EAST ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Local animal rescues say Monroe County’s only 24-7 emergency vet is frequently turning them away.
News10NBC’s Declan Stablow reports Jolene Dettman with BuddyLove says about 8 of every 10 times they call Rochester Emergency Vet Services, they get told the vet is at capacity. When that happens, they’ll refer people to emergency vets in Buffalo, but Dettman says some patients aren’t making it in time.
“Community members like, okay, I’m hopping in the car, I’m going to Buffalo. And on the way, the dog’s having seizures and it passes in the back of the car, which is awful,” Dettman said.
Dettman says getting out to Buffalo during an emergency just isn’t realistic for a lot of people.
“Oftentimes people don’t have vehicles to drive their animals that far. It’s extra gas money. And those emergency vet clinics are usually more expensive than at a typical vet clinic,” Dettman said.
A few weeks ago, Dettman says BuddyLove waited for six hours after bringing in a litter of puppies it rescued. They did get parvo testing done but couldn’t get all the care they needed.
“They were unable to care for the puppies. So they were almost starved to death. And when we brought them to our vet later in the morning, it was determined that they were anemic,” Dettman said.
Dettman told Stablow she thinks the issue isn’t necessarily with REVS and this is due to an overall veterinarian shortage in the Rochester area.
REVS says the reason it’s turning people away is due to staffing issues. It says it did recently hire four new vets but it’s having trouble finding vet technicians.
BuddyLove and other local rescues are currently driving a mobile vet van up from Texas that will be staffed by the Genesee Community College vet tech program. Secondhand Dog Rescue is driving it up right now and says it should be here Thursday. BuddyLove is also hosting an adoption event Sunday at Ironsmoke Distillery in Fairport.
Some pet owners are even taking their pets’ medical needs into their own hands. They’re taking it to a new level with wearable health monitors. One product called Talktail fits around a dog’s neck like a collar.
READ MORE: Consumer Alert: No emergency vet available? Pet parents are looking to products for help
Rochester Emergency Vet Services in East Rochester turning away animals due to staffing shortage WHEC.com.
Hence then, the article about rochester emergency vet services in east rochester turning away animals due to staffing shortage was published today ( ) and is available on News10NBC ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Rochester Emergency Vet Services in East Rochester turning away animals due to staffing shortage )
Also on site :
- Labor Day, Patriot Day, Rosh Hashanah and More—Check Out All These September Holidays and Observances in 2026
- Bus crashes into parked cars at Portslade Station
- ‘Zynga Poker’ Teams With Keegan-Michael Key, ‘Righteous Gemstones’ Director Jody Hill for New ‘Inner Winner’ Ad Spots (EXCLUSIVE)