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VETERINARY SERVICES continued: <br />3. On-Call - <br />The Shelter Vet must be available for consultation and advice at any time of the day or <br />night. Emergencies happen at all times and the Vet must be willing to direct the staff in <br />emergency situations and must be willing to come to the shelter in some cases. <br />4. Emergency Vet Service - <br />The shelter now uses the PETS Emergency Clinic in Durham. They accept all injured <br />wildlife free of charge and will stabilize injured domestic animals that have been hit by a <br />car, shot, or mutilated, or who are freezing, burned, or suffering from one of a multitude of <br />life-threatening illnesses. These and many other emergencies are common. PETS is open <br />to handle after-hours emergencies and local vets have cooperated for years in handling <br />daytime calls from the shelter. <br />COST: The agreement for many years was that PETS would handle wildlife (deer hit by car, <br />etc.) at no charge. This may or may not continue. There is an agreed upon limit on cost ($75) to <br />stabilize an apparently owned animal brought to them. Every effort will be made to find the owner <br />and recoup the cost, but that is not always possible. The budgeted amount for this service is <br />$5500 per year or $458 per month. This cost can rise or fall depending on the month and <br />frequency of the emergencies. <br />NOTE: <br />It is very difficult to find one vet who can perform all the above-described tasks well, who has the <br />necessary expertise, and who is able to provide the necessary service within a reasonable work <br />week. Dr. Schopler was able to expertly handle all but the after-hours Emergency Vet Service <br />and did a remarkable job. There are very few practitioners that have his surgical, diagnostic, and <br />teaching skills. <br />The County may contract out the veterinary service or HSOC can undertake the veterinary <br />responsibility. The Vet or Vets must meet the above qualifications and be able to handle all duties <br />in an extremely superior manner. The lives of thousands of animals will rest in their hands. <br />39 <br />