It’s Monday morning, 7:55 AM. I’ve been at my desk for just ten minutes, already feeling the familiar Monday rush about to begin. I quickly attempt to water the plants outside the animal hospital, but the phone is already ringing incessantly, and cars are pulling into the parking lot. Owners are in a rush, dropping off their beloved pets before heading to their own jobs. As the front-office manager, and currently the only one here, it feels like the usual veterinary hospital chaos. At least, it does until you see Mr. Henderson step out of his car, not with a dog or cat carrier, but holding a kinkajou. Yes, a kinkajou.
“A kinkajou?” you might ask. That was my exact reaction when I first started working at the Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics. It’s a specialized animal hospital, dedicated exclusively to birds and Exotic Pets. We focus our care solely on birds, ferrets, rabbits, rodents, reptiles, amphibians, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, and, as today proves, the occasional kinkajou.
Before this job, my experience with such creatures was limited to nature documentaries. Like many, I associated pet ownership with dogs and cats. Suddenly, my workday involves encounters with 6-foot-tall wallabies and miniature pigs small enough to fit in teacups. The most exciting aspect of working in an exotic animal hospital is the delightful unpredictability; you truly never know what fascinating animal will come through the door next. From vibrantly colored parrots to impressive green iguanas, spiky hedgehogs, and fluffy chinchillas – we welcome them all.
A World of Wonders Beyond the Usual
In my previous role as a receptionist at a typical small animal practice, my day-to-day was fairly predictable. It mainly revolved around cats, dogs, and the occasional rabbit or guinea pig. However, transitioning to a clinic specializing in exotic pets opened my eyes to a vastly different world. On any given day here, we might see ten or more different species. Interestingly, the reasons these animals are brought in often mirror those of dogs and cats: loss of appetite, lethargy, bloody stool, or breathing difficulties. However, the approach to these common symptoms and the underlying causes can be significantly different when dealing with exotic animals. For instance, a reptile refusing to eat might have been off food for months, a timeframe that would be alarming and unusual in a mammal. Similarly, bloody stool, a common concern in mammals, can indicate entirely different issues in birds, such as egg binding – a life-threatening condition where an egg becomes trapped.
Kinkajou at exotic animal hospital
Why Specialize in Exotic Companion Animals?
In my role as the main receptionist, many of my responsibilities are similar to my previous job. I greet clients and their exotic pets, answer a constant stream of phone calls, process payments, manage emails, handle boarding reservations, scan and organize medical records, and ensure we are stocked with necessary products and supplies. Yet, this position at an exotic pet clinic constantly challenges me and pushes me to learn and grow in ways my previous role never did. Not only am I continuously learning about the diverse needs and characteristics of the many species we treat, but I’m also consistently expanding my skillset. For example, educating exotic pet owners about the importance of preventive care can be more challenging than with traditional pets. There’s often a need to put extra effort into marketing our services and justifying the costs associated with specialized exotic animal care. To address this, I’ve taken on the significant responsibility of managing email and social media marketing for the practice. This aspect of my job is both stimulating and demanding. Brainstorming creative marketing strategies while simultaneously juggling multiple ringing phone lines can be a true test of multitasking. However, the reward is immense when a targeted email reminder about overdue check-ups for exotic pets results in a surge of appointment bookings.
Special Pets, Special Clients: Building Unique Bonds
While I’ve always enjoyed the fast-paced environment of an animal hospital front desk and the opportunity to help both pets and their owners, I’ve noticed a distinctly closer connection with exotic animal owners. I believe this stems from the fact that our clinic is perceived as a welcoming and accepting space for them and their unconventional pets. They know they are in a place where their choice of exotic pet is not seen as unusual or strange. Of course, we do encounter some wonderfully eccentric clients, like the lady who brings her pot-bellied pig in a stroller, or the cockatoo owner who requests our technicians to wear masks and perform little dances for her bird during boarding. But for the most part, our clients are simply everyday people with an immense love for their exotic pets, a love that mirrors the deep bond shared by any dog or cat owner.
Many of our clients are deeply committed to providing the best possible care for their exotic animals. They frequently seek advice and ask numerous questions about proper husbandry and care. I genuinely enjoy these conversations and offering guidance. What I find most disheartening, however, is when an owner neglects their pet or declines necessary medical treatment simply because they view the animal as easily replaceable, like a hamster or a parakeet. It’s also frustrating when clients repeatedly ask the same questions due to inattentiveness, or dismiss my expertise by saying “you’re just the receptionist” when they call with a concern. The reality is, I’ve gained a wealth of knowledge about exotic pets – far exceeding my previous understanding of dogs and cats – simply by being immersed in this environment and constantly learning from our team of exotic animal specialists.
Looking back, it’s remarkable how I arrived here. Just a year and a half ago, I responded to an online advertisement for a part-time receptionist position at what sounded like a very different kind of animal hospital. Little did I know that this part-time role would evolve into a full-time front desk management position, leading me to a fulfilling career path I hadn’t anticipated. As a devoted ferret owner myself, I was initially drawn to the job by the prospect of meeting and assisting fellow ferret enthusiasts and their furry companions. The added bonus was the hope of perhaps receiving some discounted care for my own ferrets! What I didn’t foresee was the incredible community I would become a part of, forging friendships not only with ferret owners but with people who share their lives with all sorts of extraordinary creatures.
