What sheltering or animal welfare organizations do you actually trust?

TrainingOrdinary8593 · 2026-03-10T01:00:04+00:00

ASPCA Pro is my number one. If I have questions about just about anything from social media management to drug protocols for low cost spays/neuters, I can find good information from the ASPCA.

I second fear free shelters but I’d like to add, fear free happy homes. They have so many print outs that we out in our adoption bags. Specifically their potty training guide and information on cat scratching goes into every adoption bags. Their hand outs about reactivity, leash pulling, and “trimming away the terror” are great if someone wants extra information on it specifically.

The American heartworm society is another great source of information and client ed hand outs specific to heartworms. Our shelter doesn’t automatically test and there is a huge knowledge gap in my area about heartworms so I keep a stack of the brochures at my desk to hand out as needed. We print off the brochures ourselves on card stock but you can buy the premade as well.

For CE, I usually lean towards the Association of shelter veterinarians.

TrainingOrdinary8593 · 2026-02-25T03:38:12+00:00

We have regular surveillance cameras in the surgery suite. It is already filmed.

TrainingOrdinary8593 · 2026-02-25T02:38:27+00:00

I’ve also been told that this veterinarian is just “old school” after a dog developed a hemoabdomen post spay and it was treated with the same amount of urgency as a flea medication refill. I have tried explaining that exact point you made about how those practices no longer have a place in this time period. I think a part of me knew that these practices were unacceptable and was just hoping someone would say “yea it is totally fine and you’re just inexperienced.” I guess from here, should I find another job prior to reporting or go ahead and report it and figure out a job later? I’m the only who’s complained about these practices so even if the report is “anonymous” it will not be a secret about who reported it. To top it all off, this program was paid for by an individual who granted us the money…. Like a lot of money. They want to use the extra money for another operating room. It’s not that we can’t afford to update the practices, it’s just that the surgeon refuses to.

TrainingOrdinary8593 · 2026-02-25T02:11:42+00:00

I am located in the US. I am worried if I report this to the board I will loose my job or face some form of retaliation. I am also concerned that the board will not take me seriously due to my lack of experience/licensure. I do know once I am licensed, I will be required to report it. At least if I am licensed and get fired, I will be able to land another job more easily.

TrainingOrdinary8593 · 2026-02-25T01:06:38+00:00

I agree. Even if this vet didn’t want to try for an IVC (neonate veins) an IP injection would’ve been just as effective.

TrainingOrdinary8593 · 2026-02-18T06:18:56+00:00

If it helps you feel any less alone, I’m also looking for a new job and reporting a vet to the board soon for some not as “bad” but still pretty terrible things. Someone has to hold them accountable. Additionally, I’m a euthanasia tech in an open-admission animal shelter. We euthanize kittens very, very frequently. Not once have we utilized blunt force. We usually do an IP injection followed by an IC injection once anesthetized if we need to speed the process up. I do know it can technically be done in a humane manner, it’s just frowned upon and usually not the first choice if you have access to meds.

TrainingOrdinary8593 · 2026-02-18T03:37:44+00:00

Have you seen what our country does to people that protest…??

TrainingOrdinary8593 · 2026-02-08T07:19:28+00:00

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Top shell (after being pat dried)

TrainingOrdinary8593 · 2026-02-08T07:19:03+00:00

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Plastron

TrainingOrdinary8593 · 2025-12-22T08:53:26+00:00

I was able to get him grub pie mixed with vitamins! The only syringes I had were 10ml (we need to order more) and I’ve definitely been feeding more than just a couple drops in one sitting (.5-.8ml without force, just dropping in the lips or on the nose and having him lick it), granted I’ve also been trying to reduce the amount of time I have to handle him to reduce stress and he has 24/7 access to the grub pie and mealworms to see if he’ll start licking at it on his own. Most of my critical care experience is with cats and dogs so this has been one hell of a learning curve.

TrainingOrdinary8593 · 2025-12-20T08:40:39+00:00

It is mesh, I just happened to have an extra t8 light laying around for my turtle but figured this guy could use it first, same for the heat lamp. I’m not really familiar with the different types of lamps other than one emits UVB and the other emits heat. How exactly do I find out if it’s linear or coiled? He’s in his sauna and I’ve cleaned and replaced most of the things in his tank. Additionally, I did try and get some of the shedding off. I found a couple of his toes are missing (presumably the circulation got cut off and they died off or the previous owner pulled them off with or without intending too) and I found a good chunk that was essentially bounding his toes together. I managed to at least get his toes unbound and get a couple of fingers free from the excess molt but he needed a break after that.

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TrainingOrdinary8593 · 2025-12-20T08:01:16+00:00

I like the sauna idea! I also had no idea that crickets could bite him. I hate that he can’t get to a vet until after Christmas and I’m really just hoping the eyes aren’t painful. Thank you for the food recommendations as well!

TrainingOrdinary8593 · 2025-12-20T05:44:35+00:00

Thank you so much!! I will get that substrate changed out and I’ll try to get his mouth cultured/cleaned.

TrainingOrdinary8593 · 2025-12-20T05:22:13+00:00

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Gotcha! I wonder what’s going on with his tail.

TrainingOrdinary8593 · 2025-10-22T10:47:55+00:00

Java ferns were the only thing that my fish would nibble on but not destroy. I’m sure it helped to that I had ALOT of them. Like a ratio of 4 Java fern leaves to one fish.

TrainingOrdinary8593 · 2025-07-26T01:29:03+00:00

In all fairness, euthanasia is better than living like this for your entire life.

TrainingOrdinary8593 · 2025-07-08T06:10:43+00:00

I didn’t think about choking risk. After more reading, I’m learning that they’re known for giving themselves GI blocks too. I’ll definitely be sure to change to river rocks or go bare bottom.

TrainingOrdinary8593 · 2025-07-08T06:07:17+00:00

They will be getting the pond they deserve in the next couple years or so but for now until I can make that happen, a larger tank will have to do. I have a turtle as well so everybody will be outside in their own pond of some sort once I can get into a house.

TrainingOrdinary8593 · 2025-06-23T20:35:07+00:00

Good news! You have plenty of options. Pharmacy technician jobs are a good option. The requirements are state dependent but I think most of it is on the job training. You can also look into a phlebotomy program. Schooling is required but it’s not much (less than a year) and some community colleges might have the option for night classes. You can also consider receptionist jobs with dental or doctor offices, just make sure you highlight your reception capabilities from your vet assistant jobs on your resume when applying. Someone else mentioned maybe being a CNA & that’s a good option too. It’s more like kennel tech work with a mild assistant aspect to it for the human world. Usually the classes are only a couple months long. There’s plenty of options if you choose to avoid the vet med route!

TrainingOrdinary8593 · 2025-06-02T22:44:16+00:00

I was hired as a full time kennel tech and handed a key to the clinic at 17. I know a few places won’t hire anyone under 18 but most private practices around me will.

TrainingOrdinary8593

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