One of PAWS’ goals within our 2022-2024 Strategic Plan was to complete a cost-benefit-analysis (CBA) of hiring a staff veterinarian. The CBA has been completed and reviewed by our Finance Committee and Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors voted unanimously to begin the process of hiring a full-time vet assistant and full-time veterinarian to work at Centre County PAWS. This is a huge and exciting step for us as an organization!
Why?
There are a lot of qualitative reasons why PAWS needs full-time veterinary help. Our volunteers who work with the animals regularly all have their own individual examples of times when they wished we had a vet on staff with us. The primary answers that make now the right time are cost savings, decreased length of stay for our animals, continuity of care, and ability to help the community more readily and broadly.
- Cost savings - As any pet owner knows from their own personal experience, the cost of veterinary care has risen dramatically in the past 3 years. A cost-benefit-analysis conducted in 2023 shows that, despite our local vets’ generosity, our average cost per animal has markedly increased. Overall, it should be more cost effective to hire a staff veterinarian than to continue to send out veterinary care.
- Decreased Length of Stay - Completion of non-urgent, basic care can take weeks to be completed. These are weeks when an animal is unable to be placed up for adoption, yet is still relying on PAWS resources. One recent example is Leia, a beautiful senior kitty who had a history of urinary issues. When she was surrendered to PAWS, while otherwise acting normally, our volunteers quickly noted that she was urinating blood. An outsourced ultrasound showed that she has a large bladder stone that is causing her discomfort and irritation. She is currently being kept comfortable in a foster home awaiting surgery. The whole process from intake to ultrasound to surgery will be about 5 weeks. With an on-staff veterinarian, the process could be reduced to just a few days and all be done without multiple trips to another facility, which is helpful for a shy gal like Leia.
- Continuity of Care - Our animals will be able to see the same vet who knows them and can closely monitor their status and progress over time. We currently rely on another hospital’s schedule and often must send a single animal to a variety of vets, favoring speed of care over continuity. With an on-staff veterinarian, we can have both.
- Community Assistance - PAWS’ vision is to build a compassionate Centre Region where animals thrive. PAWS aims to lead the way by serving as a premier resource for companion animals and their caregivers. Having a staff veterinarian will allow us to help the community more readily and broadly through vaccination and microchip clinics, reduced cost care for stray animals, and an expanded Spay/Neuter Assistance Program.
When?
We posted the Vet Assistant position internally and promoted our Medical Assistant, Catie, to a full-time position. We are hopeful that we can have a vet in and working with our animals later this year. During the window of time when we are searching for a vet, Catie will begin prepping our medical area alongside our Medical Manager, Colin, and our volunteer medical team. This will include moving in additional equipment, working on updating Standard Operating Procedures, setting up inventory and tracking systems, and much more.
How?
When comparing how much we spend to outsource our animals for non-basic medical care versus how much we would spend on payroll, supplies, and related expenses, it makes financial sense to hire a veterinarian and an assistant. PAWS sees this decision as a reallocation of funds that would previously be spent externally to being spent (or saved) internally. Additionally, we’ll be able to offer brand new community programs, some of which may save us funds while others may actually bring in income.
Can I help?
You can help by donating to our On the Mend Fund today! While our CBA shows that now is the right time to hire a vet from a cost perspective, that is counting on your continued financial support to make it sustainable. Donations toward medical care, once a veterinarian is hired, will be utilized primarily toward staff time and expertise as well as supplies. There will also still be animals who require care that we may be unable to provide at the PAWS facility. Some examples include procedures reliant on x-rays, essential dental work, and overnight hospitalization at our local vet offices.
