This article was originally printed in the July/August 2026 issue of the California Veterinarian magazine.

In April, the CVMA conducted its annual membership survey, reaching member and non-member veterinarians, registered veterinary technicians, practice managers, and veterinary staff across California. The results help us understand what’s working, where we can improve, and how to better serve the veterinary community. Thank you to all who participated. Your feedback is invaluable!

What We Learned From Our Members

The clearest takeaway from our member surveys is that the vast majority of CVMA members are satisfied with their membership and plan to renew—a strong affirmation that the core value of membership is resonating.

When asked which benefits they’ve used in the past year, member veterinarians overwhelmingly cited continuing education at the discounted member price, followed by political advocacy, free monthly legal advice through the CVMA’s Legal Services Program, and free regulatory consultations. Member RVTs had similarly positive satisfaction levels, with CE at member pricing standing out as the top benefit. 

Some RVT members shared candid feedback that they’d like to see more resources tailored to their career stage and professional advancement, including greater recognition of those who have pursued bachelor’s degrees in the field and stronger advocacy around issues specific to the RVT role.

Members across all groups also identified areas for improvement, including website and member portal usability, networking opportunities, and career-stage support—all areas we are actively looking to address.

The survey also asked members to identify their top three professional challenges, and the responses paint a clear picture of what the veterinary community is navigating. Work-life balance and burnout topped the list across all three groups—veterinarians, RVTs, and practice managers/staff alike—followed closely by compassion fatigue and mental health. 

For veterinarians, corporate consolidation in veterinary medicine and staff recruitment and retention were also prominent concerns. RVTs cited not having their skills fully utilized within their practice, which speaks directly to the ongoing conversation about RVT professional recognition and utilization. Regulatory compliance and dealing with difficult clients appeared consistently across all groups, as well.

In short, whether someone is a veterinarian, a technician, a practice manager, or veterinary staff member, the pressures of burnout, compassion fatigue, and a difficult workforce environment are shared realities. These aren’t issues the CVMA can solve alone, but they reinforce the importance of our advocacy work, legal and regulatory guidance, and programs like our new peer mentorship platform, Upnotch. We remain committed to developing resources that support the entire profession.

What We Learned From Non-Members

The non-member surveys—completed by veterinarians, RVTs, and practice managers and staff who are not currently CVMA members—offered equally valuable insight into the barriers to joining and the untapped interest in what we offer.

Across all three non-member groups, cost was the most cited reason for not being a member, particularly among those respondents whose employers do not cover professional dues. Notably, a number of non-member veterinarians indicated they were unaware that membership dues are tax-deductible—a simple but meaningful piece of information for prospective members.

Among non-member veterinarians, many already belong to the AVMA or a local veterinary medical association, making the addition of CVMA dues feel financially difficult. Retirement was also a recurring theme, with many respondents noting they had allowed their membership to lapse after leaving active practice. An encouraging note, however, is what non-member veterinarians said they would use if they joined: continuing education at member pricing, free monthly legal advice, free regulatory consultation, and political advocacy—the same benefits current members value most.

Among non-member RVTs, one of the most striking findings was how many respondents didn’t know the CVMA offered RVT membership, indicating a significant awareness gap and a real opportunity for membership growth. Beyond cost, the desire for stronger CVMA advocacy around RVT title protection, wages, and career recognition came through clearly, echoing what we heard from our RVT members.

Non-member practice managers and staff echoed the cost concerns of the other groups and similarly expressed uncertainty about whether a CVMA membership was even available to them. Improving visibility around the staff membership pathway will be a focus of our outreach going forward.

In the end, non-members are not indifferent to what we offer; many simply haven’t yet connected their professional needs to CVMA membership. It is up to us to help make that connection.

Looking Ahead

Taken together, these surveys affirm that the CVMA is delivering meaningful value to its members while revealing a broader community of California veterinary professionals who are curious about what membership could offer. The survey results point to clear opportunities to close awareness gaps, reduce barriers, and continue strengthening the benefits that matter most.

We are grateful to everyone who took the time to share their perspectives. Your feedback shapes how the CVMA grows, advocates for, and serves the veterinary profession