The provincial government is investing $100,000 to help ensure the livestock industry has enough vets
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
The Saskatchewan government is taking steps to address a shortage of available veterinarians to support the livestock industry and pet owners.
Agriculture Minister David Marit announced $100,000 to support the Saskatchewan Veterinarian Medical Association (SVMA)to in its workforce study to understand the scope of the shortage.
"Recruitment and retention of veterinary professionals is important for every animal owner and producer in the province," Minister Marit said in an Oct. 6 statement. "This survey will provide the province, SVMA and veterinary professionals insight into the best retention strategies and ensure Saskatchewan livestock producers have access to the professional supports their animals need."
This provincial survey and government support comes after a national survey identified areas of concern within the veterinary industry.
The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association published study results in 2020 from work it did in 2019.
Its results showed:
- Vets in Saskatchewan are among those frequently turning patients away.
- Almost 50 per cent of vet clinics in Saskatchewan were at 90 per cent capacity.
- Saskatchewan reported a high prevalence of open vet and technician positions.
- Saskatchewan vets reported longer waits for positions to be filled.
Taking a targeted approach to understand the challenges in Saskatchewan will help stakeholders identify solutions.
“We feel the survey will allow us to gain insight into areas that can be improved to make meaningful change within the veterinary industry in Saskatchewan,” Dr. Zachary Johnson, president of the SVMA, said in a statement.
A mobile app is available to help vets.
VETSon, an app veterinarian Glen Yates and his son Colin invented together, helps existing practices serve clients more efficiently.
Farmers can have medication shipped directly to the farm and also decrease the cost of on-site visits.
When signing up on the app, farmers must provide specific information to help the process run smoothly.
"We try to encourage that farms have basic supplies on-site," Colin told CBC. "That way, when that veterinarian jumps on, they know what materials are available in terms of the ability to treat that animal rapidly because waiting even a day for medication is not ideal."
The app recently won an innovation award at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in Woodstock, Ont.