*Nikki*

I need some serious advice/opinions about some things that happen at my work place.

*IF YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT ANIMALS DON'T BOTHER RESPONDING*

This is going to be kinda long.....but it has to be to understand what is happening.

As many of you may or may not know I am a veterinary technician. I work at a medium sized (about 12 employees) clinic. The clinic is owned by a doctor that has been practicing there for 20+ years and also we have a second Vet who works part time.
I myself have worked there for a little over three years.

Well the longer I work there the more I notice the overall attitude of the other employees and the doctor. Basically they have a "I don't give a shit attitude about a whole lot of things". Animals do not get the treatment that their owners believe that they are getting....for example...

*Sick animals are left overnight unsuppervised, where more then half the time they die. (This could be solved by having the animals sent to a place called The Emergency Clinic where they get overnight care) However the owner is never given the option of this or even told that this could happen. Rather they are reassured by the doctor/employees that the animal will be checked on during the night at our clinic. This is a lie.

*I am asked frequently by the doctor to lie. I am told to tell people he is busy or "in surgery" while really he is sitting on his ass in front of the computer in his office trading stocks. He spends 80% of his work day doing this. Sick animals often get put aside until he is done doing this.

*People pay hundreds of dollars to have their animals taken care of by us. People pay for their animals to have exams with shots and half the time the doctor doesn't even check them, but the people are still charged for the exam and told that "Everything is fine" with their animals health.

*Employees who see that the doctor has this "I don't give a shit attitude" have started act the same way. Doing things that are very importent "half ass" because they know they can get away with it.

*I am the only person that even cleans anything there. All the employees are complete slobs and in an medical enviroment things need to be kept quite sanitary. Once again.....no one cares.

*Before I went home tonight I found a bird who was supposed to be "observed" by one of our doctors in the back office. It had no food or water for who knows how many days. This is just one of MANY MANY examples.

Here is my dilemma.

I can't loose this job. I live by myself and support myself. The ecomnomy is so bad here....jobs are so scarce.

I want to do the right thing....but I don't know what the right thing is.

I know that what I am seeing is wrong, and it's killing me.

Help.

fhqwhgads

*Nikki*

I feel for you. While I don't have any specific advice to offer you, I feel bad that you're stuck in a situation like this. It's always difficult to be the only person who had morals/ethics/judgement. I just wanted to offer up my support and thank you for taking care of the animals that no one else seems to care for. Don't ever compromise what you believe in. Best of luck to you...

la petite moi

It is awesome that you care for animals, and that doctor sounds horrible.

My advice (but I'm only 18, so I'm not sure if this is the best thing to do) is to start writing down all the 'lies' you are said to tell customers. Also, start keeping a log of the times you see the doctor fiddling around when there are sick animals that COULD be helped (I say COULD because sometimes there are sick animals that you probably can't do anything about at the moment). Later, start writing down the nights where sick animals are left unsupervised.

These journals will have to be after hard research, but perhaps afterwards you can show them to a local animal humanities, or maybe even the police. That doctor and employees (including you) are paid to take care of the animals for their owners, and so the police might be able to do something about it because of 'animal cruelty.'

Nikki, it is great that you love animals. I think you would make a great private practice doctor, as you care enough for people and their pets to succeed.

shakran

I feel for you. I hate animal abuse and know how I'd feel were I in your situation.

Start looking for another job right NOW. It might take you a year to find it, but you'll never find one if you don't look. One of the guiding principles of one of my first mentors' was to stick to your principles, you'll get hired that much faster by a reputable place if you do. It's never led me wrong yet.

And of course, if you want the abuse to stop, an anonymous tip to the humane society, the AVA, or even the local media could start things rolling to expose this jackass for what he is and get it to stop. . .

Fremen

You're going to need to look for another job on the sly and maybe start gathering evidence to have this doctors's liscence revoked.
That's a deplorable thing the vet is doing, or not doing as the case may be, and I imagine against the law, too.
He sounds like he doesn't need to be anywhere near animals.

This will keep giving you stress, making you upset, and possibly even sick, until you take some kind of action and do something about it.

There has got to be some kind of agency you can contact to investigate him and the clinic.

I hope you get it worked out to your satisfaction, Nikki.
If you will, keep us updated about your situation, please, and know we're here for you.

edit:
la petite moi and shakran said it so much better.
I agree too, you sound like you would make a lot better doctor than that other so-called 'doctor'.

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lurkette

I assume that if you blew the whistle to an oversight board the clinic would probably be shut down, so that's not a great option.

Naive answer: I have no idea if your boss would be willing to listen to reason, but have you confronted him about your concerns? If you come from a place that addresses his values (I assume he does care about animals, or at least about the bottom line) and do it without his feeling judged or threatened, it's possible that you could make him see the light and put some changes in place.

Cuthroat answer: Is there any way you could basically extort your boss into decency? Say if he doesn't clean up his act, you'll report him, and if he fires you, you'll report him? I don't know if that would work, but it seems like it's worth a shot.

Although you say there aren't any jobs, you might want to shop out your resume to any other vets in the area that you respect. Alternately, you could look into starting a non-profit animal welfare organization with you as its head and apply for grants to support it. You could pay yourself a salary as its executive director, and you'd get to run it your way and do some good for the animals you love. It's a long-term plan, but you'd be doing what you love, and on your own terms.

Best of luck, sweetie, and bless you for caring about critters who can't stand up for themselves to the indifference of bigger, meaner animals on two legs.

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ARTelevision

it's a sad situation.
sorry, I don't see a good solution that has you staying on there.

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Peryn

I like Lurkette's Cutthroat answer, but not immediately. Keep a log of times and events. And pictures. Get a cheap disposable camera, and start taking pictures to go with the log. It would probably be best to use a camera with a time stamp though...

Its hard to take a young/new technicians word over an experienced vet doctor. And jury's / panels / comitees love pictures. They are much harder to refute. Turn off the flash and take a picture of him trading stock as you walk by. Take a picture of the filthy office environment before you clean it.

Personally, i would try and do this, while looking for a job on the sly. Keep it quiet. Once you have a potential job lined up, and blackmail material, approach the doctor politely. Try and talk some sense into him. Then blackmail/report him. Then leave. If you are going to leave, you might as well try and clean up the place first. Leave the clinic a better place than it was when you came kinda deal.

Keep in mind, im young and have no experience in a situation like that, so take what you will from it.

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:::OshnSoul:::

I would file a complaint or something. I would find a way to contact someone (who?) but asking to keep your name anonymous. If it asks to risk your job to possbily help these animals, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Peetster

Nikki,

I care. In fact, it is the basis of my business. I'm betting others care as well.

I'm moving to southern Florida to start a kennel that cares.

We care about our guests so much that I'm going to put X.10 devices (webcams) on every run so people that want to see their dogs as they vacation can.

We care.

Peetster

I totally empathize.

phredgreen

first thing you should do is give these people a call:

SPCA
328 Furman Hall Rd
Greenville, SC 29609
(864) 242-3626


you can leave a tip anonymously or otherwise, but let them know that this is happening. the spca can be hellraisers and will straighten out this poor excuse for a doctor.

the next thing you want to do is find out if he belongs to any veteranary societies, groups, or organisations and if he does, report him to those groups. these are most likely groups of his peers and i'm sure he will get alot of pressure from them to clean up his act and start doing his job.

finally, do what others are suggesting. you have 3 years experience and a love for the job, start calling other vets, shelters, and whomever else might be around that you could work with. hell, if you work with peetster, i'll be able to say hi to you when i go to visit him.

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Xiomar

I agree with the phredster...
A little off topic, but:
I have a question... did YOU ever think of becoming a vet yourself?

As for the advise, I wont repeat what phred said. I will just totally back up every word of wisdom.

shakran

Sounds like a great start for a kennel. FYI, you might wanna rethink X10 webcams and use another kind - I've got a crapload of X10 stuff and it's awesome until it picks up stray "signals" (fluctuations in the power lines) and lights/devices start flipping on and off. Then it feels like you're playing a part in Poltergeist. Your webcams might not be reliable enough for your client.

Glad to see you offered Nikki a job - there's a definite shortage of people who think animals are more than property with fur, and it's good to see that there are pet-industry folks out there who recognize and try to recruit them.

ObieX

I would start telling custmers how their pets would really be treated when they come in.

For example:

"so you'll watch him/her over night and make sure they don't die"

Answer:
"Nah, the doctor here doesn't give a shit. Your pet will be ignored and may possibly die. I suggest you visit another center."

You could also report the place to some agency. I'm sure there's some organizaton that would be interested in the crap that is going on there. PITA maybe? I'm usre you would only have to inform them and they'll be swarming the place.

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hannukah harry

could you go to one of the local news stations that does the "business busting" type exposee's (sp)? you know, where if someone gets ripped off, they go to the reporter, and then the reporter puts the story on the air about the bad business? that might be an option...

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maleficent

If you were to report him, and he found out it was you, could you collect unemployment? If the center does shut down, could you collect unemployment, which would at least tide you over til something else comes along.

Yes, you do know. The only thing that's stopping you, which is a legitimate reason, is the your survival.

This kind of stress will affect your health, you're too young to have your health jeopardized by someone elses unethical practices.

SOmetimes there's safety in numbers, what about pulling some other employees aside and expressing concerns about the condition of the center, not about what the doctor is doing necessarily, but aboout the cleanliness, about general attitudes. Sometimes it just takes one person to make things right.

Calling the local SPCA is also your best bet, explain your situation, without naming names, yet, and see what your options are.

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ForgottenKnight

*Nikki*, I'm sorry you're stuck in such a horrible situation. I would go balistic on the doctor if I found out that they didn't do what I payed them to do with my pets (because I care about the my cats and other animals, not because of the money, that's secondary). I think that looking for another job is a good idea. Taking pictures and reporting them anonymously is also a good idea. Then Peetster's offer seems like a good one.

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spectre

I agree with Peryn. If you do decide go forward with reporting him, you'll have the photos and what's gone on documented.

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analog

sorry Nikki, that sucks.

clavus

Like others have said before me - start looking for a new job. It may take a weeek, or it may take a year. But until you start, you are no closer to finding it. There are vets out there who care for animals deeply. My buddy is one of those fine souls.

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mr sticky

Your first priority is eating and shelter. You need to take care of you first. It may not be the glamorous thing to do, but I heard starving kind of sucks too.

That being said, get evidence on this piece of shit, and when you are able to leave, pound his ass with every big gun you can think of. Totally annihilate the bastard professionally. Rat him out to everyone who can stick it to him. SPCA, State licensing board, everyone who can mess his world up. One caveat however, don't be in a position to be sued for slander. Make all of your reporting anonymous as possible, and when you can't ( say if required by the govt), stick to the facts, and the evidence you have collected.

Best of luck in a shit situation.

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MSD

What I would probably do is to talk to local media, get some hidden cameras, and tell your coworkers about the tapes after you have a couple of weeks' worth of footage (hidden out-of-state or ina safe deposit box.) If they don't clean up their act, the tapes go to the local media.

The positive side:

You save a lot of animals from people who don't give a shit
You do the right thing
You prove that you care and that you're not afraid to do something to make a difference

The negative side (of course there's a negative side):

Your employer isn't going to want to keep you around if you do this
Other places might be hesitant to hire you after you ratted out a former employer, even if you were 110% right


I really don't know what to tell you. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

shakran

watch it with the hidden camera stuff. In some states, it's illegal to do that unless you inform the person you're taping. You don't wanna go to jail/pay a fine for this.

Charlatan

You might also consider passing the word to PETA... Whether you agree with them or not they can make a lot of noise.

I hope things work out for you.

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absorbentishe

I'm sorry to hear the situation you are in. And, it's a total catch 22, on one hand, if you don't say anything, the animals suffer, on the other, if you do say something, you suffer. I don't have an answer.

My sister in law was in a similar situation many years ago, and brought this up the vet., and shortly after that, he found a way to fire her. Tread lightly until you have your ducks in a row.

rockogre

Well, I am sorry for your situation but if it helps any, it is nice to know that there are people like you out there. My animals seem to be at the vet a lot and I always like to think that someone like you takes care of them. Hang in there.

Let us know if anything positive happens.

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denim

Are there no other vets in your area? Can you take a roommate? I doubt this next one but: is there no regulatory agency for veterinarians?

i8one2

Lurkette's cutthroat answer all the way: It serve more than one purpose. It covers your tail as to the conditions and treatment you are telling us and give your a pure evidence packet that the investigators can use to prosecute. If the job does go bust, you weren't fired wrongfully but by merit of your actions. That will give you unemployment if needed and evidence for a law suit if it needs to go that far.

Start the log, take pictures...and start doing a job search...Start by going back to your school and checking the boards and counselors there. Continue to be the person you are, but you need to get out of there and get that place closed or fixed.. It seems that DOC...has lost his way, purpose in life, and the reason why he became an animal doctor in the first place..

The hospital(clinic) used to help and comfort, its no longer such a place and the animal, who are helpless sure have a great advocate in you....
DO the right thing, you know, what your heart says...WHY, because, in the longterm you will not only help yourself but score of animals that need proper care..
Love yeah....I know your between a rock and hard place...

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MSD

If you file a complaint about any company, they will almost always find an excuse to fire you a couple of weeks later.

raeanna74

All I can say is that I wish you good luck in whatever you do. First off I hope you can find another job. Just get out there and start looking. At least then once you've got something else you know you can bring the walls down on this guy.

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Lebell

The best answers have been given.

Start looking QUIETLY for another job NOW.

DOCUMENT.

And when you have another job secured, REPORT.


Best of luck to you, I wish you could work for my old vet office. You sound like you would fit right in with them.

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ratbastid

Here's the thing. There are a few things people have suggested to "do" about this, but none of them resolve things well for you, or at least, not in the near term.

So what should you do in the near term? Make a difference where you can. Lead your colleagues by example. Be the best, most caring, most responsible vet tech you possibly can. Not because there's something wrong with the clinic that you have to compensate for, just because that's how you want to be in the world, and to hell with anyone who doesn't want to be that way. That's their problem. You're going to take absolutely the best care of the animals you're entrusted with that you possibly can.

If you keep your eye on that, it should make each day at least bearable.

That's a GREAT idea. I'd totally put Cooper up someplace I could check her out over the internet.

Of course, you could pretty much just put up a still picture of her sleeping, and it'd be the same as a live video, most of the time...

Hard8s

I don't know about others but I would speak up. Talk to the other tech's out in the open about what concerns you. You'd be suprised at how many of the others probably feel like you do but are afraid to speak up as well. If people ask you questions, tell them the truth. If they ask how well this place treats their animal, let them know that no one looks after them at night. If the customers start to complain things will change. I have been in many of the same types of situations. No one wanted to speak out that something was wrong. The wind of change starts with the first whisper. Be that whisper.

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*Nikki*

On another sad note the above mentioned place is currently under investigation for animal neglect and cruelty.

I am in the process of looking for another job, but that takes time. I am not in a situation where I could ever leave a job without having another first. Even unemployment pay would not pay my bills.

I have become very proactive about this sitution in the sense that I am drawing all the other employees ( the few who care) attention to what is going on. When the time comes I will have a few people who will be down with what I say.

I am not going to start anything though until I have another job. Then is when all hell will break free.

Thanks so much for all the wonderful advice. Several of you brought up things I had not even thought of.

oberon

That sucks, I thought the SPCA were good people.

I'm with ART & Lebell. There's no way you can keep working there. These kinds of people never stop doing the wrong thing.

Protect yourself first, then get that place closed. My dogs (the vast majority plucked from the hands of mean and stupid people) thank you.

I do have one question... you said you've been there three years. How long have you realized they were doing the wrong thing? Is the job market really that bad in your area?

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JStrider

man... that really sucks...

i cant really do more then echo what others have said...

keep us updated on whats going on with this...

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thespian86

This is happening everywhere it seems. It's not just the job your speaking of but every job. What has happened to our world where it is more common to find a slacker then a hard worker? I guess I'm just bitter.

If this becomes a serious problem, I'd subtly talk to someone about it. Express your concern for the problem (I'm sure your the kind who really cares for equal treatment of all living creatures so I don't know how you stand this). If this doesn't work I'd talk to your boss, no job is worth risking your principals.

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wonderwench

The vet is engaged in fraud - and if you say silent, you are aiding and abetting it.

(Disclaimer, I have been fired several times for standing up against corruption, so I do know the risk of whistle-blowing. But I have to live with myself first and foremost.)

If I were in your place, I'd start looking for a new job right away while documenting the fraud. Then I would inform the regulatory authorities. I'd probably tell owners of ill pets to take their animals to a different clinic if it were a life and death situation - althought this would most likely result in immediate termination.

You are in a tough spot. But the biggest risk for you is to be associated with something that is corrupt. Don't let the jerk ruin your reputation.