UK veterinary corporate groups
Corporate groups own 62% of the 7,602 UK vet practice sites in our directory, and 37% are independent. Many group-owned practices keep their old local name, so the sign outside may not tell you who owns your vet.
Who owns UK vet practices
- Corporate
- 62% 4,713 sites
- Independent
- 37% 2,794 sites
- Large groups
- 6 investigated by the CMA
- Private equity
- 3 of the 6 large groups
These figures count practice sites in our directory, each main and branch surgery once, and update as our data changes. 95 sites (1%) are run by charities.
In March 2026 the CMA found that six large groups owned about 60% of UK vet practices, up from 10% in 2013 (CMA final report, 24 March 2026).
Three of those six groups are owned by private equity firms. See which UK vets private equity owns.
CMA market investigation
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) completed its market investigation into veterinary services in March 2026, finding competition concerns and setting out a package of remedies requiring changes to how veterinary businesses operate.
In July 2026 the government accepted all of the CMA's recommendations, committing to replace the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 with statutory licensing of veterinary businesses and a binding redress scheme for pet owners, which is expected to be delivered through a new veterinary ombudsman.
Read the CMA investigation →Each card shows how many RCVS-registered premises our directory links to the group, counting main and branch surgeries separately, beside the group's own count of its UK practices. They count different things, so the two figures can differ.
IVC Evidensia
IVC Evidensia is Europe's largest veterinary services provider, operating over 2,500 clinics across 20 countries. In the UK it said in February 2026 t...
CVS Group
CVS Group plc is a UK-headquartered, publicly traded veterinary services company listed on the London Stock Exchange, and one of the largest corporate...
Pets at Home
Pets at Home Group plc is a UK-listed company (LSE: PETS) that operates the UK's largest pet supplies retailer and a substantial veterinary services b...
VetPartners
VetPartners is a UK-based veterinary group controlled by funds of BC Partners, a private equity firm, since November 2018. In October 2026 its website...
Linnaeus
Linnaeus is a UK-based veterinary group owned by Mars, Incorporated (the global confectionery and pet care company). In October 2026 its website liste...
Medivet
Medivet is a UK veterinary group controlled by a fund of CVC Capital Partners, one of the world's largest private equity firms, since 2021. Medivet sa...
Kin Vet Community
Kin Vet Community is a group of around 20 small-animal veterinary practices in the east and south of England, backed by the private equity firm Perwyn...
Which groups are at or near the CMA's 15-site line? See groups by size