Consultation Held by Commission Regarding Animal and Environmental Safeguard Proposal
Pet Shortage Leads to International Recruitment in German Veterinary Practices
The surge in pet ownership across Germany has revealed a hidden issue: a gap in their healthcare, particularly in rural regions. Veterinarians, like their human counterparts, are in high demand but often in short supply. Matthias Link, a veterinarian in Varrel, Lower Saxony, has been on a mission to find staff for his practice – and found them in Iran.
Asal Ilkhani Zadeh, a 30-year-old veterinarian from Tehran, and Mohammad Ranjbar, a 33-year-old veterinary surgeon from Tabriz, now work in Link's practice since 2024. Adjusting to life in a small German village was a challenge, with language barriers and differences in dialect making communication tricky, especially amidst the stress of caring for pets.
Despite these hurdles, the work itself is much the same as what they'd do back home. Zadeh works in the small animal practice while Ranjbar looks after livestock. During their initial visits to farms in Varrel, they learned new and specialized terms like milk fever, stone calf, and farrowing from local farmers. Both are content in their new surroundings, appreciating the tranquility and friendly community of northern Germany.
Practices Struggle to Find Successors
Germany has seen an increase in the number of practicing veterinarians since 2013, yet many work part-time, and the industry is predominantly female (over 70%). Over the next ten years, thousands of veterinarians are expected to retire due to age. With self-employed vets working 50 to 60 hours a week, demand for new colleagues is continuing to balloon.
Successfully recruiting foreign veterinarians is crucial to meet this demand. The Lower Saxony state government is pushing for a speedier recognition process for foreign veterinary qualifications, but this initiative has been stalled in the Bundesrat. The shortage of skilled workers is a concern not just for practice owners, but also veterinary offices, with the welfare of animals, disease control, feed, and food safety all at stake.
The Power of International Recruitment
In response to the shortage, Germany is actively recruiting international veterinarians, making it easier for them to obtain work visas and residency permits. The EU Blue Card, among other initiatives, facilitates the employment of foreign veterinarians. Improved working conditions, better compensation, and benefits can make rural positions more attractive, whether to local or international candidates.
This proactive approach demonstrates a concerted effort to address the shortage of veterinarians in rural regions, with international recruitment playing a significant role in maintaining the health of animals in Germany.
- The scarcity of veterinarians in Germany, particularly in rural areas, has necessitated the exploration of international recruitment, as demonstrated by Matthias Link who successfully brought Asal Ilkhani Zadeh and Mohammad Ranjbar from Iran to work in his practice.
- In an attempt to alleviate the upcoming shortage of skilled veterinarians due to retirements, Germany has embarked on a mission to recruit foreign veterinarians, offering easier work visas and residency permits, and addressing the scarcity through initiatives such as the EU Blue Card, ultimately aiming to maintain the health and wellness of animals in the country.
