Retiring Wolfville vet
“It’s a service that’s necessary in every community but there are very precious few of them, unfortunately.”
He believes many communities would benefit from having local elected officials study how the City of Calgary manages wild animal and stray cat populations, and consider how similar approaches can be undertaken closer to home.
“What’s seriously lacking is legislation or laws that control animals in communities and allow the governments to get involved and provide infrastructure for looking after animals,” said Bligh.
“If they’re going to be a part of the community, you might as well acknowledge it and put some controls in place.”
Valley WAAG ensures all cats available for adoption are spayed or neutered and up to date on vaccinations. Bligh strongly feels it is essential that all prospective pet owners become educated about the animals they’d like to have — and the potential costs associated with properly caring for those animals — before bring- ing them home.
“Everybody would be a lot better off and a lot happier,” he said, reflecting on his experiences as a veterinarian.
“The most disappointing thing that happens is when there is a serious problem and people cannot afford to have it dealt with properly. It’s miserable.”
Bligh has prepared for retirement with the comfort of knowing that his life’s work has been about far more than the bottom line.
“Working with people in the community and helping them achieve their goals is a far more satisfying way to practice than simply setting the price and ‘take it or leave it,’” he said.
“It’s a way of life. It’s not just a job.” See the adoptable cats available through Valley WAAG, or learn how to support the non-profit organization at Retiring Wolfville Animal Hospital veterinarian Dr. Peter Bligh visits some cats awaiting adoption in the Valley WAAG