Why do people believe that veterinary care should be free? That vets don't care if they charge for services?

For the last 15 years practicing veterinary medicine, mostly in an emergency clinic setting, I have listened to people complain about the costs associated with caring for their pets. If you choose to own a pet, you are responsible for the costs of taking care of it, not the veterinarian. It is unfair to blame veterinarians because we charge for our services. I am constantly being berated as not caring, when the only reason that I do what I do is because I DO care. A dentist who just graduated from 3 years of dental school makes twice what I make after 15 years of experience and more education, but no one questions their right to make a living. I offer care for your pet. I cannot afford to pay for your pet's care, if you are unwilling or unable to do so. Take responsibility for the choices you make in life, if you choose to own a pet, purchase pet health insurance or understand the limits of what will be done if your pet becomes ill. Please don't blame the veterinarian!

Let's put this in perspective...human doctor, specialist in a SINGLE species, has numerous other doctors to refer to and consult with who in turn commonly only deal with certain body parts/systems. Human doctors commonly have no language barrier to deal with, are supported by company insurance plans, and have journal upon journal, study upon study to base their diagnoses and treatment plans on.

Then we have vets, who are supposed to be specialists to all species, who are not supported by workplace insurance plans, who have to provide all their own diagnostic equipment, and who have patients that cannot speak or otherwise communicate with them.

Frankly, I think vets have a hugely raw deal...they are expected to know more educationally speaking (dealing with all the different species), provide more (machinery/exam equipment, essentially they are all 'hospitals') and operate with less information (pets cannot speak to their symptoms). Further they deal with human caregivers who either lie, or are too stupid to have noticed that Fluffy is ailing for weeks if not months, and oh yeah, I forgot, they are supposed to be miracle workers who bring animals back from the dead (primarily due to caregiver incompetence).

I would suggest you make a chart explaining the direct correlation between human and pet costs. Explain that diagnostic tests are far more commonly required because pets cannot speak to their symptoms. I would tell your clientel from the begining what emergency care costs, and explain this during the puppy/kitten exam so they are prepared, and suggest that they either purchase pet insurance, set aside a certain sum in a monthly bank account, or get a credit card (held in reserve) specifically for pet emergencies.

The reality is, most folks never look at the cost of even ANNUAL pet care, let alone emergency lifesaving care. I personally recommend those that get a new pet do as recommended above, and if in fact you choose not to get pet insurance (something I am not a fan of...) then set the annual limit that your animal is worth BEFORE the animal gets sick. Having a credit card saved strictly for Fido/FiFi emergencies is a great way to deal with this.

As to the idiots who require but do not appreciate your services, unfortunately they will not allow us to euth the stupid people, we can only tolerate them, and pity their animals.

Lorinne (wildlife rehabber who CHERISHES her vets).

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College student interested in pet care industry?

I am currently in college, majoring in sociology and I have a particular interest in pet care and would like to pursue a career path in that direction. I am not particularly interested in veterinary sciences or technology, but I do enjoy interaction with animals and would perhaps like to begin a pet sitting service eventually. I am currently employed in kennel as a supervisor and can see prospects in grooming and other areas that appeals to pet owners.

Most jobs in these areas are hands-on and on the job training, a college degree isn't very necessary for any of this stuff, but is there any schooling or other tips that could help me in this career direction? A change in major? Any tips, suggestions, or info is appreciated. Thanks.

How about some kind of animal behavior classes? I don't know what classes your school offers, but maybe there is something relevant.

You could be a dog trainer, helping people with their pets' behavior issues.

Or you could train police or search & rescue dogs.

Or guide dogs for blind/handicapped people.

Or any other kind of animal trainer, like animals used in movies, or animals at marine/wildlife amusement parks.

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