024: Confronting the Vet Shortage with Cheri Storms

About this episode

This episode discusses the veterinary shortage crisis and its impact on spay/neuter services with guest Cheri Storms.

In this episode of United We Spay, host Stacy LeBaron welcomes Cheri Storms, Executive Director of Pet Friendly Services of Indiana and Chair of the United Spay Alliance Vet Shortage Task Force. With a statewide view of spay/neuter services and firsthand experience navigating the challenges of veterinary access, Cheri brings clarity and urgency to a national crisis: the veterinary shortage threatening spay/neuter capacity across the U.S. Cheri shares how the vet shortage—once a simmering concern—boiled over post-pandemic, leaving shelters, rescues, and pet owners scrambling. She explains how task force initiatives like high-quality, high-volume "wet labs" are training veterinarians in the field, and highlights mobile units, voucher systems, and mega clinics as creative workarounds to increase access in "vet deserts." Listeners will hear how states like Colorado and New Hampshire are pioneering mid-level practitioner roles and licensing foreign-trained vets—changes that could reshape the profession and expand public health services for animals. Cheri also addresses funding gaps, the vital role of spay/neuter financial assistance programs, and how communities can support more…

People in this episode

Host: Stacy LeBaron

Guest: Cheri Storms

Topics covered

• veterinary shortage
• spay/neuter services
• animal welfare
• public health
• veterinary access
• community support

Keywords

• veterinary shortage
• spay/neuter
• animal welfare
• public health
• veterinary access
• high-volume wet labs
• mobile units
• financial assistance

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Pet Friendly Services of Indiana, United Spay Alliance Vet Shortage Task Force

Places: Indiana, Colorado, New Hampshire

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• 025: Behind the Mic with Stacy LeBaron on Cats, Clinics, and Burnout · December 4, 2025 · 39 min
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