The fate of the exotic pets program at UW-Madison’s School of Veterinary Medicine is still up in the air.
In April, officials from the veterinary school told the State Journal they were considering ending the teaching hospital’s exotic animal program.
The program’s end would mean that community members would no longer be able to take their exotic pets for treatment at the clinic.
Exotic pets are animals such as birds, reptiles and rodents, considered “special species” in the veterinary world.
But as of now, the program is still operating. Lori Strelow, public relations director for the school, said officials are still trying to decide what to do.
The reason for the program’s possible demise is because of a more than $800,000 budget cut. One of the program’s two faculty positions was eliminated, said Daryl D. Buss, dean of the school. He said it can’t continue with just one veterinarian.
If the program ended, it would also mean that veterinary students wouldn’t get clinical training with exotic pets.
Buss said in April he was looking for alternate sources of funding to keep the program alive.
— Deborah Ziff
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