Sixteen clinics are affected by the investigation, namely Penrose Veterinary Group Limited, Kevin Castle (Pet Care) Ltd, Swayne and Partners Ltd, Treforest Veterinary Clinic Ltd, Mercer and Hughes Ltd, Swaffham Veterinary Centre Limited, Anglesey Pet Clinic Ltd and Chiltern Equine Clinic.
It’s not the first time, of course, that the CMA has intervened in the veterinary profession. Earlier this year, it investigated the acquisition of Quality Pet Care (trading as The Vet) by CVS, and then Vet Partners’ acquisition of Goddards, which led to CVS selling The Vet and Vet Partners selling eight of the 47 Goddards sites to Linnaeus.
An IVC Evidensia spokesperson said: “IVC Evidensia is working closely with the CMA and engaging constructively with this review.”