At the University of California, San Diego and other campuses, employees who kept their jobs after layoffs describe anxiety, exhaustion, and strained operations. Animal‑care technician Verenice Valdez said caseloads rose from 500 to 800 cages after colleagues were cut, forcing shorter shifts and raising compliance concerns; across the sector staff report heavier workloads, frozen hiring and a persistent fear of future cuts. University spokespeople cite reduced animal census and federal funding shifts as causal factors, but unions and staff call for stronger protections and restoration of positions tied to research compliance and student support.