City and County of Denver, CO

10/14/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/14/2024 11:37

Denver Animal Shelter Partners with DPS to Respond to Vet Shortage

Denver Animal Shelter Partners with DPS to Respond to Vet Shortage

Published on October 14, 2024

As part of National Veterinary Technician Week, Denver Animal Shelter (DAS) is hosting Denver Public Schools (DPS) students to expose them to career pathways in veterinary professions which are experiencing dire worker shortages nationally.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that over 40,000 new veterinarian jobswill open by 2030 and over 150,000 vet tech positionswill open up before decade's end. These numbers correspond to shortages across thousands of veterinary clinics and animal shelters in Colorado and the U.S. While aseparate studyreveals Colorado has the highest demand for veterinarians and animal hospitals in America.

An estimated 155 students from nine DPS elementary, middle and high schools will descend on DAS from Oct. 15-Oct. 18, for this unique educational experience. Students will tour the shelter, meet animal care professionals, including presentations from staff veterinarians and veterinarian technicians-all the while discovering the rewarding possibilities of careers within animal welfare. DPS students will also visit Dumb Friends League and CSU Spur for a similar experience.

Media are invited to attend a student tour at Denver Animal Shelter, 1241 W. Bayaud Ave. Please RSVP to[email protected]

Tuesday, Oct. 15

  • Bryant Webster Elementary, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

This group of students primarily speaks Spanish

Wednesday, Oct. 16

  • Kepner Beacon and Kunsmiller Middle School students, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
  • North High School students, 12:30-2:30 p.m.

DAS is part of a group made up of metro-area veterinary and animal welfare organizations, including Dumb Friends League and CSU Spur, who came together to look for solutions to a continued shortage of vet professionals. Engaging students early on is one way to build a pipeline for future animal welfare careers.

This shortage has led some clinics and practices to cut back on hours, reduce appointments, and cancel spay/neuter efforts. The problem started when the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns halted surgeries and closed clinics. As the need for affordable veterinary services rose, the availability of such services declined. This shortage is driving up prices. Higher prices limit access to care for those with low incomes.

"We are thrilled to welcome students to our shelter and give them a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to care for animals in need," said Melanie Sobel, Director of Denver Animal Shelter. "By exposing young people to careers in veterinary medicine, animal rescue, and shelter operations, we hope to inspire the next generation of animal care professionals."

Students participating in the event will get a look at daily shelter operations, from medical care, animal care and the adoption process, and hear from shelter staff about their roles, share career advice, and answer student questions.

This event is part of a broader initiative to raise awareness about the critical role veterinary technicians and animal care professionals play in communities across the country. With a growing demand for veterinary services and animal rescue support, the event aims to spark an interest in students to pursue education and careers in this field.

National Veterinary Technician Week serves as a reminder of the vital contributions veterinary technicians make in animal care. At DAS, six vet techs work tirelessly in our clinic, lab and operating room, using their technical and scientific knowledge to treat and care for a multitude of animal species. This event highlights their work and the broader opportunities available within the animal welfare sector.

Denver Animal Shelteris an open-admission shelter which never turns any animal away, serves the community 365 days a year, is staffed withAnimal Protectionofficers who provide 24/7 animal rescue, and offers kennels for overnight drop-offs of stray and unwanted animals. It is home to over 8,700 lost and abandoned pets each year.