Understanding the veterinary shortage and rising costs of pet care

If you’ve taken your pet to the vet recently, you might have noticed longer wait times, fewer appointment openings or higher costs than expected. As the Executive Director of Napa Humane, I want to help shed light on the reasons behind these changes and share what’s happening in the veterinary world.

Pet ownership in the U.S. has been growing steadily over the past decade, and the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated that trend. Millions of people adopted pets to ease the isolation of lockdowns, and now more than 70% of households have at least one pet (American Pet Products Association, 2023). Unfortunately, the number of veterinarians hasn’t kept up with this growing demand.

The veterinary field is experiencing a nationwide shortage with studies showing we need about 41,000 more veterinarians by 2030 to meet the current demand, according to Mars Veterinary Health.

This shortage is the result of several factors:

Increased pet ownership: More pets mean more appointments, but the veterinary workforce hasn’t expanded enough to handle the surge.

Burnout and mental health challenges: Veterinarians often work long hours under emotionally and physically demanding conditions. The stress has led some to leave the profession altogether according to the Merck Animal Health Veterinary Wellbeing Study in 2021.

Limited training capacity: There are only 33 veterinary schools in the U.S., and the cost of education often leaves graduates with significant student debt according to a 2023 report from the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Why are veterinary costs rising?

The shortage of veterinarians is one reason why costs have gone up, but there are several others contributing to higher bills at the vet’s office.

1. Staffing Challenges.  Clinics are raising wages to attract and retain skilled staff, and those higher labor costs are reflected in the price of services.

2.  Advanced Medical Care.  Veterinary medicine now offers treatments that were once available only in human health care, like MRIs, laser surgeries and cancer therapies. These options are incredible, but expensive.

3.  Student Debt.  Many veterinarians graduate with six-figure student loans. Practices must offer competitive salaries to help professionals manage their debt while also covering operational costs (Veterinary Business Journal, 2023).

4.  Rising Overhead Costs.  Like many other fields, veterinary clinics are grappling with inflation, higher rent and increased supply costs.

For many pet owners, the rising costs can be overwhelming. Some face tough decisions about how to pay for their pet’s care, while others delay or forgo necessary treatments. Animal welfare organizations report an increase in requests for financial assistance, and local shelters see more pets being surrendered because their owners can no longer afford their care.

This is heartbreaking because pets aren’t just animals — they’re family. They provide companionship, emotional support, and even a reason for some people to keep going during life’s hardest moments. Recognizing the value of this bond is key to supporting both pet owners and veterinarians alike.

There’s no quick fix for the challenges facing veterinary care, but there are steps we can all take:

Show compassion to veterinarians: Veterinarians are doing their best to care for our pets under difficult circumstances. Showing kindness and patience during appointments can make a world of difference, helping to alleviate some of the mental health challenges in the field.

Invest in preventative care: Regular check-ups, vaccinations and spay/neuter procedures can prevent costly health issues down the line.

Explore pet insurance: Insurance can help offset the cost of unexpected medical needs.

Be informed: Research your veterinary clinic to ensure their values align with your expectations for ethical and necessary care.

Support community resources: Napa Humane offers low-cost spay/neuter and educational resources to reduce strain on veterinary clinics and shelters.

Advocate for change: Supporting efforts to expand veterinary school enrollment, improve mental health resources for professionals, and provide student debt relief can help strengthen the field long-term.

While the veterinary shortage and rising costs are significant challenges, they’re not insurmountable. By working together to support veterinarians, pet owners, and animal welfare organizations, we can ensure that every pet gets the care they need and deserve. Supporting local animal welfare efforts and advocating for systemic change are two meaningful ways to make a difference.

At Napa Humane, we’re tackling these challenges through a variety of programs and services aimed at improving access to veterinary care and supporting the veterinary community:

We offer low-cost spay/neuter surgeries and vaccinations to help reduce the overall demand for veterinary services and prevent costly health issues for pets. By focusing on preventative care, we help keep pets healthy and reduce the strain on veterinary clinics.

Recognizing the financial barriers that many aspiring veterinarians face, Napa Humane provides scholarships to students pursuing careers in veterinary medicine. These scholarships help ease the burden of student debt and encourage more professionals to enter and remain in the field.

Additionally, Napa Humane expanded services in 2023 to provide veterinary rounds at the Napa County Animal Shelter. This initiative not only supports the shelter animals but also frees up appointment spaces at local veterinarians who had been treating these pets previously.

Our goal is to ensure that all pets have access to the care they need, while also supporting the dedicated professionals who provide that care.

This article was originally published in the March 6, 2025 Napa Valley Register Weekly Edition.  You can find insights from Napa Humane monthly in the Napa Valley Register.