Veterinarians Deserve Our Respect
Veterinarians dedicate their lives to caring for animals. They diagnose illnesses, perform life-saving surgeries, ease suffering, and help families through some of life’s most difficult moments. Their work requires years of education, extraordinary dedication, and a deep commitment to animal health and welfare.
At Better Life for Animals, we recognize and appreciate the invaluable role veterinarians play. Many work long hours under emotionally demanding circumstances, often putting the needs of animals before their own.
So why do we choose to feature only ethical vegan veterinarians on our podcast?
A Mission-Driven Podcast
The answer is simple. It is not a judgment of veterinarians who are not vegan. It is a commitment to our mission.
Better Life for Animals was founded to educate, inspire, and advocate for a world where animals are respected as individuals, not viewed as commodities. Every podcast episode, article, summit, and educational resource we create is intended to further that mission.
When selecting guests, we look for people whose professional expertise and personal values align with our purpose. Ethical veganism reflects the belief that animals should not be exploited unnecessarily for food, clothing, entertainment, research, or other human purposes. Because that philosophy is central to our organization, it is also central to the conversations we choose to share.
Every organization has the right to define its mission and invite guests whose values support that mission. This is one of the ways we remain true to ours.
What the Research Tells Us
Many people assume that because veterinarians care for animals, a large percentage must also be vegan. Surprisingly, the available research suggests otherwise.
One of the few published studies examining dietary preferences within the veterinary profession appeared in Frontiers in Veterinary Science in 2019. Researchers surveyed 131 third-year veterinary students at Colorado State University and found that 88.5% identified as non-vegetarian, 7.6% identified as vegetarian, and only 1.5% identified as vegan.
Researchers also noted that there is currently no comprehensive data on how many practicing veterinarians identify as ethical vegans. While the Colorado State study focused on veterinary students rather than practicing professionals, it remains one of the few published sources that sheds light on this topic.
These findings suggest that ethical vegan veterinarians represent a relatively small minority within the profession.
Why Ethical Vegan Veterinarians Matter
That is precisely why their voices deserve to be heard.
Ethical vegan veterinarians bring a unique perspective to discussions about animal health, veterinary ethics, conservation, nutrition, and advocacy. Their commitment extends beyond treating individual animals to considering the well-being of all animals.
These conversations often challenge conventional thinking while encouraging thoughtful dialogue about how science, medicine, ethics, and compassion can work together to create a better future.
Our goal is not to criticize or diminish the work of veterinarians who hold different views. Countless veterinarians devote their careers to helping animals, and we are grateful for their contributions.
Rather, we seek guests whose personal ethics align with the mission our audience has come to expect from Better Life for Animals.
Dr. Crystal Heath: Leading by Example
One veterinarian who embodies that alignment is Dr. Crystal Heath, founder of Our Honor, an organization that supports veterinary professionals who want their work to reflect
their ethical commitment to animals.
Dr. Heath has been a featured guest on the Better Life for Animals podcast, where she shared thoughtful insights on veterinary ethics, professional responsibility, and creating a more compassionate future for animals.
We are also honored that she will be one of the featured speakers at the upcoming Youth for Animals Summit. Her experience as both a practicing veterinarian and an ethical vegan offers young people an inspiring example of how science, integrity, and compassion can work hand in hand.
Staying True to Our Mission
At Better Life for Animals, we believe education is one of the most powerful tools for creating change. The guests we feature help shape those conversations, which is why we intentionally seek individuals whose values reflect the purpose of our organization.
Our decision to interview ethical vegan veterinarians is not about excluding others. It is about remaining consistent with the mission we have embraced from the beginning: creating a better life for animals through education, awareness, and ethical action.
We hope to continue introducing our audience to more veterinarians like Dr. Crystal Heath and others who demonstrate that outstanding veterinary medicine and compassion for all animals can exist side by side. By sharing their stories, we hope to inspire thoughtful discussion, encourage future generations of veterinary professionals, and help build a world where every animal is treated with the respect and compassion they deserve.
Be sure to register for the Youth For Animals Summit CLICK HERE
