On the risisng costs of veterinary care and the legal and ethical implications for pet animal welfare

Abstract

The sharp rise in veterinary care costs across Europe in recent years has created significant ethical and legal challenges concerning the welfare of pet animals. Since animals are recognized as sentient beings in both legal and ethical terms, the inability of many pet owners to access necessary veterinary care raises concerns about the broader consequences for animal welfare.

While inflation and technological innovation contribute to rising costs, many countries identify aggressive market consolidation by a few corporate actors as the primary cause. These dominant players reduce competition and limit price transparency, creating conditions that put animal welfare at risk by discouraging timely and affordable access to care, while also undermining veterinarians’ ability to operate independently and ethically.

In response, various legislative initiatives have been introduced. Germany enforces a fee schedule to regulate veterinary pricing; Greece has established municipal veterinary services for disadvantaged groups; the United Kingdom is investigating anti-competitive practices in the sector; and the United States of America has proposed tax deductions for veterinary expenses. These examples reflect differing approaches to distributing responsibility between the state, the profession, and pet owners.

To ensure long-term access to veterinary care and uphold animal welfare obligations, the report recommends a multifaceted regulatory strategy. This includes transparent pricing, proportional fee regulation, targeted public services, and safeguards against excessive market concentration. Rather than relying on one actor alone, a shared responsibility model is needed to ensure that economic barriers do not undermine legal and ethical commitments to protect animal welfare.