The nonprofit veterinarian shortage: Who will care for the pets most in need?

Statewide studies suggest that shelters and nonprofit clinics have been especially hard hit by the veterinary workforce shortage. A study sought to determine the effect of this shortage on veterinary care provided at two types of public practice:

• veterinary care for cats and dogs housed temporarily in animal sheltering organizations
• veterinary clinics aimed at increasing access to care for animals in the community.

The summary of recommendations to address current veterinary workforce shortages in nonprofit organizations is worthy of consideration.

Source: Journal of Shelter Medicine and Community Animal Health, October 30, 2024. Link.

Current trends of increasing shelter intake and euthanasia rates and more pet owners left out of veterinary care due to economic conditions have increased the urgency.

NOTE: Nothing in this report should be taken to mean that the situation is worse than before, only that many organizations cannot fill their veterinary team positions or their veterinary service needs now.

Also see:

• What it’s like to be a shelter veterinarian, Clinician’s Brief, October 2024. Link.
• Insights into the reasons pet owners surrender their pets to shelters, AHD Archives, November 5, 2024. Link.