MARKET MONITOR
Veterinary Locum &
Relief Market
Observed information on temporary veterinary cover.
Explore monthly locum and relief data across the UK, EU, USA and Canada.
Veterinary care and the need for temporary cover
Veterinary care is expanding, but growth alone does not explain the need for temporary cover. In the United States, veterinary care and product sales are projected at $42.4 billion for 2026, compared with $41.0 billion in 2025. This is an increase in consumer spending, not necessarily in consultation numbers or temporary-cover demand.
The practical need is continuity of care. Holidays, parental leave, sickness and gaps between permanent appointments can leave practices needing a veterinarian, veterinary nurse or technician for specific dates. This need can persist even when a practice’s overall workload is stable. In equine practice, emergency coverage is a particular concern: approximately half of AAEP members operate one- or two-veterinarian practices, where one absence can significantly affect availability.
Temporary work is already an established part of veterinary practice. In the RCVS 2024 survey, 11% of veterinary surgeons in clinical practice reported working as a locum or independent practitioner in their main role, while 20% did so in addition to their main role. Among veterinary nurses, 13% reported working as a locum or independent service provider alongside their main role. These figures demonstrate participation, rather than the volume of cover requested.
The evidence does not show a uniform increase in temporary-cover demand. In the UK, the proportion of veterinary nursing respondents whose main role was locum fell from 6.3% in 2019 to 3.9% in 2024. RCVS workforce modelling anticipates a gradual improvement in the balance between supply and demand in clinical practice, while Canadian sources continue to report workforce shortages. Across the EU, conditions remain heterogeneous: clinical practice, predominantly small-animal practice, is the largest employment setting, but Europe-wide data do not establish a single trend in replacement bookings.
Taken together, these indicators point to a real, recurring need—not a proven boom everywhere. The regional pages below explore temporary veterinary cover across the UK, EU, USA and Canada, with particular attention to small-animal and equine practice.
Sources: Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), 2024 Survey of the Veterinary Profession; RCVS, 2024 Survey of the Veterinary Nursing Profession; RCVS/Institute for Employment Studies, Workforce Model; American Pet Products Association (APPA), Industry Trends & Stats 2026; American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), Equine Veterinary Sustainability Initiative; Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), Veterinary Workforce Shortage and November 2025 workforce statement; Government of Canada, Canadian Occupational Projection System; Federation of Veterinarians of Europe, Survey of the Veterinary Profession in Europe 2023.
Regional data and downloadable summaries, updated monthly.
Understand the market
Public data on temporary veterinary cover.
Support better decisions
For practices and independent professionals
Track workforce trends
See observed locum activity over time.
Why the Market Matters
Temporary cover is an important part of veterinary workforce planning. Practices need flexible support for holidays, sickness, vacancies and periods of increased demand, while veterinary professionals increasingly value flexibility in when and where they work. Monitoring locum and relief activity helps both sides better understand how demand is changing.
Our methodology
We review publicly available veterinary locum and relief data across the UK, EU, USA and Canada. Figures describe observed public activity, not the total market.
Monthly reports
Each month we publish a free regional update with observed public opportunities, explicit shift activity where available, geographic patterns and market trends.
Better information on temporary cover.
Eufenia - private, self-service and direct.