pets have really become members of the family. As our families have gotten smaller, as we live longer,

as we're less likely to be married, as we're less likely to have, you know, a half dozen children

or any children. Pets are becoming a huge part of this. Millennials and now Gen Zers in particular, because they

marry so much later, have really taken, you know, were there pet parents before they're

human parents, right? And so this has led to this kind of explosion of interest in paths by people.

And in turn has been a gigantic industry.

Welcome to the unspeakable podcast. I'm your host, Megan Down. If you have a pet, and there's a

pretty good chance you do, this episode is for you. I talk with

journalist Helene Olin about what in the world has happened to veterinary medicine. Why is it so

expensive? Why is it so hard to get an appointment? And why are there suddenly so many tests and

procedures once you do get an appointment? Why, despite all of that, do domestic animals

seem to have more health problems than ever? Back in April, Helene published an article in the Atlantic

called Why Your Vet Bill is So High. In it, she reported on how a combination of advancing

technologies, private equity, and, let's face it, people being really,

really attached to their pets have made it more expensive than ever to own a pet, or I should say,

to live with an animal companion. Helene is a finance reporter who has covered politics and

economics for the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal, among other

publications, this is a fascinating conversation that I think you'll appreciate even if you don't

have a pet. And if you do, it is a must listen. So here is my interview with Helene Olin.

Helene Olin, welcome to The Unspeakable.

Thank you for having me on.

You're an award-winning journalist, an author.

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