Where Are The Vets?

For decades, farmers have endured a shortage of rural veterinarians – the kind who specialize in care for animals like cows, pigs and sheep. But the problem is now at an all-time high – with 500 counties across 46 states reporting critical shortages this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

1. A 2020 study found more than half of all veterinarians reported work-related injuries over a two-year period, with those working with large farm animals twice as likely to get hurt.
   
   
2. The shortage is mirrored by a growth in the number of veterinarians that Americans are much more familiar with – those who take care of the family pet. Since at least the early 2000s, more veterinarians have chosen the better pay and more reasonable work hours that go with a practice that focuses primarily or exclusively on "companion" animals. With the COVID-19 pandemic-driven spike in pet ownership, demand – and salaries – for companion animal veterinarians have increased rapidly, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, or AVMA.
   
   
3. Many pre-vet undergrad classmates decided against advancing to vet school for one of two reasons — they found a better career opportunity or the debt of four more years of school was too much. The average debt burden after vet school is between $200,000 and $250,000. And starting incomes aren’t keeping up, Buckwalter said, noting $65,000 as a starting salary that he’s heard. Also, interest rates for loans are around 7%.

By: Ariel Christy