Quality Practice:
Facility Accreditation
Inspections
Veterinary facilities must meet, or qualify for exemption from, the Minimum Standards for Veterinary Facilities in
Ontario. Veterinary facilities are inspected for specific equipment requirements; proper patient records; safe drug
storage; a medical reference library; and orderly and sanitary premises.
Inspected facilities are granted a Certificate of Accreditation, usually for a five-year period. Inspections are conducted
when certificates are due to expire; new practices open; facilities (such as mobiles) are added to practices; ownership
changes; and facilities relocate.
Innovation in Accreditation
In response to the changing needs of the profession and in the interest of public and animal health, the Accreditation
Committee accepted a new policy permitting exemptions for satellite facilities at animal shelters as long as they were
operated by an accredited companion animal hospital or office. The Accreditation Committee also accepted a policy
that permitted the accreditation of the province’s first mobile spay and neuter clinic.
Visit the College website -- www.cvo.org to access
official documents including regulations, by-laws,
standards and policies.
Building Momentum - Annual Report 2015
Page 11