According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, veterinary specialists are in short supply and resulting from a lack of residency training programs.
The sheer growth of pet ownership has outstripped the supply. By all means, veterinary specialists are growing at a faster rate than veterinarians overall, but specialists remain a small portion of the veterinary profession. Data from the American Pet Products Association illustrate that pet ownership is on the rise everywhere, with 68% of US households owning a pet in 2018, vs just 50% in 1988.
As those pets are “treated” like a member of the family, the willingness to spend more on pet care and expensive medical procedures are increasing and extending the lives of pets.
Below are a few articles which illustrate the shortage:
Veterinary Specialists in Short Supply – JAVMA
DVM Needed – Veterinary News
Veterinarian Shortage Is Bad for Animals and Humans – Fortune
In the baby boomer days, a pet was added to the family after getting married and having kids. Today, millennials are getting a pet before getting married. And some are getting pets while in college.