Has There Been a Shortage of Veterinarians?
Pet owners are beginning to take notice that there’s a shortage of veterinarians available for care in the US. Not enough new vets are entering the workforce and, as a result, people are starting to experience trouble in getting the treatment they need for their animals. This is leading to increased wait times at veterinary clinics. What’s causing the vet shortage and how should the average pet owner handle this?
Why is there a vet shortage?
According to the recent Fox News report on the vet shortage crisis, the main cause of the shortage is that there are more pets! One in five households took in cats or dogs during the pandemic. The issue arises when there is a disproportionate number of new vets. Veterinarians and their staff are becoming overworked. The increased strain on vets and their staff has led to more professionals dropping out of the workforce.
How is this affecting pet owners?
A range of complications have come about due to the low vet to pet ratio. There has been an immediate increase in wait times at veterinary clinics. Many clinics are refusing to take on new patients due to the fact that their staff simply can’t handle any more patients on the books at the time. There are even clinics that are closing down due to the staffing shortages experienced as a result of COVID-19 and increasing levels of burnout. This article from People sources Mars Veterinary Health in saying that there could be as many as 75 million pets without the care that they need by 2030 if something isn’t done.
What can be done to fight the vet shortage?
There are solutions being proposed to get more vets into the workforce and help everyone get the treatment for the animals that they need. Some organizations, as shown in the above article, are investing in expanding enrollment in veterinary schools and colleges. Other vets are looking at ways to treat more pets such as telehealth and preventative health care. Some businesses, like Elite Veterinary Care, offer mobile veterinary services. “Vets in a van” can come to clients directly, which eliminates waiting around, wondering when your pet is going to get seen. Philanthropy projects have come about, like this project to give treatment to homeless pet populations on the west coast.