The current count of veterinary clinics in the US

The exact number of veterinary clinics in the United States is not tracked by a single federal agency, so no official government count exists. The most reliable estimates come from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and private industry research firms. As of the most recent surveys, there are roughly 28,000 to 30,000 veterinary practices operating across the country, though this number shifts as clinics open and close each year.

This count includes all types of veterinary practices: small-animal clinics (dogs and cats), large-animal practices (horses, cattle, livestock), mixed-animal clinics, and specialty hospitals. The number does not include veterinary schools, research facilities, or government veterinary positions, which are tracked separately.

The actual count varies depending on how you define "clinic" — whether you count a single-veterinarian practice the same as a multi-location chain, or whether you include mobile veterinary services. Different sources use slightly different definitions, which is why you will see estimates ranging from 26,000 to 32,000 depending on the source.

Key Takeaways

  • The United States has approximately 28,000 to 30,000 veterinary practices, with no single official count because the federal government does not maintain a centralized registry.
  • The American Veterinary Medical Association publishes the most widely cited estimates based on membership data and industry surveys.
  • This number includes small-animal clinics, large-animal practices, mixed practices, and specialty hospitals, but not veterinary schools or government positions.
  • The count changes year to year as new clinics open and existing ones close, so any number is a snapshot rather than a permanent figure.

Where the AVMA gets its numbers

The American Veterinary Medical Association maintains a database of veterinary practices based on membership records, state licensing boards, and industry surveys. The AVMA does not require all veterinarians to join, so their count is not complete — it represents practices where at least one veterinarian holds membership or where the practice has registered with the organization.

State veterinary licensing boards also track the number of licensed veterinarians and clinics within their borders, but each state uses its own system and publishes data on different schedules. Some states make this information public through their licensing board websites; others do not. This fragmentation is why a single national count has never been compiled by any government body.

Private market research firms like IBISWorld and Statista conduct their own surveys and publish estimates that sometimes differ from AVMA figures. These firms often have financial incentive to be accurate because they sell their data to investors and business owners, but their methods are proprietary and not always transparent.

How the number breaks down by practice type

Small-animal practices (primarily dogs and cats) make up the largest share of veterinary clinics — roughly 70 to 75 percent of all practices. These range from solo veterinarian operations to large multi-location chains like Banfield Pet Hospital and VCA Animal Hospitals.

Large-animal practices serving horses, cattle, and other livestock account for roughly 10 to 15 percent of clinics. These are often located in rural areas and may serve multiple counties. Many large-animal veterinarians operate mobile practices, traveling to farms rather than maintaining a fixed clinic location.

Mixed-animal practices that treat both small and large animals represent a smaller segment, roughly 5 to 10 percent. Specialty hospitals — clinics focused on surgery, emergency care, oncology, or other specific disciplines — are a growing segment but still represent fewer than 5 percent of all practices.

Regional variation in clinic density

The number of veterinary clinics per capita varies significantly by region. Urban and suburban areas have much higher clinic density than rural areas. A major metropolitan area like New York City or Los Angeles may have hundreds of clinics within the city limits, while a rural county might have only one or two.

This variation reflects both population density and income levels — wealthier areas tend to support more veterinary practices because pet ownership and spending on veterinary care are higher. Some rural areas face veterinary shortages, meaning residents may need to travel significant distances to reach a clinic.

State-by-state variation also exists. States with larger populations and higher urbanization rates (California, Texas, Florida, New York) naturally have more clinics in absolute numbers. However, the ratio of clinics to population can differ — some smaller states have higher clinic density relative to their human population.

Why the count keeps changing

The number of veterinary clinics in the US is not static. New clinics open regularly as veterinarians graduate and establish practices, and existing clinics close due to retirement, relocation, or business failure. Additionally, consolidation is occurring — larger veterinary corporations are acquiring independent practices, which can reduce the total number of separate business entities even if the same physical locations remain open.

The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily accelerated clinic openings as demand for veterinary services surged and some practices expanded. However, veterinary labor shortages have also caused some clinics to reduce hours or close locations due to inability to hire enough staff.

Economic conditions, changes in pet ownership rates, and shifts in how people access veterinary care (such as telemedicine or retail clinics in pet stores) all influence the total count over time. For this reason, any number you find is accurate only for the year it was published.

How to find veterinary clinics near you

If you are looking for a specific clinic in your area, the AVMA website includes a "Find a Veterinarian" tool that searches by location and practice type. This tool draws from AVMA member data, so it will not show every clinic in existence, but it covers a large portion of practices.

Google Maps and Yelp also list veterinary clinics with hours, phone numbers, and customer reviews. These platforms are often more complete than the AVMA directory because they include non-member practices and allow users to add listings. However, the information may not always be current.

Your state's veterinary licensing board website will have a searchable database of licensed veterinarians and clinics. This is the most authoritative source for your state, though the interface varies widely — some states make it straightforward to search, while others require you to navigate a clunky database.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a shortage of veterinary clinics in the US?

In rural areas, yes — many counties have only one or two clinics, and some have none. Urban and suburban areas generally have adequate clinic density, though wait times for appointments can be long during peak seasons. The shortage is less about the number of clinics and more about the uneven geographic distribution and staffing challenges at existing clinics.

How many veterinarians work in the US?

The AVMA reports approximately 100,000 licensed veterinarians in the United States, though not all are in active clinical practice. Some work in research, government, industry, or education. The ratio is roughly three to four veterinarians per clinic on average, though this varies widely — solo practices have one, while large hospitals may have ten or more.

Are veterinary clinics consolidating into larger chains?

Yes. Large veterinary corporations like Mars Petcare (which owns Banfield and VCA), Nestlé Purina, and others have been acquiring independent practices over the past decade. This consolidation reduces the number of independently owned clinics, but the physical locations often remain open under new ownership. The trend has raised concerns among some veterinarians about standardization and pricing.

What counts as a veterinary clinic versus a hospital?

The terms are not legally defined, so usage varies. Generally, a clinic is a smaller practice offering routine care, while a hospital is larger and offers surgery, emergency services, or specialty care. However, some practices use "clinic" and "hospital" interchangeably. The distinction does not affect licensing or regulation — both require the same state veterinary license.

Can I find out how many clinics are in my state?

Your state's veterinary licensing board can tell you the number of licensed veterinarians and clinics. Contact information for each state board is available through the AVMA website. Some states publish this data publicly; others will provide it if you call or email directly.