(NewsNation) — The U.S. is facing a veterinarian shortage, putting a major strain on pet owners nationwide.
A Mars Veterinary Health report estimates an additional 55,000 vets will be needed by 2030 to meet the demand for animal care.
The report also highlighted that it would take more than 30 years of graduates to meet the industry’s need for veterinary technicians over the next decade.
The report noted that more Americans are becoming pet owners and pet health services are expected to increase three to four percent beyond inflation over the next 8-10 years.
Challenges getting into vet school
To become a vet, people must attend eight years of schooling — four years of college and four years of veterinarian school — and many take on a lot of student loan debt.
If students pick a specialty, which more are doing, that can include a few years of residency or fellowships.
As a solution, federal and state governments, like Kentucky, are incorporating loan repayment programs in exchange for several years of practice in an area that lacks vets.
However, paying the cost of school isn’t the only issue. Many veterinary schools have more applicants than they can accommodate.
Mars Veterinary Health reports even with the new graduates over the next decade, a shortage of 24,000 companion-animal vets is expected by 2030.
How will the shortage impact livestock owners?
Another factor is how tough it is for rural communities, especially farmers and ranchers, who need livestock vets to care for their animals.
A report by Johns Hopkins’ Center for Livable Future found the shortage of “food-animal vets” is a major threat to the U.S. food supply chain as they help prevent the spread of infectious diseases among livestock.
Mars Veterinary Health suggests enabling credentialed vet techs to practice at the top of their license so they can help with the workload.