An opinion piece highlights the rising and unregulated costs of veterinary care in Canada, arguing that it's straining household budgets and making pet ownership unaffordable. The author calls for government intervention, such as price regulation and allowing pharmacies to dispense pet medications, similar to models in Germany and the UK, to protect pet owners from unpredictable fees and corporate consolidation in the veterinary market.
Opinion: In this economy, can we even afford dogs and cats any more?
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️An opinion piece highlights the rising and unregulated costs of veterinary care in Canada, arguing that it's straining household budgets and making pet ownership unaffordable. The author calls for government intervention, such as price regulation and allowing pharmacies to dispense pet medications, similar to models in Germany and the UK, to protect pet owners from unpredictable fees and corporate consolidation in the veterinary market.
Trending- 1 20 years ago: The United Kingdom mandated price transparency and ensured pharmacists could compete fairly with veterinary practices in dispensing medications.
- 2 2023: Canadians spent $9.3-billion on veterinary services; former president Joe Biden capped insulin prices at US$35.
- 3 2024: An Abacus poll found nearly three-quarters of pet owners say veterinarian fees are high; the Competition Bureau of Canada report highlighted how Quebec pharmacists have access to veterinary drug supplies.
- 4 Recent: Justin Trudeau capped non-sufficient fund banking fees at $10.
- Financial strain on pet owners
- Potential for pets to not receive necessary care due to cost
- Calls for government regulation and policy changes in veterinary services
- Increased debate on affordability in Canada
What: The rising and unregulated costs of veterinary care in Canada are making pet ownership unaffordable, leading to calls for government intervention and policy changes.
When: 2023 (Canadians spent $9.3-billion on veterinary services, Joe Biden capped insulin prices); 2024 (Abacus poll, Competition Bureau report); 20 years ago (UK mandated price transparency).
Where: Canada (coast to coast); comparisons made to Germany, United Kingdom, and the United States (health care model).
Why: Veterinary care pricing is unregulated in Canada, unlike human health care, and is increasingly influenced by corporate chains backed by U.S. private equity, leading to unpredictable and high bills for pet owners. This creates a system where consumers are at the mercy of market forces.
How: The author proposes solutions such as establishing legally binding maximum prices for pet care services, officially crowdsourcing typical rates with rules for deviation, and allowing pharmacists to dispense pet medications to increase competition and transparency. The article draws parallels with price caps on other essential services.