Surveys of Salary, Benefits, and Job Responsibilities for Veterinarians Employed in the Field of Shelter Medicine in the United States Conducted in 2011 and 2018

Abstract According to AVMA statistics, veterinarians employed in the not-for-profit sector account for the smallest group by type of employment. However, this group has experienced the greatest amount of change, with an increase of 52% between 2008 and 2013 and 55% between 2013 and 2018. Despite this growth, there has been a paucity of information regarding the salary, benefits, hours and job duties that come with a career in shelter medicine. An initial survey of shelter medicine salary, benefits, hours and job duties was conducted in 2011, and a similar survey conducted in 2018. All responses were anonymous. Results from 2018 were compared to 2011 using two sample test of proportions (counts) or Mann Whitney (Wilcoxon rank sum) test (medians). A total of 207 conforming responses were received in 2011, and 219 in 2018. Median salary for all full-time veterinarians in the field of shelter medicine was $75,000 (IQR, 65,000-85,000) in 2011 and $94,500 (IQR, 80,000-110,000) in 2018. Part-time shelter employed veterinarians in 2011 worked a median of 20 hours (IQR 7-28) for an hourly rate of $41 (IQR, 29-56) while they worked a median of 26 hours (IQR, 15-32) for an hourly rate of $48 (IQR, 36-66) in 2018. There was an increase in the provision of all categories of benefits and an increase in veterinarians employed in academia and leadership. Demographics were similar, with the exception of increases in the number of boarded specialists and veterinarians who had completed a residency. Veterinarians reporting that shelter medicine had been offered in their curriculum increased by 44%. Budgets for shelters were reported to be higher, while animal intake and daily count of animals in care was lower. Comparison between surveys of shelter medicine veterinarians in 2011 and 2018 showed a consistent increase in salary, benefits and resources. There were indicators that the field of shelter medicine has matured as a discipline, particularly with regard to the availability of shelter medicine education and increased number of boarded specialists.