Ever been hit with a shockingly high vet bill? Or left feeling uneasy about the quality of care your furry friend received? You're not alone.

As pet parents and dedicated employees in the veterinary industry, we've observed a troubling trend in the landscape of veterinary clinics in Canada. Behind the scenes, billion-dollar corporations backed by private equity are exploiting pet parents, driving up prices, and compromising care amidst lax regulations and regulatory loopholes.

At the forefront of this is VetStrategy, Canada's largest veterinary provider, boasting 360+ clinics nationwide. In 2021, VetStrategy merged with IVC Evidensia, a UK-based veterinary provider, forming the largest veterinary conglomerate globally. Despite their vast size, many are unaware that their local clinic is owned by VetStrategy and IVC Evidensia.

Operating under the guise of neighborhood veterinary services, VetStrategy and IVC Evidensia have been quietly acquiring numerous independent clinics, misleading consumers, and fostering unethical practices to boost short-term profits in preparation for a potential initial public offering (IPO). This approach aims to maximize returns for their private equity investors, including EQT Partners, Berkshire Partners, Nestlé, and Silver Lake, often at the expense of our pets' well-being and the trust of loyal clients.

These exploitative practices have not gone unnoticed. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in the UK initiated an investigation into the veterinary industry, identifying IVC Evidensia as a key player in anti-competitive behavior. This ongoing investigation prompted public outcry in the UK, highlighting concerns such as price gouging, market monopolization, and actions contrary to the well-being of your furry companion and clients. More details can be found in the following CMA report and online articles. Additionally, Berkshire Partners, the private equity firm behind IVC Evidensia and VetStrategy, faces scrutiny from the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for anti-competitive practices and price gouging at U.S. Anesthesia Partners.

Similar practices are observed in Canada, with VetStrategy likely mirroring IVC Evidensia's model, including:

• Price Gouging: Prices have increased by more than 40% in the past two years, especially for critical services needed during emergencies when pet owners rely on their clinic the most. Unlike other medical professionals in Canada, there are no rules or controls in how veterinary clinics set prices.
• Abuse of Market Dominance: VetStrategy owns over 25% of veterinary clinics in Canada and growing, however, in certain areas they hold a monopoly, resulting in excessively high prices (relative to other markets) and limited choices for pet owners. This can be notably seen in areas such as Moncton (NB), Quebec City (QC), Sherbrooke, (QC), Sydney (NS), Halifax (NS), Cambell River (BC), Kingston (ON), Sudbury (ON), among others. Further to this, VS has a monopoly on ER & Specialty clinics, allowing them to take advantage of clients during times of need. Currently, there are no checks in place when it comes to acquiring clinics as they fall below the review threshold set by the Canadian Competition Bureau.
• Aggressive Quotas: VetStrategy monitors sales targets for doctors, leading to pressure in upselling unnecessary treatments and products.
• Autonomy of Doctors Under Threat: We’ve observed decisions that challenge the independence of doctors, favoring profits over the welfare of patients and clients. This interference is apparent in the enforcement of product lists, which pressure veterinary staff to purchase from specific vendors based on financial incentives and kickbacks, rather than prioritizing what's most cost-effective and beneficial for patients and clients.
• Understaffed Clinics: Ongoing layoffs have led to chronic under staffing and dangerously low support levels at clinics, all driven by a pursuit of profit. This compromises the quality of care and exposes pets to risks during surgical procedures and emergencies. Unlike other medical professions, there is a lack of rules and regulations regarding the minimum staffing requirements in clinics.

Call to Action:

We urge the Canadian Competition Bureau to follow the UK's lead and investigate the veterinary industry in Canada, focusing on bad actors such as VetStrategy and IVC Evidensia to hold them accountable for their egregious conduct and put an end to pet exploitation. Specifically, we request the following actions:

• Full-scale Investigation: Canadian Competition Bureau should conduct a thorough investigation into VetStrategy and IVC Evidensia's exploitative practices, focusing on price gouging, market dominance abuse, and anti-competitive behavior.
• Regulatory Oversight: Addressing the unregulated dominance of VetStrategy and IVC Evidensia is vital for providing pet owners with affordable, high-quality veterinary care. This requires implementing regulations to prevent price gouging, enhance transparency, and encourage healthy competition within the veterinary industry.
• Consumer Protection: Pet owners deserve transparency regarding the ownership and operation of their local veterinary clinic. It's essential that clients are provided with clear disclosure of corporate ownership and affiliations on all marketing materials and clinic signage.

Join the Fight:

Make a difference by signing our petition to advocate for change within the veterinary sector in Canada. Together, let's protect our pets from exploitation by unethical billion-dollar corporations exploiting regulatory loopholes. With your support, we can ensure equitable access to essential services, especially during critical times for our beloved furry family members.