Haven Veterinary Services

06/11/2026

Kitten Season Series Part 5: Fading Kitten Syndrome

Fading Kitten Syndrome is a condition where young kittens are born apparently healthy but gradually deteriorate. There are multiple possible causes, including infectious, congenital, or environmental components. Early recognition is very important, as they can decline very quickly! Watch out for:
- Lethargy, limp, or sudden weakness
- Poor nursing or weak suckle reflex
- Losing weight or failing to gain weight
- Persistent whining and crying
- Cool to touch, low body temperature
- Laboured breathing

If these signs are noticed, arrange urgent vet care. In the meantime, warm the kitten using blankets and safe heat sources. While warming and waiting for vet care, you can also rub a couple of drops of Karo corn syrup or honey onto the gums every few minutes.

06/11/2026

"Not every difficult decision has a villain."

We love this take!

06/09/2026

Dr. Gordon spent three fascinating days at the interdisciplinary Canine Science Conference at the end of last week. From free-roaming dogs to ancient genomics, from cognition to biomarkers for stress, this conference was full of learnings and connection.

At the end of the conference, she was able to participate in a full afternoon of learning and discussion led by the ASPCA about early life adversity in dogs. This topic is extremely timely to so much of our casework!

Grateful to the Canine Science Society and key organizers from the UBC Animal Welfare Program for this great conference right here in our own city!

06/09/2026

We knew Wesley was special but we didn't know how special! He's growing up into such a brave boy! And we think Darra is pretty great too, for stopping and helping a fellow human.

Wesley is still at New Westminster Animal Services looking for a home. Please spread the word!

🚨🐾 Not all heroes wear capes... some have four paws. 🐾🚨

When Wesley suddenly stopped during a routine walk with Animal Care Attendant Darra last week, neither of them knew they were about to help save a life.

Trusting Wesley's instincts, Darra took a closer look and discovered an unconscious man lying partially hidden beside the trail. Darra immediately called 911 and stayed with the gentleman until first responders arrived. Throughout the entire situation, Wesley remained calm, gentle, and by her side despite the commotion of emergency vehicles, firefighters, and paramedics.

We're incredibly proud of both Darra and Wesley. Darra's quick actions and Wesley's alertness helped ensure someone in need received assistance.

Wesley is more than just a hero—he's a sweet, sensitive, and intelligent young dog who forms strong bonds with his people. While he can be cautious in new situations, this story perfectly showcases his gentle nature, trust, and remarkable character.

📸 The photo in this post was taken at the exact location where Wesley and Darra found the unconscious man.

Wesley is currently looking for his forever home! ❤️ Could you imagine adopting a dog with a heart this big?

Check out his bio and submit an application today. We think this special boy deserves a family of his very own.

Application:https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/NWAS_Dog_Adoption_Application_2020.pdf

Petfinder bio: https://www.petfinder.com/dog/wesley-0bf8701f-bab0-4bdd-aa3a-7630237b3367/bc/new-westminster/new-westminster-animal-shelter-bc105/details/

06/03/2026

Kitten Season Series Part 4: Biting, Scratching, Rough play
Behaviours like stalking, pouncing, scratching, biting are normal in developing kittens, as they instictively learn how to hunt. However, some kittens can get a bit too intense!

To prevent both human injury and the development of future behaviour problems, encourage safe play from the start:
1. Provide lots of opportunities to play with toys that mimic prey so they can channel their predatory instincts. Examples include wand toys, small tossable toys, and cat toys that move quickly.
2. Do not use human hands or feet for play. Redirect a kitten using an appropriate toy (above) so they learn that these are more interesting than hands or feet. Large, kickable toys are great for this!
3. Avoid any physical punishment during play and human interactions. Punishing a kitten for rough play can cause fear and contribute to frustration. We have recently seen several cases of severe, longstanding human-directed aggression in adult shelter cats with this history.

05/29/2026

We are sharing something a little different to wrap up Asian Heritage Month this year- personal reflections from our veterinarians about why this matters. May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada, when we learn about and celebrate the ways Asian Canadians contribute to our diverse society.

Dr. Cheung: I come from a big, close-knit family. Showing up for each other is just what we do, across generations and differences. For me, that sense of collectivism always extended to our pets too. We always had pet companions growing up, and it’s no surprise that both my sister and I became veterinarians!

Growing up in a family where belonging was never in question, and where everyone looked out for everyone, shaped the way I see my work today. I think that’s why this work has always felt personal to me.

Dr. Wong Gordon: I am the proud grandchild of someone who entered the United States “illegally,” leaving China in pursuit of safety and opportunity- for himself and for family back at home. It took one generation of assimilation and living under an assumed identity to lose my family’s language, Cantonese.

Growing up in an in*******al family in a diverse pacific coastal community meant that I was able to learn about many vibrant cultures. It was also isolating. I often felt that I never quite fit in. But I was also surrounded by love, unconditional support, and people who believed in collective care.

We both feel called across generations to nurture the principles of community and One Health, and to speak up for and support people and animals who have been excluded. We bring this commitment to our work and to our lives!

Please enjoy this photo collection of Dr. Gordon’s grandfather with his childhood dog, both of our veterinarians with their families, and enjoying Dr. Sun-Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden here in Vancouver.

05/28/2026

Sometimes shelters will have litters of animals waiting for foster or adoption (especially during kitten season). Do you prefer taking care of a litter of puppies, kittens, rabbits, or another animal? Why?

05/28/2026

What a sweet face! 🍁

05/28/2026

Amazing work from the kind folks at New Westminster Animal Services! We love seeing stories about low-stress and hands-free handling!

05/26/2026

Kitten Season Series Part 3: Adding singletons to a litter

Adding a singleton orphan kitten to a litter can be tempting, but it’s not a risk-free decision. Here’s a very short guide to the benefits and risks:

BENEFITS
* Can be lifesaving for an orphaned kitten who has no other option.
* Gives the singleton warmth and normal kitten contact during a critical social period.
* Reduces need for time-intensive bottle feeding.

RISKS
* Higher risk of spreading serious infectious diseases between the singleton and litter (especially within the first 14 days of introduction).
* We can't be sure why the singleton kitten was found alone. Mixing litters can potentially lead to outbreaks in otherwise healthy litters.
* A nursing queen may experience added stress and may reject the new kitten.

In general, it is recommended to only combine unrelated kittens on a case-by-case basis, when there is no other alternative and after considering risk of infectious diseases. Combined kittens should always be similar ages. Prioritise keeping original litters together as much as possible. Combining kittens is generally most worthwhile when two healthy singletons are present and foster space is limited.