The effects of COVID are like a chronic wound; while the wound may heal, it tends to recur. After COVID hit, there was an increase in pet owners, a shortage of veterinarians in California, and animals in need of care.
The lack of veterinarians means that many animals are going without adequate care and treatment for viral infections. In San Francisco, there are only 13 hospitals. Animal hospitals are so backed up that appointments are booked out from a week to even a month.
Ramon Hernandez, a veterinarian technician at Blue Cross Pet Hospital stated, “As a pet owner, it is scary to think about the lack of veterinarians. The reason why it’s scary is because if there are fewer veterinarians it’ll be harder to find appointments that are sooner and faculties closer to me.”
He added, “Also, it makes me question what will happen if there’s not enough emergency facilities.”
According to The Atlantic, “Owners are being referred hundreds of miles away for an elusive open spot, and dogs with broken bones, a true emergency, waiting hours and hours to be seen.”
This issue has not only affected the community but also the veterinarian staff themselves.
Gabrielle Alonzo, a doctor at Blue Cross Pet Hospital stated, “It can be really sad. We deal with a lot of sick animals, emotional people, and death. And then on top of that, we have to discuss the finances.”
The Assembly Bill 1237 was introduced by the state’s two largest animal welfare organizations. This bill offers up to $150,000 in student debt relief to licensed California veterinarians that are willing to work for animal communities for at least five years.
Andrea Aguilar ’24 stated, “I think it is a fabulous idea and a great incentive to recruit upcoming veterinarians. With the crisis that we are currently experiencing with the shortage of vets our pets are suffering the consequences.”
Many individuals believe this will occur but as for Dr. Alonzo, she sees it in a different light.
Dr. Alonzo stated, “I think it would be amazing for the government to pardon our debt to promote the veterinary field. But, I don’t see that happening. Yes, veterinarians end up with a lot of debt but they also end up extremely financially stable.”
She added, “The government has already put into place debt repayment options to help ease the debt burden. But I do think student debt contributes to the mental health issues a lot of veterinarians face.”
Although this is a hard pill to swallow, veterinarians like Dr. Betsy Colarusso said, “It’s a labor of love. When you love it, you love it, and it never goes away.”
