This landing page serves as a hub for research and information about the veterinary shortage as the crisis evolves.
Vet Shortage Task Force
United Spay Alliance convened the Veterinary Shortage Task Force to better understand the ongoing challenges faced by the veterinary community, and what animal shelters and rescues may do to support veterinary partners, and continue to serve animals.
There’s no doubt about it – veterinary professionals play the key role in spay/neuter! For low-cost spay/neuter to exist, there must be a supply of well-trained veterinarians and veterinary technicians ready to support their local organizations and communities.
Unfortunately, across the country there is an ongoing shortage of such veterinary professionals available. This has led some clinics and practices to cut back on their hours, reduce appointments, and cancel spay/neuter events. Regretfully, the veterinary shortage has even led clinics to shutter their doors forever.
This crisis comes at a pivotal point in our movement. While the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns halted surgeries and closed clinics, too many families were struggling to make ends meet. As the dire need for affordable spay/neuter services rose, the availability of such services began to decline. That trend continues today.
United Spay Alliance and the Veterinary Shortage Task Force are working to expand access to spay/neuter services, and support the veterinary community, animal shelters and rescues alike as we come together to stem the tide once again and save animal lives.
What we’re doing:
- Building an understanding on the veterinary community and the complexities of the various organizations which play a key role in shaping the profession. Download our Fact Sheet on the Role of Key Influential Veterinary Medical Entities here.
- Tracking legislation that would make it easier for licensed veterinarians to travel across state borders to practice medicine, especially to perform spay/neuter surgeries.
- Researching and publicizing models for veterinarians and clinics to implement to increase spay/neuter capacity for their communities.
Statement regarding 2023 AVMA election
Upon careful consideration of the candidates for the 2023-2024 president-elect position of the AVMA, United Spay Alliance and the Veterinary Shortage Task Force finds that the views and priorities of Dr. Bob “Murt” Murtaugh most closely align with our mission, vision, and core belief in the pivotal role of spay/neuter in saving lives and eliminating suffering.
United Spay Alliance supports Dr. Murtaugh and encourages anyone who believes in the critical role which spay/neuter plays in access to care, to talk with their veterinarian and others about support for Murt in the upcoming election.
The election will be held during the AVMA Convention, July 14-18, 2023 in Denver, CO.
