The response to Millinocket Community Action Committee's survey about a veterinarian in the Katahdin area has been great. We would like to thank all those who participated in this survey.

With the exception of a few, most of the respondents said that they would definitely switch to a new veterinarian in the Katahdin area providing they were going to be located locally on a full time basis and they met with the pet owner's approval. Many of them expressed concern about switching for anything less than full time since it had been so difficult to locate a new veterinarian after Dr. Brees left the area.

All those responding said that having to travel for health care for their pets makes it difficult to get the care they need when they need it. Because of this, they also said they would gladly accept whatever hours a new full-time veterinarian could provide.

One third of those responding were interested in seeing some office hours on Saturdays, with another third stating they would like to see either earlier hours in the morning or early evening hours at least one day a week.

A third of those responding would like to see Tuesday-Saturday appointments and twenty-five percent would be happy with Monday-Friday.

A main concern with those responding was the availability of emergency visits. As one responder stated, "a clinic wouldn't be much help except for shots or well visits since animals don't get sick one or two days a week."

MCAC is pleased to hear that a pet clinic will be locating in Medway, but disappointed to learn that this clinic will not be able to provide x-rays or surgery locally. It may help the situation, but judging from the surveys, it does not solve the concerns area pet owners have voiced.

MCAC will continue the search for a full time veterinarian since the majority of responses to our survey specifically requested that we continue our search until a full time veterinarian locates here. To date, we are still receiving responses and requests not to stop this seach until the Katahdin area has their own full time, full service veterinarian. So, the search continues.