One-third of Americans live in an area where veterinary care is scarce

Photo: Lightfield Studios/Adobe Stock

A new report has found that 129 million Americans live in a “vet desert,” or an area with extremely limited access to veterinary care based on number of households, pets, veterinary employees, language barriers, access to a vehicle, per capita income, and poverty levels.¹ According to the same report—the 2025 State of Online Veterinary Care Report—22% of counties have 0 veterinarians per 1000 households.

“Not only is access to veterinarians decreasing throughout the United States, this access issue is compounded by the fact that burnout amongst veterinarians is leading to high suicidality and abandonment of the profession,” Dutch, a veterinary telehealth company behind the report, wrote in a news release.²

The top 5 states with vet deserts, according to the report, are California, Illinois, Florida, Texas, and New York. In Los Angeles County, California, 3 million pets share 1.9 veterinarians per 1000 households. In well-served areas, the number increases to 58.8 veterinarians per 1000 households.¹

For pet owners with financial or geographical barriers, as well as seniors and working families, veterinary care may be even more out of reach. According to a 2023 national survey by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 1 in 4 pet owners said there was a time in the last 2 years when they wanted or needed veterinary care but were unable to get it.³ The State of Online Veterinary Care Report found that in-person veterinary visits amount to approximately $1450 each year, leading more pet owners to skip veterinary visits.^1,2

Related: Many pet owners cannot afford veterinary care, survey finds

The rise of telehealth

As veterinary in-person visits decrease, veterinary telehealth in the US is on the rise, with veterinary telemedicine revenue reaching $2.3 billion in 2024 compared to $936 million in 2020. Dutch estimates that by 2030, 20% of all veterinary visits will take place via telemedicine.²

According to Dutch, pet owners save an average of $700 each year using veterinary telehealth.² Still, many pet owners lack awareness of telehealth options. Only 9% of pet owners have used telehealth for their pets, and 74% of owners are unaware that prescriptions can be written virtually.¹

The most common conditions comprising telemedicine visits include allergies, ears, and preventive care, with allergies making up for 28% of visits. Additionally, more dog owners (67%) are using telemedicine compared to cat owners (33%). According to the report, female pet owners, those aged 35 to 44, and owners with an average income of $50,000 to $99,900 are using veterinary telehealth services the most.¹

Data from the 2025 State of Online Veterinary Care Report was obtained primarily from internal consumer surveys, consumer tracking, and industry data. The report also used data from Vetsource and the Veterinary Care Accessibility Project.

“Given that over one-third of Americans live in veterinary deserts, and pets who get regular check-ups live longer, healthier lives, it is apparent that there are gaps in the field that must be filled to ensure no pet is left behind,” Joe Spector, founder and CEO of Dutch, said in a news release.²

References

1. 2025 State of Online Veterinary Care Report. Dutch. Accessed April 22, 2025. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0535/2738/0144/files/031825_Vet_Telemedicine_Report_Med-Res.pdf?v=1744738079
2. One-third of Americans are living in vet care deserts, according to new report from veterinary telemedicine company Dutch. News release. April 15, 2025. Accessed April 22, 2025. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250415828890/en/One-Third-of-Americans-Are-Living-in-Vet-Care-Deserts-According-to-New-Report-From-Veterinary-Telemedicine-Company-Dutch
3. New ASPCA survey reveals pet owners need access to telemedicine. dvm360. April 10, 2023. Accessed April 22, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/new-aspca-survey-reveals-pet-owners-need-access-to-telemedicine