Vet clinics being bought up

Has anyone else noticed a local vet clinic being bought by a large corporation? VCA has been scooping up local clinics around here.

https://vcacanada.com/

Most recently, they raised the rates at my clinic that they bought. It didn't occur to them to look at where the clinic is located and perhaps raising the rates will put them out of that neighborhood market.


Follow up question - does anyone really like their vet? Someone who understands working dogs, not fireplace pets. Someone who is a good (not cheap, GOOD - knowledgeable and skilled) practitioner and surgeon for that aforementioned sporting dog.

I agree
Our Vet has recently been bought up as well. The amount of spam mail I started to receive is annoying enough to seek out a new vet.


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I keep a small not for profit kennel of hunting beagles. I'm always trying to maximize benefits and keep costs at a minimum. That puts me at odds with a corporation that has training and marketing programs to maximize profits. My previous long gone "country" vet, who I considered an ally and valuable resource has been replaced by a whole team of vets who cater to the pet trade, complete with a receptionist who refers to me as Rattlers dad. I don't begrudge any professional the right to make a good living, but the value for my money spent has decreased a lot.

I guess I'm lucky. I have a great vet (Lambeth Animal Hospital) who hunts with pointers so understands gun dogs ; fees are very reasonable. Nothing being bought up here of which I am aware . Also have a 24/7 Emergency clinic here.

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Originally Posted by BurlyGirl

Follow up question - does anyone really like their vet? Someone who understands working dogs, not fireplace pets. Someone who is a good (not cheap, GOOD - knowledgeable and skilled) practitioner and surgeon for that aforementioned sporting dog.

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You know I do …. and yes they do understand working dogs! Graham Animal Hospital in Hillsburgh.

Same thing is happening in Ottawa. A gal I know who is a vet worked there for many years but after the ownership changes more of a corporate and less personal atmosphere ensued and she got totally fed up with it and quit. Now she works in one of our small town practices and is much happier.

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Originally Posted by swampsinger

I keep a small not for profit kennel of hunting beagles. I'm always trying to maximize benefits and keep costs at a minimum. That puts me at odds with a corporation that has training and marketing programs to maximize profits. My previous long gone "country" vet, who I considered an ally and valuable resource has been replaced by a whole team of vets who cater to the pet trade, complete with a receptionist who refers to me as Rattlers dad. I don't begrudge any professional the right to make a good living, but the value for my money spent has decreased a lot.

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I understand how you feel. My vet is incredible. While the majority of his clients have pets, he respects and understands that my girls work and on occasion, we have a litter. Considering him an ally is an understatement. I'm happy he is looking out for himself and retiring, but I am preparing for the day he can't take the changes to his clinic and stops seeing patients. Fortunately the clinic staff know and respect me, but when he leaves, I anticipate staffing changes. Argh. The value for my money will decrease a lot. I am already dreading spring shots.

Unfortunately there aren't as many Grads in the last 10-15 years IMO who want to own a Clinic. They are happy working their shifts and going home at the end of the day with no worries about management, hiring, HR, payroll, inventory management, bookkeeping etc. So for retiring age Vets with no one wanting to take over and corporate Vet businesses offering a premium over market value it's an attractive option.
Yes services and established relationships suffer and clients are less happy. The financial backers are happy to get their 10-12% ROI, which is better than most other things and aren't concerned so much about the rest.

VCA has recently bought a clinic which is our "go to" for knees, mystery ailments like Laryngeal Paralysis, old dog issues, dentals, etc. So far the changes are minor, but when our favourite vet retires, it will become just another clinic staffed by pet doctors. Our guy had English Setters and understands the hunting breeds and what they actually do for a living. It's not going to be worth the 150 mile round trip to go there when he is gone.

On the side it's not a new phenomenon, all the local dental offices are going that route too, being bought up in masse. Then they put their own people in there.

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Originally Posted by BurlyGirl

Has anyone else noticed a local vet clinic being bought by a large corporation? VCA has been scooping up local clinics around here.

https://vcacanada.com/

Most recently, they raised the rates at my clinic that they bought. It didn't occur to them to look at where the clinic is located and perhaps raising the rates will put them out of that neighborhood market.


Follow up question - does anyone really like their vet? Someone who understands working dogs, not fireplace pets. Someone who is a good (not cheap, GOOD - knowledgeable and skilled) practitioner and surgeon for that aforementioned sporting dog.

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Hey Burlygirl,

We have talked about this from time to time and you know I am sort of in the same position. For everyone else, Hank's vet is Dr Kevin Harkness who used to own West Brant Animal Hospital. I used to play hockey with Kevin and I can't count the number of times Kevin missed hockey over the years because an emergency surgery came up and Kevin needed to stay back and help an owner deal with a situation (good or bad outcome) (we played mainly on Tuesday nights and that was the clinic's surgery day). I live in Ancaster and Kevin's clinic is/was on the west side of Brantford (easy 30 min drive). The care Hank and I got was awesome and I don't believe we were given special treatment because Kevin and I had an out of clinic relationship. Kevin and his staff recognized that every client who walked through the door was to be treated with respect and dignity. Now Kevin has sold West Brant although I never asked whom he sold it to (imo it was not my business) and has told me he will be at West Brant for the forseeable future, it won't be long term.

I am really at a crossroads. The entire reason I went to see Kevin was to give my business to him because we played hockey and I wanted to give my business to someone I know. However, now that Kevin isn't the owner of the clinic, I don't know if travelling 30 mins both ways is really worth it because while I would pay higher cost in Ancaster, gas costs would make up the difference.

Dyth

My favourite small animal vets have all been very good large animal vets first. Much more pragmatic and understand the concept of animals with jobs

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Originally Posted by Dakota Creek

You know I do …. and yes they do understand working dogs! Graham Animal Hospital in Hillsburgh.

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They too are changing, unfortunately. New vets, higher prices, bigger premises, questionable referrals... But they're still better than any other clinic I know. The world has changed. I wish there were more doctors human or animal who cared more about what they do, than about the money.

Businesses don't run on good feelings.

Since retiring to the country (Norfolk County) I had Queensway Veterinary Hospital in Simcoe recommended by fellow hunters. So far fair prices and good service. I have a 10 year old female Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

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Originally Posted by vom Dufenshmirtz

They too are changing, unfortunately. New vets, higher prices, bigger premises, questionable referrals... But they're still better than any other clinic I know. The world has changed. I wish there were more doctors human or animal who cared more about what they do, than about the money.

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Definitely higher prices,medication that was $50.00 last fall is now $85.00 plus tax.

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Originally Posted by be2man

Businesses don't run on good feelings.

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Of course not, btw, how much are vets making in ON?

I visited Nebraska, the local vet (older guy), less than one hour drive from Omaha was charging something like US$25 for an office visit (what is $80-$90 around here) and $40 for a home call. I am sure his office rent is lower than around GTA.

We used to use the farm vet near us when we first bought our farm and they would do both large and small animals under a service call of $35...ie: they would give all our 'pets' their rabies shots in the mud room under one service call. Then they got 'franchised' and no more home calls and each pet was charged the $35 service call

So we started to use the Vets in rural Northern NY state (30 minute drive) and have been doing so now for many years....they still are independently owned and service both large animals and small pets for a rural community.

Typically they charge 1/2 of what a procedure costs here in Ontario..ie: A dog neutering here was quoted around $500, we had it done down there for a little over $200 U.S. Euthanasia up here was $400 and down there it was $175.

We get all our 'Spring Get Well' checks and shots there and we take in both dogs at the same time...the cost for the 'staff' on the bill is either $20 (for both dogs) if the Vet Tech is only involved. If we ask for the DVM for a specific issue, the bill jumps to $46.

Why our Vet Clinics charge so much up here is beyond me. They used to run the business as independents with what they charged, but once they became incorporated the billing cost soared.

Don't even started with 'Animal Hospitals' you want to have Pet Insurance (Trupanion) if you darken their doors...I think the minimum bill to go there is $800.

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Originally Posted by MikePal

We used to use the farm vet near us when we first bought our farm and they would do both large and small animals under a service call of $35...ie: they would give all our 'pets' their rabies shots in the mud room under one service call. Then they got 'franchised' and no more home calls and each pet was charged the $35 service call

So we started to use the Vets in rural Northern NY state (30 minute drive) and have been doing so now for many years....they still are independently owned and service both large animals and small pets for a rural community.

Typically they charge 1/2 of what a procedure costs here in Ontario..ie: A dog neutering here was quoted around $500, we had it done down there for a little over $200 U.S. Euthanasia up here was $400 and down there it was $175.

We get all our 'Spring Get Well' checks and shots there and we take in both dogs at the same time...the cost for the 'staff' on the bill is either $20 (for both dogs) if the Vet Tech is only involved. If we ask for the DVM for a specific issue, the bill jumps to $46.

Why our Vet Clinics charge so much up here is beyond me. They used to run the business as independents with what they charged, but once they became incorporated the billing cost soared.

Don't even started with 'Animal Hospitals' you want to have Pet Insurance (Trupanion) if you darken their doors...I think the minimum bill to go there is $800.

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I hear what you're saying and have, in the past, brought one of my dogs to a vet in Soo, Michigan. Much cheaper, and IMO, better care. However, a person better hope their dog doesn't have an emergency that requires vet services immediately near home. The local vets won't touch it! Didnt happen to me, but a neighbour lost their buddy in the back seat of the truck after being turned away by 2 vets in town after they asked "who was the regular veterinarian" and upon finding out that it was in Michigan, they were told to bring the dog there?
Sad, but true.

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Originally Posted by Bushmoose

The local vets won't touch it! Didnt happen to me, but a neighbour lost their buddy in the back seat of the truck after being turned away by 2 vets in town after they asked "who was the regular veterinarian" and upon finding out that it was in Michigan, they were told to bring the dog there?
Sad, but true.

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Had to have an emergency visit to the local vet back in Apr...with the border closed there was no other option. They had no problem taking him in. It was a bad case of 'bloat' and the dog had to be euthanized.

Any vet that would turn away an animal in distress over something like they weren't a regular client should have their license to practice revoked. Your neighbour should have reported them to the College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO)

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Originally Posted by Bushmoose

I hear what you're saying and have, in the past, brought one of my dogs to a vet in Soo, Michigan. Much cheaper, and IMO, better care. However, a person better hope their dog doesn't have an emergency that requires vet services immediately near home. The local vets won't touch it! Didnt happen to me, but a neighbour lost their buddy in the back seat of the truck after being turned away by 2 vets in town after they asked "who was the regular veterinarian" and upon finding out that it was in Michigan, they were told to bring the dog there?
Sad, but true.

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Had a similar experience with an evening emergency many years ago. Had moved (not too far) and had not changed vets but it was on the "to-do" list. The old vet was sending patients to an after hour An after-hours clinic Mississauga and there was a new rural clinic just south of us advertising for patients. Called them and the spouse's comment was "we don't want to be your emergency clinic" and hung up! Brilliant comment on their part, as the next call was to Graham Animal Hospital in Hillsburgh and Carol herself was on call that night, told me to be at the clinic in 15 minutes and the dog's problem was solved that night.

The BIG loser was the clinic that didn't want that initial visit ..... over the last 15+ years they have lost $$$$$$ from us having several dogs with annual visits and vaccines (and not including the occasional problem visit). The winner .... Graham Animal Hospital who agreed to an emergency call from a non-client!

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Originally Posted by Dakota Creek

Had a similar experience with an evening emergency many years ago. Had moved (not too far) and had not changed vets but it was on the "to-do" list. The old vet was sending patients to an after hour An after-hours clinic Mississauga and there was a new rural clinic just south of us advertising for patients. Called them and the spouse's comment was "we don't want to be your emergency clinic" and hung up! Brilliant comment on their part, as the next call was to Graham Animal Hospital in Hillsburgh and Carol herself was on call that night, told me to be at the clinic in 15 minutes and the dog's problem was solved that night.

The BIG loser was the clinic that didn't want that initial visit ..... over the last 15+ years they have lost $$$$$$ from us having several dogs with annual visits and vaccines (and not including the occasional problem visit). The winner .... Graham Animal Hospital who agreed to an emergency call from a non-client!

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But that’s the kind of service that Graham is know for. And usually at a better cost as well. Congrats on finding them