How Registered Veterinary Technologists Deliver Species-Specific Care, Advocate for Animal Welfare, and Provide Specialized Support for Some of the Most Unconventional Patients.
Vocal bullfrogs, sugar gliders, snakes, parrots, and hedgehogs are just a few of the exotic companion animals becoming more common in veterinary clinics, wildlife centers, and shelters. Each animal brings a unique set of challenges and husbandry requirements, but behind every scale, feather, or quill is an RVT trained not just in veterinary medicine, but in adaptability.
These RVTs work with species that don’t always follow the traditional rules. Restraining a parrot is very different from restraining a dog or a cat, and sedation isn’t the same for a rabbit or a lizard. Like cats, many exotic species hide pain or illness until the very end, and can decline quickly just from the stress of being handled or even transported to a veterinary clinic.
Caring for exotic species demands species-specific knowledge, gentle handling, and the ability to notice the subtlest changes in behaviour or appetite. For RVTs in this field, quick thinking and steady nerves aren’t optional; they’re essential.
What is Considered an Exotic?
In veterinary practice, “exotic” typically means anything that isn’t a cat, dog, or farm animal. This can include small mammals like rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, and hedgehogs; reptiles such as snakes, turtles, and lizards; birds like parrots, finches, and cockatoos; and amphibians, including frogs and salamanders. It also extends to less common species like sugar gliders, degus, chinchillas, insects, and fish. In fact, with an estimated 1.4 million exotic pets in Canada, the demand for specialized veterinary care is becoming increasingly important.
Each species has unique medical, behavioral, and environmental needs. What works for one might not work for another, and it’s the RVT’s responsibility to recognize those differences and provide care that adapts to each animal.
What Makes Exotic RVTs Different?
While all RVTs receive training across multiple species, those who specialize in exotics often go a bit more in depth; they learn how to gently and effectively handle birds for routine procedures such as nail, wing, and beak trims. They monitor anesthesia for animals as small as a mouse. They spot early signs of illness in patients who would naturally hide when something’s wrong, like a rabbit who isn’t eating and is grinding its teeth, or a bearded dragon that’s unusually still and not quite the right colour.
These RVTs often work in environments that look very different from a typical veterinary clinic. Some may work in wildlife rehabilitation centres caring for orphaned owls or injured turtles. Others work alongside zookeepers, helping monitor the health of a sea lion during a routine exam, or managing anesthesia for a tiger undergoing a dental procedure. In shelters, RVTs may care for an illegally owned boa constrictor or a litter of bunnies from a hoarding situation, working to stabilize them before they’re ready for rehoming.
Exotic RVTs also educate owners on how to properly care for, house, and feed their exotic pets at home. That might mean recommending the right lighting and humidity for a gecko, reviewing a parrot’s diet, or helping a hamster struggling with overgrown teeth. It’s hands-on, detailed work that often starts with curiosity and grows into a specialized skill set through experience, mentorship, and continued learning.
So, You Want to Work with Exotics?
In Alberta, becoming an exotic RVT doesn’t follow a separate schooling path, it’s all about what you do with your credentials once you graduate.
Every RVT starts the same way: completing a two-year accredited Animal Health Technology/Veterinary Technology program and passing the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE), as outlined by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA). If you’re especially drawn to birds, reptiles, and pocket pets, there are plenty of ways to steer your career in that direction.
Some clinics are exotic-focused or have veterinarians with an exotic caseload. Landing a placement at one of these clinics can open the door early. From there, building experience is hands-on, and every case adds to your skill set, and your confidence. Volunteering at wildlife rehabilitation centres, sanctuaries, or zoos is another excellent way to gain experience, build confidence, and grow your comfort with different types of animals.
Tip: Keep track of species you’ve worked with through photos, case logs, or journal notes. That kind of record can come in handy if you pursue a VTS (Veterinary Technician Specialty) later on.
Continuing education also plays a huge role. Alberta’s RVTs have access to conferences, CPD courses, and workshops through the ABVTA, schools, and other provincial organizations. National associations and exotic-focused communities are also growing, offering mentorship, knowledge-sharing, and support.
For those looking to grow their specialization even further, the Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Clinical Practice (AVTCP) offers a VTS designation by offering species-specific pathways including Exotic Companion Animal.
Why It Matters
As the popularity of exotic pets grows, and as more wild or non-traditional species appear in veterinary clinics, the role of the exotic RVT is becoming increasingly vital.
They are educators, advocates, and protectors. They help owners understand the complex needs of their exotic pets and promote responsible, informed pet ownership through every interaction. In many cases, they also serve as a bridge between public misunderstanding and proper care, replacing fear with facts, and helping people see these animals as sentient beings.
Exotic RVTs also play a crucial role in conservation and animal welfare. Whether working in zoos, wildlife centers, or clinical settings, they help safeguard the well-being of some of the most vulnerable and misunderstood animals. These are species that often fall outside the public’s traditional view of companion animals, yet they face complex medical, behavioral, and environmental challenges that require just as much attention.
Exotic RVTs assist in rescue and rehabilitation efforts, providing critical care to injured or orphaned animals with the goal of releasing them back into the wild. In zoos and aquariums, they are instrumental in supporting long-term wellness, managing breeding programs, and collaborating on conservation initiatives that protect species from extinction. Even in small animal practices, exotic RVTs act as a lifeline for pets whose needs are often overlooked or misunderstood, ensuring they receive appropriate, ethical, and humane treatment.
Their work is not only technical, but also deeply compassionate. It’s not just about being able to treat a frog or a falcon; it’s about recognizing their individuality, understanding their biology, and advocating for their right to compassionate care. Through their specialized knowledge and unwavering dedication, exotic RVTs are quietly shaping a more inclusive and ethical future for animal care.
Sources:
- (2025). 8 Surprising Exotic Pet Statistics in Canada: 2025 Update. Retrieved from https://pangovet.com/statistics/exotic-pet-statistics-canada
- Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. (n.d.). Registered Veterinary Technician / Technologists. Retrieved from https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/public-resources/careers-in-veterinary-medicine/registered-veterinary-technician-technologists/
- Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Clinical Practice. (n.d.). Exotic Companion Animal Clinical Practice. Retrieved from https://www.avtcp.org/exotic-companion-animal.html
- Alberta Veterinary Technologist Association. (n.d.). Caring for Pets in Crisis: The Vital Role of RVTs Working in Shelter Medicine. Retrieved from https://www.abvta.com/caring-for-pets-in-crisis-the-vital-role-of-rvts-working-in-shelter-medicine/
- Johnson, E. (n.d.). The Integral Role of the RVT in a Specialized Field Team. Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. Retrieved from https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/media/t4ggzpq1/emily-johnson-the-integral-role-of-the-rvt-in-a-specialized-field-team.pdf
This article was written by Madison Furness, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Alberta Veterinary Technologist Association.