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CTV News
30 minutes ago
- CTV News
Collège Boréal, SPCA to expand vet training & low-cost pet care
Collège Boréal and SPCA expand partnership to boost vet tech training and community pet care. Madison Marier has more. Collège Boréal has announced an expanded partnership with the Ontario SPCA, further integrating the Sudbury Regional Veterinary Clinic into its Veterinary Care Technician program. The SPCA has operated out of the college for several years, and the school has recognized the mutual benefits of this collaboration. Now, the two organizations are formalizing a new initiative to enhance student training while increasing access to affordable pet care in the community. Hands-on experience for future veterinary technicians Kiana McFadden-Houle, Manager of Collège Boréal's Veterinary Care Technician program, explained the significance of the partnership. 'Last summer, we started discussions about evolving the partnership into what we have now with the Ontario SPCA – specifically, spay and neuter services. This is very meaningful for us as technicians in the industry because we strive to provide access to veterinary medicine for people in the community,' she said. 'It also helps spread that passion to the students. They're working alongside professionals and teaching faculty, and we get to share this excitement with them.' Hope Lumbas, Manager of the SPCA Regional Veterinary Clinic, echoed McFadden-Houle's enthusiasm. 'With this collaboration, I'm excited to offer students the opportunity to gain experience in a clinic setting while contributing to a charitable organization,' she said. 'This allows them to apply their learning in a real-world context and ultimately extend that care into the community.' Increasing access to affordable pet care A key goal of the expanded partnership is to make spay and neuter services more accessible to pet owners who face financial or geographic barriers. SPCA - SUD -DOG One of the dogs in the care of the Sudbury SPCA is shown. August 5, 2025. ( Madison Marier/CTV News Northern Ontario) 'Our hope is to offer veterinary services to people who may not have access, whether due to cost or the lack of clinics in the city or outlying northern communities,' Lumbas told CTV News. 'We work with many rescues outside Sudbury, as well as Indigenous communities and others who may not have regular access to care.' The clinic operates on a tiered pricing system, with reduced costs for those in need, supported by government funding. This ensures that essential procedures remain affordable for underserved populations. SPCA - CAT One of the kittens in the care of the Sudbury SPCA is shown. August 5, 2025. ( Madison Marier/CTV News Northern Ontario) Program launch and student involvement The Ontario SPCA Sudbury Regional Veterinary Clinic officially begins operations today. However, Collège Boréal students will not participate in the new partnership until the fall semester starts in September. McFadden-Houle emphasized the value of this hands-on experience, noting that it will better prepare students for their careers after graduation. Lumbas added that the initiative not only supports student education but also strengthens the SPCA's mission to provide compassionate care across the region. 'This partnership allows us to fulfill our commitment to the community while nurturing the next generation of veterinary professionals,' she said. Officials say the expanded collaboration between Collège Boréal and the Ontario SPCA marks a significant step forward in veterinary education and accessible pet care in northern Ontario.
CTV News
30 minutes ago
- CTV News
9 in hospital with Salmonella after consuming pistachios and pistachio-containing products: Public Health Agency of Canada
The Public Health Agency of Canada has recalled three brands of pistachios and pistachio-containing products after dozens of reported cases of Salmonella. (PHAC photos) Nine people are in hospital with Salmonella, says Canada's public health agency, after consuming various brands of pistachios and pistachio-containing products. It is not clear at this time where those hospitalizations are located. The agency said it is aware of 52 cases of the illness caused by the affected products across the country: two in British-Columbia, one in Manitoba, nine on Ontario, and 39 in Quebec. Three quarters of theses cases are women, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). Patients range in age from 2 to 89, it added. The products in question were distributed in Ontario and Quebec under the brand name Habibi, Al Mokhtar Food Centre, and Dubai. Pubic health said Dubai brand pistachio and knafeh milk chocolate bars were also available for purchasing online It should also be noted that these recalled pistachios may have been used and sold in baked goods. Individuals as well as retailers, distributors and food service establishments like grocery stores, pharmacies, bakeries and cafes across Canada are strongly advised to not consume, use, sell, serve or distribute these recalled products or any products made with them. They are also urged to check if they have the recalled products in their home or establishment by looking for the specific product name and size, UPC and codes in the recall alerts. Further, people should throw out or return recalled products to the location where they were purchased. Consumers or establishments who are unsure if they have purchased the recalled products are advised to contact their retailer or supplier where the products were purchased, says PHAC. Lastly, do not cook food for other people if you've been diagnosed with a Salmonella infection or any other gastrointestinal illness. What is Salmonella? Salmonellosis, as its officially called, is a foodborne bacterial illness that can affect anyone exposed to a contaminated food product. Those who re infected with this bacteria can spread it to others several days to several weeks after they become infected, even if they don't have symptoms. Salmonellosis has a wide range of symptoms. And while some people may not get sick at all, other will experience the effects of this illness within six to 72 hours after exposure. Symptoms include chills, a fever, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and a sudden headache. Most symptoms, however, end within 4 to 7 days. This 2009 electron microscope image provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a large group of Gram-negative Salmonella typhimurium bacteria that had been isolated from a pure culture. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, CDC - Janice Haney Carr This 2009 electron microscope image provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a large group of Gram-negative Salmonella typhimurium bacteria that had been isolated from a pure culture. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, CDC - Janice Haney Carr Most people recover completely on their own, however may have a more serious illness that requires hospital care and could lead to long-lasting health effects or even death. Those at higher risk for serious illness include older adults, young children, people who are pregnant, and those with weakened immune systems. People are urged to contact their health care provider if they believe they're experiencing symptoms of Salmonella. More information about the recalled products, including all product names, descriptions, and lot codes can be found online.
CTV News
30 minutes ago
- CTV News
B.C. non-profit warns about dangers of rat traps to baby skunks, raccoons
A raccoon staying at CritterCare, a wildlife refuge in B.C. is shown in this image. A B.C. refuge for injured wildlife is out with a warning after seeing an increase in serious and often fatal injuries to baby skunks and raccoons caused by 'snap traps' designed to catch rats and mice. Jenna Kuncewicz, the senior wildlife supervisor at Critter Care Wildlife Society in Langley said this specific type of trap can do 'so much damage.' Kuncewicz told CTV News Vancouver the organization has seen a noticeable increase in reports about these traps harming native wildlife. From January to June of this year, Critter Care treated eight animals injured by the traps. However, in July the number almost doubled, with 15 animals admitted. 'They cause severe lacerations, severe injuries, often compound fractures, severed limbs,' said Kuncewicz. Recovery from these types of injuries doesn't happen overnight, and Kuncewicz said the extent of rehabilitation required varies on a case-by-case basis. 'It can range from a few weeks to a few months,' she said. But in the majority of cases, the injuries have proven fatal. Only five animals admitted to the centre this year have survived, Kuncewicz said in an email to CTV News. 'In addition to admitted animals, we receive many calls of people passing by wildlife caught in rat traps which we can not get to in time or locate after the initial call. There are so many out there that we cannot save,' she wrote. snap traps Critter Care provided this photo to show the type of "snap trap" they say is harming baby skunks, and raccoons. CTV News reached out to Tomcat, one of the manufactures of these types of mouse and rat traps, and a spokesperson said they take these concerns seriously. 'As the product label suggests, they are intended to trap mice and rats, not small raccoons, baby skunks or other animals.' The statement further explained, 'these are powerful traps, we do recommend caution in placing them in areas where wildlife, small animals, pets and children are present.' Kuncewicz suggested using less harmful measures to safeguard your home, including sealing any potential problem areas and using predator scent sprays.
