Quebec Veterinarian Warns of Rising Incivility Toward Veterinarians
Quebec veterinarians are reporting a marked increase in incivility toward veterinarians, with staff facing threats, insults and unpaid bills as costs and access to care climb. Dr. Myriam Charest, a small-animal practitioner in Québec City and vice-president of the Association des médecins vétérinaires du Québec (AMVQ), described a recent incident in which a client threatened physical harm after refusing recommended diagnostics. A Jan–Feb 2026 survey by the Fédération des associations francophones de vétérinaires pour animaux de compagnie (FAFVAC) of 741 francophone veterinarians underscores that such episodes are widespread and escalating.
Threat in a Québec clinic sparks alarm
Dr. Myriam Charest said the incident began when an animal failed to respond to initial treatment and further testing was advised. The client rejected additional diagnostics, used abusive language with reception staff and later told a technician that she would physically confront the veterinarian if she saw her again. Charest said she was frightened for the safety of her team and bewildered that a colleague had been forced to endure direct aggression while at work.
Survey shows abuse is systemic, not isolated
The FAFVAC consultation of 741 veterinarians—29.5 percent of whom work in Quebec—found that incivility is not limited to isolated events. The organization described the trend as a “systemic problem” with significant consequences for the profession’s mental health and operational stability. Respondents reported a range of behaviors, from insults to reputational attacks on social media, indicating the issue affects clinics across the francophone veterinary community.
Statistics point to threats, insults and unpaid bills
Survey results released following the Jan–Feb 2026 consultation indicate that roughly one quarter of respondents in Quebec experienced threats of legal action or reputational attacks on social platforms. Nearly 70 percent reported being the target of insults or reproaches, while 57 percent said clients had refused to pay for services. About one veterinarian in ten indicated they had been harassed on social media, reflecting how disputes that begin at the clinic can extend into online platforms.
Rising costs and limited access cited as key drivers
Veterinary leaders attribute much of the tension to higher service costs and constrained access to care. Dr. Valérie Bissonnette, president of the AMVQ, said clinics have had to increase prices to retain and recruit staff, a shift that has made some services more expensive for pet owners. Combined with broader inflation and economic pressure on households, these changes can force families to make painful decisions about diagnostics and treatment, fueling frustration that can be misdirected at clinic teams.
Clinics increasingly refuse or expel abusive clients
Faced with repeated incivility, many clinics are taking defensive steps to protect staff and patients. According to the survey, 52 percent of respondents reported refusing service to at least one client, and 38 percent have escorted a client off the premises. Those measures reflect growing concern for employee safety and the need to preserve a therapeutic environment, but they also underscore the operational strain that sustained abuse places on practices already coping with staffing challenges.
Calls for public education and professional supports
Both Dr. Charest and AMVQ leaders say greater public awareness of veterinary practice realities could reduce conflict and prevent harmful surprises when care is needed. They argue clearer communication about costs, treatment options and access constraints may help manage expectations and de-escalate tense situations before they become abusive. Professional associations are calling for concrete measures to support clinic teams, protect staff from threats and ensure the profession remains attractive to new graduates.
The increase in incivility toward veterinarians is prompting a broader conversation about how society values and supports animal health care amid economic pressures. Associations such as FAFVAC and the AMVQ are urging governments, professional bodies and clinics to work together on education campaigns, workplace safety protocols and resources to help staff cope with the emotional toll of abusive incidents. The Jan–Feb 2026 survey provides a snapshot of a worsening problem, and veterinary leaders say immediate action is needed to safeguard staff, maintain access to care and preserve public trust in clinical services.
