In unpredictable and difficult times –– like the ones we have faced throughout this year –– the impact of the human animal bond has never been stronger, or more important. At Banfield, we never take for granted that pets, people and society are all connected. We also understand that our industry is not in a silo, and that our actions – and inactions - have an influence on those around us. It is our responsibility as leaders to look critically at how we can address some of the big call-to-actions happening in society. As we take a step back, there are two critical issues facing the veterinary profession that require our immediate action.

A new study from Banfield reveals an estimated 75 million pets in the U.S. may not have access to the veterinary care they need by 2030, with an important factor being a critical shortage of veterinarians. Further, with nearly 90% of veterinary professionals identifying as white according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need to not only increase the number of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) veterinary professionals in the U.S. but also diversify the talent pipeline is an important focus area at today’s 19th annual Pet Healthcare Industry Summit. These are not isolated issues. As we work together to meet our industry’s critical need for more veterinary professionals by the end of this decade, we must come together to identify where support and change are needed most.

As the nation’s leading provider of preventive veterinary medicine, we are in a unique position to create real and meaningful change. Banfield has committed to the following initiatives to expand and diversify our veterinary professionals pipeline:

• Increase representation within Banfield by ensuring 30% or more of its veterinarian and paraprofessional population are Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) by 2030.

• Strengthen the pipeline of Black veterinarians by partnering with Mars Veterinary Health, Royal Canin and the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine to launch the Banfield & Royal Canin Student Support Fund with an initial $125K gift to help Tuskegee veterinary students who have financial need.

• A $1 million investment over the next year in equity, inclusion and diversity efforts to increase representation, offer training, and support industry efforts to improve the diversity pipeline.

Diversify Veterinary Medicine Coalition

Systemic issues require systemic solutions. Today, Banfield is proud to announce a new coalition – the “Diversify Veterinary Medicine Coalition” – to ensure efforts to increase equity, inclusion, and diversity (EI&D) among veterinary professionals are ongoing and industry-wide. Founding coalition members include pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim as well as veterinary leaders from other Mars Veterinary Health practices, Royal Canin, Antech Diagnostics, the National Association for Black Veterinarians, the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) and the Multicultural Veterinary Medical Association, aiming to add partners in the future to strengthen the talent pipeline of tomorrow. 

The coalition is an extension of the incredible work and vital conversations that have already begun to push our profession forward. As goals and focus areas are set, the coalition will continue to convene regularly to listen, learn, adapt, and act -- ensuring the coalition is aligned with the needs of the BIPOC veterinary community. 

Uniting for change

Banfield is committed to using our position to make a difference, but we can’t do it alone. We are proud to continue to partner with, and amplify the important work of the many veterinary professionals on this shared journey from ally to activist. This is a call to action for companies, organizations, universities, and individuals across our industry –– we have a responsibility to our colleagues, our students, the future leaders of our profession to take these necessary steps forward. With so many industry decision-makers from across the veterinary industry supporting this work, I’m inspired by this leadership and looking forward to the impact we will make together.