When it comes to animal health, access to veterinary care is one big thing that determines if an animal is likely to live a long and healthy life. Having access to veterinary care depends on a person’s social situation: where they live, what their financial situation is, what their community has access too. When you put these issues all together, it becomes what is known as the “Social determinants of health”.
The “social determinants of health”, or SDH for short, is defined by the World Health Organization as “the non-medical, economic and social conditions where people are born, grow, live, work, and age, and they profoundly influence health outcomes even more than genetics or healthcare itself.” SDH affect both people and animals alike, and often, these SDH result in barriers that prevent access to veterinary care.
Geographic Barriers
Let’s say that a person lives far from a city, such as in rural areas or in northern communities. They might need to travel hours for basic veterinary services, and so it is less likely that animals will get the care they need. One way this need has been addressed is through the use of mobile clinics (which are common in large animal medicine, but not as common for companion animal practice) as well as organizations such as the Community Veterinary Outreach (VCO) but these programs are costly and rely on external funding.
Barriers for People
People who need access to care may also face physical or mental health challenges, a lack of available transportation, language barriers, or a lack of family support. Cost is one of the most common obstacles to accessing veterinary care and it carries stigma and shame. Open, judgement-free conversations about budget constraints are essential for veterinarians to engage in to create treatment plans that are both practical and compassionate.
Having limited access to veterinary care can also lead to negative impacts on human mental health. Pet ownership has many positive effects, but the stress of caring for sick animals without adequate veterinary support can be overwhelming.
Barriers for Clinics
Clinics experience staff shortages and limited appointment availability that often prevent timely care. Even when appointments are available, some practices lack the resources to provide specialized treatments, which lead to referrals to other clinics (that may involve additional travel and cost).
When people have limited access to veterinary care, it also reduces opportunities for them to learn about disease prevention, animal nutrition, and overall pet care.
Barriers for Animals
If an animal has behavioural challenges (such as aggression towards people and other animals) it can prevent safe handling of the animal, or limit the diagnostics and treatments that can be reasonably performed on the animal.
When veterinary care is out of reach, a dog could contract parvovirus after missing a vaccination, livestock could die because they lacked access to antibiotics, or companion animals could suffer from untreated chronic illnesses (such as dental diseases, arthritis, or diabetes).
Shared responsibility for finding Solutions
It is important for Animal Caregivers, Government, and Veterinary professionals to work together to find solutions to these barriers that prevent animals from getting the care that they need.
Under the Animal Protection Act (2018), owners of animals are legally required to provide care; however, this assumes veterinary services are reasonably accessible. The SDH have a big impact on whether or not animal care givers can access care.
Governments must ensure that veterinary care is practically available to people by supporting mobile outreach programs, providing funding for organizations like the Community Veterinary Outreach, and financially incentivizing veterinarians to set up practices in underserved communities.
Veterinarians must balance their professional freedoms with their ethical responsibilities; by embracing models such as telemedicine, mobile services, locus work, and community partnerships, gaps in veterinary access can be bridged.
While access to veterinary care in Canada is limited by geography, cost, legislation, and other social factors, lasting change will require a coordinated effort that combines the legal responsibilities of animal caregivers with strong government support and clear professional guidelines for veterinarians.
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