Q&A
Potential partnerships for pet adoption and veterinary staffing
1:04:07
·
3 min
Council Member Schulman inquires about potential partnerships with other agencies for pet adoption and ACC's veterinary staffing situation. Risa Weinstock and Alexandra Silver provide insights on both topics.
- ACC conducts off-site adoption events and tabling for awareness but doesn't have formal adoption partnerships with other agencies.
- There's potential to explore partnerships, such as with senior centers, for pet adoption.
- ACC faces challenges in hiring and retaining veterinarians and vet techs due to competitive job market.
- They use per diem vets to fill gaps and recently hired a medical director with shelter medicine experience.
- Staffing remains an ongoing challenge due to the high volume of animals and medical work required.
Lynn C. Schulman
1:04:07
No.
1:04:07
And while while we're talking about it, I mean, do you guys do any kind of work with the other agencies like like department, you know, folder adults or whatever that maybe somebody at a senior center is looking for a pet or, you know, is there any kind of synergy there or anybody that wants to answer it?
Risa Weinstock
1:04:33
We It's not necessarily a partnership, but we it's something to explore.
1:04:39
We when we have off-site adoption events, it's really those sites are identified by areas that really want pets where they've been successful.
1:04:52
For other centers or other agencies, we've done a lot of tabling events just for awareness, so people understand you could come in and adopt a senior.
1:05:00
This must be this might be a good, you know, a good connection.
1:05:05
It's more I think more awareness than Right.
1:05:07
Actually having an adoption partnership with certain agencies.
Lynn C. Schulman
1:05:11
Maybe it's something to look at.
Alexandra Silver
1:05:12
I think there was recently, I don't wanna get it wrong, but I I think earlier this year, there was an outreach event that we connected, like, a senior center and ACC as Outreach.
1:05:23
Maybe that's what you're
Lynn C. Schulman
1:05:24
because it's possible that, especially as senior centers, somebody has want a young dog because, you know, they're older or whatever.
1:05:30
They want a dog that's mature.
1:05:32
And so just something to think about in terms of trying to see if there's opportunities at some of the agencies to do something like that.
1:05:41
How many full time veterinarians and veterinary technicians does ACC employ and is the current staff sufficient for the demand
Risa Weinstock
1:05:51
based on our population?
Joann Ariola
1:05:56
I get you.
1:05:58
Okay.
Meagan Licari
1:05:58
You said you're under oath.
Lynn C. Schulman
1:06:00
I said you're under oath.
Risa Weinstock
1:06:01
Okay.
1:06:03
The current staffing for veterinarians and licensed vet techs is not at the number we wanted to be.
1:06:14
We have always kept those positions open because they are very, very competitive to hire in those departments.
1:06:24
It's really important to note that we could have lots of vets, but if we don't have the vet tech support, that's not a good model.
1:06:34
We continue to provide medical services.
1:06:38
We use per diem vets to fill the holes.
1:06:41
We recently, in the last week, have brought on a medical director who was part of a fellowship with the ASPCA in shelter medicine, and we're really excited for the work that she brings to ACC.
1:06:56
And we're always growing that department.
1:07:00
We have a lot of animals.
1:07:02
And we do a lot of work on these animals, and it takes a lot of time.
1:07:05
And I think until we have that perfect number, that position will always those positions will always be open.
