A new program to help attract and retain livestock veterinarians in rural parts of British Columbia promises to deliver timely and better access to animal care for ranchers and farmers.
The $1.4 million program will focus on northern B.C. as the priority region. It will help veterinary clinics that provide livestock care with recruitment and retainment of veterinarians and registered veterinary technologists, as well as funding for equipment and training.
“This initiative aims to bolster the number of veterinarians in rural communities,” says B.C. Minister of Agriculture and Food Lana Popham. “By doing so, we can provide essential support for livestock care, ultimately strengthening our province’s food security and economy.”
“Ranchers and other livestock owners in rural B.C. require a large and diverse group of veterinarians and technicians to assist them with their animal health and welfare needs,” said Kevin Boon, general manager, B.C. Cattlemen’s Association. “The B.C. Cattlemen’s Association supports this initiative and feels it will help move the needle to get that help where it is needed most in a short period of time.”
The Regional Recruitment and Retention of Veterinary Service Delivery for Food Animals program will offer a maximum of $25,000 per clinic to support. This includes hiring bonuses for new veterinarians and technologists who commit to contracts of one year or longer (up to $25,000). Other eligible program costs:
- Delivering highly needed services through contracts between veterinarian practices and producer groups for services, such as herd health services or extra staffing during calving and lambing season (up to $25,000);
- Recruiting new veterinarians and technologists by including expenses for advertising, recruitment services and travel expenses for interviews (up to $5,000);
- Software and training to improve a clinic’s telemedicine capacity (up to $3,000);
- Supporting local planning for sustainable delivery of veterinary services in under-serviced areas (up to $10,000).
Clinics in the southeast, Okanagan, Thompson, Southern Cariboo, Vancouver Island, Lillooet and Pemberton will be designated as secondary priority areas, with the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley being the lowest priority area.
