CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Two years ago, 3NEWS reported a serious shortage of veterinarians willing to locate to the Coastal Bend.
For new Corpus Christi resident and pet owner Diamond Gullett, it doesn't seem that the problem has gotten any better as she shops around for the best veterinarian prices.
"The prices are quite high here," Gullett said. "It has been difficult and as I said I do have three pets of my own. So the bills do add up."
One of the main reasons for the higher pet care costs is the shortage of veterinarians. And according to the managing veterinarian at Doddridge Animal Clinic, Dr. Sofia Delcambre, the number of pet owners has grown since 2020.
"We saw a big rise in pet ownership in 2020 during COVID," Delcambre said. "Ever since then we've just been extra busy and it's just stayed that way."
She explained how students will pay off their loans could be the biggest factor.
"It has to be something that you're extra passionate about," Delcambre said. "And it has to be your calling in order for you to decide to make that sacrifice."
The last time we reported on the veterinarian shortage, the Animal Rehabilitation Keep in Port Aransas couldn't fill their staff veterinarian position until sometime later.
"We were able to find one and hire one on a part-time basis. It was a way to overcome the fact that, yeah there are very few out there," A.R.K. director Katie Swanson said.
Even Jesse Gilbert who is in charge at the Texas State Aquarium said it's a concern for him if another staff veterinarian is ever needed. This problem is not unique to the Coastal Bend, but all over the nation, people are screaming for veterinarians and the shortage is going to get worse.
Jackie McCollough with the Gulf Coast Humane Society said the problem especially impacts non profits like local animal shelters.
"I think the figure stands right now that there are four to five thousand open positions that are unable to be filled right now in the country," McCollough said. "And by 2030 that is expected to reach over 20,000 jobs."
She said one answer for shelters and some clinics is traveling veterinarians, much like traveling nurses who will visit a city once or more a month for a day or two at a time.
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