Animal Services Hosts Relief Veterinarians to Expand and Assist Surgical Efforts

EL PASO, Texas — The City of El Paso Animal Services Department is receiving support from a team of traveling veterinarians who will provide surgical and medical needs for pets at the animal shelter.

Currently, there are more than 3,000 pets awaiting surgery at the Animal Services shelter and in foster homes. During the next few weeks, eight veterinarians from Operation Kindness and other relief surgeons will work at the shelter to provide surgical assistance.

The added support will provide approximately 2,000 surgical procedures for pets at the shelter, and pets currently in foster waiting for a spay/neuter surgery.

The innovative approach of expanding medical capabilities through the assistance of visiting veterinarians is a continued response to the nationwide shortage of veterinarians, which is affecting the El Paso region with more than 20 veterinarian vacancies citywide.

The coordination and ability to host traveling veterinarians has been made possible through the partnership with Operation Kindness, a Dallas-based animal welfare organization, and Petco Love, who is sponsoring the event.

So far this year, Animal Services has hosted four traveling relief veterinarians to assist with surgical needs. Animal Services remains in contact with additional relief veterinarians to continue this effort in the coming months.

While the nationwide shortage of veterinarians does put a strain on the community, both at the shelter and in private clinics, Animal Services continues to find innovative approaches to providing medical care to the thousands of pets that enter the shelter every year.

To learn more about the services provided by the Animals Services Shelter or to adopt or foster a shelter pet, visit www.elpasoanimalservices.org.