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Animal Health Centre

Last updated on December 19, 2025

The 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.

Dear Clients,

We are pleased to inform you that the Plant and Animal Health Centre has reopened and resumed operations following the recent flood-related closure. Our teams are back on site and working to restore full service levels as quickly and safely as possible.

We sincerely thank you for your patience and understanding during this disruption. We also recognize that many of our clients, producers, and farming communities continue to be affected by flooding. Our thoughts are with everyone who is still managing impacts to their operations, livelihoods, and communities.

At this time:

  • Diagnostic services have resumed, and we are now accepting submissions
  • Our staff are available during regular business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., by phone and email
  • Some services may experience minor delays as we fully stabilize operations. Please contact our Client Services team for more information

If you have urgent questions or need clarification before submitting samples, please contact us:

Phone: 604-556-3003 | Toll Free: 1-800-661-9903
Email: PAHB@gov.bc.ca

We will continue to share updates as needed and appreciate your continued cooperation and understanding.

Thank you for your support, and we look forward to serving you again.

 

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.

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.

Accreditations, vision and mission

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Accreditations

The Animal Health Centre is accredited by:

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.

 

 

The Animal Health Monitor newsletter includes articles about animal diseases occurring in the province, current issues in animal health, case reports, updates on the scope of diagnostic services, expertise, programs, support available at the Animal Health Centre and more.

Salmonella Dublin Program

Visit the Salmonella Dublin Investigation and Management Program.

Smallholder Program

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

Phone
604-556-3003
Toll Free
1-800-661-9903
Fax
604-556-3010

PAHB@gov.bc.ca
Office of the Chief Veterinarian
Chief.Veterinarian@gov.bc.ca
Address
1767 Angus Campbell Road
Abbotsford, B.C. V3G 2M3