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For many pet owners, the rising cost of living has made veterinary care increasingly difficult to afford. Even routine exams or minor treatments can become barriers — forcing some families into making difficult decisions about the animals they love.

Launched with a soft opening in Fall 2025, the University of Calgary’s (UCVM) Community Care Clinic was created to address that gap. The clinic provides subsidized, referral-based veterinary care for pet owners facing financial and systemic barriers through community partners, while also offering a hands-on learning environment for students.

On Feb. 26, UCVM marked a milestone moment with a grand opening recognizing the clinic’s early outcomes and the partnerships behind its success.

Keeping pets with the families who love them

One of the clinic’s referrals came through the (CHS) after a young man named James reached out as a last-ditch effort to avoid surrendering his cat, Zorro (James' surname withheld by request).

He had taken Zorro in while living rurally, and the pair had supported each other through a lot — especially after he relocated to Calgary for work. While the move brought new job opportunities, the city’s high cost of living made it difficult to afford veterinary care.

When Zorro began showing signs of possible ear mites, the owner contacted several clinics for quotes. Even the cost of a basic exam felt out of reach, and James worried about how he would manage any treatment that followed. After contacting several clinics and exhausting every option, he contacted CHS, hoping there might be one last alternative to surrendering his cat.

CHS referred James to the . Zorro received the care he needed — and stayed with the human who loved him.

“We hope the Community Care Clinic can reduce the number of surrenders so we can keep families together,” says Janine Simpson, Registered Veterinary Technician and clinic manager. “Our success is that we are getting out there, connecting with community partners, connecting with the community and continuing to grow so we can help all that have barriers to access veterinary care.”

Learning through real-world care

While the clinic’s services support pet owners in need, its design also reflects UCVM’s approach to veterinary education.

Students participate in the clinic as part of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program, gaining hands-on experience in diagnosing cases, managing treatments and talking with pet owners — all while learning to provide care with empathy and respect for each client’s circumstances.

Collaboration at the clinic’s core

Collaboration is at the heart of the UCVM Community Care Clinic’s work. Community partners, from shelters and rescues to veterinary clinics and local Indigenous organizations, help identify pet owners who might otherwise struggle to access veterinary care. 

The launch of the UCVM clinic would not have been possible without the meaningful support of Nestlé Purina PetCare Canada. As the first major gift to the project, their contribution formed a cornerstone of the clinic’s development. “We believe pets and people are better together, and we’re honoured to contribute to a program that helps remove barriers to care, strengthens communities, and helps train the next generation of compassionate veterinarians,” the organization said in a statement.

For fourth-year veterinary student Justin Nicholson, that collaborative environment also helps students build skills and confidence.

“My favourite thing about working in the Community Care Clinic is definitely the team there,” says Nicholson. They’ve built an environment that fosters collaboration and learning, really pushing us to grow and be creative with our treatment plans to provide adaptable care for our clients.”

Looking ahead

As the clinic continues to grow, UCVM hopes to expand services and strengthen partnerships with community organizations across Calgary and beyond. Opportunities for alumni to volunteer and support students are also in development, with more details expected in late spring 2026.

The clinic’s early outcomes offer a clear signal of what’s possible when education, community need and collaboration come together — and when compassion is treated as a core clinical skill.

“Seeing the joy the students feel when they can help families who may not have been able to access care, and seeing that in their eyes as they collaborate together, has been so warming to my heart,” says Simpson.

The Community Care Clinic is ready to continue shaping the next generation of compassionate veterinarians — and supporting the families and pets who rely on it.