Veterinary Appointments Are Getting Harder to Find in Rural America as New Study Highlights Access Gaps
A recent study has revealed that while most pet owners in the United States can schedule veterinary appointments for their dogs without much hassle, those living in rural areas face significantly longer wait times, greater travel distances, and more difficulty securing appointments. The research, published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA), shines a light on how geography continues to shape access to animal healthcare — and what’s being done to fix it.
The Study That Got Everyone Talking
Researchers from The Ohio State University, led by Simon Haeder, an associate professor at the College of Public Health, wanted to understand just how easy (or hard) it is to get a routine veterinary appointment for dogs. Using a “secret shopper” survey, they and their team posed as dog owners and called more than 5,000 randomly selected veterinary clinics across six states — California, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington.
This wasn’t a small or quick study. Calls were made between February and April 2025, and the researchers meticulously recorded what happened on each call — whether they could reach staff, how long they were on hold, how soon they could get an appointment, and how far they’d have to travel to reach the clinic.
The results provide one of the most comprehensive snapshots to date of what pet owners face when trying to book a preventive vet visit in America.
What the Researchers Found
Out of all the calls made, the research team managed to secure an appointment about 67% of the time. That sounds pretty good, but it also means one in three attempts failed — and the reasons behind that are revealing.
In 15% of calls, they couldn’t connect with anyone at all. Another 8% involved being put on hold for more than five minutes, which was the study’s cutoff for an unreasonable delay. In about 4% of cases, the clinics simply couldn’t take on new patients because they were at capacity.
For those lucky enough to book an appointment, the average wait time was 6.4 days, and the average travel distance to the clinic was 6.4 miles. Overall, the findings suggested that most pet owners can get reasonably prompt care — at least in suburban and urban areas.
But when the team looked more closely at rural practices, the numbers shifted noticeably.
The Rural Disparity
For dog owners in rural communities, the picture is quite different. The research team could secure an appointment only about 62% of the time. When they did, the average wait jumped to 8.6 days, and the average distance traveled was 13 miles — more than double the urban average.
That might not sound too bad at first glance, but for pet owners in remote towns or farming communities, it’s a real problem. Fewer clinics, longer drives, and limited appointment slots mean that even routine care — like vaccinations or checkups — can take weeks to arrange.
According to the researchers, these longer waits and travel times can lead to delays in preventive care, missed vaccinations, and worsened health outcomes for animals. And when pets go without preventive care, it’s not just bad for them — it can pose risks to public health too, especially when it comes to vaccine-preventable diseases like rabies.
Why There Aren’t Enough Rural Veterinarians
This problem isn’t just about scheduling or phone systems. It reflects a deeper, nationwide shortage of veterinarians in rural and agricultural regions.
A separate study, also published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, explored the issue specifically in Ohio, where about one-third of the state’s counties are designated as veterinary shortage areas by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That shortage translates to roughly 600 to 1,000 veterinarians fewer than the state needs — particularly for large-animal and mixed-animal practices that serve rural communities.
The Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine has launched an initiative called Protect One Health in Ohio, which aims to expand the state’s veterinary workforce, bolster public health, and support rural economies. The plan includes training more veterinary students, especially those interested in working in rural or large-animal medicine, and developing partnerships that make it easier for graduates to practice in underserved areas.
These efforts could eventually reduce the rural access gap — but they’ll take time to make a noticeable impact.
Why Veterinary Access Matters More Than You Think
It’s easy to overlook how vital access to veterinary care really is. Pets aren’t just companions — they’re part of the family, and caring for them affects both mental and physical well-being. Studies have consistently shown that pet ownership can lower stress, reduce loneliness, and even improve cardiovascular health.
When it’s hard to get veterinary care, both pets and owners suffer. A dog that can’t get timely preventive care may develop conditions that are harder (and more expensive) to treat later on. And for owners, the emotional stress and guilt of being unable to help their animal can take a toll too.
Beyond personal impacts, gaps in animal healthcare also have broader public health implications. Unvaccinated animals, especially in rural settings where wildlife contact is common, increase the risk of diseases like rabies, leptospirosis, and parvovirus spreading to other pets — or, in rare cases, to people.
Barriers Beyond Geography
While the study focused mainly on access and geography, it’s worth noting that cost remains one of the biggest barriers to veterinary care nationwide. Surveys consistently show that after cost, access — the ability to find and reach a vet in a reasonable time — is the top concern for pet owners.
The pandemic made both of these issues worse. Many clinics saw surging demand as pet ownership increased during lockdowns, but staffing didn’t keep pace. Some clinics cut back hours or had to turn away new clients altogether. Even now, in 2025, many veterinary offices report being short-staffed and overbooked.
So, while urban pet owners might face a short delay, rural ones are far more likely to find themselves driving an hour or more, waiting over a week, or struggling to get through to anyone on the phone.
How “Secret Shopper” Studies Help Expose Real-World Issues
The beauty of the secret shopper approach is that it captures what people actually experience, not just what they say in surveys. Instead of asking veterinarians about their workload or owners about their perceptions, researchers simulated the process of booking an appointment step-by-step.
This makes the data far more reflective of real-world accessibility — including communication breakdowns, hold times, and inaccurate contact information. It’s a reminder that even small details like answering phones efficiently or keeping contact info up-to-date can make a big difference in how accessible a clinic feels to potential clients.
The Bigger Picture
The results of this study don’t mean veterinary care is in crisis — in fact, they show that most clinics are doing a solid job of providing care within a reasonable timeframe. But they also underscore that rural America continues to lag behind, and that this disparity has consequences.
Improving veterinary access isn’t just about convenience — it’s about equity, public health, and the bond between humans and animals. With initiatives like Protect One Health in Ohio and increasing national awareness of the problem, there’s hope that the coming years will bring more veterinarians, shorter waits, and healthier pets across the country.
For now, if you live in a rural area, it’s worth planning ahead — book appointments early, stay current on vaccines, and keep contact info for multiple clinics handy. And if you’re a veterinary student or considering becoming one, rural communities could really use your help.
