Survey says half of Australian pets have been saved by their vet, proving heroes sometimes wear scrubs instead of capes

Australia, Thu, 25/09/2025 - 09:31

Half of Australian pet owners believe their vet has saved their pet’s life – yet a quarter haven’t taken the time to thank them, a survey commissioned by Boehringer Ingelheim has revealed.

The nationwide survey of almost 1,100 pet owners – spanning dog, cat, bird, reptile and other small animal owners – shines a light on how much we rely on our vets, while also exposing a gap in understanding of the full demands of the profession.

The survey found that nine in ten respondents trust their vet and 86 per cent considered veterinary work stressful, yet many underestimated how often vets perform emotionally draining duties.

Nearly a third of respondents assumed duties such as euthanasia and delivering bad news were a once-a-week occurrence, but Dr Gemma Chuck, President of the Australian Veterinary Association, said these activities can be twice a day or more in some clinics.

“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,” Dr Chuck said.

While challenging times with a pet can carry a heavy emotional load, only one in three owners expected veterinarians to offer support during these moments. Older owners were more likely to recognise this integral role compared to younger generations.

A role with many hats

A remarkable 95 per cent of Australians agreed vets play a critical role in society, although their awareness of the breadth and extent of the role was limited.

When given a list of routine veterinary duties, 50 per cent of respondents could identify half of these tasks, and only two in five could correctly identify majority of the duties performed. Those who visited their vet more often were more likely to recognise their contributions, yet just 7 per cent of all respondents showed a full understanding of the duties a clinical vet performs.

“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.

“In the livestock industries, vets also have a critical role in biosecurity and food safety. They are often the frontline in diagnosing and managing disease outbreaks, including zoonotic diseases, which is crucial to the public benefit and health of all Australians. They also play a vital role in natural disaster response through their care of Australia’s unique and native wildlife.”

Beyond the clinic, just 20 per cent of respondents knew that people with veterinary qualifications also contribute to biosecurity and food security, and only 16 per cent identified their role in export and import compliance. Under a third were aware of qualified veterinarians’ work in managing national food safety.

For great and small

Less than half of pet owners expected vets to provide care for farm animals or livestock – yet in times of crisis, these can be the patients most in need.

Christoph Tautphaeus, Head of Animal Health ANZ at Boehringer Ingelheim, said the duty of care vets uphold for animal health often sees them responding to a crisis on a pro-bono basis.

“Natural disasters place livestock and working animals at serious risk, and vets are often among the first to respond in these moments,” he said.

“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.”

Despite this, only 47 per cent of pet owners expected vets to treat wildlife in their clinic, with almost a third believing that this ‘public good’ animal care was only an occasional occurrence.

Wellness on trend

The research also revealed a generational shift in attitudes towards pet wellness, with Millennials and Gen Z driving a new wave of proactive care.

In contrast with trends in human healthcare, nearly three in four younger owners reported visiting a vet at least once every six months – far more frequent than older generations – and are more likely to seek preventative care and regular check-ups for their pets.

Three in four younger owners said their vet remembers their pet by name, underscoring a more personal bond.

“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,” Mr Tautphaeus said.

“By highlighting these findings, we hope to encourage greater recognition and appreciation of the heroes in scrubs who care for our animals, and ultimately us too.”