Veterinarian shortage: What it means for your pets

AUSTIN (KXAN) — When our pets get sick or hurt we take them to the vet, but with a nationwide veterinarian shortage you could be facing a wait for an appointment.

It's an issue that is only getting worse as experts say more people are getting pets and fewer people are going into the veterinary field.

John Dascanio with Texas Tech's School of Veterinary Medicine, which started in 2021, says there are about 1000 applicants to veterinary schools in Texas each year but only about 300 spots.

"There is a trend right now for a number of veterinary schools to increase their class size and for new schools to start," said Dascanio.

Research from Mars Veterinary Health found that based on expected needs, by 2030 there will have to be about 41,000 additional veterinarians in the workforce.

There is an even bigger need for specialty areas and rural communities.

"For some specialty practices it is a significant waiting period to get into them or you can't find one in your locality," said Dascanio.

"It hinders animal owners that need to get care for their pets or their herds, large animals," said Troy Alexander with the Texas Veterinary Medical Association. "The problem is particularly acute here in Texas and particularly in rural Texas."

Alexander says there are needs for vet techs as well.

"We need more veterinarian technicians, we need more veterinarians themselves, we also have veterinarian assistants, CVA's which we have in Texas," said Alexander.

For those entering the field, the shortage means a lot of job opportunities once you graduate.

"There is currently probably 3 to 4 job offers per veterinary student that comes out," Dascanio said.

With growing concern over the shortage, there has been more attention on the issue and more programs will begin soon.

"There are over a dozen new schools that will be starting across the country in the next 3 to 4 years," said Dascanio.