Online vitriol in the case of Roxy the Goldendoodle is nothing new
A couple of weeks ago, CTV News published an atrociously biased story on a dog who was “reunited” with her family after being surrendered to a clinic whose alleged $8,000 emergency quote the family could not afford. The article, which lacked any semblance of journalistic integrity, was shared online and provided a forum for dozens of misinformed consumers to spew vitriolic comments about the apparent universal greed of veterinarians.
I don’t know the specifics of this situation. In fact, the clinic in question was legally prevented from commenting (read: defending itself) due to confidentiality regulations. Thus, I cannot provide any input on the legitimacy of the owners’ claims or the circumstances surrounding Roxy the Goldendoodle’s incident. What I can do, though, is explain the harm caused by the media’s portrayal of this event, as well as the baseless insults against vets doled out following the story’s release. Let’s start by getting one thing straight: veterinarians are not, contrary to popular belief, in it for the money. The schooling period for a doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) degree is just as long (if not longer) than that of a medical doctor (MD), except the professional salary is, if lucky, almost half as much. The long hours worked by a vet could be spent in far more lucrative positions if money were truly a driving factor for pursuit of the career. Secondly, when you pay a veterinary bill, the money does not (*gasp*) go straight to the vet’s bank account.
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Like any small business, clinics must cover overhead costs that include, but are not limited to:
- Staff salaries
- Utilities
- Rent/lease
- Insurance
- Taxes
- Equipment
- Supplies
These costs do not include debt payments of recent graduates, which average $40,000 to $65,000.
Thirdly, vets cannot be expected to work for free. Accusing a veterinarian of heartlessness because they request payment for their services or blaming them for a pet’s theoretical demise if they refuse free treatment is a form of toxic abuse that is not projected on other professionals. It would be absurd to hold a chef responsible for your starvation if they refused to provide free meals at a restaurant, so why should vets be held to a similar expectation?
Owners need to remember that pet ownership is a privilege, not a right. Bringing home an animal is a commitment that involves time, money, and — yes — unforeseen events. The frequent demand for payment plans is not feasible, given that most clinics lose thousands of dollars a year to unpaid accounts. Whether it’s pet insurance, a savings account, or a temporary loan, it is the responsibility of owners to ensure that they are prepared to give their animals the care they deserve.
Unbeknownst to many, a huge mental health crisis is currently plaguing the veterinary profession. The suicide rate among veterinarians is four times the rate of the general population.Despite their often A-type personalities, veterinarians are not magicians. They cannot diagnose your pet telekinetically, they cannot treat your pet over the phone, and, despite their greatest efforts, they cannot save every life brought to them.
Please remember that spewing misdirected hatred at these professionals not only fails to benefit your pet in any way, but also harms the humans who have dedicated their lives to caring for your furry friends.
Photo courtesy of CTV News via CC0