Bridging the Gap in Animal Healthcare
According to the Veterinary Surgeons Board of Hong Kong, as of September 30, 2022, there are approximately 1,094 registered veterinary surgeons in Hong Kong. On the other hand, information submitted to the Legislative Council by the Food and Health Bureau and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department in 2021 showed that the ratio of veterinarians to pets in Hong Kong was 1:410 in 2018, compared to 1:2,543 in Singapore and 1:2,374 in the UK. Some pet owners complain about the shortage of veterinarians and the high costs.
Additionally, the first batch of veterinary graduates from the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences at the City University of Hong Kong officially registered to practice in Hong Kong in October 2023, signifying that Hong Kong will gradually welcome a new generation of locally-trained veterinarians. Compared to the previously imported veterinarians, will the local graduates gain market recognition? And how will their addition impact the local veterinary market?