NATIONAL STAFF SHORTAGE IMPACTS VETERINARIAN OFFICES

are some answers:

WHY IS IT TAKING LONGER TO VISIT THE VET?

Pet owners throughout Simcoe County are in for a wait when dealing with the veterinarian's office.

When calling into the office, they may be put into a virtual lineup, and it may take longer for pets to undergo in-person visits.

A 2020 study by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association determined demand for veterinary services has or will soon exceed capacity in most parts of Canada.

What is going on? Here

There was a surge in pet ownership due to COVID-19. Stuck at home, many people decided it was the perfect time to get a puppy or kitten, said Lisa Chamberlain, a registered veterinary technician with Allandale Veterinary Hospital, 66 Caplan Ave. in Barrie.

During the first lockdown, vet offices were only allowed to do emergency medicine.

"Then they opened things up, so we had a backlog. And then all those puppies and kittens needed vaccines," Chamberlain said.

Now these pets are due to be spayed or neutered, so there is an influx in surgeries, Chamberlain said.

Many facilities have had to shorten their hours; of- ten times due to labour shortages, said Carly Rudkins, hospital supervisor.

And staff can see fewer patients per hour because communication has slowed with clients waiting outside for their pets.

Tell Us About The Staffing Shortage

Nationally, there is a shortage of veterinarians and registered veterinary technicians (RVT), Rudkins said.

This is due to COVID-19 burnout and other person- al factors.

Also, staff must stay home if they are sick, or if they have potentially been exposed to the virus.

"Everybody is looking. Every single practice is looking for vets," she said Allandale Veterinary Hospital and others now offer signing bonuses for vets and RVTs.

"Ten years ago, you never heard of that," Chamberlain said.

WHAT ARE SOME OTHER SOLUTIONS?

We need more veterinary offices, and the government must fund more veterinarians through school and bring in international veterinarians, Rudkins said.

HOW CAN THE PUBLIC HELP?

Understand the challenging situation; be patient and kind.

"This is the way it is right now, unfortunately. We don't like it anymore than they do," Rudkins said.