Access to veterinary care is unequal across income groups, geography, and pet species. Addressing this welfare gap requires systemic approaches to improve care access for all companion animals.
Veterinary access inequality is a systemic welfare issue affecting millions of companion animals whose owners face financial, geographic, or knowledge barriers to care. Financial barriers cause owners to delay or forgo treatment for conditions that cause prolonged suffering. Geographic barriers in rural areas mean emergency treatment may require long transport of a suffering animal. Lack of knowledge about available charitable services means many eligible owners don't access support they could receive. Systemic responses include expanding charitable veterinary services, training community paraprofessionals for basic care in underserved areas, developing digital consultation services reducing geographic barriers, and improving awareness of financial support options. Addressing veterinary access inequality is a precondition for meaningful companion animal welfare equity.