Breaking the Consortium: Dr. Jeff Young’s Fight for Compassionate, Accessible Animal Care
How the Rocky Mountain Vet Challenges Corporate Power, Economic Euthanasia, and the Status Quo in Animal Welfare
Introduction
Dr. Jeffrey D. Young, D.V.M., is a trailblazing veterinarian, educator, and global advocate for animal welfare whose impact is felt far beyond his Colorado roots. As the founder and owner of Planned Pethood International and Intermountain Humane, Dr. Jeff has dedicated over three decades to serving animals and communities too often overlooked by traditional veterinary care. Known for his belief that "every life matters," he has performed over 185,000 sterilizations and trained hundreds of veterinarians worldwide in high-volume, compassionate techniques.
Driven by a mission to reduce companion animal overpopulation and suffering, Dr. Jeff has pioneered affordable, high-quality veterinary care—often in direct opposition to the corporate-driven status quo and powerful national organizations known in the field as “the Consortium.”
He has championed mobile spay/neuter services and established hands-on international training centers that empower local leaders to create sustainable change. His advocacy for early-age neutering, his outspoken critique of profit-driven animal welfare, and his no-nonsense approach have earned him a loyal following—and sparked controversy across the industry. He’s also the beloved star of Animal Planet’s Dr. Jeff: Rocky Mountain Vet.
Now building a new state-of-the-art shelter and training facility in Conifer, Colorado, Dr. Jeff continues his crusade with grit, compassion, and urgency. Whether performing surgeries, mentoring future veterinarians, or challenging industry norms, he embodies action and advocacy at its best —reminding us all that meaningful change starts with those willing to stand up for what’s right.
Interview
Economic Euthanasia and Access to Care
Animal Politics: What is economic euthanasia, and why is it one of the greatest threats to companion animals today
Dr. Jeff: Economic euthanasia is when someone has to put down a pet they love just because they can’t afford the care. It’s heartbreaking. Vet costs have gone up more than 300% in the last 30 years, but people’s wages haven’t kept up. On top of that, vet boards make it tough to offer affordable procedures, so a lot of vets end up either euthanizing or referring people to expensive clinics. Sometimes, owners are looking at a $10,000 surgery or a $500 euthanasia. It really makes you ask—are we valuing life, or just profit?
Animal Politics: How does economic inequality impact access to care, and what’s the fix?
Dr. Jeff: It’s a lot like food deserts—there are places where pets never see a vet, never get fixed. In some areas, over 80% of pets aren’t spayed or neutered. Meanwhile, big national humane groups are sitting on piles of cash, and these communities are left out. We need full-service, low-cost vet hospitals everywhere, plus mobile clinics that focus on prevention. Real progress happens when everyone—national groups, local vets—actually works together instead of in their own little worlds.
Animal Politics: How can the public help prevent economic euthanasia?
Dr. Jeff: Know where your money goes. Support the grassroots groups. Sponsor a surgery if you can. Ask your vet how you can help. Push Petco and PetSmart on why they cut back spay/neuter funding. And shelters—make sure their vets are treating public animals, not just shelter pets. That’s how we build open-admission medical centers for everyone.
Animal Politics: What should the national humane organizations be doing differently?
Dr. Jeff: They need to stop hoarding money and stop working with vet boards that block progress. These groups should be building full-service nonprofit hospitals that do more than just spay/neuter—real surgery, real care. The vet establishment fights this, saying it’s unfair competition, but vets are doing just fine financially. The big groups could really influence prices and educate the public if they wanted to—if donors started demanding results instead of just feel-good stories.
Corporate Influence and the Veterinary Profession
Animal Politics: You’ve criticized corporate consolidation in vet care. What’s the harm?
Dr. Jeff: When corporations run clinics, costs go up—gotta feed the shareholders and all that bureaucracy. Most people can’t afford it. Only about 40% of Americans can handle current vet bills. I’m not against making a living, but not when it leaves animals behind. More young vets I meet don’t want corporate jobs. If the big humane groups built real hospitals, there’d be plenty of vets ready to help. No one goes to vet school just to euthanize animals because people can’t pay. That’s why burnout and suicide rates are so high in this field.
Animal Politics: What role should veterinarians play in controlling costs and educating the public?
Dr. Jeff: There just aren’t enough affordable options. We get referrals from high-end clinics, but some won’t send us cases—they’d rather euthanize than refer to a low-cost provider. The biggest humane groups are sitting on nearly a billion dollars. That money should be building nonprofit hospitals. And when nonprofits offer services, local vets don’t lose business—they actually gain it. Young vets want alternatives.
Animal Politics: How can the profession shift from profit to compassion?
Dr. Jeff: Most of us didn’t get into this for the money. But over time, the system wears you down. The new generation—mostly women—wants things to change. Corporate vet care isn’t going away, but we can still serve all animals. At PPI, we keep things lean, pay well, and invest in good tools and training. The big groups could do the same at scale, and still be sustainable.
Animal Politics: With more veterinarians now than ever before, why do you think there’s still a shortage of accessible care for animals in need?
Dr. Jeff: It’s not how many vets we have—it’s where they are. Distribution is the problem. Big nonprofits should fill those gaps. We’ve got the vets, we’ve got the money, and the need is there. If the national groups pay decent wages, vets will show up. That’s the shift we need.
Animal Politics: You’ve called the shelter system a joke. What needs to change?
Dr. Jeff: Back in the '70s, we killed 24–26 million dogs and cats a year. Today, it’s down to 2–6 million, thanks to spay/neuter, education, and public pressure. So why are we still building giant shelters and shipping animals across the country? Some shelters adopt out unaltered pets or give vouchers that rarely get used. We need humane education in schools, real feral cat programs, and shelters connected to full-service hospitals. They should help in crises—not become warehouses.
Shelter System and Collaboration
Animal Politics: How can shelters work better with clinics like Planned Pethood?
Dr. Jeff: The big national groups should build full-service hospitals right next to adoption centers, or even on the same campus. We use a sliding scale, so we get a lot of referrals. When clients can afford it, we refer complex cases out. Not every clinic can do everything, but every shelter should have a vet and pay them a decent wage.
Animal Politics: What barriers prevent animals from getting care before adoption?
Dr. Jeff: I don’t use the term “No Kill.” Honestly, it’s been one of the worst things to happen to animal welfare. Shelters have a moral and ethical duty to treat animals and address medical issues quickly—or, if they can’t, make humane decisions. A lot of shelters don’t have a vet or reliable partners. Spay/neuter contracts are weak—only about 30% actually follow through. If we have fewer, healthier animals, we’ll see more adoptions and better public trust. We need higher standards.
Grassroots Action and Community Empowerment
Animal Politics: How can people make a difference locally?
Dr. Jeff: Call your local humane society or SPCA—they usually know which vets are good or affordable. Volunteer. Host a fundraiser. Speak at a school. Help spay/neuter a neighbor’s pet. And don’t be afraid to get political. A few calls to a mayor or police chief can make a real impact. Donations help—but so do paper towels and your time. Question any “no-kill” facility and never donate to a hoarding operation—they’re part of the problem.
Animal Politics: How can grassroots movements push for real change, especially in areas underserved by large organizations?
Dr. Jeff: Ask why your community is underserved. Raise awareness. Write letters. Support local clinics and groups. Be a fly in the ointment if you have to. Reach out to big donors and let them know where help is missing. The top national groups are sitting on over a billion dollars. Let’s push them to spend it where it counts.
Animal Politics: What role does purposeful giving play in transforming animal welfare?
Dr. Jeff: Money changes everything. A few smart donors could reshape the whole field. Ask yourself: do you want to feel good—or do good? Spay/neuter, vaccines, and stopping economic euthanasia save lives. Always know where your donation goes. Information is power.
Spay/Neuter Programs and Impact
Animal Politics: Why are spay/neuter programs still essential—and what’s standing in the way?
Dr. Jeff: Spay/neuter brought shelter deaths down from over 20 million to under 3 million. But we lost focus. Cost is the biggest barrier. Saying “if you can’t afford a pet, don’t have one” just isn’t realistic. Single moms, seniors, veterans—they deserve pets too. Affordable care matters.
Animal Politics: How has Planned Pethood International expanded access to spay/neuter?
Dr. Jeff: We started as a for-profit in 1991 with one rule—no unaltered animals. When we went nonprofit, we kept that policy. We’ve trained vets all over the world, run mobile clinics across the U.S. and on Native reservations, and done thousands of surgeries in a week. Our model’s been copied everywhere. Basic care should be for everyone.
Personal Resilience and Mindset
Animal Politics: You’re facing Stage 4 cancer, yet remain hopeful. What fuels that resilience?
Dr. Jeff: Maybe it’s stubbornness—or stupidity. But I still believe I can make a difference. My body’s responding to treatment. My goal is to get our new facility up and running, financially secure, and built to outlive me. I see more students walking away from corporate jobs to do what’s right. We’ve come a long way—it’s time to finish the job.
Animal Politics: You’ve said people need to expand their mindset. What do you mean?
Dr. Jeff: We’ll quote someone $10,000 for a surgery, but if they can’t pay, we’ll euthanize for $500. That’s broken. I learned early there’s more than one way to do this work. Vet boards often block affordable care, which drives inequality. With 76% of dog owners calling their pet “family,” we need solutions—not excuses. Humane groups and vet leaders need to step up.
Animal Politics: How has your personal journey shaped your work?
Dr. Jeff: I came to Colorado for vet school, became a mountain man, and honestly thought animals didn’t feel pain. Then I met a vegan and took some tough classes. That changed everything. As an animal control officer, I saw the fallout of poverty—neglect, cruelty, confusion. Most of it comes down to education. Education is the best medicine! And there’s nothing more rewarding than helping those who need it most.
Future of Veterinary Medicine
Animal Politics: What’s the future of veterinary medicine in terms of access and affordability?
Dr. Jeff: If we fund full-service hospitals, the future’s bright. Some places, 77% of dogs never see a vet. We need clinics, mobile units, solid regulation, and education. The national humane groups can—and must—do more. Dumping unaltered animals into colonies or transporting without spay/neuter is unethical. But the field is changing. More compassion is coming.
Animal Politics: Can your model be scaled up?
Dr. Jeff: Absolutely. Know your numbers. Use generics. Be efficient. Offer a sliding scale. Nonprofits don’t always pay well, but loan forgiveness programs help. Mentorship matters too. Volume teaches fast. We keep our post-op complications under 3%. National average? As high as 16%.
Animal Politics: How do we train vets to choose compassion over profit—and still survive?
Dr. Jeff: The shift is happening! The new generation—mostly women—wants more. Most grads aren’t interested in owning a clinic. If we build hospitals, they’ll come. Sliding scale care is attractive. At PPI, our daily work pays the bills. Donations fund training and tools. It’s all doable.
Public Education and Media Advocacy
Animal Politics: How do we better educate pet owners about care and resources?
Dr. Jeff: That’s what nonprofits should be doing. Grassroots groups matter. Every humane org should have a trainer, educator, vet, and behaviorist on staff. Look at Dogs Trust in the UK—they fund smaller groups and teach the public. We need more of that here. Get into schools. Post educational material online.
Animal Politics: Your TV series has brought attention to critical issues and animal welfare. How has media advocacy amplified your message and how can it further drive change?
Dr. Jeff: “Dr. Jeff Rocky Mountain Vet” gave us a platform to highlight what we do at PPI. Now, we lean into social media to spread the word. I’ve always tried to be honest and real. If more people follow us, learn something, and act—that’s success.
Partnerships and Policy Reform
Animal Politics: Which partnerships have worked best for PPI?
Dr. Jeff: We have awards from groups in Colorado and many countries. We run spay/neuter campaigns, offer discounts for shelter animals, and provide complex surgeries. Internationally, we focus on training and supplying equipment. There are always people making a difference and obstacles to overcome. I see Mexico as one of the most progressive countries for spay/neuter, with many groups working hard to make a difference.
Animal Politics: What legislative reforms do you support?
Dr. Jeff: I don’t believe in spay/neuter mandates, but I support differential licensing for fixed pets. Many good laws exist but are poorly enforced. We need stricter rules on transporting animals between states and require all adopted animals to be spayed/neutered. Education and local funding for spay/neuter are effective. Affordable basic animal care is essential.
Animal Politics: Are there international models the U.S. should adopt?
Dr. Jeff: Absolutely. For dogs, Dogs Trust in the UK. For cats, Cat Protection in the UK. They set a very high bar.
Legacy and Call to Action
Animal Politics: What legacy do you hope to leave?
Dr. Jeff: I hope to leave behind friends and people who believe in what we’re doing. My wife, Dr. Petra Mickova, will ensure PPI continues. I want to have a positive influence, even if I’m opinionated and stubborn. I care about people and animals. I’ve done over 200,000 surgeries and trained hundreds of vets. As long as I can breathe, I’ll show up for work, hoping to make a small difference. We’re all just a small part of the bigger picture—might as well be the most helpful part possible.
Animal Politics: If you could implement one national shelter reform, what would it be?
Dr. Jeff: I would require every shelter to have a vet, a trainer, an educator, and a behaviorist on staff. All animals—except those quarantined—should be visible to the public. And every animal should be fixed before adoption. Shelters should also serve the public—not just their own animals. Feral cat and humane education programs are also important.
Animal Politics: What would you say to someone who wants to help but feels powerless?
Dr. Jeff: No one’s powerless. Even the smallest actions—volunteering, donating, fostering, educating yourself—can ripple out. You already have the power. Use it.
Animal Politics: How can readers follow or support you?
Dr. Jeff: Email me at drneuter@hotmail.com or leave a message at 303-433-3291. Donate at www.plannedpethoodinternational.org. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Or write to: Planned Pethood International, 11825 U.S. Highway 285, Conifer, CO, 804331.
Closing Thoughts
Animal Politics: Dr. Jeff Young has never been one to play it safe. From confronting corporate consolidation in veterinary care to calling out the failures of national humane organizations—what our readers know as “the Consortium”—he has remained relentlessly focused on one mission: providing real, accessible care for animals and the people who love them. His belief that “every life matters” is more than a slogan; it’s a direct challenge to a system that too often puts profits and policies ahead of pets and people.
Whether he’s mentoring young vets, fighting economic euthanasia, or launching new clinics against the odds, Dr. Jeff proves that one determined voice can push the entire field forward. Even while facing personal health battles, his optimism and grit continue to inspire a movement toward a more compassionate, accountable, and accessible future for animal welfare.
As Dr. Jeff reminds us: “The future is bright, my friends. The future is bright.” We thank him for sharing his vision and for reminding us all that meaningful change is possible—if we’re willing to demand it and do the work.
Ed Boks is a former Executive Director of the New York City, City of Los Angeles, and Maricopa County Animal Care & Control Departments, and a former Board Director of the National Animal Control Association. His work has been published in the LA Times, New York Times, Newsweek, Real Clear Policy, Sentient Media, and now on Animal Politics with Ed Boks.
Stay Informed
For more analysis and updates on the evolving landscape of animal welfare policy, visit Animal Politics with Ed Boks.
SpayUSA founder Esther Mechler introduced me to Jeff Young at one of her first spay/neuter conferences in 1993. "Opinionated & stubborn" he may be, in his own self-description, & I'm not exactly Casper Miquetoast, but in 32 years of acquaintance I can't remember having a significant disagreement with Jeff, & I might add eleven years of his acquaintance with my wife Beth, too. Dr. Jeff arrived in the veterinary field with animal care & control experience that most of the profession lacks, and added experience on Native American reservations & the hinterlands that most of the country lacks, plus international perspective, & when he speaks, he knows what he's talking about.
George Carlin many years ago excellently summarized what it's like to be a journalist:
"Goddamn there's a lot of stupid bastards walking around. Carry a little pad and pencil with you [which every reporter does] - you'll wind up with thirty or forty names by the end of the day. Look at it this way: think of how stupid the average person is, and then realize that half of them are stupider than that.
"And it doesn't take you very long to spot one of them, does it? Take you about eight seconds. You'll be listening to some guy [a news source], you say, 'This guy is fucking stupid!' Then, then there are some people, they're not stupid, they're full of shit. Huh? That doesn't take very long to spot either, does it? Take you about the same amount of time.
"You'll be listening to some guy, and saying, 'Well, he's fairly intelligent... ahht, he's full of shit!' Then there are some people, they're not stupid, they're not full of shit, they're fucking nuts!"
Jeff Young is exactly the opposite. When Jeff talks, intelligent people listen.
Ed, This article profile of Dr. Jeff Young very timely and important perspective as animal rescue/pet care has been commodified and corporatized to a great degree. I have long admired him.
He has pioneered the MASH (Mobile Animal Surgical Hospitals) style volume s/n/clinic outreach services for underserved areas. The Rocky Mountain Vet episodes (now paywalled) that demonstrate this it resembles a military field hospital and can service and entire communities animals VERY economically. See below quotes.
I am encouraging our municipal shelter with chronic overcapacity crisis to consider this format as the mobile clinic frequently has mechanical issues with patient limitations and we are FLOODED with unaltered litters and strays from outlying areas.
Thank you for interviewing this champion in animal welfare!
Mobile Animal Surgical Hospitals
Finding the mobile clinic approach inefficient, Young went on to pioneer mobile animal surgical hospitals, MASH units for short, which could be set up in any vacant building with running water and electricity.
Explained Young, “We eventually came to realize that using our vehicle mainly to haul supplies could enable us to fix more animals, faster.
“Finding space to work on the road is not a problem,” Young said. “All we need is electricity and running water. Anywhere we might set up has a community center or church or town hall or schoolroom where we can work for a weekend. Resupply is our problem. We can’t get surgical materials out in the boondocks, so when we run out, we have to go back to some city.
“Using our vehicle to haul supplies instead of as a clinic, we can fix 1,000 animals before we have to visit a city. We can stay on the road for several months if we want to.”
Mobile animal surgical hospitals are now the standard for working in remote places worldwide.