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TJO animal control says veterinary staffing shortage raises costs and shelter risk
Summary
TJO leaders described expanding community outreach and disaster-preparedness plans but said they lack a full-time veterinarian; staff warned cuts to professional services could increase euthanasia risk and said regional partnerships are helping bridge capacity gaps.
Heather (acting executive director) and Amy (TJO representative) told the hearing that the regional animal control shelter serving Springfield, Chicopee and Holyoke has expanded community outreach, microchipping and preparedness work but remains short of a full-time veterinarian.
"It's not just puppies and kittens and happy times," Amy said, describing the shelter's role in fires, dangerous-animal calls and public-safety quarantines. She said…
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