Page 77 of Vetted for Vengeance
“A porta-cabin?” Danielle frowns suspiciously.
“Small waiting room, two consultation rooms leading to a prep area, twelve kennels for cats and dogs, maybe more. I haven’t completed the measurements yet.” And I always measure things twice before I commit. “Scrub room and surgery behind the prep room.”
“Sounds like the practice when we first started,” Danielle laughs.
“Yes. But this would just be for neutering. One vet, one nurse. Morning admissions by nine. Work through surgeries during the day and evening discharges.”
Everyone just looks at me like I've grown an extra head.
This is why I don't share until I've got all the information.
“We are getting more neutering enquiries since the first spay was recorded.” Carol nods.
“We could run an automatic booking system. Owners book their own animals in; the system allocates time according to gender and size. So no phone calls booking minor surgery.”
“Our surgery capacity is being taken up by routine ops, making any emergencies become something we have to fit in around everything else.” Tree confirms.
I dare to smile.
They agree with me.
Chatter breaks out between them. The benefits of taking routine neutering out of the building. The idea of running a separate dental clinic, where there was no worries about contamination between ‘dirty’ dentals and ‘clean’ surgeries.
“I know there is the demand, but we can't staff it all.” Danielle sighs, clarifying that all of my staff are pushed to their limits.
“I…” No. This isn't just mine anymore. “We would take on two new vets and three new nurses if we go ahead with the two-cabin idea.”
“If there is room for three and we have the finances for it, we should commit to all three,” Tree grins wickedly. “It would be easier than deciding later that we need it. And we could definitely find a use for another space for owner group classes. Guest speakers. Puppy classes. Behavioral support groups.”
“Three then.” I confirm.
I've roughly crunched the numbers. There is a healthy profit margin for each unit after the cost of staffing it.
“This is super exciting,” Tree beams.
Danielle nods enthusiastically.
“It's a very positive direction for the practice,” Martha agrees. “Thank you for sharing it with us.”
They are thanking me for sharing my idea that may not even happen. For opening up about something that will change everything about their lives.
The meeting ends sooner than I thought. It seems my words have eliminated all their concerns.
They file out in pairs, still talking, already planning.
Tree is already listing ideas under her breath. Danielle is calculating schedules. Martha pauses at the door, giving me a look I don’t recognize. Approval. Trust.
Then she leaves too. The room falls quiet.
I remain where I am, hands resting flat on the desk, staring at nothing in particular.
For years, I built this place on control.
Every decision mine.
Every outcome mine.
Every mistake contained.
