We Are Seeing The Pet Booms Effect On Quad City Clinics

It seems as though the pet boom of 2020 and 2021 has left many veterinarians and veterinary clinics overworked and burned out compared to past years.

According to a COVID-19 study by the American Pet Products Association (APPA), 12.6 million U.S. households got a new pet last year after the pandemic was declared in March of 2020.

It's not just the Quad Cities, clinics all over the US have been seeing major scheduling difficulties. Patients are finding themselves filling out forms online or by phone pre-appointment due to the high demand. This has been going on for quite some time too.

I myself got a cat over the pandemic and had to be put on a 3 to the 4-month waiting list to get her spayed. I was at first thrown off by how long the wait was. I grew up in a family that rescued cats and other animals. Past years had us scheduled for an appointment with only a week or two waiting.

This pet boom has pushed many clinics short-staffed and seeking more workers.

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According to KWQC,  a 24-hour emergency and specialty hospital in Brooklyn called verge, reported a 40% jump in emergency care since the pandemic began. It appears that jumps in animal patients are popping up everywhere.

As of right now, it looks like animals both big and small are getting the love they deserve from their owners, but this is leading to more vet calls and appointments. Add this to the boom of pet adoptions during COVID and you've got a shortage of time slots in veterinary clinics.

To everyone who is fighting for our pets in these clinics and keeping them safe, and healthy, I would like to say thank you for all your hard work!