In Colorado, the campaign All Pets Deserve Vet Care submitted signatures for an initiative to create the profession of veterinary professional associate (VPA), which would require a master’s degree and registration with the State Board of Veterinary Medicine.

Sponsors submitted about 200,000 signatures for the initiative on July 29, 2024. To qualify for the ballot, 124,238 valid signatures are required.

The State Board of Veterinary Medicine would oversee the examination and qualification processes, issue and renew registrations, and set fees.

VPAs would work under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian and would be able to perform certain surgeries, diagnose conditions, and prescribe medications.

Currently, in Colorado, veterinarians must earn a doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) degree, which is typically a four-year degree program after earning a four-year bachelor’s degree, while veterinary technicians must earn an associate’s degree.

Dr. Apryl Steele, CEO of the Dumb Friends League, which sponsors the initiative, said, “We have a severe workforce crisis. There’s long wait times, whether it’s routine or emergency. Veterinary hospitals aren’t accepting new patients.” The Dumb Friends League describes itself as an animal welfare organization that offers sheltering, adoptions, and veterinary services.

The Animal Welfare Association of Colorado, the ASPCA, the Virtual Veterinary Care Association, and the Animal Policy Group also support the initiative.

The Colorado Veterinary Medical Association opposes the initiative. Dr. Kelly Walsh, president of the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, said the initiative “presents dangerous risks by permitting VPAs to practice the full scope of veterinary medicine — including performing surgery — with inadequate, mostly online training. Surgical procedures, even routine surgeries, are highly complex and require extensive veterinary training and expertise. Allowing inadequately prepared individuals to perform such procedures fundamentally undermines veterinary care and places animal lives in jeopardy.”

Currently, there are 10 statewide measures on the 2024 ballot in Colorado: three citizen initiatives and seven measures referred by the state legislature. Signatures were submitted for five additional initiatives in Colorado and are pending signature verification. Another nine initiatives have been approved for signature gathering and face a signature due date of August 5.