SVT has in several articles (see related links below) highlighted the problems in veterinary care.
The challenges are many.
Now Agria's CEO believes that the problems in the industry can lead to a deterioration in animal welfare.
- From an animal welfare perspective, it is serious that animals have to suffer while waiting for veterinary care or have to make long journeys to get care, says Agria's CEO Agnes Fabricius to SVT.
Government and private assignments
The Swedish Board of Agriculture has the task of ensuring emergency veterinary care throughout the country around the clock.
While private actors take care of the advanced veterinary care, even during on-call time.
Some of the major players have announced that they will not be able to staff their animal hospitals during the summer, due to staff shortages.
- There is a lot that needs to be fixed in a short time.
The industry needs new thinking
The insurance company Agria sees problems in the availability of care in terms of both the state part and the private activities.
This is at a time when the number of pets is increasing sharply.
- The industry needs to come together and try to find solutions to this for the benefit of the animals.
The equation does not add up
Demand for veterinary care is increasing at the same time as supply is limited.
- Animals are taking on more and more the role of an obvious and full-fledged family member and that makes them want to do everything for their animals.
So the demand for veterinary care is increasing at the same time as the number of veterinarians trained has not increased.
- At the same time, the shortage of veterinarians is exacerbated when trained veterinarians leave.
This is a very worrying development.