Rural areas are clamoring for veterinarians, prompting universities and governments to find new ways to attract new blood to large-animal medicine. But what about rural practice is causing the shortage?

Here we tackle the issue from every angle and give you the latest updates.

Analysis
Rural veterinary shortage caused by retention issues, not attraction
Most veterinarians who enter rural practice make up their mind to do so long before entering veterinary school

In the trenches
Studies might reveal trends, but personal experience is the most eye-opening insight to rural vet shortage

Changes in agriculture place new demands on rural veterinarians
Shortage is real, but hard to assess; recruitment, mentoring needs cited by veterinary officials

News
U.S. House approves Veterinary Services Investment Act
Federal lawmakers join fight to end rural veterinary shortage
Bill introduced to ease veterinarian shortage in public health, rural areas
AVMA, AVMF announce new food-animal veterinarian incentive program
Governor pledges $500,000 to ease rural vet shortage

Connect with the dvm360 community
Video: Rep. Kurt Schrader, DVM thinks the food-animal veterinarian shortage can be solved
Message board: What motivated you to choose (or not to choose) rural practice?

Commentaries
The solution to a veterinarian shortage
Blog: All creatures great then small

Photo credit: Laura Alsman