Desperate for Vets: Newfoundland and Labrador’s Bold Move to Fix the Animal Care Crisis

After years of veterinary clinics crying out for help, the Newfoundland and Labrador government is finally answering the call—with a major investment that could change the future of animal care across the province.

Tucked inside last week’s provincial budget was a game-changing announcement: the number of subsidized seats for Newfoundland and Labrador students at the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) in Prince Edward Island will double starting in the 2026–27 academic year.

For years, local veterinary practices have been stretched dangerously thin. With too few vets to meet demand, some clinics have been forced to slash their hours, limit services, or even turn away patients. The shortage hasn’t just strained staff—it’s affected pet owners and the animals who rely on timely, expert care.

This investment is seen as a long-term strategy to ensure the province can build its own pipeline of qualified veterinarians—homegrown professionals with deep roots in the communities they serve.

While the impact won’t be immediate, the move brings renewed hope for the veterinary field—and for every pet owner who’s ever faced a long wait or limited options when their animals needed care.

The bottom line? Help is on the way. And for clinics, veterinarians, and the animals of Newfoundland and Labrador, it can’t come soon enough.