A lien for a licensed veterinarian against any livestock cared for or treated.

It’s hard to argue that anybody who routinely utilizes shoulder length latex gloves should not have priority to payment for their services.  So indisputable is the vet’s right to payment that the lien procedure is probably the most straightforward and simple ag lien to follow.

A vet lien is created by filing a UCC financing statement within 90 days of furnishing services, medicines, or biologics.  Similar to other liens, the financing statement must include (1) the name, address and social security number (or tax id number) of the veterinarian who provided the services or medicine; (2) the name, address, and social security number (or tax id number), if known, of the person for whom the services or medicine were provided; (3) a correct description of the livestock to be charged with the lien; and (4) the amount or value of the services, medicines, or biologics provided.  A copy of the lien must be provided to the person for whom the services were provided.

While the lien requirements are straightforward, a vet should not be lazy when filling out the financing statement or filing the lien.  Disputes occur when the livestock is not specifically described or the date of services is inaccurate.  We always advise to include more information rather than less when describing the type, brand, ear tags or other identifying marks of the livestock, and a detail of any medicine or biologics provided.

We also advise filing the vet lien as soon as possible after providing the services or products.  It is easy to get busy and we understand not wanting to file a lien against a neighbor livestock owner.  However, a lien filed after the 90 days is about as valuable as a used shoulder length latex glove.