Who owns your vet?
Ownership affects pricing, referral paths, and your choices. Here's how to check.
60%+
of UK practices owned by 6 large groups
New rules
CMA requires ownership disclosure
Your right
to know who owns your vet practice
Why does ownership matter?
The CMA's investigation found that over 60% of UK vet practices are now owned wholly or partly by six large corporate groups. Many of these practices still trade under their original name, so you may not realise your local vet is part of a larger chain.
Ownership can affect:
- Pricing — the CMA found higher treatment costs and faster price growth at some large groups
- Referral paths — group-owned practices may refer within their own network
- Medication — some groups own their own laboratories, crematoriums, and supply chains
- Emergency care — your practice may route emergencies to a group-owned OOH provider
- Health plans — group plans may tie you to that network's practices
This doesn't mean corporate vets are worse — many provide excellent care. But transparency about ownership helps you make informed decisions.
Our ownership badges
Owned by an individual vet or small partnership. Not part of a larger corporate group.
Part of a corporate veterinary group (e.g. IVC Evidensia, CVS Group, Linnaeus, Vets4Pets/Pets at Home, Medivet).
Run by a veterinary charity (e.g. PDSA, Blue Cross, RSPCA). Often serves pet owners on lower incomes.
Ownership not yet verified. We're working to confirm all practice ownership data.