Why International Veterinarians May Be Key to Canada’s Veterinary Future

Canada’s veterinary workforce shortage is becoming an increasingly important issue affecting animal welfare, public health, food security, and access to veterinary care across the country.

Veterinary teams continue to face growing pressure from increasing caseloads, workforce shortages, burnout, and limited access to veterinary professionals in rural and underserved communities. These challenges affect not only private practices, but also shelters, livestock medicine, and community outreach veterinary services.

At the same time, national discussions are growing around the role internationally trained veterinarians may play in helping strengthen Canada’s veterinary workforce for the future.

Professional veterinary infographic exploring how internationally trained veterinarians may help address Canada’s veterinary workforce shortage and strengthen the future of veterinary care.

Canada’s Growing Workforce Challenge

Across Canada, veterinary clinics and animal welfare organizations are experiencing:

• Recruitment and retention difficulties

• Increased workload pressures

• Rural and remote veterinary shortages

• Growing demand for affordable veterinary care

• Expanding shelter and community medicine needs

These shortages affect veterinary professionals, pet owners, agricultural communities, and animal welfare systems nationwide.

The Role of International Veterinarians

Internationally trained veterinarians may represent an important part of the long-term solution.

Veterinarians trained around the world bring:

• Diverse clinical experience

• Strong medical knowledge and skills

• Different perspectives and problem-solving approaches

• Additional support for underserved communities

• Valuable contributions to shelter and community medicine

As Canada continues to explore workforce solutions, global veterinary talent may become increasingly important in building a stronger and more sustainable profession.

Immigration and Licensure Progress

Organizations including the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), immigration stakeholders, veterinary regulators, and educational institutions have increasingly discussed strategies to improve veterinary workforce sustainability.

Recent initiatives have included:

• Immigration-focused veterinary recruitment webinars

• Workforce planning discussions

• Exploration of alternative licensure pathways

• Collaboration between veterinary and immigration systems

These discussions reflect growing recognition that innovative and collaborative approaches will be needed moving forward.

Looking Ahead

Addressing veterinary workforce shortages will require collaboration between:

• Veterinary organizations

• Educational institutions

• Regulators

• Governments

• Immigration systems

• Veterinary professionals in Canada and internationally

International veterinarians are not only part of a workforce discussion — they are also part of a broader conversation about accessibility, public health, One Health, and the future of veterinary care in Canada.

By investing in mentorship, integration, education, and supportive pathways, Canada has an opportunity to strengthen both the veterinary profession and access to veterinary care nationwide.

Canasta.vet InsightsExploring the future of veterinary medicine, workforce innovation, shelter medicine, leadership, and global veterinary collaboration.