Veterinarians?

No worries, I'm not going to ask you to diagnose my cat =) I've had an idea rolling around and since I've got a couple days that I can't get anything done, I thought I'd go ahead and see if I can't waste a little time on dreams.

I need some veterinarians (and/or vet techs) who are willing to answer some questions about how things are done/handled in an office. Someone who owns their own office would be ideal. I might ask some questions that you aren't willing to answer, and you get full rights to skip questions or ignore me completely.

I shouldn't take up much of your time, just a couple of PMs, and like I said, you have veto power on the questions.

EDIT: If you don't want to PM, you can e-mail me at [email protected]

 

It just goes into the catch-all, which already gets so much spam it's disgusting. Having it sent to a certain address just lets me search a little easier. I have several domain names I use for sorting, the geologyrox.com is sort of my spam-holder =)

 

Well, here's how it is: my old hometown is planning on bulding its first animal shelter. They actually have some good funding behind them, for the first time ever. My first boss is the mayor of that small town, and he and I have talked about this forever. He's good friends with the woman in charge of the shelter, and I'm going to dinner with them in a couple of weeks.

I've got the basic business degree, worked with (some really impressive) animal rescue groups in college, and I've got some ideas to submit. Unfortunately, I don't know any of the dollar signs involved in vet services, or any idea what would qualify as 'stepping on toes' within the community. I don't want to walk in with ideas that have no way of working.

Unfortunately, I think I need some actual vets - I may end up asking some questions down the line, tnthub, but right now I'm just trying to check feasibility.

 

Actually, a big part of what I'm thinking about is having the shelter actually have a vet on staff - As you say, they have it rough - and from what I have found, the pay isn't more than would be possible to offer. I have this rough sketch of how the city could use the grant to start a shelter that provides (all cash only) service to the low-income bracket and emergency services (probably at market prices, also cash only) and ends up with a balanced budget at the end of the year. It sounds awfully idealistic (it is awfully idealistic) but my friend is being pretty optimistic with me.

There are already local programs that have set qualifications for low-income owners to be able to book free spays and neuters, and low cost shots, with local vets at certain events or days. The county gives the vets a (basically) nominal fee for these - they participate out of good will, and because it generates new clients. I'm a little unsure of how vets would feel about losing that 'income.' I'd love ideas on how to make this a win-win situation all around. We wouldn't be in the business of being competition, and there are many other ways for them to work with the public.