Pet owners who have had to bring their four-legged friends to the vet in recent months may have noticed a big increase in the cost of care.
Dr. Maggie Brown-Bury, a relief veterinarian who works in small animal clinics throughout the province, says there are a variety of factors leading to increased costs, not the least of which is inflation. That, coupled with increased demand, a larger number of pet owners and the labour crunch, are all contributing to the price paid by pet owners.
Brown-Bury foresees some big changes coming in local veterinary care based on trends she’s seeing across North America.
Brown-Bury believes what a province like Newfoundland and Labrador needs is a no-frills, basic service type veterinary practice for those who love their pets, but can’t afford or don’t need the bells and whistles.
She doesn’t think the population can support that type of practice, but she believes it’s possible if pet owners start pushing for that type of option.