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The vet shortage in the US boils down to a supply and demand mismatch: Demand is high: Pet ownership is on the rise, with around 70% of US households having a furry (or feathered, or scaled) friend.
This trend was further amplified by the pandemic. More pets means more need for veterinary care. Supply isn't keeping up: There simply aren't enough vet schools to train enough professionals.
The US has far fewer accredited vet schools compared to human medical schools, and these programs are highly competitive. On top of this, there's the issue of retention. Vets often face long hours, stressful workloads, and student loan debt that can be burdensome on their starting salaries.
This can lead to burnout and vets leaving the profession. So, it's a combination of factors: a surge in pet ownership, limited opportunities for veterinary training, and challenges keeping vets in the field.