Access to Veterinary Care: A National Family Crisis

Course overview

Lack of access to veterinary care is a complex societal problem with multiple causes but it is primarily associated with low socioeconomic status. Simply stated, millions of pets do not receive adequate veterinary care because the costs are beyond the family's ability to pay -- making lack of access to veterinary care the most significant animal welfare crisis affecting owned pets in the United States. This webinar shares the results of a national study of barriers to veterinary care that pet owners face, and what veterinarians know about the problem and their attitudes and practices regarding it. In addition, AlignCare, a research and development project of One Health Veterinary care, funded by Maddie's Fund, will be presented. AlignCare improves access to veterinary care by aligning family support social services and public health entities with veterinary service providers, using charitable donations from foundations, businesses, and private citizens.