DATA-BACKED GUIDE · UPDATED JULY 2026
Who owns my vet? How to find out in the UK
The friendly local surgery you have used for years may now belong to a company running hundreds of branches. Chains routinely keep the original name over the door, so ownership is rarely obvious. It matters because corporate-owned practices charged 18.3% more on average, so it is worth knowing exactly who you are dealing with.
The quick version
- Six large groups own more than 60% of UK practices, including IVC Evidensia, CVS, Pets at Home (Vets4Pets), Medivet and VetPartners.
- Chains often retain the local practice name, so the branding tells you very little.
- The CMA found corporate-owned practices averaged 18.3% higher prices than independents.
- From September 2026 practices are expected to disclose ownership far more clearly.
What people actually paid
Why the price varies so much
Ownership does not automatically dictate your bill. A corporate branch in a competitive city may price keenly, while an independent in a wealthy suburb charges a premium. What consolidation tends to do is remove the local pressure that once kept fees down, and centralise decisions about pricing and add-ons. Two branches of the same chain can differ too. So while knowing the owner is useful context, the real bills below are what tell you whether you are paying over the odds.
How to pay less
- Check the website footer, invoices and waiting-room posters for a parent company named in the small print.
- Search the practice on Companies House to see the registered owner and directors.
- If you find you are with a chain, ring a nearby independent to compare the consultation fee.
- For medication, get a written prescription and order online at 50-60% less.
Common questions
Why do chains keep the old practice name?
Local names carry trust and loyalty built over decades. Keeping them means many clients never notice a change of ownership, which the CMA flagged as a transparency problem.
Who are the biggest vet groups in the UK?
The largest include IVC Evidensia, CVS Group, Pets at Home (which runs Vets4Pets and Companion Care), Medivet and VetPartners. Together the big groups own over 60% of practices.
Does it really matter who owns my vet?
It can. On average corporate ownership meant higher prices, and centralised policies may shape how treatment is recommended. Clinical standards remain regulated whoever owns the practice.