There are 33 accredited veterinary medical schools in the U.S., and admission is highly competitive with an acceptance rate below 15 percent at many institutions. The average educational debt for a new veterinary graduate exceeds $150,000, according to the AVMA. AVMA workforce report
Veterinary Industry and Business Trends
The U.S. veterinary services market was valued at over $35 billion in recent years and is expanding steadily due to rising pet ownership and advanced medical care. Corporate veterinary chains such as VCA Animal Hospitals operate more than 1,000 hospitals across North America. Mars Veterinary Health, a division of Mars Inc., is one of the largest veterinary services providers globally, managing thousands of practices. Mars Inc. veterinary division
Telehealth and virtual care have grown significantly in veterinary medicine, with platforms like Pawp and Fuzzy offering on-demand consultations. The global veterinary telehealth market is expected to exceed $10 billion by 2030, driven by mobile apps and remote monitoring tools. Forbes veterinary telehealth trends
Specializations and Global Context
The AVMA recognizes 41 veterinary specialties, including surgery, internal medicine, cardiology, and zoological medicine. Board-certified specialists complete additional residency training and pass rigorous examinations. Food-animal and food-safety veterinarians play a critical role in public health and supply-chain security, working closely with agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA veterinary services
Globally, the veterinary profession addresses zoonotic disease surveillance, livestock productivity, and wildlife conservation. The World Organisation for Animal Health coordinates international standards for animal health and welfare. In many countries, veterinarians are essential to pandemic preparedness and antimicrobial resistance monitoring programs. WOAH animal health standards