If you've been having trouble getting in with a veterinarian, you're not imagining it. Across the country, pet care is increasingly hard to come by, and more vets are leaving the job.

Alaska’s capital city, Juneau, has lost roughly half of its veterinarians since the pandemic began. Pet owners often have to wait several weeks for an appointment, surgery is scarce, and 24/7 emergency care doesn’t exist. Now, a local animal shelter is stepping up to try and fill the gap for desperate pet owners, who often have nowhere else to turn. 

In an industry rife with burnout, turnover, and high suicide rates, veterinarians and vet technicians are being forced to choose between taking care of animals and taking care of themselves.

Featuring: Tracy Ward, Jocelyn Andrea, Krista Miller, Sam Smith, Sam Blankenship

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, reach out to the folks at the Crisis Text Line, a texting service for emotional crisis support. To speak with a trained listener, text HELLO to 741741. It is free, available 24/7, and confidential.

LINKS

A professor at Auburn University looked into the role pentobarbital plays in suicides among veterinarians and vet techs. 

The American Veterinary Medical Association broke down the reasons why it’s tough to find veterinary care these days. 

The USDA has a cool map of places that are experiencing a shortage in veterinary care. 

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CREDITS

Host: Nate Hegyi

Reported and produced by Nate Hegyi

Editing by Taylor Quimby

Additional editing help from Justine Paradis, Felix Poon, Rebecca Lavoie and Jessica Hunt. 

Rebecca Lavoie is our Executive Producer

Music for this episode by Blue Dot Sessions. 

Our theme music is by Breakmaster Cylinder.

Outside/In is a production of New Hampshire Public Radio