It’s National Pet Week, but there is a shortage of vets to take care of your pets.
Tennessee Tech Dean of Agriculture and Human Ecology Darron Smith said the reasons are a lack of schools, and if you are lucky to get into one, it is very expensive. Smith said vet shortages are not only an issue in Tennessee but also nationwide.
“As more and more people find the value in having a pet, and the mental health aspects, positive aspects of having a pet,” Smith said. “We see a lot more ownership of companion animals, which then, of course, requires more and more veterinarians.”
Smith said he expects the vet shortage to continue over the next several years. Smith said if the vet shortage continues to get worse, he fears some pet owners will eventually not be able to afford taking their furry friends to the vet.
“You’ll probably see an increase in, you know, dogs and cats, or any companion animal dying of different diseases,” Smith said. ” Same thing on the farm where they can’t get a vet out to treat an animal. The animal will just have to be put down. I think, you know, if you have the resources, you will probably be able to find a vet.”
Smith said universities are also attempting to address the vet shortage by implementing online schools. Smith said universities are adding to their current set of courses.
“There are schools that have increased their capacity and offerings of a vet technician program, which is not a veterinarian, but can handle some of the stuff that a vet does,” Smith said. “And so again, trying to provide more opportunity for those students to get trained.”
Smith said most people who become vets due to their love of animals.
