Volunteers Bring Veterinary Care to Rural Areas with Pet Shortages

Addressing the Veterinary Care Shortage

In the United States, the costs of veterinary care have risen by 9% within a year. However, in certain parts of the country, the major challenge is not the cost but finding a veterinarian. This holds particularly true for the rural desert areas of the Navajo Nation, spread over three western states. With an estimated 500,000 dogs and cats, many of which are free-roaming, there are only three veterinarians available to care for them all.

To address this issue, the Banfield Foundation, a nonprofit organization, is dedicated to providing veterinary care to all pets. Through grants and the Banfield Pet Hospital, which operates veterinary clinics across the U.S. and several other countries, the foundation has distributed $19 million in grants over the past seven years. These grants help community groups across the country purchase mobile care units and offer services to animals in need. Since 2021, $1.3 million has been allocated to assist pets in Native American communities across 11 states.

Mobile Clinics and Community Support

Volunteers from the Parker Project, a mobile veterinary clinic serving the Navajo Nation, and the Banfield Pet Hospital contribute to providing essential care. These dedicated individuals make regular door-to-door visits to check on pets and offer vaccinations. Additionally, they organize pop-up medical clinics where animals receive treatment, and around 7,500 pets are spayed and neutered each year.

Some veterinarians, like Dr. Katie Hayward from Chicago, even sacrifice their vacation time to participate in volunteer work. Dr. Hayward recounted treating Minnie, a dog that had suffered damage to her eye after a bad encounter with a car tire. Through their efforts, they attend to various animals in need, ranging from young dogs requiring vaccines to grateful owners seeking assistance.

The Growing Veterinary Shortage

The shortage of veterinarians is a nationwide concern, with rising costs and projections indicating a potential shortfall of 24,000 vets by 2030. In northeastern Arizona, there is only one local vet available, operating with limited hours. Individuals requiring assistance outside of these hours must travel several hours to Flagstaff or St. George to access veterinary services.

Despite the inconvenience, pet owners like Iton Redking, who lives in the area with his family and four dogs and one cat, make the effort to attend pop-up clinics for vaccinations. Redking expressed the deep bond between pets and their families, stating, 'But same time, you know, dogs and cats been in your family for so long. They love you and we love them.'

Lacey Frame, a licensed veterinary technician managing the Banfield Foundation's field clinics, expressed the importance of volunteer work in underserved areas. Using all her vacation time for volunteering last year, she highlighted the privilege that many pets in these areas do not have access to necessary care. Frame stated, 'Being able to use my skills and my 17 years of experience to help make a difference for the pets that would not have gotten care otherwise became very important to me.'