Higher Prices, Fewer Choices: The Corporate Grip on Veterinary Care

A Good Vet is a Good Vet

Before diving into this topic, I want to make it clear that a great veterinarian is a great veterinarian, no matter where they work. 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, as a strong vet-pet relationship is essential. For example, Calgary’s VCA CARE Centre has some of the best veterinarians and specialists, saving and extending 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. It also highlights some ways to support the hardworking veterinarians who continue to operate independently despite the struggle.

The Changing Landscape of Veterinary Care in Canada

If you’ve noticed fewer independent veterinary clinics in your area, you’re not imagining things. Across Canada, large corporations are rapidly acquiring small, independently-owned veterinary practices. Companies like VCA and Vet Strategy (neither one is Canadian-owned) have been buying out clinics at an alarming rate, changing the way veterinary care is provided to pet parents. While this might seem like business as usual, these acquisitions 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?

The consolidation of veterinary practices limits competition, which can drive up prices and reduce service quality. According to the Government of Canada’s Competition Bureau, competition is crucial for fair pricing and consumer choice, and its decline can negatively impact both businesses and consumers – including pet owners seeking quality veterinary care.

When an independent clinic is purchased by a corporate entity, several things tend to change:

  • Higher Prices for Pet Parents – Corporate-owned clinics often introduce standardized pricing structures that are significantly higher than what the clinic originally charged. Furthermore, they often do multiple price increases in short periods of time without any notice to their patient families. 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 – Unlike independent veterinarians who have built their practice on trust and long-term relationships, corporations operate with profit-driven motives. Many set financial quotas for veterinarians, pressuring them to push unnecessary tests, procedures, or medications (or specific brands of medications) to meet these targets.
  • Less Personalized Care – Small, locally owned clinics prioritize relationships with their clients and pets. They often make recommendations based on the best interest of the pet while keeping the owner’s financial situation in mind in order to offer the best advice. In contrast, corporate clinics may follow rigid protocols that don’t account for the needs of either.
  • Fewer Choices for Pet Owners – As more independent clinics are bought out, pet parents have fewer alternatives. This consolidation means less competition, allowing corporations to set prices as they see fit, without the checks and balances that independent practices provide.

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 because of their love for animals, but after a takeover, they may be forced to meet corporate-imposed quotas or adhere to policies that don’t always align with their medical or personal values. Some vets and their staff choose to leave the profession altogether, further exacerbating the shortage of veterinary professionals in Canada.

The Rising Costs of Pet Care: What the Media is Saying

The increasing corporate control over veterinary clinics has not gone unnoticed. Major investigative journalism programs in Canada have recently shed light on the issue:

  • The Fifth Estate – In the episode Pet Care Inc., this investigative series explores how corporate ownership is impacting veterinary care, raising costs, and changing the way pet parents experience care for their animals.
  • Marketplace – Their episode The Rising Cost of Pet Care takes a deep dive into how these corporate takeovers are affecting pet owners’ wallets and limiting access to affordable, compassionate 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.

How You Can Support Independent Veterinary Clinics

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

  • Choose an Independent Vet – Before selecting a clinic, 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 by CBC Marketplace.
  • Ask Questions – If your current 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 pet owners to seek out independent vets. The more people who prioritize local clinics, the harder it will be for corporations to monopolize the industry.
  • Be Vocal – Share your concerns with local pet communities, online forums, and even policymakers. Awareness is the first step toward change.

Support Local: Independent Vet Clinics in Calgary

To make it easier for pet owners to find and support locally owned veterinary clinics, as of the writing of this article, here are some independent options in each quadrant of Calgary:

If you know of other independent veterinary clinics (this is only a few), please reach out so I can add them to the list!

The Future of Veterinary Care in Canada

If corporate acquisitions continue at the current pace, independent vet clinics could become even more of a rarity. This will lead to higher costs, fewer choices, and a healthcare system for pets that prioritizes profit over care. As pet owners, 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.

Final Thoughts

The rise of corporate-owned veterinary clinics is a growing concern for pet owners across Canada, including right here in Calgary. As these corporations expand, the cost of care rises, and the personalized service of independent vets can disappear. Now is the time to take action- by supporting locally owned practices, we can push back against corporate dominance and ensure that pet healthcare remains accessible, affordable, and focused on the well-being of our beloved animals.

Pawsitive Vibes, 🐾

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