The veterinary sector is facing crisis with 40 per cent of veterinary practice owners considering selling their businesses due to a recruitment issues in the sector.
According to the latest Veterinary Practice Survey, there has been an increase in demand for services but a shrinking amount of staff in the industry.
Some 61 per cent of practices highlighted staff resources as their major challenge for 2022. Meanwhile, pet ownership saw a sharp increase during the pandemic.
As restrictions eased and people returned to work, 27 per cent of veterinary practices reporting behavioural issues with household animals.
Commenting on the survey, HLB Sheehan Quinn managing partner Mark Butler said: “We have found that growing demand for veterinary services is creating opportunities for ambitious practice owners but long hours and heavy workloads continue to be a heavy burden on many vets resulting in burnout.
“It is also notable that acute staff shortages are likely to result in further consolidation this year as ambitious practices look to mergers and acquisitions as a means to increase capacity and access additional resources.”
The survey highlighted how the expected exit of senior veterinary practice owners will put increased pressure on staffing issues.
More than 47 per cent of the sector employees surveyed were over the age of 51 with 60 per cent of practice owners having not currently identified a succession partner for their practice.
