Immunization clinic geared to pet owners unattached to regular veterinary services due to doctor shortages Hey all you pet owners who have animals that need to get their shots, you can get that done on Tuesday afternoon, with no necessary appointments. Birchwood Veterinary Clinic, at 1741 Victoria St., is putting on a drop-in vaccine clinic for people without appointments, from 1-4 pm Recognizing the importance of preventing the spread of disease such as parvo and distemper and parainfluenza, vaccine clinics for unattached animal patients happen monthly on a rotational basis and each of the veterinary clinics in the city take…

US Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 lights up the box office, its glow is reaching animals who are rarely seen: those in laboratories. Through the powerful stories of the central character Rocket Raccoon, alongside Floor the rabbit, Teefs the walrus and Lylla the otter, we are urged to empathize with real animals. The animal characters are, of course, digital fictional creations — no real animals were harmed. Yet, understandably, many viewers are having intense emotional responses to seeing the animals being held in cages and mechanized contractions where they are subjected to bodily mutilation and psychological terror. Major animal…

As air quality worsens due to Canadian wildfire smoke clouding Ontario, Quebec and parts of the US, residents are warning experts should be cautious of the health impacts. We already know that smoke particles can be particularly harsh on the elderly, children and those with breathing conditions — but pets aren’t immune, either. In a special air quality statement issued Thursday, Environment Canada and the Province of Ontario cautioned that poor air quality “may persist into the weekend.” For humans, protection looks like mask-wearing, closing doors and windows, and limited exposure to the smoke, according to the experts. So what…