Working as a veterinarian abroad: what is it, why would you do it, and where is the best place to go?
Working as a veterinarian abroad: what, why, and where?
- What is working as a veterinarian abroad like?
- What are the reasons for working as a veterinarian abroad?
- What skills and motivations do you need to work as a veterinarian abroad?
- What are the best countries and locations to work as a veterinarian abroad?
- What are the risks of working as a veterinarian abroad, and are you insured against those risks?
What is working as a veterinarian abroad like?
- As a veterinarian abroad, you can experience quite a lot. From working with cows surrounded by mountains to rehabilitating dogs from the most dire circumstances.
- The work involves health (for both animals and people), animal welfare, public health, and often ethical dilemmas.
- Depending on where you are, you will work with limited resources, unexpected illnesses, and very different animal interactions than you are used to.
- As a veterinarian abroad, you'll work in clinics (limited or modern), on farms, in nature reserves, for NGOs, or for international organizations.
- You can work with companion animals, farm animals, wildlife, and animals in shelters and rescue clinics.
- Responsibilities: Depending on your specialization, you can:
- Provide medical care to animals;
- Implement vaccination and sterilization programs;
- Work on animal disease prevention (zoonoses);
- Train farmers or local communities;
- Contribute to research or monitoring;
- Advise on animal welfare and policy.
- Working conditions: Veterinarian work can be done paid, as a volunteer, or as an internship. Salaries vary significantly depending on the country, sector, and organization. NGOs typically offer lower compensation, sometimes with room and board.
- Contracts range from short-term projects to long-term placements.
- Flexibility and improvisation are more important than fixed working hours in this field.
What are the reasons for working as a veterinarian abroad?
- To be involved: you work directly on animal welfare and health. With the help of a veterinarian, animals have a better life, and people are safer.
- To learn to act with empathy: a key part of the job is interacting with animals and people in vulnerable situations.
- To grow professionally: applying knowledge on your own initiative and being open to new knowledge is essential.
- To be meaningful: your work contributes to health, animal welfare, or nature conservation.
- To practice processing information and knowledge: you sometimes have to form an opinion about a situation with little information and time.
What skills and motivations do you need to work as a veterinarian abroad?
- Stress resistance: emergencies, limited resources, and emotional situations are common.
- Flexibility: protocols and facilities are not always readily available.
- Communication skills: collaborating with local colleagues and communities is essential.
- Independence: you rely mainly on yourself and you often have to make your own decisions.
- Situational awareness: Cultural differences in animal interactions require tact and respect.
What are the best countries and locations to work as a veterinarian abroad?
- Countries with high demand for agricultural veterinarians: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland.
- Countries with significant animal shelter and NGO work: Thailand, India, South Africa, Mexico, Nepal, Indonesia.
- Countries with wildlife and nature projects: Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Costa Rica, Namibia.
What are the risks of working as a veterinarian abroad, and are you insured against those risks?
- What are the risks of working as a veterinarian abroad?
- Veterinarians often encounter diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans, posing a significant health risk.
- Medical facilities are often limited: good care isn't readily available everywhere, and assistance can therefore be expensive.
- Physical demands are often high: long hours, lifting, and working in heat or in remote areas.
- Accidents and bite wounds are common, especially when working with stressed or wild animals.
- Healthcare costs and evacuations are often very expensive, especially in remote locations.
- Are you insured while working as a veterinarian abroad?
- There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance when working abroad.
- Local employers generally offer limited or no supplementary insurance.
- There's a risk of accidents, for example, because you're doing work with which you have little experience.
- During work, internships, or volunteering abroad where you receive compensation or a salary, your own health insurance coverage in your home country may be cancelled.
- See the pages on: insuring international Insurances for working abroad, for internships abroad, for volunteering abroad, or for expats and emigrants.
