Emergencies

Fun Things to Do for the Holidays with Your Pets in Vancouver and Surrey, BC

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The holiday season is a wonderful time to include your furry friends in festive activities. The Vancouver and metro areas offer numerous opportunities for pet-friendly fun. Engaging in these activities not only strengthens your bond but also supports your pet’s mental and physical well-being.  

Here are just a few holiday activities to consider in the Vancouver metro area, including Surrey (where Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty and Emergency hospital is located). 

Explore Holiday Light Displays Together

Vancouver and metro areas boast stunning holiday light displays that make for a festive evening walk with your dog. 

Here are just a few pet-friendly light events we found: 

Veterinary Note: Cold weather can be tough on pets, especially smaller breeds or those with short fur. Protect their paws from icy or salted paths and watch for signs of discomfort like limping or licking their paws excessively. 

Attend a Pet-Friendly Holiday Market or Event

Many holiday markets and events in Vancouver and surrounding areas welcome well-behaved pets, making them a great outing for you and your furry friend. 

Here are just a few pet-friendly event ideas:

  • Photos with Santa: Several pet stores and veterinary clinics in both cities host Santa photo sessions for pets, with proceeds often going to local shelters or charities. 
  • Holiday Markets: Check out smaller local markets that allow pets, such as outdoor pop-up markets. 
  • Pet Fundraisers by BC SPCA: Participate in charity walks or donation drives hosted by local animal shelters. 

Veterinary Note: Large crowds can overwhelm some pets. If your pet seems stressed, find a quiet area for them to decompress or consider skipping the event altogether. 

Visit a Dog or Cat-Friendly Café or Brewery

The Vancouver area is known for its pet-friendly culture, with many cafés and breweries welcoming dogs.

Here are a few spots we found*: 

  • The Dog & Hydrant Café (Vancouver): Offers treats for both dogs and humans. 
  • Off the Rail Brewing Co. (Vancouver): Allows leashed pets in their tasting room. 
  • Pawsh Dog Spa and Boutique Café (Vancouver): Provides a cozy space for coffee while your dog enjoys a little pampering. 
  • Donegal’s Irish House (Surrey): A popular pet-friendly pub with a courtyard patio for dining with pups. 
  • Hawthorne Beer Market & Bistro (Surrey): A dog-friendly eatery offering outdoor seating and great food. 

Veterinary Note: Avoid sharing human treats with your pet. Many holiday foods (like chocolate, raisins, and xylitol-sweetened baked goods) can be toxic. Stick to pet-safe snacks, which many pet-friendly cafes have on hand. Check out our blog on holiday hazards for a more comprehensive list of these foods. 

*Note: The businesses listed in this blog were found using an online search engine. Listing these businesses is in no way an endorsement or promotion by BBVSH.

Take a Holiday Hike or Snow Adventure

Vancouver and surrounding areas offer breathtaking trails and snow-covered landscapes perfect for holiday adventures with your pet. 

A few of the dog-friendly trails and parks in the area: 

  • Pacific Spirit Regional Park (Vancouver): Offers beautiful trails that are pet-friendly year-round. 
  • Mount Seymour Provincial Park (North Vancouver): Take your leashed dog on a snowshoeing adventure (dog-friendly trails available). 
  • Spanish Banks Beach (Vancouver): A great place to enjoy a winter walk by the water. 
  • Tynehead Regional Park Off-Leash Area (Surrey): Offers a large, 6-acre off-leash area for Fido to run and play. 

Veterinary Note: Always check trail conditions and avoid icy or dangerous areas. Use reflective gear for evening walks and consider pet-friendly booties to protect paws from cold or sharp ice. 

Host a Pet-Centered Holiday Party

Gather your pet-loving friends for a festive celebration at home!

Ideas for the party: 

  • Create a treat-making station for baking dog- or cat-friendly holiday goodies. 
  • Have a “best-dressed pet” contest with holiday-themed outfits. 
  • Set up a small agility course or games for pets to enjoy. 

Veterinary Note: Monitor pets for overstimulation during parties. Keep decorations, alcohol, and holiday foods like chocolate or grapes out of reach. Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital is available 24/7 if your pet ingests something toxic during the festivities. 

Holiday Grooming and Spa Day

Treat your pet to a day of relaxation with a grooming session or an at-home spa experience.

Here are just some of the local pet grooming services that came up in our search*: 

  • Spaw Boutique (Vancouver): Specializes in holiday grooming packages. 
  • Pawsh Dog Spa (Vancouver): Offers festive grooming add-ons like bows and bandanas. 
  • Groom Room (North Vancouver): Caters to both dogs and cats with spa treatments. 
  • Indigo Pet Spa (Surrey): Provides grooming services with a focus on pet comfort and care. 

Veterinary Note: Grooming helps maintain healthy skin and fur, especially during winter when dry skin can become a concern. Consult your veterinarian if your pet has any skin sensitivities before trying new grooming products. Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital offers dermatology services – check out our blog about skin conditions and our dermatology service. 

*Note: The businesses listed in this blog were found using an online search engine. Listing these businesses is in no way an endorsement or promotion by BBVSH.

Give Back to the Pet Community

The holiday season is about giving, and there are many ways to support animals in need. Here are just a few suggestions: 

How to Help: 

  • The Senior Animals in Need Today Society (SAINTS) program provides shelter and care for senior and special needs animals of all different species. Their sanctuary is a haven where these special souls can be loved and cherished and receive proper care for the rest of their days. 

Veterinary Note: Giving back not only helps other animals but can also be a rewarding experience for you and your pet. 

Make a Veterinary Check-Up Part of Your Holiday Routine

While the holidays are about fun, it’s also a great time to ensure your pet’s health is in check. 

Why Schedule Now: 

  • Veterinary clinics may have holiday closures, so book early for annual check-ups or vaccinations. 
  • Ensure your pet is microchipped or has up-to-date tags if they’ll be traveling with you or attending events. 
  • Consider a wellness consultation to ensure your pet is in optimal health for the busy season.
  • Note the location of an emergency veterinary hospital and keep the number handy in case you have a holiday pet emergency.

Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital (BBVSH), located in Surrey and serving the Metro Vancouver area, is open 24/7/365, including holidays and times when other vet clinics may be closed. As a VECCS Level 1 certified hospital, BBVSH is capable of handling even the most critical, life-threatening emergencies and trauma. With specialists on call, we are ready to handle any medical or surgical issue your pet may be experiencing.  

For more information, visit our Emergencies page or call us at (604) 514-8383. 

Participate in a Pet Blood Donation Program

The holiday season is about giving, and one of the most impactful ways to give back is through a pet blood donation program. Just as humans rely on blood donors in emergencies, pets often need lifesaving transfusions due to accidents, surgeries, or illnesses. 

Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital Blood Donation Program: Our hospital in Surrey has a blood donation program that helps save the lives of pets in critical need. Donor pets provide blood used in emergency and specialty cases, offering a second chance to pets facing life-threatening conditions. 

Benefits for Donor Pets: 

  • A thorough health screening before donation, ensuring donor pets are in excellent health. 
  • Complimentary annual bloodwork and health monitoring for active donors. 
  • The opportunity to be a lifesaving hero for other pets in need. 

How It Works: 

  • Dogs and cats are screened to determine if they meet the donation criteria. 
  • Healthy, calm pets are most suitable for donation. The process is quick and minimally invasive. 
  • Blood donations are stored and used in emergencies, such as trauma cases or surgeries requiring transfusions. 

Interested in having your pet become a donor? Visit BBVSH’s Blood Donation Program page for more information or contact us at (604) 514-8383. 

Final Thoughts 

Vancouver and Surrey’s pet-friendly communities make it easy to include your furry friends in holiday festivities. Whether you’re exploring light displays, baking treats, or giving back, there are countless ways to bond with your pet while ensuring their health and safety. 

Remember: If your pet experiences a health emergency, contact a veterinary professional immediately. BBVSH is ready to support your pet through the holiday season. 

Happy holidays to you and your four-legged family members! 

 __________________

About Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital

Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital is a family owned, veterinary specialty and 24/7 emergency and critical care hospital in Surrey, BC, serving the Vancouver metro area and greater British Columbia. We have a sister hospital in Bellingham, Washington.

As a certified VECCS Level I facility and a Level II VetCOT Trauma Centre, we are capable of handling even the most critical, life-threatening emergencies and trauma, with board-certified specialists on staff and on-call to handle any medical or surgical issue.

Our board-certified specialists offer services in emergency and critical care, surgery, internal medicine, cardiology, neurology, oncology, dentistry, diagnostic imaging, and animal rehabilitation.

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