Veterinary Shortage Hits Rural Areas Amid Rising Pet Ownership

Dr. Richard Lagasse, practice owner and veterinarian at The Rugby Veterinarian Service, emphasized the severity of the shortage, stating, "There is an incredible shortage of veterinarians in rural areas, and not just for large animals, but also small animals. Many clinics are closing because they cannot find veterinarians to hire or buyers for their practices. Increasingly, veterinary clinics are unable to accept new clients, which poses a challenge for newcomers to the area."

The veterinary shortage is a complex issue that intensified significantly during the 2000s, although it can be traced back to the post-World War II era, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The increased demand has led many animal hospitals and veterinarians to take on heavier workloads, resulting in burnout and reduced availability.

Lagasse noted that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the situation, as more people acquired pets during this time. He explained, "We were already busy before the pandemic, but now we are trying to manage more patients with fewer veterinarians in the area. The number of veterinarians within a 60-mile radius has drastically decreased over the past 10 to 15 years."

Historically, when Lagasse graduated with his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, long hours were expected, with weeks often stretching to 50-60 hours. However, there is now a cultural shift toward a better work-life balance in the industry, aimed at combating early retirement, stress, and burnout. The CDC and the American Veterinary Medical Association report that veterinarians are two to four times more likely to die by suicide than the general population.

Lagasse remarked, "There’s a reason why veterinary medicine has one of the highest suicide rates in the country, partly due to job-related stress. We’re making an effort to ensure staff members receive sufficient time off to recharge; otherwise, burnout becomes a risk, leading some to leave the profession altogether."

In 2024, the American Veterinary Medical Association projected that the number of graduates from U.S. veterinary colleges could adequately meet demand by 2035. North Dakota lacks a professional veterinary college that offers a DVM degree; its closest veterinary school is the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. The state offers a Veterinarian Loan Repayment Program to help large-animal vets with student debt, but does not have a 2+2 program like some neighboring states do.

The shortage significantly impacts large-animal ranchers, who report difficulties accessing care as clinics are overwhelmed with small animal cases. Lagasse described the situation as "heartbreaking," as veterinarians want to assist ranchers but often cannot due to their existing commitments. This shortage has forced some ranchers to downsize their livestock.

He stated, "It’s difficult when we receive calls from ranchers needing assistance, but we simply cannot leave our current patients. Several practices that once handled cattle care in our area no longer do so or provide very little care. This leaves many areas without necessary veterinary services."

According to the North Dakota Soybean Council, livestock agriculture generates roughly $2.6 billion to $3 billion annually for the state, with beef being the largest livestock segment. Overall, livestock contributes $287 billion to $303 billion in direct cash receipts to the U.S. economy, as reported by the USDA.

Lagasse acknowledged the frustrations of pet and livestock owners due to the ongoing veterinary care shortage, assuring that his clinic is striving to provide the best possible care despite the challenges. The Rugby Veterinary Service has introduced a triage service for potential emergencies or after-hours care situations.

He stated, "We understand the frustration when people are unable to get in. It’s difficult to manage multiple emergency cases simultaneously while also handling phone inquiries. We are dedicated to maintaining our capacity to provide care without burnout, as losing more veterinarians would worsen the situation. Our single 24-hour emergency clinic is located in Fargo, and we ensure we are doing our best under the circumstances."