A survey of veterinary professionals in the UK and USA has identified high workload, understaffing and work-life balance as the leading causes of stress and burnout in veterinary workplaces. Poor working environments, and excessive noise from kennels and treatment areas, also ranked among the top five issues.
The findings come from a series of surveys conducted by CASCO Pet, analysing 1,264 responses given by veterinary professionals at the 2024 London Vet Show at Excel London; 2025 Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX) in Orlando, Florida, and 2025 WVC Annual Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.
When asked how often they witnessed animal stress in veterinary kennels, 72% said either frequently (a few times a week) or very frequently (daily). The majority of those surveyed reported using stainless steel kennelling in their clinic.
Noise levels from animals (79%), handling anxious or stressed animals (58%), and noise levels from kennel design and materials (39%), were ranked as the top three issues contributing to staff stress in kennel areas.
The findings showed:
- More than half (53%) of respondents stated that excessive workload and being short- or understaffed were primary stressors. This was followed by work-life balance, with 46%.
- More than a third (34%) of the responses highlighted poor working environments as a contributor to staff stress and burnout, followed closely by noise levels from kennels and treatment areas (31%).
- Only 8% of respondents said they rarely, very rarely or never witnessed animal stress in veterinary kennels.
- 30% said time spent maintaining kennel cleanliness was a factor contributing to staff stress in the kennel area, followed by ensuring adequate temperature and ventilation (26%).
Rising pet ownership has fuelled an increase in demand for veterinary services worldwide. In parallel, the industry is experiencing a global shortage of veterinarians. This is heaping pressure on clinical teams, who are dealing with higher caseloads, longer hours, and recruitment and retention challenges.
Matthew Bubear, CEO of global animal housing provider CASCO Pet, said: “These findings highlight the significant challenges faced by veterinary professionals, who are feeling the strain of high workloads, staff shortages, and poor work-life balance. The data also shows the widespread issue of animal stress in clinics, which can make handling more difficult, lead to excessive noise levels, and take a heightened emotional toll on veterinary care teams.
“While the causes of veterinary burnout are complex, requiring broader industry solutions, addressing environmental factors – including kennel material, design and placement – can be a practical and immediate step to ease burdens on staff and improve patient care and outcomes. Thoughtful clinic design and storage can also support optimisation and efficiency, further reducing unnecessary strain on veterinary teams.”
CASCO Pet’s veterinary WELLKennels have been designed to elevate standards of clinical housing, to minimise stress and anxiety, and improve patient well-being and care. Made from specialist materials, and with fully customisable features including heating and lighting, they significantly reduce noise levels to provide a calmer, quieter setting for patients and staff.
