Animal Health Centre
Last updated on December 11, 2024The Animal Health Centre is the leading accredited full-service veterinary laboratory in Western Canada, offering more than 400 laboratory diagnostic tests for agents that may be found in wild and domestic birds, mammals, fish, reptiles and amphibians.
If you suspect birds you own have avian influenza, contact your local CFIA District Office or veterinarian who will advise you on next steps
For more information on preventing, recognizing, and reporting avian influenza, review the ministry’s response and resources.
As part of a national initiative, led by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), testing for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in cattle is available at the BC Animal Health Center (AHC) for clinically healthy cattle. The purpose of offering testing for healthy cattle is to facilitate enhanced industry biosecurity efforts.
For more information, see testing for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in cattle - guidance for private veterinarians (PDF, 175KB)
The BCCDC Rabies pages contain up to date information for the general public, veterinarians, and health professionals, including information about what to do if there is a concern a person or domestic animal in BC may have been exposed to rabies. Animal owners are also encouraged to discuss rabies including rabies prevention through vaccination, with their family veterinarian.
Diagnostic testing and services
A full range of fee-for-service diagnostic testing, including bacteriology, histopathology, molecular diagnostics, pathology (necropsy), serology and virology are accepted from veterinarians, livestock producers, the general public and other government agencies.
While primarily concerned with food-producing animals, the Animal Health Centre also provides diagnostic services for companion animals, captive and free-ranging wildlife, zoo animals, fish, fur-bearers and bees.
- Learn more about AHC’s services and how to submit a specimen for testing
- Search available tests at the AHC
Mandatory actions and testing for reportable diseases
Animal owners, veterinarians, and laboratories are required to immediately report suspicions of certain serious animal and zoonotic (contagious from animals to people) diseases under the federal Health of Animals Act, and the provincial Animal Health Act.
Many diseases are named and reportable under both acts and must be reported to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the BC Office of the Chief Veterinarian; however, the list of reportable diseases and syndromes in the provincial legislation is broader.
- Report a disease to the Office of the Chief Veterinarian for BC
- Learn about provincially reportable and notifiable diseases
- Learn if a disease is federally reportable and how to report to the CFIA Animal Health District Veterinarian at CFIA’s Reportable diseases: Terrestrial animals
Accreditations, vision and mission
Accreditations
The Animal Health Centre is accredited by:
- The American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AALVD) – full accreditation
- The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) for ISO/IEC 17025 – standard for accredited techniques and specific tests in the Animal Health Centre’s scope of accreditation
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) testing and Brucellosis (BPAT) testing
In addition to accreditation, the AHC also undergoes proficiency testing.
- The Molecular Diagnostics section undergoes proficiency testing conducted by the National Centre for Foreign Animal Diseases (NCFAD) and USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory
- The Serology section undergoes proficiency testing conducted by the CFIA, NCFAD and the USDA's National Veterinary Services Lab. It is also an approved Johne's disease (M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis) testing lab, having successfully passed NVSL serology panels since 1999
Vision and mission
Vision
A thriving, sustainable agricultural industry free from serious impacts caused by pests and diseases, for the benefit of all citizens of British Columbia.
Mission
To diagnose, monitor, and assist in the prevention, control and management of animal pests and diseases in British Columbia.
Animal Health Monitor newsletter
To help determine the cause of death of your animals, please visit the subsidized disease detection program.
Contact information
Animal Health Centre
Monday-Friday
8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
604-556-3003
1-800-661-9903
604-556-3010
Chief.Veterinarian@gov.bc.ca