MOKENA, IL — A Mokena-based animal shelter that has served the region for more than a decade finds itself in crisis mode after its long-time veterinarian announced plans to leave the shelter next month.
NAWS, a not-for-profit no-kill shelter, announced on social media that the facility’s medical clinic veterinarian will be leaving the job on July 15. While the shelter’s spay and neuter clinic will remain open three days a week, the facility faces the fear of closing for good, the facility’s manager told Patch on Thursday, because of the substantial loss in income that is associated with not having a full-time veterinarian on-site.
Even if the shelter can remain open, facility manager Fran Grzesik said, the number of animals that can be treated on a daily basis will be affected tremendously.
Find out what's happening in Mokenawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
In a letter to supporters, the organization’s Board of Directors wrote that the situation has put the entire organization “at risk of closing” if a replacement veterinarian cannot be found. NAWS does not typically adopt pets out unless they are fully spayed, neutered, and fully vaccinated. While certified veterinary technicians can carry out some of the duties associated with treating animals, they are unable to do so without the supervision of a doctor.
A surgeon will remain on-site to do spaying and neutering, but losing the full-time vet has created an unexpected crisis, officials told Patch. The sudden nature of the current veterinarian’s departure has left employees and board members alike, scrambling as they attempt to figure out next steps.
Find out what's happening in Mokenawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“We’re all in a panic, to say the least,” Grzesik told Patch on Thursday.
The facility’s current veterinarian typically sees pets 4-5 days a week and is the only person qualified to carry out certain medical procedures. In addition to seeing local pets as well as treating pets that are being adopted out, the clinic provides local residents with a low-cost option as opposed to taking their pets to a private veterinarian.
The clinic provides a large majority of funding for NAWS, which is now at risk while the facility is without a full-time veterinarian after July 15. The facility’s phone message already instructs pet owners or those looking to adopt seeking appointments after July 15 not to leave a message and says that open appointment times before that date are quickly filling up.
In addition to the income that is generated by the clinic, NAWS Board President Jeannine Huck said that the organization pays rent on its facility and has other fixed costs to cover in addition to caring for a number of animals the organization has committed to caring for. Board members estimate that they would need $35,000 each month to keep the organization afloat, Huck said Thursday, but she said that if a long-term solution cannot be found, the risk of having to close for good remains a good possibility.
“That’s the scary part — not knowing,” Huck told Patch on Thursday.
She added: “(Closing) is a real risk. …If we don’t find that (full-time) veterinarian, we won’t be able to restart that income engine and if funding drops off in any way, (closing) is a real threat. We’re taking it seriously and we’re campaigning in a serious way because we don’t want to go away. We’re going to claw and scrape and do whatever we need to do so we don’t (close). But we can’t feel safe until we’ve identified that vet to come on board with us.”
NAWS traditionally adopt out between 3,000 and 4,000 pets a year and was on pace to adopt out around 5,000 pets this year. The clinic is typically booked out 3-4 weeks in advance and while the facility is looking at using relief veterinarians who may be able to help out on a day-to-day basis, not having a permanent veterinarian on-site puts NAWS’ long-term sustainability in question.
While the facility could remain open, the number of animals the shelter can treat will be affected dramatically if a full-time veterinarian cannot be found, Grzesik said.
NAWS’ Board of Directors has started a search for a new veterinarian, but because of the volume of work involved at the shelter, the unique work environment may not be appealing to veterinarians looking to work in a private setting. The facility’s manager said that the organization is looking for fill-in vets who may be able to provide temporary relief. But NAWS officials realize because of the volume of work involved and the surroundings in which that work is done, they are asking a lot for a replacement for their current veterinarian.
“It’s asking a lot of people,” Grzesik said. “There are a lot more opportunities in the area that are more sparkly or that are a lot more appealing because it is a difficult job sometimes working in shelter medicine.”
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
Click Here: Wilfred Ndidi Jersey Sale