Just over half of veterinary professionals surveyed reported that kennel noise was among the leading causes of on-the-job stress. The finding, along with additional insights, arose from surveys conducted by CASCO Pet at the 2025 VMX conference, the 2025 WVC Annual Conference and the 2024 London Vet Show.
According to the 1,264 respondents, the top contributors to veterinary staff stress and burnout are:
- Kennel noise (52% of respondents)
- Noise from kennels and treatment areas (31%)
- Excessive workloads (53%)
- Workforce shortages (53%)
- Work-life imbalance (46%)
- Work environment (34%)
“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,” said Matthew Bubear, the CEO of CASCO Pet, a manufacturer of animal housing. “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.
Respondents listed noise levels from animals (79%), handling anxious or stressed patients (58%) and noise from kennel materials or design (39%) as the top issues contributing to kennel-related stress. Most of those surveyed reported using stainless steel materials in kennels.
Patient stress is another byproduct of high noise levels. Most respondents (72%) reported frequently or very frequently seeing stressed animals in the kennel. Additional questions about noise-related stress revealed that 75% of respondents believe kennel noise causes anxiety in patients, and 22% noticed longer recovery times associated with kennel stress.
“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,” Bubear said. “Thoughtful clinic design and storage can also support optimization and efficiency, further reducing unnecessary strain on veterinary teams.”
According to the company, the findings present an opportunity to minimize employee stress when designing or renovating kennels in veterinary practices and boarding facilities.