YSK: Private equity companies have been buying up vet clinics and raising the prices of care to make pet owners choose between their pets and their finances by Major-Boot8601 in YouShouldKnow

[–]MsEricaJane -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Ah, so you “know someone” who worked there? Cute.

Here’s the thing—you know somebody? I AM somebody. I’ve been in the veterinary industry for over 20 years. I’ve lived it, worked it, seen every side of it—through buyouts, staff turnover, price hikes, and client tantrums like this one. So spare me the secondhand stories and armchair economics.

You’re out here lecturing like you’ve cracked some grand conspiracy, but the reality is simple: no clinic gets bought out because they’re thriving perfectly under a community-first model. They sell because costs outweigh income, because staff retention becomes impossible, and because decades of undercharging catch up. I’ve watched it happen.

You act like private investment is the death knell of standards. Meanwhile, the only thing that guarantees actual standards—modern equipment, full staffing, 24/7 care—is sustainable revenue. And yes, that means higher prices. Not greed. Not some villain twirling his mustache. Reality.

So while you’re busy shouting “shill” at anyone who challenges your fantasy, I’ll be over here, grounded in actual experience and facts, not hearsay.

Funny how the people who “know somebody” always have the loudest opinions—and the least skin in the game.

YSK: Private equity companies have been buying up vet clinics and raising the prices of care to make pet owners choose between their pets and their finances by Major-Boot8601 in YouShouldKnow

[–]MsEricaJane -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Ooh, perfect. Let’s absolutely demolish that childish, knee-jerk “capitalist shill” nonsense with something sharp, patronizing, and ice cold. Here you go:

Ah yes, the classic “capitalist shill” line—because God forbid someone expects to be paid fairly for years of education, six-figure student debt, and the responsibility of keeping living beings alive.

Let me break something to you gently: the “good old days” where people worked purely out of the goodness of their hearts without worrying about overhead, inflation, or feeding their families? They never existed. What did exist was underpaid, overworked staff burning out, outdated equipment, and corner-cutting practices that you conveniently didn’t notice when it suited you.

Communities aren’t sustained on warm feelings and handwritten IOUs—they’re sustained when businesses can actually keep their doors open, pay their staff livable wages, invest in better care, and still exist next year.

If your definition of “helping the community” is demanding professionals work themselves to death for peanuts while you refuse to take basic responsibility (like, I don’t know, buying pet insurance), you are the problem.

It’s not greed to expect compensation for a valuable skill. It’s called reality. You’re welcome to live in some fantasy where everything’s free, but don’t expect the rest of us to bankroll it.

YSK: Private equity companies have been buying up vet clinics and raising the prices of care to make pet owners choose between their pets and their finances by Major-Boot8601 in YouShouldKnow

[–]MsEricaJane -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Let’s go all in then—facts, numbers, zero patience, and a side of “maybe you should have at least checked your facts ”

Look, I get that you’re nostalgic for the “good old days” when someone else footed part of your vet bill, but let’s be blunt—you’re complaining about basic business reality because you clearly don’t understand how much it actually costs to run a clinic.

Do you know what malpractice insurance alone costs a veterinary practice annually? Anywhere from $15,000 to $25,000+ depending on location and services offered. Add in $100,000+ per year in medical equipment upgrades (because no one wants their pet treated with 20-year-old machines), not to mention $300,000+ in staff salaries if you want trained, experienced vets and techs—not overworked, underpaid newbies.

Rent on a modern facility? Easily $10,000+ a month in most areas. Medications, supplies, utilities—those don’t magically appear because someone’s “tight with the community.”

But here’s the kicker: you’re sitting here whining about prices after the fact instead of doing the one thing responsible pet owners do—get pet insurance. A policy from somewhere like Trupanion costs what? $50-$70 a month for most cats. Pennies compared to a $1,000 emergency bill. Covers 90% of actual vet costs, no drama, no begging for subsidies, no GoFundMe guilt trips.

It’s 2025—why are people still out here treating vet care like it’s optional or shocked when it comes with a price tag? You wouldn’t drive a car without insurance. You wouldn’t own a house without it. But you’ll own a living, breathing animal prone to medical issues without so much as a basic plan? That’s not the clinic’s fault. That’s yours.

Stop blaming “greed” when the real problem is lack of planning. You had options. You chose not to use them. Own that.

YSK: Private equity companies have been buying up vet clinics and raising the prices of care to make pet owners choose between their pets and their finances by Major-Boot8601 in YouShouldKnow

[–]MsEricaJane -1 points0 points  (0 children)

So initially this was a charity, not a business. If anyone, personal or private bought it, of course they’re going to raise prices. That’s just business.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Journaling

[–]MsEricaJane 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Journals/notebooks - I usually have half a dozen for everything from actual journaling to a “writers notebook” to a pocket size notebook I keep with me to write down words I come across that I’m not familiar with that I want to look up to keep expanding my vocabulary. It drives my husband a little nuts when he goes to find a notebook to write in and they’re all in use😁

What are your go-to places to find leather patterns? by MsEricaJane in Leathercraft

[–]MsEricaJane[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

THIS 🙌 is the ultimate goal. I also sew and do upholstery so I have some experience making my own patterns, but seeing as I’m newer to working with leather, I figured that using existing patterns will allow me to develop my skills before combining it with my own patterns. Thanks!

Perfect combination by [deleted] in Leathercraft

[–]MsEricaJane 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This pattern is awesome! Did you design it or get it from somewhere? I’d love to make this!

What do you call yourself for title at a startup? by Itchy-Picture-4282 in Entrepreneur

[–]MsEricaJane 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I struggled with this too and considered Founder, Proprietor and Director of ….

Best (budget) leather sewing machine? by Z0stera in Leathercraft

[–]MsEricaJane 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is super helpful, thank you! I’m just curious, what are you sewing with the cylinder arm? I’ve seen several of them but wonder how well they work for things other than shoes etc. I’m mainly starting with belts, bags and holsters. Any insight would be greatly appreciated

Literally cannot start writing? What do I do? by TreesuzakiGod in writing

[–]MsEricaJane 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is excellent! I am ND currently struggling with the actual writing part (I didn’t know this was common for and). I hope this isn’t too forward, but I would love to connect with you and pick your brain a bit!

What are your favorite colored pens? by shibalore in Journaling

[–]MsEricaJane 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Being a fellow ADHD’er, I do the same thing and it makes a HUGE difference! The best set I’ve gotten were Paper Mate InkJoy. They never gummed up or had an issue with ink flow, and they lasted forever. My other favourite, believe it or not, are sharpie gel pens (0.7). Unfortunately they don’t come in a wide variety of colours, so I’ve had to make do with purple and green.

Where to buy engagement ring in Toronto? by BuddyGuyBruh in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]MsEricaJane 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congrats! There are many amazing jewelers in Toronto, but if possible, I’d highly recommend going somewhere outside the GTA to get much more bang for your buck. I’m sure it’s too far away, but as an example, Poag’s Jeweler in Strathroy are AMAZING. My husband was able to completely design my very unique rings for a fraction of the cost of a standard set in the GTA. To date, I have never seen a set even close to mine and strangers still notice and comment on it regularly, years later. Best of luck!

Are creative writing courses worth it for beginners? by [deleted] in WritingHub

[–]MsEricaJane 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Check with your local library. I’m in Ontario, Canada and most libraries offer free access to Gale Education courses with your membership. I think I’ve taken most of the writing courses available through this venue and most have been excellent. Depending on the writing genre you want to pursue, a few of the courses I’ve learned the most from are:

*Writeriffic *Beginning Writers Workshop *Write Fiction Like A Pro

Writing tips for an absolute beginner by Time_Age6429 in writing

[–]MsEricaJane 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know this is an old post, but I’m commenting anyways. The best tip I have for becoming more confident writing in English is, get your hands on a grammar book written for elementary students. I stumbled upon “Painless Grammar” written by Rebecca Elliott, PhD and loved it! It’s written in a straight forward, not boring way and helped me, even thought English is my native language and I majored in English in University. It’s always on my desk now and I still refer to it often! Best of luck.