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VDACS LARGE ANIMAL VETERINARY GRANT PROGRAM

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) launched the Large Animal Veterinary Grant Program on July 1, 2025, pursuant to § 3.2-5901.2 of the Code of Virginia. This initiative is intended to provide an incentive through grant awards to large animal veterinarians who will provide veterinary services in areas of the Commonwealth facing critical shortage of veterinary services for livestock, poultry, or equines.

Program Overview

Veterinarians who primarily care for livestock, poultry and equines, and already practice, or will practice in Virginia are invited to apply. The State Veterinarian has currently identified all areas of the Commonwealth as having a shortage of large animal veterinarians. This may change in future years if service capacity stabilizes in certain areas.

In 2025, four recipients will be awarded grants up to $110,000, disbursed over a three-year period. These funds must be used to enhance the veterinarian's ability to serve large animal clients in shortage areas.

Important Dates

Open Application Period: July 1 – September 1, 2025

Application Deadline: September 1, 2025 by 11:59 p.m. EST

Key Details

Find more details about the VDACS Large Animal Veterinary Grant Program in the grant application form.

How To Apply Who Is Eligible Required Application Materials Acceptable Use of the Grant Funds Grant Disbursement Options

Urgent Challenge of Large Animal Veterinarian Shortage

The ongoing shortage of large animal veterinarians has serious implications for animal health, farm operations, food safety, and the agricultural economy. This problem is particularly acute in rural and agricultural regions, where livestock producers rely heavily on veterinary services for herd health, emergency care, reproductive management, disease prevention, and compliance with regulatory requirements.

In Virginia, a shortage of large animal veterinarians can cause delayed or inaccessible veterinary care leading to increased animal health risks, production losses, and higher treatment costs for preventable issues; difficulty meeting regulatory requirements for health certificates, disease surveillance, and interstate movement of animals, which increases compliance burdens for producers; reduced emergency response capacity to disease outbreaks or natural disasters which jeopardizes herd health and biosecurity; and increased animal welfare concerns from the inability to access timely veterinary services.

Grant Documents

Contact

For complete program details, eligibility criteria, or general questions, please contact the State Veterinarian's Office.

804.692.0601
vastatevet@vdacs.virginia.gov