The Hidden Crisis in Veterinary Medicine: What Pet Owners Don’t See Could Be Driving Vets Away
A new global survey reveals a troubling disconnect between how much animal owners say they value veterinarians—and how little veterinarians actually feel appreciated. The findings point to a deeper, often hidden crisis affecting the future of veterinary care.
Boehringer Ingelheim’s 2025 “Going Beyond” survey, conducted in partnership with research firm Kynetec, aimed to explore public perceptions of veterinary professionals. While the data shows that pet owners overwhelmingly say they appreciate veterinarians, the profession tells a different story.
A Gap Between Words and Reality
According to the 2025 survey, 94% of animal owners said they appreciate the veterinary profession, and 91% consider vet teams essential or important to society. Yet in 2024, just 49% of veterinarians believed the public truly appreciates them.
That same divide showed up when it came to the quality of care. While 93% of animal owners in the 2025 survey expressed gratitude for the level of care provided, only 75% of veterinarians last year felt that appreciation was genuinely felt by their clients.
“It is rewarding to see this level of recognition, but we have work to do,” said Arcangelo Gentile, President of the World Association for Buiatrics. “Veterinary professionals play critical roles in food safety, disease prevention, and public health. Raising awareness of those contributions is essential to building lasting support.”
Misunderstanding the Strain Behind the Scenes
Perhaps most concerning were the results related to stress and work-life balance. Sixty-five percent of animal owners said they believed veterinarians enjoy good work-life balance—a stark contrast to the reality reported by many in the field. In 2024, nearly half of veterinarians said their clients underestimate the toll the job takes on personal time and mental health.
The emotional weight of the profession also continues to go largely unrecognized. Only 66% of animal owners acknowledged that veterinarians need high resilience to cope with stress and burnout. Veterinarians themselves disagree. In 2024, 49% said that pet owners underestimate the emotional exhaustion they face.
“Veterinary teams are under constant physical and emotional pressure,” said Dr. Jim Berry, President of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association. “If we want this profession to thrive, we must start by recognizing the real demands placed on these professionals every day.”
Raising Awareness Through Empathy and Action
To bridge the gap, the Going Beyond campaign released a short video for World Veterinary Day. The message is simple: veterinary professionals are juggling countless responsibilities—and many of their struggles remain invisible to the clients they serve.
“People genuinely care about their vets,” said Claire Fowler, Head of Global Strategic Marketing at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health. “But they may not realize what’s happening behind the scenes. Even a simple ‘thank you’—in person or online—can have a powerful impact.”
With mental health concerns rising and burnout threatening the future of the profession, acknowledging the unseen work of veterinary teams is no longer optional—it’s critical.
