Working as a veterinarian abroad: what is it, why would you do it, and where is the best place to go?

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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.