Half of Australian pet owners believe their veterinarian has saved their pet’s life, but one in four have never thanked them, a new survey has found.
The nationwide survey, commissioned by Boehringer Ingelheim, of more than 1,000 pet owners revealed strong trust in the profession, with nine in ten respondents saying they trust their vet. However, it also highlighted gaps in public understanding of the demands and scope of veterinary work.
Nearly a third of respondents thought euthanasia and delivering bad news occurred once a week, but Dr Gemma Chuck, President of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), said this can be a daily responsibility.
“Vets are faced with unique and challenging situations every day. Compounded by the long hours and heavy workload, they are susceptible to serious mental health challenges which are exacerbated by a general lack of recognition by their clients.”
While 95 per cent of Australians agreed vets play a critical role in society, only 7 per cent demonstrated a full understanding of the range of duties they perform.
“Vets are not only your pet’s GP. From emergency care and surgery to dentistry and diagnostic imaging, vets need to have many different skills to provide a high standard of healthcare for many different species of pet. This is quite different to our human counterparts,” Dr Chuck said.
She added that veterinarians also play crucial roles in livestock industries, biosecurity, food safety, and responding to natural disasters.
Christoph Tautphaeus, Head of Animal Health ANZ at Boehringer Ingelheim, said vets often step in during emergencies.
“Natural disasters place livestock and working animals at serious risk, and vets are often among the first to respond in these moments.
“This same commitment extends beyond farms and communities to native wildlife. While the risks to Australian fauna are heightened during bushfires or floods, the reality is they face threats year-round – from vehicle collisions to domestic animal attacks. Vets are there for creatures great and small.”
The survey also found younger pet owners are more proactive with animal health, with three in four Millennials and Gen Z visiting the vet at least once every six months and favouring preventative care.
“Pets are family, and vets contribute significantly to keeping them healthy, happy and safe. Yet their contribution to society is broader, deeper and more complex than many Australians realise,” Tautphaeus said.
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