Skip Navigation

Area animal protection and adoption organizations facing a significant increase in animals

Staffing shortages making the problem worse

  • Scott LaMar

 iStock

Listen to Smart Talk every weekday at 9am and 7pm on WITF 89.5 & 93.3. You can also stream WITF radio live on our website or ask your smart speaker to “Play WITF Radio.”

Airdate: Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Last week, the York County SPCA announced its Animal Resource Center was holding more than 320 animals waiting to be adopted in a space designed for 240. Did people just stop adopting animals, especially when we heard that more people were adopting pets during the pandemic?

The cause of the overcrowding and slow adoption rates is not enough workers — not enough veterinary technicians or customer service representatives.

And according to the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement it’s national problem. In a recent blog post, the AAWA said, “There are presently about 7,000 openings for veterinarians across the country, with the number of openings for veterinary technicians even higher – and not enough veterinary professionals to fill these positions.

Tuesday’s Smart Talk addresses the labor issue and what it may mean for the animals.

Appearing on the program are Steven Martinez, Executive Director of the York County SPCA (Society for the Prevention and Cruelty to Animals) and Karel Minor, CEO & President of Humane Pennsylvania.

Support for WITF is provided by:

Become a WITF sponsor today »

Support for WITF is provided by:

Become a WITF sponsor today »

Up Next
Smart Talk

Philadelphia artist explores the intersection of art, science and technology