Shortage of veterinarians affecting pets in Tasmania

Tasmanian veterinary clinics are dealing with a shortage of animal doctors as more leave the sometimes ‘emotionally draining’ profession. Here are some of the things causing it.

Veterinary Surgeon and President of AVA in Tasmania Dr Rhianna Booth at her Brighton Surgery with dogs Temu Charles and Breeze. Picture: Linda Higginson

A shortage of veterinarians is being felt more in Tasmania, as young professionals call time early on what’s described as a sometimes ‘emotionally draining’ career.

Australian Veterinary Association Tasmanian president Rhianna Booth said there was increasing pressure on animal doctors because of the shortage.

Ms Booth said the problem was worse in rural areas, and many were struggling to find vets for farm animals.

“There is a national shortage of vets but we definitely feel it more in Tasmania,” she said.

“Same day consults are hard to get for sick animals.

“It’s increasingly frustrating for the owners that they can’t get their pets seen for a week plus in some areas.”

Bernese Mountain Dog. Picture by Max Mason-Hubers

She said many vets took it upon themselves to pick up the shortfall.

“We’re all working at above capacity at the moment,” she said.

“Often vets will try and fit more appointments into their day, they’ll stay back later.”

Brighton Veterinary Services, where Ms Booth works, is just one of the clinics in Tasmania which has felt the pain from the shortage.

“We have gone through a period where we were down to three vets,” Ms Booth said.

“We had to, at one stage, close our books to our clients and turn away urgent cases we couldn’t see on the day.

“Thankfully we’ve got a couple of new vets, but now we’re having a problem with recruiting experienced nurses. We’re still very short staffed.”

She said many clinics found it took more than a year to fill vacancies.

“Nationally, 44 per cent of advertised vet jobs take over 12 months to fill,” she said.

“In Tasmania it’s 70 per cent of positions not filled after 12 months.”

She said there were several reasons for the shortage, but mental health was a big consideration, especially for newer vets.

Picture: Jason Edwards

“It’s emotionally draining, mentally draining, it’s physically demanding,” she said.

“Within five years, they can’t stand to be in the industry.

“There is a lot of stress on young vets to have to explain why pets needs surgery at a certain cost.

“The cost of living crisis meaning people have to choose between getting treatment for their pet or feeding their family.

“It takes an emotional toll on those who want to do the best for the animals.”

Ms Booth said there was an increase in pet ownership during Covid, which was still high.

“We’re finding that the amount of pets per vet is getting much higher. There’s one vet per 10,000 animals, that doesn’t include production or working animals,” she said.

She said pay was also an issue.

“We’re trying to improve the income vets can earn,” she said.

“We’re also talking to the government about getting HECS relief. Vet students spend about six years in university and they graduate with a massive amount of debt.