The GreatConsolidation
How corporate ownership transformed UK veterinary care in a decade
0%
Corporate Owned
Up from 10% in 2013
~0+
Practices Acquired
Since 2013
£0bn
Market Size
2024
0%
Price Premium
Corporate vs Independent
2013 — 2024
From Independent to Corporate
A decade ago, independent vets dominated UK veterinary care. Today, six large groups control the majority.
Corporate
Independent
Non-profit
Market Share
Who Owns UK Veterinary Care
Six corporate groups now control the majority of practices. Size represents number of practices.
Independent
Pets at Home
IVC Evidensia
CVS Group
VetPartners
Medivet
Other Corporate
Consumer Impact
The Cost of Consolidation
Veterinary prices have risen nearly twice as fast as general inflation.
Veterinary prices
General CPI
+70%Vet pricesvs+35%General CPI
Industry Growth
A £7 Billion Industry
The UK veterinary market has grown 6x since 2010.
Our Data
Regional Ownership
Based on 6,302 practices in our database
Corporate
Independent
57%
Corporate
41%
Independent
6,302
Total Practices
Key Events
How We Got Here
The consolidation of UK veterinary care, year by year.
July 2007
CVS Group founded and listed on AIM
July 2007
CVS Group founded and listed on AIM
August 2011
Independent Vetcare (IVC) incorporated
August 2011
Independent Vetcare (IVC) incorporated
January 2014
Mars Petcare acquires Linnaeus
January 2014
Mars Petcare acquires Linnaeus
March 2016
VetPartners enters market
March 2016
VetPartners enters market
June 2017
IVC merges with Evidensia
June 2017
IVC merges with Evidensia
September 2019
CMA begins reviewing veterinary mergers
September 2019
CMA begins reviewing veterinary mergers
March 2021
Corporate ownership exceeds 50% for first time
March 2021
Corporate ownership exceeds 50% for first time
September 2023
CMA launches full market investigation
September 2023
CMA launches full market investigation
October 2024
CMA provisional findings published
October 2024
CMA provisional findings published
May 2026
CMA final decision deadline
May 2026
CMA final decision deadline
corporate
acquisition
regulatory
milestone