Who Owns
My Vet?
Over 60% of UK vet practices are owned by just 6 corporate groups. Most keep their original names — so you would never know.
Check your vet now
Over 60% of UK Vets
Are Corporate-Owned
In the early 2000s, almost every vet practice in the UK was independently owned. Today, over 60% are owned by just six corporate groups, most backed by private equity firms.
The consolidation has been rapid and largely invisible to pet owners. When a corporate group acquires a practice, they typically keep the original name, the same staff, and the same branding. From the outside, it still looks independent. But the pricing, purchasing, and clinical protocols are now controlled centrally.
The CMA found this lack of transparency to be a significant problem. Pet owners deserve to know who owns the practice treating their animal — and whether that ownership affects the prices they pay.
practices corporate-owned
major corporate groups
higher prices vs. independents
practices in the Big 6
The 6 Corporate Groups
That Own UK Vets
These six groups collectively own approximately 3,550 of the UK's roughly 5,800 veterinary practices.
IVC Evidensia
~1,500 practicesEQT Partners (Private Equity)
The largest vet group in the UK and Europe. Backed by Swedish private equity firm EQT Partners. Acquired hundreds of UK practices since 2016. Operates across 20 countries.
CVS Group
~500 practicesPublicly listed (LSE: CVSG)
UK's largest publicly listed vet group. Owns practices, laboratories, and crematoria. Has grown aggressively through acquisition since 2004.
VetPartners
~500 practicesBC Partners (Private Equity)
Founded in 2015 by former CVS executive Jo Mayfield. Rapidly grew to 500+ practices. Acquired by BC Partners in 2023. Positions itself as a "partnership" model.
Pets at Home / Vets4Pets
~450 practicesPets at Home Group plc (LSE: PETS)
Operates vet practices inside Pets at Home stores under the Vets4Pets and Companion Care brands. Also owns the Groom Room and runs a pet insurance referral service.
Linnaeus (Mars)
~400 practicesMars Inc. (US Multinational)
Owned by Mars, Inc. — yes, the chocolate company. Mars also owns Royal Canin pet food, Banfield Pet Hospitals (US), and AniCura (Europe). A vertically integrated pet care empire.
Medivet
~200 practicesCVC Capital Partners (Private Equity)
Founded in 1987, originally as a London-focused group. Acquired by CVC Capital Partners in 2022. Growing primarily in the South East and Midlands.
Practice counts are approximate and based on publicly available data as of March 2026. Groups acquire and divest practices regularly.
How to Check If Your
Vet Is Corporate
It is not always obvious. Here are three ways to find out.
Search on VetCost
The quickest way. Enter your postcode or practice name and we will show you the ownership group (if any), along with prices and reviews. Our database covers over 3,700 UK practices.
Search your vetCheck Companies House
Search for your practice name on Companies House. Look at the "Persons with significant control" section to see if a corporate group holds shares. This can be confusing, however, as many practices are registered under different legal names.
Ask your vet directly
You have every right to ask your vet who owns the practice. From March 2027, they will be legally required to tell you as part of the CMA's mandatory reforms. If they refuse now, that itself is telling.
Does Corporate Ownership
Affect Prices?
"Corporate-owned practices charge, on average, 17% more than independent practices for the same procedures."
Higher consultation fees
Corporate practices charge an average of £65-72 for a standard consultation, compared to £52-58 at independents. In London, corporate consultations can exceed £80.
Higher medication markups
The CMA found that corporate groups mark up medications by an average of 200-400% over wholesale cost. Some medications are marked up by over 1,000%. Higher prescription fees also discourage shopping around.
Bundled services and upselling
Corporate groups often operate centralised upselling protocols — pet health plans, unnecessary follow-up appointments, and premium-only medication brands. These are driven by corporate targets, not clinical need.
Reduced local competition
In many towns, the same corporate group owns multiple practices. When the "competitor" down the road is actually owned by the same company, there is no real price competition. The CMA found this pattern across the UK.
The Same Pattern
in Pet Insurance
Corporate consolidation is not limited to vet practices. The same pattern exists in pet insurance — and most pet owners have no idea.
RSA (now part of Intact Financial Corporation) underwrites pet insurance policies for More Than, John Lewis, Tesco, M&S, and several other household-name brands. Despite different marketing, branding, and price points, these policies are all backed by the same underwriter.
This means the claims process, exclusions, and policy terms can be remarkably similar — even though the brands appear to be competitors. When comparing pet insurance, always read the policy wording and check the underwriter, not just the brand name.
Brands underwritten by RSA / Intact
Underwriter arrangements change over time. Always check the current policy document for the named underwriter.
CMA Reform: Mandatory
Ownership Disclosure
From March 2027, every UK vet practice must disclose who owns them. No more hiding behind local names.
In-practice display
Every practice must display the name of its ultimate owner prominently in the reception area, so every client can see it.
Website disclosure
Practice websites must clearly state the name of the corporate group that owns them, including the ultimate parent company.
Client communications
All client-facing communications, including invoices, treatment plans, and registration materials, must include the owner name.
RCVS public register
The RCVS will maintain a public register showing the ownership structure of every practice, including parent companies and investors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Over 60% of UK vet practices are now owned by corporate groups. The six largest — IVC Evidensia, CVS Group, Linnaeus (Mars), VetPartners, Medivet, and Pets at Home (Vets4Pets) — collectively own approximately 3,550 practices out of roughly 5,800 in the UK.
Yes. The CMA's investigation found that corporate-owned practices charge on average 17% more than independent practices for the same procedures. This is attributed to reduced local competition, centralised pricing strategies, and the financial pressures of private equity ownership.
The quickest way is to search on VetCost — our practice profiles show ownership information for over 3,700 UK practices. You can also check Companies House or simply ask your vet directly. From March 2027, all practices will be legally required to disclose their ownership.
Corporate groups deliberately retain the original practice name after acquisition because it maintains the appearance of being a local, independent practice. This builds trust with existing clients who may not realise ownership has changed. The CMA found this practice misleading.
Not necessarily. While corporate practices charge 17% more on average, individual practices vary widely. Some corporate practices are competitively priced, and some independents are expensive. The best approach is to compare actual prices for the procedures your pet needs using VetCost.
Not exactly, but many share the same underwriter. RSA (now part of Intact Financial Corporation) underwrites policies for More Than, John Lewis, Tesco, M&S, and others. Always compare the actual policy wording and check the named underwriter, not just the brand.
Yes. As part of the 21 mandatory reforms published on 24 March 2026, all vet practices must disclose their ultimate corporate owner clearly — in the practice, on their website, and in client communications. Full compliance is required by March 2027.
IVC Evidensia is the largest, owning approximately 1,500 practices in the UK. It is backed by Swedish private equity firm EQT Partners. Globally, IVC Evidensia operates across 20 countries and is one of the largest veterinary businesses in the world.
Find out who owns your vet
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