University of California San Diego animal technicians and other campus staff report deep exhaustion and operational risk after layoffs and hiring freezes. Employees say caseloads rose sharply when the university reduced staff following federal funding disruptions, forcing technicians to care for far more research animals and leaving some tasks delayed. Administrators point to reduced animal census and compliance steps but acknowledge the strain on workers. The story underscores how budget shortfalls and funding volatility translate into operational stresses that can disrupt research continuity and regulatory compliance.