A new study has revealed Colorado as the state where veterinarians are most in demand.
The analysis, conducted by canine supplement provider PetLab, looked at the number of Google searches for the 10 most common search terms relating to animal hospitals and veterinarian care.
They then looked at the number of monthly searches in each state and compared it to population size in order to determine how many searches were made per 100,000 residents.
The results show that Colorado is the state where veterinarians are most in demand, with an average of 75,927 monthly vet-related searches, or the equivalent of 1,300 searches per 100,000 citizens. According to a recent employment data report released in April by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 2,340 veterinarians employed in the Rocky Mountain State. That’s 40 vets for every 100,000 residents and the third-highest number of veterinarians in the nation.
Michigan ranks 2nd as the state where veterinary services are most frequently sought. On average, 130,099 veterinarian-related searches are made per month there, equating to 1,297 searches per 100,000. But according to recent BLS data, Michigan has less than half the number of employed vets than Colorado with just 19 per 100,000 citizens.
Ranked 3rd is West Virginia. The state’s 22,713 monthly Google searches demonstrates that for every 100,000 people residing there, there are around 1,280 monthly vet-related searches. Despite a smaller population than the majority of those listed in the Top 10, residents there are on the hunt for veterinary services. This finding may reflect the state’s rural nature and the critical role that both pets and working animals play in the lives of its residents.
North Carolina comes in 4th place, with 133,550 average monthly searches dedicated to veterinarian services, which amounts to 1,248 searches per 100,000 people. The Tar Heel State also accounted for the highest number of searches of the Top 10 for the term “vet near me.”
Arizona ranked 5th with around 91,063 Google searches for vets each month, which is around 1,237 searches per 100,000 people. Cities throughout the state — like Prescott, Scottsdale, Tucson, and Phoenix — are well-known for their dog-friendly parks, hiking trails, and pet-friendly establishments.
Following the Top 5 is Washington in the No. 6 spot for states where veterinary services are highly sought after, with 93,766 monthly Google searches on average, equating to 1,204 vet-related searches relative to 100,000 residents.
Next on the list is Maine, ranking 7th with around 16,575 searches on average (1,197 searches per 100,000 people). Interestingly, rugged Maine also had the highest searches in the Top 10 for the term “emergency vet near me.”
Florida came in 8th with 262,373 Google searches per month on average, followed by Utah in 9th place with 1,179 searches, and South Carolina as No. 10 with 1,154 searches per 100,000 residents.
The Rising Need for Veterinarian Care
Christopher Masanto, co-founder and CEO of PetLab commented:
“The high number of searches in states like Colorado and Michigan underscores that there is a greater demand for veterinarian services there than in other states. These findings highlight not only the pivotal role of vets but also the reliance on digital means in finding pet care.”
