A Good Vet is a Good Vet, no matter where you go in Calgary.

Before diving into this topic, I want to make it clear that a great veterinarian is a great veterinarian, no matter where they work, including here in Calgary. I believe that most veterinarians are dedicated professionals who provide excellent care for animals. If you have a trusted vet at a corporate-owned clinic, value that connection. A strong vet-pet relationship is essential. For example, Calgary’s VCA CARE Centre is one of the city’s leading emergency and specialty veterinary hospitals, with specialists who have saved and extended countless pet lives, including the lives of my own hairy low-riders.

When specialist or emergency care is needed, these facilities are invaluable, and I wholeheartedly encourage fellow pet parents to use them. This article is not about discrediting corporate veterinarians but rather about raising awareness of how the increasing corporate acquisition of independent clinics is impacting pet care costs and choices. This article reflects publicly discussed industry trends and community concerns, not an assessment of individual clinics or practitioners. It also highlights some ways to support the hardworking veterinarians who continue to operate independently despite the struggle. Nothing in this article is intended as veterinary or medical advice.

The Changing Landscape of Veterinary Care in Calgary

If you’ve noticed fewer independent veterinary clinics in Calgary, you’re not imagining things. Across the city and throughout Canada, large corporations are rapidly acquiring small, independently owned veterinary practices. Companies like VCA and Vet Strategy (neither of which is Canadian-owned, as reported by CBC Marketplace) have been acquiring clinics steadily in recent years, changing how veterinary care is delivered to Calgary pet parents. While this might seem like business as usual, according to the reports below, these acquisitions may come with consequences – higher prices, fewer choices, and a shift in priorities that may not always put your pet’s care first.

What Happens When Corporations Take Over Veterinary Clinics?

When corporations acquire independent veterinary clinics, competition decreases, which can lead to higher prices and fewer choices for pet owners. According to the Government of Canada’s Competition Bureau, competition is crucial for fair pricing and consumer choice, and its decline can negatively impact businesses and consumers – including pet owners seeking quality veterinary care.

When a corporate entity purchases an independent clinic, several things tend to change:

• Higher Prices for Pet Parents – After a corporate acquisition, veterinary clinics often introduce standardized pricing structures that can be higher than what the clinic originally charged. Pet parents sometimes report seeing price increases over time, and changes may not always be clearly communicated in advance. Since pet care isn’t covered by public healthcare, this can make routine and emergency visits far more expensive for pet owners.
• Profit Over Pet Care – Corporate ownership can introduce business performance expectations, and some veterinarians and pet parents have raised concerns – including in media reporting – about how financial incentives may influence clinic recommendations. Experiences vary widely by clinic and by veterinarian, but independent practices are often viewed as having greater flexibility to tailor care based on a pet’s needs and a family’s circumstances.
• Less Personalized Care – Independent veterinary clinics often prioritize long-term relationships with pets and their families, making recommendations based on the individual needs of both the pet and the pet parent. In contrast, corporate clinics may be more likely to follow standardized protocols that don’t always allow for the same level of flexibility or personalization.
• Fewer Choices for Pet Owners – As more independent veterinary clinics are bought out by large corporations, pet parents are left with fewer locally owned options for care. This consolidation can reduce competition and give large corporate groups more influence over pricing and clinic policies.

The Impact on Veterinarians and Their Staff

It’s not just pet owners who feel the effects – veterinarians and clinic staff often face significant changes after a corporate buyout. Many veterinarians enter the profession out of a love for animals, but after a takeover, they may be required to meet corporate-imposed quotas or adhere to policies that don’t always align with their medical or personal values. Some veterinarians and staff choose to leave corporate roles or the profession altogether, which may contribute to broader staffing challenges within veterinary medicine in Calgary and across Canada.

The Rising Costs of Pet Care in Calgary: What the Media Is Reporting

The increasing corporate control over veterinary clinics has not gone unnoticed, including here in Calgary. Major Canadian investigative journalism programs have recently shed light on how these changes are affecting pet parents:

• The Fifth Estate – In the episode “Pet Care Inc.,” this investigative series explores how corporate ownership is affecting veterinary care across Canada, including rising costs and reduced choice for pet parents.

• Marketplace – Their episode The Rising Cost of Pet Care examines how corporate takeovers are affecting pet owners’ wallets and limiting access to affordable veterinary care.

These reports reinforce the growing concern among pet owners and veterinarians alike. The more we educate ourselves and take action, the better chance we have of preserving independent veterinary care in Canada.

Experiences can vary widely by clinic and veterinarian, and readers are encouraged to ask questions and make informed choices based on their own circumstances.

How Calgary Pet Parents Can Support Independent Veterinary Clinics

With corporate takeovers becoming more common in Calgary, it’s more important than ever to support independently owned veterinary clinics. Here’s how you can help:

• Choose an Independent Vet – Before selecting a veterinary clinic in Calgary, research whether it is independently owned or part of a larger corporation. To find out who owns or co-owns your veterinary clinic, you can use this searchable table from CBC Marketplace.
• Ask Questions – If your Calgary veterinary clinic was recently acquired, ask whether policies or pricing structures have changed. If you’re uncomfortable with the changes, consider switching to a locally owned practice.
• Spread the Word – Encourage fellow Calgary pet owners to seek out and support independent veterinary clinics. The more people who prioritize local clinics, the harder it will be for corporations to monopolize the industry.
• Be Vocal – Share your concerns within Calgary pet communities, online forums, and local advocacy spaces. Awareness is the first step toward change.

Independent Veterinary Clinics in Calgary to Support Locally

Below is a list of independently owned veterinary clinics in Calgary, organized by quadrant, to help local pet parents find and support locally owned care options:

• Northwest (NW): Red Tree Animal Clinic, Sanctuary Vet Hospital, Ranchlands Veterinary Clinic
• Northeast (NE): Sunridge Veterinary Clinic, Prairie Winds Animal Clinic, Castleridge Veterinary Clinic
• Southwest (SW): Southwood Veterinary Hospital, Bridlewood Veterinary Clinic, Glamorgan Animal Clinic
• Southeast (SE): MacLeod Trail Animal Hospital, Ramsay Animal Clinic
• Central | Downtown: Canine Companion Clinic
• Mobile | In-Home: Alice Chan Veterinary Services
• 24-Hour Emergency Veterinary Clinics in Calgary: Trinity Hills Pet Hospital (SW by COP), Paramount 24hr Hospital (NW), Alpine 24hr Vet Hospital (SW)

If you know of other independently owned veterinary clinics in Calgary, please reach out so I can continue to grow this list for local pet parents.

The Future of Veterinary Care in Calgary

If corporate acquisitions continue at the current pace in Calgary, independently owned veterinary clinics could become even rarer. This could lead to higher costs, fewer choices, and a pet healthcare system where financial considerations play a larger role in care decisions. As Calgary pet parents, we have the power to influence the market by choosing where we take our pets for care. By supporting independent veterinarians, we can help ensure that quality, personalized care remains available for the pets we love.

Why Supporting Independent Veterinary Clinics Matters

The growing presence of corporate-owned veterinary clinics is a concern for many pet parents in Calgary. As these corporations expand, costs can rise, and the personalized care offered by independently owned clinics can become harder to find.

By choosing to support locally owned veterinary hospitals, Calgary pet parents can help protect access to compassionate, relationship-driven care and ensure that veterinary medicine remains focused on the well-being of the animals we love.