She monitors where there are critical shortages of veterinarians and said they’re the worst in rural and small communities in the north central, northwestern, and northeastern parts of the state. “In the past, whenever I’ve had a position open, I’ve never had a problem filling it.”Īccording to Darlene Konkel, Wisconsin’s state veterinarian, Hankison and Bleifuss aren’t the only ones struggling to hire. So far, he hasn’t received a single application. Meanwhile, Bleifuss has been on the hunt for 18 months. Hankison said he has been searching for an additional vet at his clinic for about eight months. The experience of the pandemic, with its stress and isolation, has bonded owners much more closely with their animals, Bleifuss said, and that’s allowed them to notice things like limps, lethargy and trouble eating more quickly than in the past.Īmid that rising demand, staffing shortages show no signs of abating. He has also seen more need for veterinary services from people who are now spending more time at home with their pets and, as a result, are noticing potential health issues that they might have missed before. It’s not just the spike in pandemic pet ownership and COVID precautions that are driving busyness at clinics, said Bleifuss. According to them, among practice owners surveyed, productivity during the pandemic declined by almost 25%. In an August commentary for the Journal of the American Veterinary Association, the association’s Chief Veterinary Officer Gail Golab and Chief Economist Matthew Salois, said these clinics are part of a larger trend. About 4,400 veterinary jobs will open up every year on average for the next 10 years. The demand for veterinary services keeps growing, he said, especially since COVID-19 hit, fueling the so-called “pandemic puppy boom.” Yet at the same time, clinics like his across the country are having trouble attracting and keeping staff, and COVID precautions have complicated workflows.Īccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, veterinary jobs are expected to grow 17% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. The risk of COVID-19 means services at the clinic are curbside only, with veterinary staff transporting dogs, cats, and on occasion more unusual animals - carpet pythons, bearded dragons, and rabbits to name a few - into the building for treatment, while anxious owners wait in their vehicles.īleifuss, who has headed up the practice for 36 years, said he’ll typically see 20 to 25 animals a day, treating injuries and illnesses, counseling pet parents, and sometimes carrying out the sad task of euthanizing patients. Chris Bleifuss, head veterinarian, stands next to the open door of an SUV discussing glucose test results after returning Catword, a 15-year-old orange tabby, to his family. Outside, cars packed with pet patients and their owners wait to be called for their appointments. But don’t be fooled by the echoing hallways: the clinic has never been busier. WAUSAU - The lobby of Kronenwetter Veterinary Care in Kronenwetter, a Wisconsin village of about 8,000 people, is empty. It was written in partnership with as part of a GroundTruth Project/Report for America initiative. Thursdays.Editor's note: This story was originally published on. The shelter at 7001 Packer Drive, Wausau, is closed for public visits on Sundays, Wednesdays and holidays, but is open noon to 5 p.m. Log on to or call 71 for more information. Pets featured might have been adopted already, but other animals are available. Pet of the Week is submitted in advance by the Humane Society of Marathon County.
Remember: Good things come in small packages! Lily doesn't eat a lot, or take up much room, but she knows that she will be making a lasting impression on the special person who can open their life to her. Lily enjoys attention, is fine with dogs and cats, and she can walk very nicely on her leash. So, now she's at the shelter with two of her kids and a friend in search of an new owner, a new home and a new life. Personality: It took Lily nine years to realize that some places don't welcome dogs, even little nice ones like her.
0 kommentar(er)
