“THE Underdog: A Veterinarian’s Fight Against Racism and Injustice”—the explosive true story of courage, conviction, and a 13-year battle against systemic racism in Canada’s veterinary profession—is now available on Amazon and through major retailers worldwide.
This urgent, unflinching book from Dr. Hakam Singh Bhullar recounts how an immigrant veterinarian’s dream of making animal care affordable to all sparked the longest human rights trial in Canadian history.
In 1995, Dr. Bhullar opened Vancouver’s first low-cost clinic, providing families in need, the homeless, and animal welfare groups with accessible care. His model quickly gained traction, training and mentoring new immigrant veterinarians along the way. But his success—and his challenge to the industry’s profit-protected norms—provoked fierce retaliation.
The British Columbia Veterinary Medical Association (BCVMA) launched a coordinated campaign of discriminatory licensing barriers, surprise inspections, and punitive complaints. What followed was a grueling legal fight that exposed systemic racism and ended in a landmark ruling and rare public apology.
“This book is not just about my story—it’s about the power of persistence, the importance of community, and the belief that justice can prevail, even when the odds are stacked against you,” said Dr. Bhullar.
The Underdog uncovers chilling details, including surveillance video of a senior BCVMA official declaring, “Gone are the days when you can go there with a torch and burn the place down. Quicker way.” It’s a stark reminder of how institutional bias can weaponize systems of power against those trying to create equity and inclusion. A documentary is also now available.
This book is more than a memoir—it’s a call to action for anyone who believes in fairness, access, and standing up to entrenched injustice. As racial inequities persist across North America, Dr. Bhullar’s story offers both a warning and a source of hope.
The book’s release is accompanied by the launch of www.DrBhullarVet.com, where readers can access resources, sign up for updates, and learn more about the broader movement sparked by this fight.
About Dr. Hakam Singh Bhullar
Dr. Bhullar was the first Indo-Canadian veterinarian to open a low-cost animal clinic in Vancouver. Over his career, he mentored immigrant veterinarians, expanded affordable care across the Lower Mainland, and led a landmark human rights case that reshaped Canada’s veterinary profession.
