Solving the Staffing Crisis: How Veterinary Clinics Are Retaining Talent and Reducing Burnout in 2025

The veterinary industry is in the midst of a staffing crunch. With pet ownership at an all-time high and a limited pipeline of new veterinarians and technicians entering the field, clinics across the country are grappling with how to not just hire—but retain—top-tier talent. At the same time, burnout among veterinary professionals continues to rise, driven by long hours, emotional toll, and understaffing.

To remain competitive and sustainable, forward-thinking clinics are reimagining the way they support their teams. From compensation strategies to flexible work models, here’s how the industry is evolving to meet the staffing challenge.

1. Competitive Pay Isn’t Optional—It’s the Baseline

Veterinary practices are facing fierce competition for both DVMs and support staff. To attract candidates in a tight labor market, clinics are increasingly offering compensation packages well above the median, along with signing bonuses and relocation support.

According to iHire Veterinary, clinics are adjusting salaries to reflect the true market value of veterinarians and credentialed technicians—not only to bring people in the door, but to reduce costly turnover.

2. Wellness-First Work Cultures Are a Must

The profession has one of the highest burnout rates among healthcare fields. That’s prompting a major cultural shift in veterinary workplaces.

Clinics are taking action by offering:

• Mental health and wellness programs

• Flexible scheduling and remote consult options

• Mental health days, sabbaticals, and 4-day workweeks

• Ongoing support for compassion fatigue and crisis response

The goal: to build resilient teams that can deliver excellent care—without sacrificing their own well-being.

3. Telemedicine Is Not Just for Clients—It’s for Staff, Too

Veterinary telemedicine isn’t only a convenience for pet owners. It’s also emerging as a critical retention tool for staff who need more flexibility in their roles.

As highlighted by Simbo AI and iHire Veterinary, some clinics now offer hybrid or fully remote consulting positions for veterinarians—ideal for professionals managing family responsibilities, health conditions, or simply seeking better balance.

4. Specialists Are in High Demand—and Practices Are Adapting

With increasing demand for advanced care in fields like surgery, ophthalmology, dentistry, and internal medicine, clinics are creating custom-tailored work environments to attract specialists.

That means:

• Investing in state-of-the-art equipment

• Offering continued education stipends

• Providing autonomy and decision-making power

• Designing schedules that allow for focused caseloads and fewer emergencies

As The Digital PawPrint and Space Coast Daily note, clinics that build strong support teams around their specialists see not only better patient outcomes, but longer tenures and stronger reputations.

5. Retention = Culture + Flexibility + Growth

What keeps talent around? According to recent trends, it’s not just about pay—it’s about purpose, predictability, and possibility.

Veterinary professionals are more likely to stay in environments where they feel:

• Valued and supported by leadership

• Able to grow and develop their careers

• Safe from burnout and overwork

• Free to balance work with life beyond the clinic

Forward-thinking practices are embracing these values, and in doing so, they’re transforming the veterinary workplace from a pressure cooker into a place of growth, collaboration, and compassion.

Final Thoughts

The staffing challenges in veterinary medicine aren’t going away—but neither is the innovation happening within the field. By focusing on wellness, flexibility, and respect, clinics can build teams that last—and ensure that both pets and professionals thrive for years to come.