27 Apr Deadline Extended to May 7 for Veterinarian Input on Access to Care

The Access to Veterinary Care Coalition (AVCC) and the University of Tennessee Center for Applied Research and Evaluation have extended the deadline for survey responses as part of a national study about access to veterinary care affecting more than 25 million pets. The VMAE Board of Directors encourages your VMA to help publicize the opportunity for veterinarians to provide input on this critical topic and lend understanding about how to best address this crisis. The survey can be found here.

The AVCC is a diverse group, including: veterinarians, animal welfare and social services professionals, and educators, working to improve access to veterinary care for all pets. This includes conducting a national population study made possible by Maddie’s Fund. The purpose of the study is to identify barriers that families face, as well as best practices in delivering veterinary care to underserved pets. Phase One of the study surveyed pet owners across the United States in various socioeconomic groups. Now the AVCC is surveying veterinarians who work in different settings across the United States, including for-profit businesses and nonprofit organizations. The findings will be published and widely available by the end of 2018 to help guide veterinarians, animal welfare organizations, legislators, community leaders, and others as they seek to improve access to veterinary care for all pets.

The survey deadline has been extended to May 7. Broad veterinary participation will help ensure a better understanding of this societal problem and encourage evidence-based strategies to provide accessible care. Thank you for highlighting this comment opportunity with your members.