Last April, the CVMA created 2 distinct Web sites to serve the needs of both the pet- owning public and the veterinary profession.
The public site for Canadian animal owners, www.animalhealthcare.ca, is the official site of the veterinary profession in Canada. The mission of this site is to build traffic to clinics by promoting responsible pet ownership and by continually suggesting to those visiting the site to “consult your veterinarian.”
Some of the key components of www.animalhealthcare.ca are:
General animal health information, accessible through keyword search, and species and subject directories;
Frequently asked questions (FAQs);
Clinic and hospital directory: a consumer directory of Canadian clinics by city;
Ask the Expert: an online advice column;
Care guides and reference documents: a series of public education material;
I Love My Pet/I Love My Vet: letters from the public;
Kids' Corner: animal-themed fun and games for children; and
Learning Library: online training courses with video.
The Association's third generation Web site, www.canadianveterinarians.net, provides general information on the Association and the veterinary profession, and offers the following features, which, in large part, are exclusive to CVMA members:
Online practice management courses and accredited continuing education for DVMs only, discounted for CVMA members;
Free clinic Web page hosting, linked to the public site's clinic and hospital directory;
Members' Discussion Boards on current topics and position statements;
Current Issues: an electronic library of CVMA resource documents on current veterinary issues;
Member and business support services: an information source on the tangible member benefits, client education, and business management materials;
VetLaw: an online column where Ontario lawyer, Mr. Doug Jack, answers members' questions on legal matters;
Locum database: a classified section for locums wanted and locums available;
Large Animal Veterinary Rounds: an electronic version of this publication.
Both Web sites are also available in French, under www.santeanimale.ca and www.veterinairesaucanada.net.
The CVMA has received very favorable comments over the past year, and the traffic on the Web sites is continually increasing. The biggest challenge now is to keep the sites fresh, relevant, and functional, and to generate new and interesting content.
We invite you to visit these Web sites regularly; we also welcome your feedback and comments.
(by Suzanne Lavictoire, Director, CVMA Programs)