The Ontario Shelter Medicine Association (OSMA) is now officially the Canadian Animal Shelter & Community Medicine Association (CASCMA). As a National organization, we aim to promote networking among shelter medicine professionals across Canada, while working co-operatively with other sheltering and community veterinary organizations.
An Canadian Animal Shelter & Community Medicine Association Community
Shelter medicine is a rewarding, vibrant and growing field of veterinary medicine. The past 15 years have seen the formation of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians and many other influential organizations. The ASV and others have transformed animal sheltering. Through their work, Shelter Medicine has become a boarded veterinary specialty through the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.
However, many veterinarians and veterinary technicians working in and for animal shelters and rescues have not been exposed to shelter medicine as a unique discipline, and may not fully appreciate how different shelter medicine is from private veterinary practice.
Increasingly, animal sheltering organizations and others are working to help animals remain in loving homes. Community veterinary care provides wellness care, spay/neuter surgeries and, increasingly, additional medical or surgical care to animals whose families are unable to access conventional private care. Many organizations and volunteers provide services in remote communities with no other access to veterinary services.
The Canadian Animal Shelter and Community Medicine Association, CASCMA, (formerly the Ontario Shelter Medicine Association) was born of the recognition that, despite the wonderful work being done by the ASV and others, shelter and community medicine in Canada needs its own voice.
Vision and Goals
Our vision is both local and national:- Grassroots networking among shelter medicine professionals
- Bridge-building and collaboration with other organizations
- Providing continuing education on shelter and community medicine
- Promoting humane sheltering and spectrum of care medicine
- Promote networking, mutual assistance and communication among shelter veterinarians and veterinary technicians
- Promote humane sheltering through promotion of the ASV Guidelines for Standards of Care
- Work to increase exposure of veterinary and veterinary technician students to shelter medicine, and provide education and resources for veterinarians and technicians working with shelter animals
Membership
Voting membership is open to:- Veterinarians and registered veterinary technicians working in, or with an interest in, shelter and community medicine.
- Veterinarians and vet tech students
- Others working in, or with an interest in, shelter and community medicine.
What We Offer
- A voice and meeting place for Canadian shelter and community medicine
- Shelter and community medicine education opportunities
- News and information about relevant events
- Meet-ups at conferences
- A forum to exchange ideas and information
- An opportunity to get involved, for those who want to help us achieve our goals