Many farm animals globally receive inadequate veterinary care. Improving access to veterinary services is fundamental to raising farm animal welfare standards.
The relationship between veterinary access and farm animal welfare is direct: animals that cannot receive professional diagnosis and treatment for injuries and illness experience prolonged suffering. Economic barriers mean that many farmers make treatment decisions based on cost rather than welfare need. Training programmes that upskill farmers in basic health monitoring and first aid improve outcomes where veterinary access is limited, but cannot replace professional care for complex conditions. Policy solutions including subsidised veterinary services for smallholders and mobile veterinary units are improving access in some regions while the gap remains wide in others.