Big News: RAPS Animal Hospital Doubling Capacity & Expanding Technology

Thanks to the support of generous animal allies – and due to demand from clients – RAPS Animal Hospital is undergoing a major expansion!

Three new exam rooms are being constructed, doubling the ability to see patients and alleviating a backlog we have faced thanks to the demand for our services.

Additional procedural areas are also being built, which will allow us to perform more surgeries and other procedures. A new double-bay dental care facility is also being constructed.

The major project is made possible by an extraordinarily generous grant from PetSmart Charities of Canada Accelerator Program.

“PetSmart Charities of Canada has made this all possible,” says Eyal Lichtmann, CEO of the Regional Animal Protection Society. “The impact is vast. We will be able to double the number of animals we care for – with that many more lives saved and improved.”

“The veterinary system is in crisis,” said Kate Atema, director of community grants and initiatives at PetSmart Charities of Canada. “Rising costs are putting standard veterinary care out of reach for too many pet-owning families across Canada. We need innovative solutions that make veterinary care affordable for the families in every community who want the best for their four-legged companions but struggle to meet the cost of vet care. We’re inspired by the incredible work the Regional Animal Protection Society is doing at the RAPS Animal Hospital to create solutions that will build strong families and a healthy community.”

The expanded hospital will also allow RAPS to help more animal rescue agencies.

“RAPS is a rare organization with our own full-service animal hospital,” he continued. “In addition to serving the public, who are reassured knowing that their fees are helping families and their pets, we are so thrilled to help our partner organizations save and improve lives. This expansion project just creates concentric circles of good!”

RAPS has been repeatedly voted #1 animal hospital and steadily increasing demand has reflected the public’s support for a model that eliminates the profit motive from veterinary care.

In addition to the full spectrum of modalities available at the RAPS Animal Hospital, including Class 4 laser light therapy, extensive dentals, soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries, numerous diagnostic services and Canada’s only hyperbaric oxygen therapy facility for pets, clients are drawn to RAPS for the value, individualized medical care and no-interest payment plans.

“In one of the world’s most expensive places to live, any unexpected expense can upend a family’s budget,” Lichtmann said. “We know that this interest-free payment plan option has prevented people from making life-and-death choices based on ability to pay.”

RAPS Animal Hospital opened in 2018 to care for the animals at the Regional Animal Protection Society’s Cat Sanctuary, Adoption Centre and fostering network, as well as to deliver services to the public, with 100% of revenues reinvested to save and improve the lives of more animals. Since then, more than $6 million in subsidized care has been provided to the community.

“Making veterinary care as affordable as possible is a crucial means of helping animals … and their people,” says Lichtmann. “That is why we exist. And PetSmart Charities of Canada is helping us expand the reach of our services.”