2026 Veterinary Clinic Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey

State VMA & Organizations Toolkit

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Use these ready-to-share graphics and messages to invite veterinary clinics in your network to participate.

Help Measure Pet Obesity in Practice. Every Score Counts.
Dates
Oct. 1–Dec. 31, 2026
Collect and submit
Commitment
1, 2, or 7 days
1–2 minutes per entry
Stipend
$50 per clinic
For qualifying U.S. practices
Recognition
Partner badge
Plus early findings
Open Clinic Registration View Clinic Materials

Graphics and suggested social posts

Start with the World Pet Obesity Month logo and social graphic for October communications, or choose a clinic survey graphic below. Download the full-size PNG or open it in a new tab to save it. Suggested captions accompany the Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn survey graphics.

World Pet Obesity Month logo
1716 × 917 PNG
World Pet Obesity Month, October, Association for Pet Obesity Prevention: dog and cat silhouettes encircled by a green measuring tape.

Horizontal campaign logo for October newsletters, websites, and partner communications. Keep the complete logo visible without cropping or stretching.

Open full size
World Pet Obesity Month social graphic
2160 × 2700 PNG
World Pet Obesity Month social graphic announcing October, with dog and cat silhouettes, a green measuring tape, and the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention name.

Vertical 4:5 campaign graphic for October social posts. Use the full image so the month, logo, and organization name remain visible.

Open full size
Facebook
2400 × 1260 PNG
APOP 2026 Veterinary Clinic Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey Facebook graphic

Landscape format for a Facebook page, post, or member-group announcement.

Open full size
Suggested Facebook post + 5 hashtags

Veterinary clinics, APOP needs your help.

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) is recruiting clinics for its 2026 Veterinary Clinic Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey, open October 1 through December 31. Pick one full clinic day, two days, or one week and record weight, a veterinary-assessed body condition score, and the owner’s initial weight perception for every eligible dog and cat seen for wellness, minor medical, or boarding intake. Most entries take about one to two minutes.

Qualifying U.S. practices receive a $50 stipend for staff time after submitting at least 15 complete, eligible records and passing APOP’s data review. Clinics that submit data also receive a 2026 APOP Prevalence Partner badge and early access to the findings.

APOP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Every Score Counts.

Register: https://www.petobesityprevention.org/surveysignup

#EveryScoreCounts #PetObesityPrevention #VetMed #BodyConditionScore #VeterinaryPractice

Instagram
2160 × 2700 PNG
APOP 2026 Veterinary Clinic Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey Instagram graphic

Vertical 4:5 format for Instagram and compatible Facebook placements. Instagram captions do not create clickable links, so the caption uses a short, easy-to-type address.

Open full size
Suggested Instagram caption + 5 hashtags

Could your clinic spare one day to help improve what we know about pet obesity?

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) 2026 Veterinary Clinic Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey runs October 1 through December 31. Choose one full day, two days, or one week. Teams record weight, a veterinary-assessed body condition score, and the owner’s initial weight perception. Each entry takes about one to two minutes.

Qualifying U.S. clinics receive a $50 stipend for staff time after submitting at least 15 complete, eligible records and passing data review.

APOP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Every Score Counts.

Register at petobesityprevention.org/surveysignup

#EveryScoreCounts #PetObesityPrevention #VetMed #BodyConditionScore #VeterinaryTeams

LinkedIn
2400 × 1254 PNG
APOP 2026 Veterinary Clinic Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey LinkedIn graphic

Landscape format for organizations, practice groups, and professional communities.

Open full size
Suggested LinkedIn post + 5 hashtags

Good prevalence data starts with clinics willing to take part.

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) is recruiting veterinary practices for the 2026 Veterinary Clinic Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey. Clinics choose one full day, two days, or one week between October 1 and December 31 and record weight, a veterinary-assessed body condition score, and the owner’s initial weight perception for consecutive eligible dogs and cats. Each entry takes about one to two minutes.

Qualifying U.S. practices receive a $50 stipend for staff time after submitting at least 15 complete, eligible records and passing APOP’s data review. Clinics that submit data also receive a 2026 APOP Prevalence Partner badge and early access to the findings.

APOP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Every Score Counts.

Register: https://www.petobesityprevention.org/surveysignup

#EveryScoreCounts #PetObesityPrevention #VeterinaryMedicine #BodyConditionScore #VeterinaryPractice

5 Quick Steps
PNG
2026 APOP Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey: 5 Quick Steps for entering a pet's survey record.

A visual guide to completing each pet’s survey record. Share it with participating clinics or include it in newsletters and team communications.

Open graphic

A few minutes for veterinary staff and pet owners

Also open through December 31, 2026 is the 2026 Pet Obesity and Nutrition Opinion Survey, run every year since 2016. Veterinary professionals and pet owners answer the same questions so their views can be compared, which is how APOP tracks the gap between what veterinary teams see and what owners believe.

The survey takes a few minutes at bit.ly/apop2026opinion.

Respondents who enter an email address at the end are entered in a prize draw for five $50 gift cards for veterinary staff and five for pet owners; answers stay anonymous, and winners receive their gift cards by email in January 2027.

Take the Opinion Survey

Ready-to-share email, newsletter, and website copy

Open the format you need, then copy it or download it as a text file.

Email and newsletter templates

State, regional, or specialty VMA member email

Subject: APOP is recruiting clinics for its 2026 pet obesity survey

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) is looking for veterinary clinics to take part in its 2026 Veterinary Clinic Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey.

Clinics can choose one full day, two days, or one week between October 1 and December 31, 2026. All records must be submitted by December 31. During that window, teams record weight, a veterinary-assessed body condition score, and the owner’s initial weight perception for every eligible dog and cat seen for wellness, minor medical, or boarding intake. Each electronic entry takes about one to two minutes.

Qualifying U.S. practices receive a $50 stipend for staff time after submitting at least 15 complete, eligible records and passing APOP’s data review. Clinics unable to accept the stipend under employer or institutional policy may decline it at registration, and APOP will make an equivalent donation to Morris Animal Foundation. Clinics that submit data also receive a 2026 APOP Prevalence Partner badge and early access to the findings.

APOP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing and treating pet obesity.

Details and registration:
https://www.petobesityprevention.org/surveysignup

Professional, education, or certification organization email

Subject: Please share: APOP’s 2026 clinic prevalence survey

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) is recruiting veterinary clinics for the 2026 Veterinary Clinic Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey.

Clinics can participate on one full day, two days, or one week between October 1 and December 31, 2026. All records must be submitted by December 31. Teams record weight, a veterinary-assessed body condition score, and the owner’s initial weight perception for consecutive eligible dogs and cats seen for wellness, minor medical, or boarding intake. Each entry takes about one to two minutes.

Qualifying U.S. practices receive a $50 stipend for staff time after submitting at least 15 complete, eligible records and passing APOP’s data review. Clinics unable to accept the stipend under employer or institutional policy may decline it at registration, and APOP will make an equivalent donation to Morris Animal Foundation. Clinics that submit data also receive a 2026 APOP Prevalence Partner badge and early access to the findings.

APOP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Details and registration:
https://www.petobesityprevention.org/surveysignup

Corporate or multi-location practice group email

Subject: Clinic opportunity: APOP’s 2026 pet obesity prevalence survey

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) is inviting veterinary hospital locations to join its 2026 Veterinary Clinic Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey.

Each location can choose one full day, two days, or one week between October 1 and December 31, 2026. All records must be submitted by December 31. During that window, the team records weight, a veterinary-assessed body condition score, and the owner’s initial weight perception for every eligible dog and cat seen for wellness, minor medical, or boarding intake. Each entry takes about one to two minutes.

Qualifying U.S. clinic locations receive a $50 stipend for staff time after submitting at least 15 complete, eligible records and passing APOP’s data review. The stipend is limited to one payment per physical clinic location. Locations unable to accept the stipend under employer or institutional policy may decline it at registration, and APOP will make an equivalent donation to Morris Animal Foundation. Locations that submit data also receive a 2026 APOP Prevalence Partner badge and early access to the findings.

APOP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Review the details and register each participating location:
https://www.petobesityprevention.org/surveysignup

Veterinary company, distributor, or service partner newsletter copy

Suggested heading: Help Measure Pet Obesity in Practice

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) is recruiting veterinary clinics for its 2026 Veterinary Clinic Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey. Clinics can choose one full day, two days, or one week between October 1 and December 31, recording weight, a veterinary-assessed body condition score, and the owner’s initial weight perception. All records must be submitted by December 31. Each electronic entry takes about one to two minutes.

Qualifying U.S. practices receive a $50 stipend for staff time after submitting at least 15 complete, eligible records and passing data review. Clinics unable to accept the stipend under employer or institutional policy may decline it at registration, and APOP will make an equivalent donation to Morris Animal Foundation. Clinics that submit data also receive a 2026 APOP Prevalence Partner badge and early access to the findings.

APOP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Learn more and register:
https://www.petobesityprevention.org/surveysignup

Short formats and reminders

Short website, portal, or newsletter listing

Help Measure Pet Obesity in Practice

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) is recruiting clinics for its 2026 Veterinary Clinic Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey. Choose one full day, two days, or one week between October 1 and December 31, recording weight, body condition score, and the owner’s initial weight perception. All records are due December 31. Qualifying U.S. practices receive a $50 stipend for staff time after submitting at least 15 complete, eligible records and passing data review. APOP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Details and registration: https://www.petobesityprevention.org/surveysignup

Final-month reminder

Still time to join APOP’s 2026 clinic survey

Data collection and record submission both close December 31. Clinics can still register and complete one full day, two days, or one week of data collection before then. Qualifying U.S. practices receive a $50 stipend for staff time after submitting at least 15 complete, eligible records and passing data review. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Register: https://www.petobesityprevention.org/surveysignup

How partners can help

APOP manages registration, clinic support, data collection, review, recognition, and stipends. Partners only need to share the opportunity.

Three simple actions

  1. Announce registration. Share one email, newsletter item, portal notice, website post, or social post before or near October 1.
  2. Reach clinics through your strongest channel. Use the communication method your audience already trusts.
  3. Send a reminder. Reshare short copy during the October 1 through December 31 collection period.
Recommended timing
SeptemberAnnounce registration.
October or NovemberShare one reminder after collection opens.
Early DecemberOptional final reminder. Collection and submission close December 31.

Survey facts to preserve

Organizations may adjust tone and length. Keep these dates, requirements, and stipend terms unchanged.

View dates, eligible records, required fields, stipend terms, and recognition
Collection and submission
October 1 through December 31, 2026. A clinic chooses one full day, two days, or one week. All records must be submitted by December 31, 2026.
Eligible records
All consecutive eligible, skeletally mature dogs and cats seen for wellness, minor medical, or boarding intake. Skeletally mature is defined as 12 months of age or older, recognizing that large and giant breeds may not reach maturity until 18 to 24 months and that clinical judgment applies.
What clinics record
Species, sex, reproductive status, age, weight, visit type, veterinary-assessed 1–9 body condition score, and the owner’s initial weight perception, which is recorded before the clinical assessment. Photo submission is optional.
Time required
Each electronic entry takes about one to two minutes.
Clinic stipend
Licensed U.S. practices receive $50 after at least 15 complete, eligible records pass APOP data review. One payment is available per physical clinic location. Clinics unable to accept the stipend under employer or institutional policy may decline it at registration, and APOP will make an equivalent donation to Morris Animal Foundation.
Recognition
Every clinic that submits data receives the 2026 APOP Prevalence Partner badge and early access to the findings.

The clinic stipend is compensation for staff time, is limited to one payment per physical clinic location, and is not tied to the body condition results reported. Payment is issued after APOP data review according to the full terms on the clinic registration page. Clinics unable to accept the stipend under employer or institutional policy may decline it at registration, and APOP will make an equivalent donation to Morris Animal Foundation.