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Category: Hospital Groups

Large Consolidator Abruptly Closes Jersey Vet Practice, Blindsiding Customers and Staff

November 2, 2024 Admin

The Whiting Veterinary Clinic located in Whiting, New Jersey suddenly closed leaving Whiting and other area pet owners without a…

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Posted in: Closure, Hospital Groups, PRIVATE EQUITY, Rarebreed, Veterinary

Consolidators Plan Merger to Create Giant Network of Animal Hospitals

September 1, 2024 Admin

Mission Veterinary Partners (MVP) and Southern Veterinary Partners (SVP) are planning a MERGER that would create one of the largest…

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Posted in: Consolidation, FTC, Hospital Groups, MVP, PRIVATE EQUITY, SVP, Veterinary

Sen. Elizabeth Warren Targets Private Equity Company for Consolidating Veterinary Sector, Raising Costs

August 16, 2024 Admin

U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) recently sent a letter to JAB Holding Company (JAB) requesting extensive…

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Posted in: Consolidation, FTC, Hospital Groups, IN THE NEWS, JAB, PRIVATE EQUITY, Veterinary

Veterinary Innovative Partners Acquires Consolidator with 24 Practice Locations

August 6, 2024 Admin

Veterinary Innovative Partners (VIP), a network of more than 37 veterinary hospitals across nine states, has recently ANNOUNCED its acquisition…

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Posted in: Consolidation, Hospital Groups, Veterinary

Chewy to Enter Veterinary Practice Market in 2024

January 6, 2024 Admin

Chewy, Inc. (NYSE: CHWY) recently ANNOUNCED the launch of its first veterinary practices under the brand name “Chewy Vet Care.”…

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Posted in: CHEWY, Hospital Groups, Veterinary

Veterinary Consolidator Grows Network of Hospitals By More Than 50% In Past Year

October 20, 2023 Admin

Veterinary Practice Partners (VPP), a leading veterinary consolidator recently ANNOUNCED that its network of animal hospitals has grew more than…

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Posted in: Consolidation, Hospital Groups, PRIVATE EQUITY, Veterinary

Thrive Pet Healthcare Announces Closure of Emergency Hospital in Brighton, NY

August 30, 2023 Admin

Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Services (VSES) in Brighton, New York (previously the greater Rochester region’s only 24/7 animal hospital) has…

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Posted in: FTC, Hospital Groups, PRIVATE EQUITY, Thrive Pet Healthcare, UNIONS, Veterinary

Trupanion: Growing Number of Hospital Groups to accept Direct Payments

August 4, 2023 Admin

Trupanion (NASDAQ: TRUP), a leading pet insurance provider, recently ANNOUNCED that following a series of newly signed agreements, it now…

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Posted in: Hospital Groups, Insurance, TRUPANION, Veterinary

A Call to Action: Reclaiming Veterinary Medicine from Big Corporations

July 12, 2023 Admin

It’s time for veterinary professionals to take back veterinary medicine (7.10.23) https://www.dvm360.com/view/it-s-time-for-veterinary-professionals-to-take-back-veterinary-medicine COMMENTARY featured on dvm360 July 2023, Volume 54,…

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Posted in: Consolidation, Hospital Groups, PRIVATE EQUITY, Veterinary

Thrive Pet Healthcare appoints new Chief Executive Officer

May 25, 2023 Admin

Thrive Pet Healthcare, a veterinary network of 400 primary, acute, and specialty hospitals, recently ANNOUNCED the appointment of Tad Stahel…

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Posted in: Hospital Groups, PRIVATE EQUITY, Thrive Pet Healthcare, Veterinary

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RECENT POSTS

  • Large Consolidator Abruptly Closes Jersey Vet Practice, Blindsiding Customers and Staff November 2, 2024
  • Leading Mobile Vet Care Providers Announce Merger, Sector Poised for Consolidation October 31, 2024

THE CORPORATIZATION OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

The acquisition of private-owned animal hospitals by corporate entities such as veterinary consolidators has grown exponentially since 2011, and accelerated in 2017 -- market share has tripled in the last 6 years. Its largely invisible to most pet owners because consolidators view the corporatization of a practice as a marketing liability. Today, nearly 1 out of 3 general practices in the U.S. are owned by consolidators -- operate larger practices and account for 50% of all client visits. Corporate practices will not return to being independently owned again -- irreversible unless consumers push back against industry consolidation.
Are Consolidators Helping or Hurting Veterinary Medicine?

MAJORITY OF CORPORATE PRACTICES LED BY NON-VETERINARIANS
Study conducted by CARE for Pets™ reveals that the majority of consolidators are led by non-veterinarians. Doctors are more often managed by non-veterinary professionals with no experience in the pet medical world. Consolidators require significantly greater revenue to be profitable due to its large infrastructure of managers and support teams -- multiple levels of management that are highly incentivized. The support center is often located in a different state, far from its individual practices -- support staff often lack industry experience.
CEOs of Veterinary Consolidators and Hospital Groups

 

IS PATIENT CARE IMPACTED BY COMMISSION-BASED PAY?
Today, approximately 2 out of 3 full time associate veterinarians are paid on "production" -- how much revenue they bring into the practice. Compensation models for veterinarians consist either of a fixed salary, salary plus commission, or 100% commission -- doctor pay up to 25% of sales. A new full market investigation abroad will focus on incentive-based compensation of veterinary professionals.

 

IS INDUSTRY CONSOLIDATION THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM?
In the next decade, less than 10 large corporate groups will own, operate and control 6 out of 10 general practices based on current u.s. trends and abroad -- reaching at least 70 to 80% without opposition. A consolidated market with many complaints of higher prices and lower quality of care. Major consolidators plan merger to create giant network of more than 730 veterinary hospitals -- industry expert says it’s unlikely that the Federal Trade Commission would block the merger.

 

AFFORDABILITY CRISIS: VETERINARY CARE PRICES RISING RAPIDLY
Today, the news media reports the cost of vet care has increased 8% in the past year -- historically 3%. Many practices have raised prices 20 to 40% year over year. Insurance companies are seeking premium increases up to 56% -- provider drops coverage for 100,000 pets citing high vet costs. Corporate practices typically offer higher salaries, benefits and signing bonuses to employees -- retention bonus up to $250k to veterinarians.
What's Behind the High Cost of Veterinary Care?

 

IS PRIVATE EQUITY SADDLING VETERINARY SECTOR WITH DEBT?
Since 2017, private equity firms have invested more than $60 billion in the u.s. veterinary sector. Consolidators use high levels of debt to acquire as many hospitals as possible -- "serial acquisitions." The use of financial leverage and valuation arbitrage have caused sale prices to more than double over the past five years -- outbid independent doctors paying 2 or 3 times more. Several consolidators each have billions of outstanding debt in a high interest rate environment which makes it harder to cash out their investments -- may jeopardize their ability to navigate a downturn.

 

FIND THE BEST CARE FOR YOUR PET - COMPANION PLATFORM™
CARE for Pets™ officially launches the Companion Platform™ (COMPANION™) -- a pet health platform to help pet owners find the best possible care for all companion animals.

 

THE VETERINARY HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IS UNDER-REGULATED
First-of-its-kind study conducted by CARE for Pets™ reveals 2 out of 3 independent practices sold are acquired by corporate consolidators -- consolidation continues unabated with minimal federal and no state regulatory scrutiny.

 

CASE STUDY: Lack of Ownership Transparency in Veterinary Practices

Study conducted by CARE for Pets™ reveals many veterinary consolidators communicate misleading statements about ownership information on their individual practice websites which is most likely to create a false impression to pet owners that the practice is independently owned and locally operated. Most veterinary practices acquired by corporate consolidators often retain their original company name and may purposely avoid corporate ownership identification -- hide ownership.
Is Your 'Local' Animal Hospital Corporate-Owned?

COMMON PERCEPTIONS ABOUT CORPORATE PRACTICES
There is a common perception in the pet care industry that many corporate-owned veterinary practices prioritize profits over patient care -- doctors feel more pressure to generate revenue and see more clients per shift. A common strategy for consolidators is to increase revenue by raising prices after an acquisition -- increase in upselling to clients. Studies in human medicine show that private equity takeovers are linked to rising costs for patients and sinking quality of care. Understanding private equity investments in human medicine will provide insight into its potential impact to veterinary medicine.
Common Perceptions of Corporate Veterinary Practices

WHO OWNS, OPERATES AND CONTROLS THE PRACTICE?
CARE for Pets™ officially launches VERIFIED,™ the first and only veterinary practice ownership verification online tool for the pet care industry -- do you know who owns your vet? Consolidators buying hospitals often require the selling doctor to stay at the veterinary practice for 1 to 4 years post-sale and may fail to disclose change of ownership to pet owners -- "golden handcuffs." Advertising is ethical when there are no false, deceptive, or misleading statements or claims.

 

HEIGHTENED SCRUTINY OF PRIVATE EQUITY M&A DEALS
Today, 3 out of 4 specialty and emergency hospitals in the U.S. are owned by corporate consolidators -- state legislator asks Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to scrutinize closure of emergency hospital. Private equity firms increasingly engage in roll up strategies that allow them to accrue market power off the commission’s radar -- senators urged the FTC and congress to take stronger action against consolidation in the veterinary care industry.
FTC Intervenes PE Acquisition Citing Antitrust Concerns

 

EXIT-DRIVEN STRATEGY: BUYING UP HOSPITALS TO SELL
Roll-ups, a common strategy for consolidators, buys many veterinary practices and combines them into a larger organization to obtain a higher valuation -- grow rapidly. The entity is typically resold within 3 to 5 years to another consolidator for a substantial profit. Hospital groups sell for 100s of millions of dollars -- many times over $1 billion.
Flipping Hospitals Reap Large Profits for Consolidators

CONSOLIDATORS PRIORITIZING PROFITS OVER PATIENTS
Our research shows that common complaints among employees of corporate-owned veterinary practices say their employers prioritize short-term profits -- numerous red flags. Reading company reviews at popular job websites about the corporate consolidator that owns the individual practice can provide greater insight into the company's true priorities, work conditions, culture, and leadership. However, gag clauses are on the rise which may silence doctors and staff -- stifle public debate about the effects of rapid veterinary consolidation.
Common Employee Complaints of Veterinary Consolidators

 

ARE CONSOLIDATORS EXACERBATING VET SHORTAGE?
First-of-its-kind study reveals that veterinarians working in corporate practices reported feeling more pressure than those in private practice to generate revenue and see more clients per shift -- doctors sometimes dread or fear when they learn that their hospital may be sold to a large corporation. There's a tremendous mismatch between employees' purpose and consolidators' purpose -- employees and clients blindsided by abrupt closure of hospital. Hospital groups typically make 10s of millions of dollars in profit each year -- conflict of values cause burnout and drives workers away from the profession.

 

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