UK’s largest pet store business acquires Vets4Pets

In a deal worth £40 million, Pets at Home has bought Vets4Pets and now stands to become one of the largest veterinary chains in the UK with the number of practices overtaking the number of stores. Founded over 12 years ago by former Specsavers and Vision Express executive Peter Watson, Vets4Pets was established to become a local vet with a difference. As Peter explained: “Just like with a doctor or dentist, the relationship with your vet must be built on trust and in the belief that they’ll care for your pets just like they would their own. That’s why every Vets4Pets practice is owned by the veterinary surgeons and nurses who run it.” It employs about 900 staff and its services include vaccinations, neutering and general health and some intensive care medicine and surgery. Following the acquisition, Pets at Home will now integrate Vets4Pets 94 stand-alone veterinary practices with its existing 116 in-store joint venture vet business Companion Care Vets. Commenting CEO of Pets at Home Nick Wood said: “The expansion of our veterinary business is a key element of our growth strategy for Pets at Home, providing additional services to our customers within our stores or close to our customers’ homes. Together Companion Care and Vets4Pets have changed the face of the veterinary market over the past 11 years.” “We have introduced modern well-equipped practices run by passionate and caring veterinary professionals, supported by innovative marketing and offering high quality treatments and services which have provided value for money and more choice for the UK’s pet owners,” he added. He assured existing customers of both Vets4Pets and Companion Care that they will continue to receive the highest standards of pet healthcare services and treatments from their local practices and the company aims to bring them new and exciting services and products in the near future. Pets at Home is owned by US private equity firm KKR and was founded in 2001. It currently has 346 stores, almost half of which already have in-house vets thanks to a linkup with Companion Care, which will continue to work alongside the new venture.