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Ownership transparency guide

Who owns my vet?

Many UK practices trade under familiar local names while being part of wider groups. This guide explains the CMA's ownership findings in practical terms, and what pet owners can check when comparing practices.

CMA ownership snapshot

  • Over 60% Large veterinary groups now own over 60% of UK practices
  • Around 10% Large-group ownership in 2013
  • 47% Confirmed large-group customers who knew their practice was group-owned

The six large veterinary groups named by the CMA are CVS, IVC Evidensia, Linnaeus, Medivet, Pets at Home, and VetPartners.

Large-group ownership share

CMA market-structure context: share of UK veterinary practices owned by large groups, then and now.

  • 2013 Around 10%
  • Current/report period Over 60%

Source: CMA summary and final report materials.

Ownership awareness among confirmed large-group customers

Awareness context from CMA customer findings.

  • Knew their practice was in a large group 47%

Source: CMA summary and final report materials.

Why ownership can be hard to spot

  • Local practice names
  • Historic brands
  • Acquisitions
  • Franchise arrangements
  • Inconsistent group branding

Major veterinary groups named by the CMA

These are the six large veterinary groups named by the CMA. The cards below are a high-level ownership snapshot, not a full corporate profile. Ownership structures, revenues and practice counts can change. Vetfinder practice counts are snapshots from our current dataset.

Vetfinder counts are based on our current canonical practice dataset and may lag acquisitions, closures, rebrands or corrections.

CVS Group

Public company A company whose shares are publicly listed and can be bought and sold on a stock exchange.
Ownership / structure
CVS Group plc.
Vetfinder snapshot

402 physical practices in our current dataset, mapped in Vetfinder to this group.

Same ownership labels as search filters. Not a UK-wide total—only practices we match to this group.

Scale context

FY2025 revenue from continuing operations: £673m.

FY2025 investor materials also refer to 425 UK practice sites.

Figures reflect CVS's reporting scope; they are not a ranking against other groups.

Useful context
CVS is a publicly listed veterinary group.
What to ask
Ask whether prices, prescription fees and complaints processes are handled locally or through group policy.

Sources

CVS final results / investor materials; CMA final report materials; Vetfinder current dataset.

IVC Evidensia

Privately held A company owned by private shareholders rather than traded publicly on a stock exchange. Global veterinary group A veterinary group operating across multiple countries.
Ownership / structure
Privately held. Shareholders include EQT, Silver Lake, Nestlé and Berkshire Partners.
Vetfinder snapshot

1002 physical practices in our current dataset, mapped in Vetfinder to this group.

Same ownership labels as search filters. Not a UK-wide total—only practices we match to this group.

Scale context

EQT describes IVC Evidensia as having more than 2,500 clinics and hospitals across 20 countries (global footprint, not UK-only).

Useful context
This is the group where Nestlé appears in the ownership structure, but Nestlé is one shareholder rather than the sole owner.
What to ask
Ask how local prices, referral routes and prescription policies are decided.

Sources

IVC Evidensia FAQ; EQT portfolio page; CMA final report materials; Vetfinder current dataset.

Linnaeus

Part of Mars Veterinary Health This group sits within Mars Veterinary Health, a wider veterinary business owned by Mars.
Ownership / structure
Part of Mars Veterinary Health.
Vetfinder snapshot

217 physical practices in our current dataset, mapped in Vetfinder to this group.

Same ownership labels as search filters. Not a UK-wide total—only practices we match to this group.

Scale context

Wider Mars Veterinary Health network: around 2,500 veterinary clinics and hospitals in over 20 countries (network-wide, not a Linnaeus-only count).

Useful context
Linnaeus sits within Mars Veterinary Health's wider veterinary business.
What to ask
Ask whether referrals, diagnostics or specialist services are provided within the wider group.

Sources

Linnaeus / Mars Veterinary Health materials; CMA final report materials; Vetfinder current dataset.

Medivet

Private equity-backed A company owned or backed by a private equity investment firm or fund.
Ownership / structure
Majority-owned by CVC Capital Partners.
Vetfinder snapshot

369 physical practices in our current dataset, mapped in Vetfinder to this group.

Same ownership labels as search filters. Not a UK-wide total—only practices we match to this group.

Scale context

FY2024 accounts: 468 veterinary practices and £409m revenue.

Useful context
Medivet is a private-equity-backed veterinary group.
What to ask
Ask how pricing, referrals and medicine policies are decided locally versus by the wider group.

Sources

Medivet/Hecate FY2024 accounts; CVC announcement; CMA final report materials; Vetfinder current dataset.

Pets at Home / Vets4Pets

Listed pet-care group A publicly listed company whose business includes pet-care and veterinary services.
Ownership / structure
Vets4Pets is part of Pets at Home Group plc's veterinary business.
Vetfinder snapshot

443 physical practices in our current dataset, mapped in Vetfinder to this group.

Same ownership labels as search filters. Not a UK-wide total—only practices we match to this group.

Scale context

Pets at Home FY25 group statutory revenue: £1,482m (group-wide, not Vets4Pets-only revenue).

Secondary reporting: 440 vet practices and veterinary practice revenue up 13%.*

Useful context
Vets4Pets practices may operate through different models, including joint venture or company-managed arrangements.
What to ask
Ask whether the practice is joint venture, company-managed, or otherwise part of the wider Pets at Home / Vets4Pets model.

Sources

Pets at Home FY25 preliminary results; secondary reporting from Vet Times for practice count and vet-practice revenue growth; CMA final report materials; Vetfinder current dataset.

VetPartners

Private equity-backed A company owned or backed by a private equity investment firm or fund.
Ownership / structure
Acquired by BC Funds / BC Partners in November 2018.
Vetfinder snapshot

466 physical practices in our current dataset, mapped in Vetfinder to this group.

Same ownership labels as search filters. Not a UK-wide total—only practices we match to this group.

Scale context

Secondary reporting from filed accounts: FY2025 revenue of £870m.*

BC Partners describes VetPartners as a leading operator of small animal, mixed and equine veterinary practices in the UK.

BC Partners also refers to more than 350 clinics on its portfolio page.

Useful context
VetPartners operates small animal, mixed and equine veterinary practices.
What to ask
Ask how ownership structure affects pricing, prescriptions and complaints pathways.

Sources

BC Partners portfolio page; secondary reporting summarising VetPartners Group filed accounts (e.g. company databases); CMA final report materials; Vetfinder current dataset.

Short labels on cards use the same links as the full titles listed under Sources below.

*Some revenue or practice-count figures come from secondary reporting of company accounts or investor materials. They are included as context, not as directly comparable rankings. Vetfinder practice counts are separate snapshots from our own current dataset.

Does ownership mean a vet is good or bad?

No. Ownership does not automatically decide quality, and excellent vets can work in any ownership model. Ownership can affect pricing, branding, medicine supply, referral routes and consumer choice, which is why transparency matters.

  • Quality and ownership

    No. Ownership does not automatically decide quality, and excellent vets can work in any ownership model.

  • What ownership can affect

    Ownership can affect pricing, branding, medicine supply, referral routes and consumer choice.

  • Transparency

    Transparency helps when you compare prices, services and who stands behind a practice.

How Vetfinder classifies ownership

Vetfinder uses source-backed ownership labels from available data. Ownership can change, and group structures can be complex. If something looks wrong, use the correction route so details can be reviewed.

See our data methodology and source policy

Frequently asked questions

Who owns most vet practices in the UK?

CMA materials report that large veterinary groups now own over 60% of UK veterinary practices, compared with around 10% in 2013.

Which large veterinary groups did the CMA name?

The six large veterinary groups named by the CMA are CVS, IVC Evidensia, Linnaeus, Medivet, Pets at Home, and VetPartners.

Does corporate ownership mean a vet is more expensive?

Not automatically. Ownership can affect pricing structure and transparency, but this guide does not claim that every corporate-owned practice is more expensive.

Are independent vets always better?

No. Ownership does not automatically determine clinical quality or suitability, and excellent vets can work in any ownership model.

Why might my local vet still look independent?

Practices can keep local names after ownership changes, and branding can vary across websites, signage, and directories.

How can I report incorrect ownership information?

Use the report incorrect information route so the ownership label can be reviewed and corrected where appropriate.

Sources

Related links