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Is VCA Animal Hospitals Owned by Private Equity?

No — VCA Animal Hospitals was acquired by Mars, Inc., a corporate acquisition rather than a private-equity deal.

CORPORATE-OWNED

VCA Animal Hospitals

Includes VCA, VCA Hospitals

veterinary · Los Angeles, CA

Acquirer
Mars, Inc.
Year Acquired
2017

Mars bought your vet and your pet food. Guess who sets the prices.

The Bigger Fish

  1. Mars acquired VCA for $9.1 billion in 2017; FTC required divestiture of 12 clinics, warning the deal 'likely leads to higher prices'
  2. In Seattle, Mars brands (VCA, Banfield, BluePearl) own 15.4% of vet hospitals, 10 of the 65
  3. Mars runs about 3,000 vet clinics worldwide, prompting a 2024 Senate investigation into its impact on pet owners

Since the Acquisition

  • FTC warned the Mars acquisition 'would likely lead to higher prices for pet owners and lower quality' in vet services
  • CityWatch LA reported aggressive upselling, with pressure on owners to approve unnecessary tests

Sources

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What people ask

Is VCA Animal Hospitals owned by private equity?

No. VCA Animal Hospitals was acquired by Mars, Inc., which is a corporate acquisition, not a private equity deal.

What happened to VCA Animal Hospitals after the acquisition?

FTC warned the Mars acquisition 'would likely lead to higher prices for pet owners and lower quality' in vet services CityWatch LA reported aggressive upselling, with pressure on owners to approve unnecessary tests

Who owns VCA Animal Hospitals?

VCA Animal Hospitals is owned by Mars, Inc..

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