POLK

Leesburg, Indiana 46538

Ph. 574-453-2411

The Fulton County Parks and Recreation Board has started the process of revising its Fulton County Parks and Recreation 5-Year Master Plan. As a supporter of Fulton County Parks, your input into the future direction of the Fulton County Parks and Recreation Board would be greatly appreciated.

Please complete the survey and return with one of the following options: Scan the QR code or use the link below for an online form: https://forms.gle/paew1F4gugtxsjP67

Mail to:

Fulton County Parks and Recreation PO Box 462 Rochester, IN 46975 fultoncoparks@rtcol.com

STAKEHOLDER QUESTIONS

1. What are the main issues that must be dealt with in the next five years to ensure adequate park and recreation services in Fulton County?

2. Are there any programs, services or facilities that you feel the Fulton County Parks and Recreation Department should provide for county residents?

3. The Parks Department currently receives no tax money. Do you believe that park and recreation services should receive some tax support?

4. Do you know of any organizations or service providers who would be interested in partnering with the Fulton County Parks Department to help with programming or the development and maintenance of the Fulton County Parks?

5. Do you see the need for any of the following types of park and recreation amenities in Fulton County in the future?

Local veterinarians discuss reasons for shortages

The United States is currently experiencing a serious shortage of veterinarians for both large and small animals. The problem became more widely reported following the COVID-19 pandemic, but in many rural areas the problem has been around for much longer.

6. Is there anything we have not asked you, need to ask you or you want to share with us?

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, over 500 counties across 46 states reported critical shortages in large animal care in 2022. Mars Veterinary Health has projected 41,000 vets will need to enter the small animal practice in the next 10 years to meet the health care needs of pets in 2030. However, only about 2,500 graduates per year are becoming vets, compared to 2,000 retiring per year. Also, the turnover rate for veterinarian technicians before the pandemic was 23.4%, twice as high as it was for physicians at that time. Vet techs’starting wage is less than that earned at McDonald’s.

While COVID is getting much of the blame in the media, anecdotal evidence from local vets corroborates early findings by the American Veterinary Medical Association that the shortages are resulting from systemic problems predating the pandemic.

One of those problems is economics. “A lot of it has to do with pay,” said Dr. Bill Howard of Akron Veterinary Clinic. The cost of education for human or animal medicine is roughly the same; however, where a human medical doctor can expect upwards of $200,000 per year, a starting vet earns around $60,000.

Howard turned down scholarships to medical schools to be a veterinarian. Then, like many others, after opening his own small, rural business, he was stunned by the number of pet owners who refused to pay, which cost him dearly and eventually forced him to limit his services.

Once, while shopping, he overheard someone “bragging” about not paying their vet bill.“A small business cannot afford to lose that much money,” he explained.

Dr. Cindy Fouts of Fouts Veterinary Care in Macy has been a vet for 30 years. During that time she has seen many changes in the farm community, which have also affected her profession. The proliferation of larger, corporate livestock farms, for example, has led to greater specialization, she said.

But perhaps the greatest threat to veterinarians is burnout. Veterinarians, for obvious reasons, tend to be animal lovers. “We devote a lot of emotional energy to our patients and clients. We want to see every case resolved to a positive conclusion. When a pet passes, we can take that hard.”

Howard described situations early

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