** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** VETERINARY BUSINESSES AND ENTREPRENEURS PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN PROTECTING BOTH HUMAN AND ANIMAL HEALTH. RURAL VETERINARY ENTERPRISES ARE AN IMPORTANT FACET OF THE VETERINARY INDUSTRY BECAUSE THEY ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO MAINTAINING A SAFE FOOD SUPPLY AND BOLSTER RURAL ECONOMIES. HOWEVER, THERE HAS BEEN A DECLINING TREND OF RURAL VETERINARY ENTREPRENEURS THAT PLACES THE U.S. FOOD SUPPLY AT RISK. THERE IS NO CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF THE ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION THAT VETERINARY ENTREPRENEURS BRING TO RURAL COMMUNITIES, NOR THE MARKET FORCES THAT AFFECT THEIR ECONOMIC SUCCESS. THIS PROJECT AIMS TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES BY ANALYZING THE ISSUE FROM A INDIVIDUAL BUSINESS, LOCAL AND NATIONAL INDUSTRY LEVEL, AND FROM THE CONSUMERS PERSPECTIVE.