I’m not sure how things can change, other than economic pressure by consumers or the government on welfare.
1. PE rollups of companion vet clinics are a contributing factor, as with human medical clinics. Consolidation combined with metrics-based optimization leads to harsh local incentives.
2. Vets in poultry and cattle operations don’t necessarily care more about animal welfare than the owners or the consumers. Large animal / poultry vets have been desensitized to harm for many years, understand the economics, and understand their role in that system. I believe all of them care deeply about welfare, but the machine is optimizing for cost. There are selection effects in career choice too—if they share your ideals they probably won’t end up in those roles. Companion vets have more room for empathy, even if they are still constrained by economics.
Vets are the HR of the production animal world—there to help unless your needs conflict with the org’s.
I’m not sure how things can change, other than economic pressure by consumers or the government on welfare.
1. PE rollups of companion vet clinics are a contributing factor, as with human medical clinics. Consolidation combined with metrics-based optimization leads to harsh local incentives.
2. Vets in poultry and cattle operations don’t necessarily care more about animal welfare than the owners or the consumers. Large animal / poultry vets have been desensitized to harm for many years, understand the economics, and understand their role in that system. I believe all of them care deeply about welfare, but the machine is optimizing for cost. There are selection effects in career choice too—if they share your ideals they probably won’t end up in those roles. Companion vets have more room for empathy, even if they are still constrained by economics.
Vets are the HR of the production animal world—there to help unless your needs conflict with the org’s.