Ethan Rhodes
VCA Animal Hospitals, founded in 1986, is a network of veterinary hospitals that provide world-class medical care for pets. With over 1,000 locations across the United States and Canada, VCA sets a new standard of care by incorporating advanced techniques from both veterinary and human medicine. The hospitals offer a range of services, including emergency care, primary care, and boarding facilities, and have been recognized for their commitment to mental well-being in the workplace. VCA Animal Hospitals was acquired by Mars in 2017, joining their portfolio of veterinary businesses. Despite some concerns about corporate consolidation in the veterinary industry, VCA continues to operate as a separate business unit, known for its compassionate care and community involvement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year founded | 1986 |
| Number of hospitals | More than 1,000 small animal veterinary hospitals |
| Leadership | Patty (President), Dr. Kerl (Chief Medical Officer) |
| Parent company | Mars Petcare |
| Services | Primary care, urgent care, critical and emergency care, boarding facilities |
| Recognition | Recognized by Newsweek as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Mental Well-being for 2025 |
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What You'll Learn
- VCA Animal Hospitals is a family of hometown animal hospitals
- VCA hospitals provide world-class veterinary medicine
- VCA hospitals offer a range of services, including critical and emergency care, primary care, and boarding facilities
- VCA was acquired by Mars in 2017 and operates as a separate business unit within Mars Petcare
- VCA has been recognised for its commitment to mental well-being
VCA Animal Hospitals is a family of hometown animal hospitals
VCA Animal Hospitals offer a range of services, including primary, urgent, and critical care. Their primary care teams are the first point of contact for all of a pet's needs, from check-ups to tummy aches. Their urgent care teams consist of highly trained and collaborative veterinary professionals who help pets with immediate but non-life-threatening care needs. Their services are easily accessible, with same- or next-day appointments available 365 days a year. Meanwhile, their critical and emergency care teams are trained and equipped to handle all kinds of emergencies, from traumatic injuries to serious illnesses, incorporating advanced techniques from both veterinary and human medicine.
VCA Animal Hospitals have been recognised for their contributions beyond veterinary care. In 2025, Newsweek recognised VCA as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Mental Wellbeing, highlighting the company's support for mental health in the workplace. However, there have also been reports of mental health issues and concerns about working conditions among VCA's workforce.
In 2017, VCA was acquired by Mars for approximately $9.1 billion, becoming a part of Mars Petcare. This acquisition made Mars the owner of nearly 2,000 veterinary practices, significantly increasing its presence in the veterinary industry. Despite the acquisition, VCA continues to operate as a separate business unit within Mars Petcare, with a focus on maintaining its unique identity and commitment to its communities.
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VCA hospitals provide world-class veterinary medicine
VCA Animal Hospitals provide world-class veterinary medicine. Founded in 1986, VCA is a family of hometown animal hospitals committed to making a positive impact on pets, people, and their communities. VCA joined the Mars family in 2017, and together, they are writing a powerful story about what's next in veterinary care. As a national network of hometown hospitals, VCA provides world-class veterinary medicine by activating their shared expertise and pairing cutting-edge technology, procedures, and best practices with deeply compassionate care.
VCA's network consists of more than 1,000 small animal veterinary hospitals across the United States and Canada, employing over 35,000 associates. VCA hospitals are known for their talented teams, who not only practice world-class medicine but also set a new standard of care. Their primary care teams are the first point of contact for all pet needs, from check-ups to urgent care. VCA's urgent care teams are made up of highly trained and deeply collaborative veterinary professionals who provide convenient access to same- or next-day appointments 365 days a year.
VCA hospitals are well-equipped to handle a wide range of emergencies, including traumatic injuries, respiratory emergencies, shock, poisoning, and serious illnesses. They incorporate advanced techniques from both veterinary and human medicine, ensuring the highest standard of emergency and critical care. Their commitment to excellence extends beyond medical expertise, as they prioritize the mental well-being of their workforce. VCA Animal Hospitals have been recognized by Newsweek as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Mental Well-being for 2025, highlighting their dedication to supporting mental health in the workplace.
However, there have been concerns about corporate ownership in veterinary practices, including VCA hospitals. Critics argue that corporate ownership may prioritize financial interests over the traditional values of veterinary practice, such as continuity of care and patient-tailored medical decisions. Additionally, there have been reports of workplace safety violations and issues related to mental health support for employees. Despite these concerns, VCA hospitals continue to strive for excellence in veterinary medicine and play a significant role in caring for pets and their owners within their communities.
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VCA hospitals offer a range of services, including critical and emergency care, primary care, and boarding facilities
VCA Animal Hospitals is a network of veterinary hospitals that provide a range of services for pets and their owners. With over 1,000 small animal veterinary hospitals, VCA offers critical and emergency care, primary care, and boarding facilities.
The critical and emergency care teams at VCA hospitals are well-equipped and trained to handle various emergencies, including traumatic injuries, respiratory emergencies, shock, poisoning, and serious illnesses. They incorporate advanced techniques from both veterinary and human medicine to provide the highest standard of care. VCA's urgent care teams are made up of highly trained and collaborative veterinary professionals who assist with non-life-threatening immediate care needs. These teams provide convenient access to same-day or next-day appointments 365 days a year.
Primary care teams at VCA hospitals are the first point of contact for pets' general health needs, from routine check-ups to minor ailments. They also provide preventative care and ongoing support for pets' overall well-being. VCA hospitals are committed to setting a new standard of care by combining cutting-edge technology and procedures with compassionate care.
In addition to medical services, VCA hospitals offer boarding facilities for pets. These facilities, often associated with veterinary hospitals, are staffed with trained professionals who ensure pets are well cared for when their owners are unable to do so temporarily.
VCA Animal Hospitals have been recognised for their commitment to mental well-being in the workplace, receiving acknowledgement from Newsweek as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Mental Well-being in 2025. However, there have also been reports of mental health concerns and challenging working conditions for veterinary staff, particularly during the pandemic, when the increased demand for pet health services placed immense pressure on veterinary workers.
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VCA was acquired by Mars in 2017 and operates as a separate business unit within Mars Petcare
VCA Animal Hospitals is a network of veterinary hospitals that provide world-class medicine and set a new standard of care. Founded in 1986, VCA is committed to making a positive impact on pets, people, and their communities. With more than 1,000 small animal veterinary hospitals, VCA provides urgent, primary, and critical care for pets.
In 2017, Mars announced its acquisition of VCA Antech for approximately $9.1 billion, including $1.4 billion in outstanding debt. This acquisition was a significant development in the veterinary industry, as it added nearly 2,000 practices to Mars' portfolio and made them the owners of about two-thirds of all corporate-owned hospitals.
Following the acquisition, VCA operates as a separate business unit within Mars Petcare, alongside other Veterinary Services businesses such as Banfield Pet Hospital, BluePearl, and Pet Partners. This structure allows VCA to maintain its independence and unique culture while benefiting from the resources and scale of Mars.
The acquisition by Mars brought about mixed reactions. Some, like John Volk, a senior consultant for Brakke Consulting, noted that the acquisition doesn't significantly change day-to-day business operations for practitioners. However, others in the veterinary industry, such as Dr. Eileen Jefferson, owner of Ethical Veterinary, expressed skepticism, concerned that veterinary medicine would be reduced to the financial interests of shareholders in a candy company.
Despite these concerns, VCA has continued to grow and receive recognition. In 2025, VCA Animal Hospitals were recognized by Newsweek as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Mental Well-being. However, there have also been reports of challenges, including mental health issues among staff and disputes regarding workplace safety and labour standards.
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VCA has been recognised for its commitment to mental well-being
VCA, or VCA Animal Hospitals, is a family of hometown animal hospitals founded in 1986. It has over 1,000 small animal veterinary hospitals and provides comprehensive veterinary services. VCA has been recognised for its commitment to mental well-being.
VCA was recognised by Newsweek as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Mental Well-being for 2025. This recognition was based on an independent study by Plant-A Insights, which drew from over 403,000 employee interviews and 4.9 million company reviews. The study highlighted companies that are leading the way in supporting mental health at work. As one of the largest employers in the veterinary profession, VCA understands that while working in this field can be rewarding, it also has factors that may impact the well-being of associates, such as exposure to challenging situations faced by caregivers, which can lead to compassion fatigue, burnout syndrome, anxiety and depression.
VCA has a network of social workers in some of its largest hospitals, embedded with hospital teams to offer training, resources, and support in challenging situations to associates and clients. They also provide a toolkit to access tools and resources to improve financial knowledge and a student debt program to decrease financial stress. Johanna Baldwin, VCA’s Director of Benefits & Well-being, said:
> "Our relentless focus on mental well-being is driven by a commitment to reduce stigma, improve access to care, and increase the utilization of mental health services. We believe that by prioritizing mental well-being, we can create a supportive environment where our Associates can thrive both personally and professionally."
VCA has also made significant investments to expand benefits and well-being resources, including launching Lyra Health to provide company-paid mental health support.
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Frequently asked questions
Veterinary Centers of America.
Mars, Inc. VCA was acquired by Mars Petcare in 2017 for $9.1 billion.
VCA has over 1,000 small animal veterinary hospitals across the US and Canada.
VCA Animal Hospitals offer a range of services including primary care, urgent care, emergency and critical care, and boarding facilities.
VCA Animal Hospitals was recognized by Newsweek as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Mental Well-being in 2025.
