Is Your Vet Just In It For The Money?

Q: What's the difference between a lawyer and a catfish? 
A: One is a scum-sucking bottom feeder and the other is a fish!

It's a fairly well known joke, but it typifies how certain professions or occupations are viewed.  We tend to think of some, such as nurses or teachers, as dedicated to helping their clients.  Others, such as lawyers are seen as only being interested in how much they can earn.  Strangely, doctors tend to move from one end to another depending on their specialty.  I know these are generalizations but it is the way most of us see the world.

When we think of vets we tend to place them in the former category.  Their driving force is thought to be the welfare of the animals, but is this necessarily true?  Unfortunately, I know of some cases where the vet in question holds more in common with the lawyer than the nurse or teacher (or even the doctor).  A good measure is how much your vet is involved with their local rescue facilities.  Those who are in it for the animals tend to offer extensive services to such shelters and disregard the loss of profit caused by the discounted services that they provide.  If money is the driving force they will have little to do with the rescue facilities because providing services cuts into their bottom line.  I know of one vet who will not even allow strays or rescues on his property.  Perhaps we owe it to our dogs to ask what our vet's relationship is with the rescue shelters!!!!!

Have you asked?