Private Equity Is Coming For Your Pets
Aug 7, 2025
Private equity firms and megacorporations control 50% of all veterinary clinics, up from 10% a decade ago. In that time, the cost of vet care has increased by double the rate of inflation. Vets told us about short staffing, long hours and constant pressure to boost profits.
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Luckily, my babies are pretty healthy, but when I've had to take them in, it's been more expensive than when I lived in the "big city" and took them to a well known, "rich county" vet clinic. But suddenly, my little vet clinic in this rural town went from basically a store front to a beautiful, well-appointed clinic in very little time. And a new feature was added... first one I noticed, anyway... you'd be billed if you missed or were late for an appointment (just like in your own doctor's office). Had never seen that before in a vet clinic. The hard time in getting an appointment that wasn't a week or two away is one of the reasons I think I lost my beloved cat to a diabetic crisis (although I'd had him in for a checkup earlier that month and nothing pointing towards diabetes was found). I can't tell you how much losing him has torn me up. It was a year ago this past Ides of March, and I still break down in the night when he's not curled in my arms asleep like he always was. And I blame myself for not catching something earlier, where when I think about it long and hard, I can now see so many things that just weren't "normal" and usual at the clinic. I truly believe I'll take this heartache to my grave, always wondering if I could have done something different. And I miss him so very, very much. I pray there IS a Rainbow Bridge. I don't want any pearly gates, I only want my lost babies back again.
Meanwhile, I'm looking for a new vet but the days of the old country vet are long gone, it seems... gone the way of the family doctor who'd do house calls. 
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