Career Spotlight of the Month (July 2020)

Oavt.org
July 8, 2020

Name: Chris Slik, RVT
Current Job: Supervisor of Animal Services, City of Vaughan

Q & A with Chris
OAVT: Where did you go to school and what made you decide to take a Veterinary Technology program?

Chris: I received my Veterinary Technology diploma from Georgian College in 2005. I grew up on a small family farm in Flamborough, Ontario. Having always been around animals, I just knew that it was my life’s journey to build a career around them.

I volunteered at Mountsberg Conservation Area, caring for birds of prey, and then moved on to working with birds of prey, parrots, and bats at the African Lion Safari. After these experiences, I enrolled in college to become an RVT. I completed my college co-op at Elmvale Veterinary Hospital and once I graduated, continued working as the head RVT at Elmvale Veterinary Hospital for the next 13 years. In 2014, an opportunity presented itself with the City of Vaughan as RVT Coordinator of Animal Services. I have since been promoted to the position of Supervisor of Animal Services.

OAVT: What is a typical day like for you?

Chris: No day in municipal animal services is ever typical! You get pulled in every direction all day long. As a member of the management team, I really get involved in everything, emails, emails and more emails, lots of animal checks, and daily rounds of the shelter. Other duties include outreach to residents to assist with high profile animal control cases, working with city councillors and other stakeholders, and periodically sneaking into an animal room to snuggle with a litter of kittens.

OAVT: Do you work with other RVTs?

Chris: Our manager, one Animal Services Officer, and I are the only current RVT’s on staff. When recruiting new staff, we absolutely do give preference to RVT candidates.

OAVT: How long have you worked in the shelter sector, and what changes have you seen during that time?

Chris: I have worked in the municipal animal shelter since 2014, so I’m into my sixth year and loving it! RVTs have always been appreciated, right from the moment I walked through the door of Vaughan Animal Services. We continue to encourage eligible RVTs to apply as positions become available and strive to demonstrate the value that RVTs bring to animal care in a specialized sheltering environment, given the superior observational and technical skills they bring to the position, along with sound education and experience.

OAVT: Do you feel like you’re making a difference every day?

Chris: Yes, I feel that I do make a difference every day, whether directly for the animals in my care, or through supporting staff, assisting residents in our municipality, or servicing our contract municipalities.

OAVT: What are some of the "pros" and benefits to working in the municipal animal shelter setting?

Chris: Job security is one pro. Other job benefits would include such things as a good pension, strong salary/benefits, and paid CE and OAVT membership dues.

RVTs who wish to get into this sector should develop a thorough understanding of municipal government mandates. Most people do not understand that we service the community through animals and not the other way around. You must consider public safety and service to be important personal priorities.

OAVT: What skills and qualities are important for an RVT to have if they want to work in animal services?

Chris: RVTs should hold a thorough knowledge of the Animals for Research Act (ARA), as it governs shelter protocols such as intake, housing, feeding, care, adoptions, and information we must gather and retain for all animals entrusted to our care. RVTs need strong skillsets to help them cope with difficult days, whether it be a day with 20 hoarding cats arriving all at once or an isolation scenario with a room of cats that cannot be moved due to disease outbreak.

Resilience, adaptability, and the ability to multitask are key components to a successful career in animal services.

OAVT: RVTs are passionate people, and every RVT has an area they are most passionate about. What is YOUR passion?

Chris: I’m most passionate about working with avian species in the shelter; anything from a domestic canary to a red-tail hawk. I love to educate staff and residents on anything avian and am always keen to learn something new or interesting myself.