04/30/2026
scary time we living in
Did you know that Mars, the same company that makes your Snickers and Skittles, may very well own your vet clinic? That's private equity killing the vet field. And it's getting worse and worse.
Over the last 10 years, the cost of veterinary care for pets increased by 60 percent. Even as overall inflation came under control, the cost of veterinary care did not. It is currently increasing at a rate that’s more than double the overall Consumer Price Index. (according to the American Economic Liberties Project Save Our Pets Act May 2025), before the current financial mess we're in.
25% to 30% of general practices are corporate-owned but some estimates are as high as 50% and specialty and ERs, well they around 75% private equity or corporate owned.
Why does this matter? Fewer independent options means rising prices for routine and emergency visits, and even more pressure on vets to meet corporate revenue targets.
Former small businesses are being gobbled up into large chains, where decisions about treatment and pricing may be shaped by financial benchmarks than your pet's needs.
And all of that is leading to even more vet burnout when there's already a veterinary crisis. Did you know that vets have one of the highest su***de rates of all professions?
I'll put some links below including a directory of equity owned vets. Many buy out practices, but are shady and keep the name the same, so it looks like it's still a small business. Super, super shady.
Also, be nice to your vet. They have a really hard job. (picture of our mobile vet with our Mr. Barbo before he passed)
