Comox Valley Rocord
By Beth Scott
Record Staff Writer

A veterinarian is making life easier at the Comox Valley SPCA.
SPCA manager Marianne Mitton said there had always been the hope a veterinarian would work out of the SPCA. They even had a vet room built in the back of the building to accommodate a veterinarian if ever one became available.
"We did use the vet room," she said. "But mostly just for euthanasia."
Then, in mid-February, Dr. Bruce Renooy of Van Isle Veterinary Hospital showed up. For the most part Renooy will be performing spay and neutering service.
"He comes in once or twice a week depending on how many animals we have at the time," Mitton said. "Sometimes he comes in three times (a week) if there are a lot of puppies."
Although the doctor's services at the SPCA are not available to the public, it's still a win-win situation for everyone, especially the animals, Mitton said.
Before Renooy, if someone wanted to adopt an animal, they would come in and make their choice. Then the SPCA would call and make an appointment at a veterinary hospital for spaying or neutering.
The night before the surgery the animal would need to fast in its bed at the SPCA and then in the morning be placed in a crate and driven in a truck to the veterinarian. After the surgery the animal would stay overnight at the hospital with the new adoptive pet owner to pick it up the next day.
"With Dr. Renooy coming in this whole process is eliminated," Mitton said. "It is so much better for the animals and it's better for us. The animals now can have their surgery and sleep in their own beds when the surgery is over, eliminating a lot of stress."
She said the SPCA has limited staff at the moment and they now can focus their attention to other duties rather than transporting of animals.