Veterinarians Share The Funniest And Strangest Moments They’ve Ever Had On The Job (New Pics)

It's a pretty good time to be a vet in the U.S. As the American Veterinary Medical Association reports, there's no shortage of veterinarians predicted throughout 2030-2035. There will be enough new veterinarians coming fresh from colleges and not too many will be retiring in the next 10 years.

Demand for veterinary services is also pretty high at the moment. On average, U.S. pet owners spend a pretty penny on their four-legged friends' visits to the vet. In 2021, pet owners spent a whopping $123 million on pet care, and 28% of that was for veterinary care and products.

Growing demand for veterinary care also contributes to the rising costs of procedures and visits. The Bureau of U.S. Labor Statistics reported that the price of urban veterinary services rose by 7.9% from 2023 to 2024. USA Today Blueprint asked pet owners what they think about pet care costs, and 91% responded that they've felt some level of financial stress because of it.

Dr. David Lee, an associate dean and professor at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine, explained to USA Today that vet visits involve unexpected spending for most people. The rising costs of pet care, according to him, are due to a shortage of professionals: some are retiring, and others are lured to specialty professions or emergency clinics.

As vet services costs are rising, experts worry that people might run out of affordable options soon. "We're very concerned that there could be as much as 35% of pet owners who will not have affordable access to veterinary care in just the next few years," Lee explained to USA Today. 

When we wanted to be veterinarians as kids, spending all day in the presence of animals was the most attractive factor. But a vet's job has many other advantages as well. It's a pretty stable and lucrative career, especially in today's economy. You can also live almost anywhere you'd like: whether it's a big city or a small town, a veterinarian's services will most likely be needed.

But it's also not that easy to be a veterinarian. The job can be physically and emotionally demanding, and only 27% of veterinarians aged 45 and younger would recommend young people pursue a career in veterinary medicine. As awesome as a vet's job sounds, many of the doctors struggle with mental health issues.

In 2022, the pet food brand Royal Canin surveyed Australian veterinarians and asked them about their mental health. Almost six in 10 vets said they had sought professional help because of their mental health. They listed pet owner expectations as one of the most stressful parts of their jobs.