ROTHENBURGER: Shortage of veterinarians at all levels must be addressed

The government needs to recognize that there is a critical shortage of veterinarians for both large- and small-animal care right now. Kamloops pet clinics are so short of vets due, in part, to burnout and turnover, which creates a snowball effect on the numbers, that after-hours emergency care has been abandoned by a number of them.

As a result, pet owners whose dogs or cats are badly injured or in need of other immediate attention can find themselves having to drive to Kelowna, which might be too late.

There’s hope on the horizon on that score, with efforts being made to establish a new emergency clinic here within the next few months. That will certainly bring a loud cheer from owners who have spent the last year worrying about it.

Emergency service is the tip of the iceberg. The extension of subsidies for study is certainly welcome. However, a comprehensive plan needs to be in place that goes beyond that, including recruitment of more vets for B.C. from outside the province and the country.

In many ways, the shortage of vets parallels the doctor shortage. It needs to be addressed with much the same determination.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops, alternate TNRD director and a retired newspaper editor. He is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.

by Mel Rothenburger

ROTHENBURGER: Shortage of veterinarians at all levels must be addressed

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