB’s website at canadiananimalbloodbank.ca
Sugar gliders share a snack
Just in case this long, cold week is starting to get to you, here’s a video of Hector and Baby Gus the sugar gliders having a snack to help warm your heart ❤️
Vet wait times increasing amidst pandemic
GPAH’s Dr. Jonas Watson spoke today with CityNews Winnipeg’s Mike Albanese about the new challenges faced by veterinary personnel through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Between a long-standing national veterinary shortage, cumbersome, contactless appointments, phones that never stop ringing, a rapidly growing number of new pet owners, and the ongoing need to accommodate genuine emergencies, veterinary hospitals, including ours, have never been more overworked than we have been over the past year and a half.
But one thing is for sure-
you won’t hear us complaining.
Rather, we are grateful to our clients who’ve been so patient and supportive during our first year as a new small business. And if you all continue to hang in there with us, we’ll keep on providing the outstanding veterinary care you’ve come to expect and that your pets deserve. We just might need a couple extra naps and a few protein bars throughout the day, that’s all.
Come work with us!
We were overwhelmed by all the interest in our recent job posting for reception staff, and we enjoyed meeting some outstanding candidates.
We are currently looking to fill one final reception position.
We are seeking an experienced prospect with outstanding customer service skills and a warm and welcoming personality.
We’re looking for a great communicator who is empathetic and can handle stress.
If you’re presently working in a veterinary or other medical office and looking for a change, please drop us a line.
We are a locally-owned and operated (i.e., non-corporate and proud of it), community-centric hospital with a very strong focus on serving the underserved and disenfranchised.
Our employees enjoy a workplace culture built on collegiality, diversity, and respect.
Everyone has a voice here. Everyone is heard. We’re a team in the truest sense of the word.
If this sounds appealing, please send a cover letter, resume and references to: [email protected]
Successful applicants will be contacted for a working interview.
Expected start date: yesterday
Salary: we’ll talk
Benefits: extended health care
Schedule: 8 hour shift, Monday to Friday, some evenings, some Saturdays.
*NOTE: only a small portion of your day will be spent racing puppies down the hallway 🐶 🐶
Ready for a day of rest!
Dispatches from the North- Day 7:
How we’re all feeling after six 12 hour days of medicine and surgery in the Churchill Town Complex locker rooms.
We got a lot of work done and got to visit with many old friends and favorite patients. Now it’s time for a well-earned day off and a bit of exploring!
🐳
Job perks at GPAH!
Well, here we go again...
Now we need another tech.
We currently employ four full time registered veterinary technologists, plus two locums. It’s clear though that with a rapidly growing medical and surgical caseload, we need one more. At least.
Are you an RVT looking for a change?
Well look no further than GPAH.
Our techs are happy. A little stressed sometimes. Verging on hangry at moments. But happy.
That’s because we listen to them. They have a voice here, and their voice matters.
If our techs have a better idea about how something should be done, we implement it. If there’s some tool or piece of equipment they think we need, we buy it. If they have a concern with, well, anything, we take it seriously and address it promptly.
Our techs run our staff meetings, held every three weeks.
Our techs are encouraged to pursue whatever continuing education avenues they may find appealing.
Most importantly though, our techs work as collaboratively, collegially, and seamlessly as the New York Philharmonic. They are an extraordinary group of professionals with a razor-sharp focus on high-caliber patient care.
We often joke that our techs were cherrypicked and assembled Ocean’s 11-style.
Except it’s not a joke. They were.
We are unbelievably lucky to have the team we have working at this hospital. Our next tech will be very fortunate to join the ranks.
RVTs with all levels of experience will be considered for this position. Those with special skills or experience with exotic species are especially encouraged to apply.
Here’s one other perk-
GPAH techs get the chance to do some pretty cool things. Like Ashley’s 100 mile snowmobile ride to treat dogs in the middle of northern Manitoba last spring, or Morgan’s upcoming community clinic in the town of Churchill, culminating in some up close adventures with a few thousand beluga whales in the Churchill River basin (if we’re lucky, we’ll cross paths with a few polar bears too).
Intrigued? Re
Kennel cough affecting MB dogs
You’ve likely heard by now that southern Manitoba is contending with another kennel cough outbreak; here at Grant Park Animal Hospital, we are diagnosing multiple cases a day. Dr. Watson joined CTV Morning Live - Winnipeg this morning to discuss diagnosis, treatment, and avoidance of this respiratory infection in dogs.
Winnipeg’s runaway snake visits the vet
A nice story on Winnipeg’s ssselebrity snake, treated this week at our hospital. Thanks to Winnipeg Animal Services for bringing him in and thanks to CTV News Winnipeg for the coverage! 🐍
