Kern County in California, and one of its cities, Bakersfield, is on the lookout for veterinarians ... but aren't having much luck filling the positions. According to The Bakersfield Californian, Kern County Animal Services and Bakersfield Animal Care Center are offering veterinarians' salaries that range from $75,000 to $100,000, plus benefits. Despite advertising in several publications, only one application has come in. They have even gotten help from the director of UC Davis's shelter medicine program, Kate Hurley, who posted the position on the university website as well as on her own website. The city and county work with local, private veterinarians for their animal care needs. However, in Bakersfield's case, the city wants someone who can implement new programs, such as spay-and-neuter campaigns. For Kern County, they are looking for someone similar. “I’m looking for someone who is looking to change Kern County, someone who wants to make a difference,” Kern County Animal Services Director Nick Cullen told the The Bakersfield Californian. “It needs to be the right person. I don’t know who that is. But I’ll know it when I see it ... They'll have the ability to set the tone for the 10 or 12 other animal shelters in Kern County." Cullen's hope is to find someone who will be a leader and spokesperson for animal health and welfare in the county and can help encourage people to change how they care for animals.
