Economic analysis of veterinary businesses providing services for domestic and ornamental animals in burdur province

In Türkiye, despite the increasing number of veterinary graduates, the limited and insufficient opportunities for public employment have driven many graduates towards the private sector and entrepreneurship. As of 2023, the veterinary workforce in the country reached 68,000 individuals, while the public employment rate remained below 15%. Between 2018 and 2024, the number of veterinary clinics increased by 46%, reaching a total of 8,958. This study aims to analyze the economic structure of private veterinary healthcare enterprises providing services to companion and ornamental animals in the central districts of Burdur and Isparta, and to identify the cost components affecting their profitability. A total of 22 veterinary clinics were examined—7 in Burdur and 15 in Isparta. The study covers the period from May 2023 to May 2024, during which face-to-face surveys were conducted through on-site visits to the clinics. According to the findings, the average annual total expenditure per clinic was calculated as ₺1,880,084 in Burdur and ₺1,427,857 in Isparta. In Burdur, the largest expenditure items were general administrative expenses (28.21%), pet shop products (27.33%), and pharmaceutical costs (22.21%). In Isparta, these figures were found to be 32.11%, 13.17%, and 17.00%, respectively. Depreciation-related expenses ranged between 9–13% in both provinces. Regarding income, the average annual revenue per clinic was ₺2,428,049 in Burdur and ₺2,154,050 in Isparta. Medical procedures and pet shop product sales constituted the majority of revenue sources, accounting for over 60% of total income in Burdur. Furthermore, regression analysis revealed that the most influential factors on profitability were general administrative expenses, personnel costs, pharmaceutical expenditures, as well as revenues from pet shop sales and medical services (p<0.05). In conclusion, maximizing profit and managing cost components rationally are essential for establishing a sustainable business model in private veterinary clinics. Additionally, enhancing income diversification and developing efficiency-oriented strategies are important to support effective cost management. This study offers insights into entrepreneurial trends, financial structure differences, and key profitability determinants in the veterinary healthcare sector, providing recommendations to guide the industry.