Animals are important to Indiana citizens, the state’s economic standing, and a secure food supply. Having access to veterinary care to maintain the health of all animals has never been more important.
Animal agriculture in Indiana continues to grow in many sectors illustrated by the state's high rankings in multiple species categories: #1 Ducks and veal; #2 Eggs; #3 Pounds of turkey meat produced; #4 Swine; and #15 Milk production. Those figures highlight Indiana’s importance for the domestic food supply and its impact on the state’s economy.
Pet ownership is at an all-time high as families added pets to their households during the pandemic.
Wildlife interactions with humans and domestic animals continue to be important factors in keeping people healthy and protecting our food supply, as revealed by the devastation of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
The Indiana Center for Animal Policy (IN-CAP) has a goal to ensure veterinary care is accessible for all species in all parts of Indiana. Recent shortages of veterinary professionals have made obtaining timely care for pets and large animals difficult in some areas of the state.
IN-CAP is taking steps to identify underlying issues that contribute to veterinary deserts so that solutions may be pursued.
Demographic and professional information collected from veterinarians and registered veterinary technicians (RVTs) during their online license renewal cycle in 2023 is reflected in the Dashboard. Much like information gathered for human health professions, the goal is to identify trends over time that impact the veterinary workforce.
Similarly, in August 2024, IN-CAP surveyed USDA Category II Accredited veterinarians about their practices and service areas. The information will help fill out the bigger picture of where services are available for large/food animals.
