Corporate Vets UK
Who Owns Your Vet Practice?
Seven corporate groups now own over 60% of UK vet practices. Most keep the original name, so you may not even know. Here is who they are and why it matters.
The Corporate Takeover
of UK Veterinary Care
Over the past decade, the UK veterinary sector has undergone unprecedented consolidation. Private equity-backed corporate groups have acquired thousands of independent practices, transforming a once-fragmented local industry into one dominated by a handful of major corporations.
The CMA's market investigation found that over 60% of UK vet practices are now owned by corporate groups, up from less than 10% in 2013. In many towns, every practice on the high street is owned by the same corporate parent — but they all operate under different names, creating the illusion of competition.
This matters because corporate practices charge 17% more on average than independents, and the reduced competition means there is less pressure to keep prices fair. The CMA described this as a market that is "not working well for consumers."
of UK vet practices are now corporate-owned
average price premium at corporate vs independent practices
price increase since 2016, far outpacing inflation
The 7 Major Corporate
Vet Groups in the UK
These are the corporations that dominate UK veterinary care. Your "local independent" may be owned by one of them.
IVC Evidensia
~1,500 practicesOwned by: EQT Partners (Swedish private equity)
Operates hundreds of local-name practices. The largest vet group in Europe.
Estimated £2bn+ UK revenue
CVS Group
~500 practicesOwned by: Publicly listed on London Stock Exchange (LSE: CVSG)
Includes Animed Direct (online retailer), ChesterGates, and many local-name practices.
Revenue £620m+ (2025)
Linnaeus (Mars Petcare)
~200 practicesOwned by: Mars, Incorporated (US, also owns Pedigree, Whiskas, Royal Canin)
Premium and specialist referral hospitals including Davies, Pride, and Willows.
Focused on specialist/referral sector
Medivet
~200 practicesOwned by: CVC Capital Partners (private equity)
Operates under the Medivet brand and local acquisition names.
Concentrated in London and South East
VetPartners
~600 practicesOwned by: BC Partners (private equity)
Extensive UK and European presence. Most practices retain their original local name.
Aggressive acquisition programme
Pets at Home / Vets4Pets
~450 practicesOwned by: Pets at Home Group plc (LSE: PETS)
Vets4Pets (in-store and standalone), Companion Care, and The Vet.
Revenue £530m+ veterinary division
iVetcare
~100+ practicesOwned by: Recently formed corporate group backed by private capital
Growing through regional acquisitions. Practices retain local names.
Newer entrant, growing rapidly
Corporate vs Independent
Price Comparison
The CMA confirmed what pet owners suspected — corporate practices charge significantly more. Here is how common procedures compare.
| Procedure | Corporate | Independent | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard consultation | £55 – £70 | £40 – £55 | +£15 – £20 |
| Annual vaccination | £50 – £65 | £40 – £50 | +£10 – £15 |
| Dog spaying (female) | £280 – £400 | £200 – £320 | +£80 |
| Cat castration (male) | £70 – £100 | £50 – £80 | +£20 |
| Dental scale & polish | £400 – £600 | £300 – £450 | +£100 – £150 |
| Blood tests (routine) | £120 – £200 | £80 – £150 | +£40 – £50 |
| X-ray (single view) | £250 – £400 | £200 – £300 | +£50 – £100 |
| Prescription fee | £20 – £35 | £12 – £20 | +£8 – £15 |
Source: VetCost analysis based on CMA market investigation data and submitted practice pricing. Prices represent typical ranges as of March 2026.
How to Check Who
Owns Your Vet
Use VetCost
Our Who Owns My Vet? tool shows you the ownership of practices across the UK. Search by practice name or postcode to see if your vet is independent or corporate-owned.
Ask your vet directly
From March 2027, all practices must disclose ownership. In the meantime, simply ask at reception. If they are reluctant to answer, that is a red flag. Independent practices are usually proud to say so.
Check Companies House
Search the practice name on Companies House. Corporate-owned practices are registered as limited companies. The "Persons with significant control" section reveals the parent company.
Check the website footer
Some corporate-owned practices mention their parent group in the website footer, terms, or privacy policy. Look for phrases like "part of the [Group] family" or "a member of [Company]."
What the CMA Is Doing
About Corporate Dominance
The CMA's reforms specifically target the lack of transparency around corporate ownership.
Mandatory ownership disclosure
From March 2027, all practices must clearly display their ultimate corporate owner in-practice, on their website, and in all client communications. No more hiding behind local names.
Public ownership register
The RCVS must maintain a public register showing the ownership structure of every registered practice, including parent companies and private equity investors. Anyone can look up any practice.
Acquisition notification
Corporate groups must notify the CMA of any new acquisitions of veterinary practices. This enables scrutiny of further market consolidation and prevents stealth buyouts.
Mandatory price publication
All practices must publish standardised prices for common procedures. Combined with ownership disclosure, this means pet owners can compare prices between corporate and independent practices directly.
Should You Switch to
an Independent Vet?
Not necessarily. Corporate does not automatically mean bad. Many corporate practices have excellent vets, modern facilities, and strong clinical standards. Some offer conveniences like 24-hour emergency cover and in-house specialist services that smaller independents cannot match.
However, if cost is a concern, the data is clear: independent practices are on average 17% cheaper. And many pet owners value the continuity and personal relationship that comes with a locally-owned practice where you see the same vet each time.
The key is to make an informed choice. Know who owns your vet, compare prices for the treatments you need, and choose the practice that offers the best combination of care, service, and value for your situation. That is exactly what VetCost is designed to help you do.
Frequently Asked Questions
The seven major groups are IVC Evidensia (~1,500 practices), CVS Group (~500), Linnaeus/Mars (~200), Medivet (~200), VetPartners (~600), Pets at Home/Vets4Pets (~450), and iVetcare (~100+). Together they own over 60% of all UK practices.
Yes. The CMA's market investigation found that corporate-owned practices charge on average 17% more than independent practices for the same treatments. This applies across consultations, medications, surgical procedures, and diagnostics.
Use VetCost's Who Owns My Vet tool to check ownership. You can also ask your vet directly, check Companies House, or look for parent company mentions in the practice website footer. From March 2027, all practices must disclose ownership.
It affects pricing, competition, and transparency. Corporate groups often keep original practice names after acquisition, so pet owners don't realise they're using a corporate vet. Reduced competition has contributed to above-inflation price rises.
Not necessarily — some corporate practices provide excellent care. But if cost matters, independents are 17% cheaper on average. The key is comparing prices for the treatments you need. Use VetCost to compare prices and ownership of practices near you.
The CMA's 21 reforms include mandatory ownership disclosure, a public ownership register, acquisition notifications, and price publication requirements. These aim to increase transparency so pet owners can make informed choices.
Find out who owns your vet
Check whether your vet is corporate or independent, compare prices, and make an informed choice about where to take your pet.