Operation News-September 2026

In case you haven’t been paying attention, everything is costing more, and that includes veterinary care. But why?

Well, there are several reasons.

The Veterinary Shortage: According to a 2024 study commissioned by the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, the U.S. will need 70,092 new veterinarians by 2032. Only about 52,926 students are expected to graduate from veterinary programs in that time — meeting just 76% of demand. That leaves the country potentially short about 17,000 vets in just the next few years.

Experts blame burnout, soaring student debt and a pandemic pet boom that led more people to bring animals home during COVID-19.

Corporate Consolidation: Gone are the days of the mom-and-pop, husband-and-wife or classmates who open their own practice. Sure, a few still exist, but Private Equity now owns the vast majority of veterinary clinics/hospitals. Bottom line: Corporate entities standardize pricing, reduce local competition and prioritize profit margins.

Longer Pet Lifespans: Our pets are, for the most part, living longer due to higher-quality food and medical advancements. Human-grade healthcare is now the new standard for pets. Advanced procedures include MRIs, chemotherapy and robotic-assisted surgeries. This all comes at a hefty cost.

Here are ways to save a few dollars without compromising your pet’s health.

Brush those teeth! Dental disease spreads bacteria to the heart and kidneys, sparking thousands of dollars in deep cleanings or organ disease management.

Measure out that food: Excess weight accelerates arthritis, diabetes and joint injuries requiring expensive surgeries.

Never skip the monthly preventative: Heartworm treatments can cost thousands of dollars and damage the heart, while a year of preventive medication costs a fraction of that.

Shop around for medications! Request a written prescription for that monthly preventative. Did you know that many common pet drugs are actually generic human medications? You can often fill them for less money at traditional pharmacies like Walmart, Costco or even Chewy.  Fun fact: You don’t need a Costco membership to use the pharmacy.

If your vet says they don’t do that, ask again and don’t take no for an answer. It may be a little more paperwork for them, but you have paid for it.

Look for pop-up clinics: Seek out mobile vans or shelter-sponsored events for basic rabies shots and routine vaccines. These are often low-cost or free.

Veterinary teaching universities: If your pet needs a complex surgery, look into nearby university teaching hospitals. Supervised veterinary students perform the procedures at deeply discounted rates without sacrificing quality of care. Currently, the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine does not operate its own facility. In the Phoenix area, Midwestern University does operate a companion animal clinic.

Leverage Telehealth: Yes, your pet can have a telehealth consultation instead of rushing to an emergency room, which will often cost $300 to walk in the door for a bout of diarrhea or a sudden rash. Try virtual triage. You still may end up going to the emergency veterinary hospital, but you might not. Vetster is one such service.

Pet Insurance: Enrolling your hound while it is young and has no pre-existing conditions may save you a few dollars.

Veterinary Financial Services: If hit with an unexpected medical emergency, ask the billing department about interest-free financing options like CareCredit or Scratchpay to break up the balance.

At the end of the day, small savings can add up over time. We hope this helps.