Veterinary staff shortages mean animal hospitals are closing down.
In the United States, an alarming issue is quietly seeping into our communities, threatening to dismantle the sanctuaries of our cherished furry friends. We are witnessing an unprecedented drought of veterinarians, which has brought down the shutters on animal hospitals.
Here are the stories of four veterinary settings, each with its own unique battle in the face of this nationwide veterinarian shortage.
River Road Veterinary Hospital
In Orrington, Maine, River Road Veterinary Hospital, owned by Rarebreed Veterinary Partners, had to bow out due to the national deficit of veterinarians. Despite embarking on a two-year odyssey in search of a successor for their retiring veterinarian, the clinic could not identify a suitable candidate to cater to its patients. The senior communications manager for Rarebreed Veterinary Partners, Melissa Lucas, underscored the nationwide veterinarian shortage as a decisive factor in their choice to cease operations.
Pershing Animal Hospital
In the heart of Chicago, Pershing Animal Hospital found itself in a similar quandary, leading to the regrettable decision to close its doors. Leonard Jewell, the proprietor, voiced his profound sorrow over this closure, pinpointing the inability to recruit associate veterinarians as the primary obstacle. This challenge is partially a consequence of the growing trend of corporate domination and amalgamation in pet medicine, where corporate conglomerates now hold a substantial share of veterinary clinics. Jewell’s experience underscores how these trends have rendered it increasingly challenging for smaller, privately-owned clinics to flourish.
All Creatures Animal Hospital
All Creatures Animal Hospital, an institution that has been a pillar of support for pet owners in Fox Valley for over four decades, is reluctantly drawing its curtains. Dr. Margaret Orzel, the clinic’s devoted owner and a seasoned veterinarian, unveiled the bitter truth that their efforts to pass the torch were thwarted. This unfortunate outcome is primarily due to the scarcity of potential successors. Dr. Orzel eloquently enumerated the factors responsible for the dwindling numbers of veterinarians – the demanding and costly educational path, the long and grueling working hours, the lack of enthusiasm for animal care, and the toll this profession can take on one’s mental well-being. The prevalence of corporate giants in the veterinary field, with their structured schedules and enticing benefits, has further exacerbated the scarcity. Tragically, the mental health crisis in the veterinary profession is mirrored in the shocking statistic that veterinarians experience the highest suicide rates among all medical professions.
Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Services
In Brighton, New York, Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Services confronted a relentless battle that ultimately led to its closure. This clinic, once the sole 24/7 animal hospital in the region, had to repeatedly trim its operating hours due to a dearth of staff. Despite assurances from their parent company, Thrive Pet Healthcare, that they would fill the vacant positions, the clinic couldn’t sustain its mission, resulting in a loss of 132 jobs.
These four veterinary settings emphasize the gravity of the nationwide veterinarian drought, which is pushing cherished animal hospitals to the brink of closure. Immediate and resolute action is imperative to confront this shortage.
