As USA TODAY prepares to unveil its first-ever National Best Veterinarians list this spring, we’re asking healthcare professionals and industry experts to tell us who will make the list.
According to data from Pew Research Center, 97% of pet owners report that they feel their pets are “part of the family.” Pet owners also report that animals have a positive impact on their mental health. At the same time, a historic veterinarian shortage means the job of caring for pets is more difficult than ever.
USA TODAY wants to highlight the veterinarians who help animals thrive and, in turn, positively impact the communities they call home. We work with Statista, an independent market research and data company, to create a list that reflects our results.
Our findings will form the 2025 “Best Veterinarians” ranking, which will be released on May 6 to coincide with National Pet Week.
Our goal is to highlight the veterinarians across the country who are most recommended by pet owners and considered the best by their veterinary medical peers.
If you are not a veterinarian and do not work at an animal clinic or hospital, you can recommend a veterinarian that you think deserves to be on the list. Survey participants who are veterinarians are asked to rate and recommend other veterinarians they know. Veterinarians cannot recommend their own practice, but they can ask others to recommend it.
More: Who are the best veterinarians? USA TODAY wants to know what pet owners think
Survey participants’ opinions will remain anonymous. However, this survey allows veterinarians to consent to being contacted by USA TODAY’s editorial team.
Industry participants who complete the survey will also be notified of the survey results via email if they wish.