The Niche

Niche: noun

noun: niche; plural noun: niches

1. 
a shallow recess, esp. one in a wall to display a statue or other ornament.

2. In ecology, a niche (CanE, UK /ˈniːʃ/ or US /ˈnɪtʃ/)[1] is a term describing the way of life of a species.

Simple terms: a niche is filling a role, a spot. It’s filling a place you are suited best for. For animals and plants, everything in nature has an ecological niche. For example, koalas eat eucalyptus leaves, and nothing else does. Over many years, thousands, ten of thousands of years, koalas have found their niche. A unique place in life that’s best suits them and assures their place in nature. For us humans, the niche to most is more of a job than anything else. But it still is, nevertheless a niche of sorts.

I gave up a job I loved, a job I thought I was good at to go back to school to become a veterinarian. Quickly, I knew my niche was in the field of shelter medicine. Helping homeless critters find a home, promoting their quality of life, even if that life was going to be cut short due too euthanasia- too many pets, not enough homes. Helping promote adoptions, reducing the euthanasia rate in the US is my passion.  I really hope that one day, I will put myself out of a job; that there will be no more need for a massive spay/neuter movement. I don’t think I will see that in my lifetime.  But, at this point in time, I am helping it happen. I’m helping us get there. Spay/neuter surgeons everywhere are helping us get closer. A community can get there, closer to no longer euthanizing healthy adoptable animals.  This once was a thought that people had, but felt it was impossible, that it was hopeless.  I am lucky that my community is a role model for my passions. And I’m even luckier that I now, as a vet, get to be a part of it.

Jacksonville has had many “no-kill” months recently in our local shelters. “No-kill” doesn’t mean zero euthanasia; it means that 90% of adoptable animals get out alive. I still believe that euthanasia is the best gift we can give an animal in certain situations: medically necessary/untreatable within reason, severe behavioral issues, etc. Jacksonville, Florida is the model city for what this nation can achieve. It’s happening, it’s no longer a dream. We ARE doing this. And if Jacksonville can, why not even smaller communities?  Why not bigger?

It is hard to find a huge selection on unwanted puppies in this community, and we are getting there with kittens too. I am honored to be a part of the mission of this city- No More Homeless Pets.  Because I grew up in a city, live in a city, and now work in that city that is truly making this happen. I got lucky. I have found my niche. And I couldn’t be happier.