Pet owners are facing limited options after staffing issues are forcing some veterinary clinics to cut back on their hours of operation.
Throughout the state of New Mexico, there is only one 24/7 emergency vet clinic.
“I knew with human doctors we had this kind of shortage problem but you know I didn’t really think bigger picture,” Michelle Holubiack, a pet owner, told KRQE.
Holubiack’s dog, Chance, was in need of treatment after being attacked by her neighbor's dogs. ”I was panicked. I came home to my dog sitting in a pool of blood,” Holubiack said. “I got home around midnight and so I like frantically called several clinics in Albuquerque and while they were open they didn’t have a doctor.”
She was referred to the Roadrunner Vet Emergency Clinic in Algodones. The clinic is owned by Ashlee Andrews, who splits time between there and the offices in Albuquerque.
“There was really a need for another ER and we didn’t necessarily think we could do it better we just thought there needed to be another one,” Andrews said. She said it’s a struggle to stay open.
“Staffing is a huge issue,” she said. “Staffing 24 hours is really hard and with COVID staffing has gotten harder in general.”
Being the only 24/7 clinic in the state, Roadrunner is swamped. “We routinely have people from the four corners, from Durango, Pagosa area,” Andrews said.
Holubiack was grateful. “I didn't care how long it would take,” Holubiack said, adding Chance is on the road to recovery.
Andrews is hoping to move to a bigger location in Albuquerque by the end of the year.
