Results from the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) have found that veterinary wages have increased for both vets and managers in hospitals across the US.
The organization’s 2021 compensation and benefits survey found that full-time associate veterinarians were earning a median salary of $120,000, up from $98,000 in 2019.
The median salary for practice managers also increased by 9%, from $55,000 to $60,000. This is slightly above inflation, which peaked at 6% between the two surveys.
For more on this story, click here.
AVMA Talks About Worker-Wellbeing & Advocacy During Conference
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) provided key updates on some of the profession’s most pressing issues during its most recent Veterinary Leadership Conference.
The organization’s head economist, Matthew J. Salois, Ph.D., spoke on several topics, including that of the current state of veterinary workplaces. In his talk, he highlighted that although demand had increased during the pandemic, spending and visits were starting to return to pre-pandemic levels.
Inflation is also having a knock-on impact on the cost of care:
‘At a 7% price increase growth rate, the average cost of veterinary care to a pet owner will double in about 10 years,’ Dr. Salois said. ‘So clearly, we have an affordability challenge that needs to be on our minds.’
For more on this story, click here.
No Rise in RCVS Annual Renewal Fees for Second Year Running
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has announced that they will not increase annual renewal fees for the second year running.
The fee will remain at £364 for UK-practising members, £182 for members practicing outside the UK, and £60 for non-practicing members. Veterinary nurses will also continue to pay £74 a year.
RCVS Treasurer Niall Connell said:
‘We understand that many veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses will have been impacted financially over the last couple of years, and we appreciate that this has been a very difficult time for the professions. We are pleased that we can keep fees static for a second year running, whilst maintaining a strong program of strategic projects that help to set, uphold and advance standards within the professions.’
For more on this story, click here.
Vets Share Their Concerns Around Hairless French Bulldog Importation
Vets across the UK have expressed concern around reports that the first hairless litter of bulldogs has been imported into Scotland.
The report came from the RCVS’s Brachycephalic Working Group (BWG), an organization that helps tackle the unethical breeding of flat-faced dogs.
The British Veterinary Association’s (BVA) president, Justine Shotton, described the revelation as ‘extremely concerning’.
‘Reports that a litter of hairless French bulldog-crosses has been brought into the UK are extremely concerning. As a profession, we have a real responsibility to say that while we care deeply for each existing animal, unscrupulous breeding for novelty looks without thought to animal welfare is not okay,’ she said.
‘We have been raising concerns over the issues with brachycephaly and other extreme conformations for many years now, following a social media-fuelled burst in popularity among consumers who are often unaware of the potentially serious health and welfare issues that accompany such breeding.’
For more on this story, click here.
Queensland Vets Confused by Rules Forcing Asymptomatic Close Contacts to Isolate
Vets in Queensland have been left ‘perplexed’ after covid rules have forced them to isolate even if they are asymptomatic. Unlike large animal vets, small animal practitioners are not deemed ‘critical workers’ and therefore not exempt from isolation rules.
This has left many vets concerned that shortages could stop owners from being able to access care.
‘We’re unclear as to why Queensland hasn’t said that all veterinary services are highly impacted … we’re perplexed,’ said Dr. Secombe, a spokesperson for the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA).
‘Veterinarians and veterinary teams are telling us that they are highly impacted, that they have a lot of staff who are unwell with COVID and then on top of that they have double that amount of staff having to quarantine because they are close contacts’.
In response, Queensland Health told the ABC news that:
‘Queensland has made a provision, similar to other provisions made throughout the pandemic, for essential services or sectors to continue operating in as safe a manner as possible.
‘If an industry is not listed, employers can still request a class or individual exemptions for their workers.’
For more on this story, click here.
How Employers Can Make Their Teams Feel Valued
With valentine’s day approaching, it’s prime time for employers to think about how they can show their teams a little love.
But what are some of the ways employers can show their employees that they value them? Wellbeing perks, such as free eye tests, gym memberships, health programs, and health packages can be a great way of conveying this.
Engaging employees outside of the workplace (through work drinks, seasonal events, etc) can also be a fantastic way of showing appreciation and improving work relationships.
For more advice, click here.
