It’s been more than a year since the city of Rochester started seeking a permanent veterinarian for its animal shelter. They have not found a single candidate.
The city began its search for a new vet in Spring 2024, casting a nationwide net for qualified applicants. The previous vet, Kristen Braitkrus, left the organization in May of that year, after just nine months on the job. And the city has failed to get any viable candidates since. The sole applicant — a veterinarian from the South — withdrew.
Now, the city is looking to significantly increase the per diem rate for a part-time veterinarian as officials assess how to address the situation in the long-term…