VCA Animal Hospitals

VCA, Inc.
VCA Animal Hospitals
Company typeSubsidiary
Founded1986; 38 years ago (1986)
FoundersNeil Tauber
Robert Antin
Arthur Antin
Headquarters
Los Angeles, California
,
United States
Number of locations
1000+ animal hospitals
 (2020)
Areas served
United States and Canada
RevenueUS$2.1 billion (2015)
OwnerMars Inc.
Number of employees
27,100 (2018)
ParentMars Petcare
SubsidiariesSound/Antech Imaging Services
Camp Bow Wow
Websitevcahospitals.com

VCA Animal Hospitals, incorporated as VCA, Inc., operates more than 1,000 animal hospitals in the US and Canada.[1] The company is based in Los Angeles, and was founded in 1986.[2] Until its acquisition by Mars Inc. in 2017, VCA traded on the NASDAQ under the ticker "WOOF".[3]

VCA was founded in 1986 by three health care company executives,[4] Neil Tauber and brothers Robert and Arthur Antin.[3][5] The name is an abbreviation of Veterinary Centers of America, though VCA no longer uses this full name. VCA acquired its first veterinary clinic, West Los Angeles Veterinary Hospital, in 1987.[4]

In October 2004, VCA purchased Sound Technologies,[6] a company which supplied digital radiology and ultrasound equipment to veterinary hospitals.[7] In July 2009, VCA purchased diagnostic imaging company Eklin Medical Systems,[6] which was combined with Sound Technologies to form Sound/Antech Imaging Services.[8]

In 2014, VCA acquired the dog day care center Camp Bow Wow, which had about 140 franchises in the US and one in Canada;[9] and licensed the Barkley Pet Hotel & Day Spa brand in Westlake Village, California, from Beverly Hills Pet Hotels, Inc.[citation needed]

On January 9, 2017, Mars Inc. announced its intention to purchase VCA for $9.1 billion, operating it as an independent unit within the Mars Petcare division.[5] VCA CEO Bob Antin remained in his position.[10]

  1. ^ Wogan, Lisa (August 27, 2020). "Washington state veterinary practice ratifies union contract". VIN.com. Veterinary Information Network. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  2. ^ Lau, Edie (July 11, 2014). "VCA Inc.: Gentle giant or takeover threat?". VIN.com. Veterinary Information Network. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  3. ^ a b Clenfield, Jason (January 5, 2017). "The High-cost, High-risk World of Modern Pet Care". Bloomberg News. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  4. ^ a b Larkin, Malinda (March 1, 2017). "Veterinarians Incorporated". JAVMA News. American Veterinary Medical Association. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  5. ^ a b Peltz, James F. (January 9, 2017). "Candy maker Mars is buying L.A. animal hospital chain VCA for $7.7 billion". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  6. ^ a b Lau, Edie (July 11, 2009). "VCA Antech expands its foray into medical technology by buying Eklin". VIN.com. Veterinary Information Network. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  7. ^ "VCA Antech, Inc. Announces Acquisition of Sound Technologies, Inc". Business Wire. October 4, 2004. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  8. ^ Lau, Edie (June 8, 2017). "The dark side of modern X-ray equipment". VIN.com. Veterinary Information Network. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  9. ^ Rusch, Emilie (June 12, 2017). "Camp Bow Wow's new corporate offices in Westminster take dog-friendly to the next level". The Denver Post. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  10. ^ Crowe, Portia (January 9, 2017). "Mars is buying a pet health company for $9.1 billion". Business Insider. Retrieved August 10, 2017.