Most veterinarians held a commission in the active militia and left private practice for 10–15 days a year to serve with his regiment.

By the outbreak of war in 1914, the Regimental Veterinary Service had ceased to exist, the CPAVC was still incomplete, so the majority of veterinarians and other ranks were found in the CAVC.

In 1940, the RCAVC was disbanded by the Privy Council and the recommendation of the Treasury Board, in order to save $10,334.

[5] Captain Harry Colebourn (April 12, 1887 – September 24, 1947), a veterinarian with the Royal Canadian Army Veterinary Corps, is best known for donating a bear cub, named "Winnie" (short for "Winnipeg"), to the London Zoo.

He had purchased the young black bear in White River, Ontario, while en route to the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Valcartier in Quebec.