An anonymous UK vet recently claimed that they have to earn more per pet patient. It was reported on the BBC evening news. It caught my eye but is in alignment with many earlier reports on the vet business in the UK which has allegedly tended to become greedier thanks to corporate buyouts of independent veterinary clinics across the country. Here’s more on this.
In recent months, a growing concern has emerged in the UK regarding the direction and priorities of the veterinary profession. At the centre of the debate is the claim that some veterinarians feel pressured to prioritise profit over pet welfare, a concern that has triggered public unease and prompted a formal investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The issue highlights the tension between corporate ownership, ethical animal care, and transparency in one of the country’s most trusted professions.
Over the last decade, the UK veterinary sector has undergone significant transformation. Traditionally dominated by small, independent practices, the landscape has shifted as corporate groups and private equity firms have acquired a majority stake in the industry. As of 2021, over half of all veterinary practices in the UK were owned by just six companies, three of which are backed by private equity. This consolidation has raised concerns that financial targets may now influence medical decisions, potentially compromising the welfare of animals in favour of boosting revenue.
Reports in the national press have brought these concerns to light. A particularly telling story emerged in The Times, which described a young vet who left private practice after becoming disillusioned with the focus on sales targets and increasing drug revenues. Choosing instead to work for the PDSA, a charity that provides veterinary care to pets in need, this veterinarian’s story highlights a broader unease among professionals. While their identity was not publicly disclosed, the story resonated with others in the field who feel that the commercialisation of veterinary care is beginning to erode the principles that drew them to the profession in the first place.
Further amplifying the issue, many veterinary professionals have noted the lack of pricing transparency across the sector. The CMA’s initial findings indicate that around 80 percent of practices fail to publish treatment prices online, making it difficult for pet owners to make informed decisions or compare costs. In an era where the cost of living is already putting pressure on households, this lack of clarity is especially troubling. Pet owners may face unexpectedly high bills, or feel compelled to authorise expensive treatments without fully understanding the options available to them.
The industry’s consolidation has also been linked to these rising costs. Robin Hargreaves, a former president of the British Veterinary Association (BVA), has commented that while part of the cost increase can be attributed to improvements in medical technology and diagnostics, the influence of corporate ownership cannot be ignored. Veterinary care today often resembles human healthcare in complexity and cost, with advanced procedures and specialist referrals becoming more common. But the question remains whether these services are always medically necessary, or sometimes driven by commercial pressures.
The BVA has acknowledged these growing concerns and expressed support for greater transparency, especially regarding the ownership of practices and the fees they charge. While defending the high standards and skill of UK veterinarians, the association recognises the need to rebuild public trust and ensure that ethical care remains central to the profession. The BVA is calling for regulatory reforms to help ensure a balance between the sustainability of veterinary practices and the affordability of care for pet owners.
The CMA’s ongoing investigation could result in significant changes to how veterinary care is provided and regulated in the UK. It may recommend that clinics be required to publish clear, standardised pricing information online and explain more transparently who owns the practice and whether it is part of a larger corporate group. It might also consider measures to protect consumers from excessive markups on medications or unnecessary procedures. At stake is not only the financial burden on pet owners but the integrity of a profession that has long been associated with compassion and trust.
As this issue continues to unfold, it has struck a chord with many across the country. For pet owners, the idea that financial incentives might take precedence over their animal’s health is deeply unsettling. For veterinarians, especially those new to the field, the pressure to perform as revenue generators rather than carers can be demoralising. While the veterinary profession has always had to balance financial viability with its ethical mission, the current debate suggests that this balance is tipping too far toward commercialism. The outcome of the CMA’s investigation may help to restore equilibrium, ensuring that the primary goal of veterinary care remains what it has always been: the health and wellbeing of the animals entrusted to it.
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