Independent vet vs corporate chain — is there really a price difference?

Walk down most high streets in the UK and you'll see several vet practices — each with a different name, a different logo, and apparently a different owner. What most people don't realise is that a large and growing number of those practices are owned by the same handful of corporate groups.

CVS Group, IVC Evidensia, Medivet and Vets4Pets between them now own hundreds of practices across the UK. Many of these operate under their original local names, giving little indication that they're part of a much larger commercial operation. The CMA found that around 60% of vet practices in the UK are now owned by non-vets.

Does ownership actually affect the price?

Yes — and the evidence is fairly clear. The CMA's investigation found that larger corporate groups charge more on average than independent practices for comparable treatments. The gap isn't enormous on any single visit, but across a pet's lifetime it adds up.

That said, price isn't everything. Corporate practices often have more equipment on-site, longer opening hours, and easier access to specialist referrals. An independent practice might be cheaper for routine care but may refer you to a specialist sooner — which could mean additional costs elsewhere.

How do you know if your vet is independent?

Until recently, you largely couldn't tell without doing your own research. Under the CMA's new rules, all practices must now clearly disclose their ownership — online and in the practice itself — by late 2026. MyVetFinder surfaces this information alongside prices, so you can see at a glance whether a practice near you is genuinely independent or part of a larger group.

Which should you choose?

There's no universal right answer. For routine care — annual vaccinations, flea and worm treatments, minor ailments — an independent practice will often be cheaper and just as good. For complex conditions or emergencies, access to specialist equipment and extended hours may matter more than the price.

The most important thing is being able to make that choice with full information. That's exactly what MyVetFinder is built for.

The CMA found that many consumers were unaware their local practice formed part of a wider group — and that this lack of information reduced competitive pressure on prices.