As always, you said it well. That is a great analogy and I think it's spot-on. As for that veterinarian, VCAL submitted a FOIA request for the RFP she has with the county, and there isn't one. Even though for work at the shelter alone--not counting the emergency animal control calls she charged for--she was paid almost $10,000 by the county in 2016. So there is, or at least was, no binding contract. "Circle-jerk" is the very best way to describe it.