Clinic center: Paw Prosper acquires Canine Rehabilitation Institute, plus other updates

The Vancouver Aquarium in Canada has expanded its axolotl exhibit to offer a deeper look into this species of salamander. Meanwhile, in Missouri, the Canine Rehabilitation Institute has been purchased by a pet rehabilitation and wellness services company. In Borneo, a nonprofit conservation organization focused on the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of orangutans has acquired the first wildlife ambulance dedicated to rescuing wild orangutans on the island.

Continue reading to learn more.

Axolotl exhibit opens at Vancouver Aquarium (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)

The Vancouver Aquarium recently opened Amazing Axolotls!—a new gallery expanding its existing axolotl exhibit into a larger, immersive space created to highlight the species’ unique biology and conservation status. The gallery features 3 viewing habitats, comprising 2 axolotl enclosures and 1 for fish, along with educational displays focused on the animal’s regenerative capabilities, cultural significance, and more.

"This display offers Canadians a closer look at this extraordinary salamander and the need to protect its delicate habitat. Endemic to the Valley of Mexico, the axolotl now survives in the wild only in Xochimilco, an ecological treasure in Mexico City," Julián Adem, consul general of Mexico in Vancouver, said in a news release.¹

Paw Prosper acquires Canine Rehabilitation Institute (Springfield, Missouri)

Paw Prosper has acquired the Canine Rehabilitation Institute (CRI), an organization known for hands-on clinical training and certification in animal rehabilitation, as well as continuing education (CE). The acquisition brings CRI’s CE and rehabilitation training programs under Paw Prosper’s umbrella and expands the organization’s professional education offerings and rehabilitative care resources, which are aimed at supporting pet recovery and long-term wellness.

“CRI has long been recognized as an institute dedicated to advancing the technical expertise of animal rehabilitation professionals,” Kara Amstutz, DVM, former CEO of CRI, said in a news release.² “This collaboration with Paw Prosper is a tremendous next step. It allows us to honor our legacy by seamlessly uniting our professional education with Paw Prosper’s trusted wellness products. By combining our strengths, we accelerate the field’s growth."

Borneo Orangutan Rescue Alliance launches wildlife ambulance for orangutans (Borneo, Indonesia)

The Borneo Orangutan Rescue Alliance has purchased the first wildlife ambulance designed for rescuing and treating wild orangutans in Borneo. The vehicle will provide professionals with rapid access to remote forest areas, allowing orangutans to be transported to rehabilitation centers. The vehicle is equipped with oxygen, intravenous fluids, surgical tools, an ultrasound machine, and a custom stretcher. The initiative addresses threats to critically endangered orangutans, including injuries from deforestation, human-wildlife conflict, and the illegal pet trade, and represents a significant advancement in field-based veterinary care and wildlife emergency response in Southeast Asia.

“This ambulance will completely transform our ability to reach and treat injured orangutans, before it’s too late,” Leif Cocks, founder of The Orangutan Project, said in an organizational release.³ “Until now, we’ve relied on 4-by-4 vehicles to reach orangutans in need. But the number of rescues is increasing every year, and so, too, is the urgency. We need better medical gear, trained vets on the ground, and faster response times to meet the growing demand.

“With this purpose-built ambulance, we can bring expert emergency care to some of the remotest areas of the forest and stabilize orangutans before transporting them to rehabilitation centers. The ambulance will save lives that would otherwise have been lost, giving these incredible animals the best possible chance to survive and return to a life in the wild.”

References

1. Hauptman T. Vancouver Aquarium launches new permanent exhibit. News release. Vancouver Aquarium. January 9, 2026. Accessed January 21, 2026. https://tinyurl.com/59r68sav
2. Paw Prosper acquires Canine Rehabilitation Institute, expanding commitment to advanced pet care. News release. Paw Prosper. January 5, 2026. Accessed January 21, 2026. https://tinyurl.com/4m5et839
3. The first wildlife ambulance to save orangutans in Borneo. News release. The Orangutan Project. December 2, 2025. Accessed January 21, 2026.