Vets4Pets and Companion Care look like independent brands — are they Pets at Home?

Yes. Both are Pets at Home Group plc brands operating under the joint-venture model. From 23 September 2026 the parent ownership must be disclosed during consultations.

Does the joint-venture model affect how the Order applies?

The Order applies to the parent group. Individual practice-vet co-owners are still bound by the disclosure, prescription and pricing rules. Compliance is the group's responsibility.

My Pets at Home retail store stocks parasiticides — is that cheaper?

Sometimes. The retail price for non-POM parasiticides at Pets at Home is typically close to the cheapest online pharmacy. For POM-V products you still need a written prescription, and the cheapest UK online pharmacies are usually still lower.

Corporate veterinary group

Pets at Home

Pets at Home Group plc · Listed on the London Stock Exchange (PETS.L) · HQ Handforth, Cheshire · ~450 Vets4Pets and Companion Care practices (joint-venture model)

What they own

Vets4Pets
Companion Care

Many practices retain their original local trading name even after acquisition. The parent group is not always obvious from the practice website or signage. From 23 September 2026 ownership disclosure becomes mandatory during the consult.

What the CMA found

Pets at Home operates a joint-venture model where individual vets co-own their practice with the group. The CMA's findings apply: corporate ownership not always clearly disclosed (the Pets at Home parent is not obvious from Vets4Pets / Companion Care branding), dispensing margins higher than online, written prescriptions not routinely offered.

The full Final Report and accompanying Order are public at gov.uk/cma-cases.

What changes from 23 September 2026

Disclose Pets at Home parent ownership at the start of consultations.
Offer written prescriptions on request; £21 + £12.50 fee structure.
Display top-10 most-sold products price list.
Disclose during the consult that medication is often cheaper online.
Provide written estimates above £500.
Publish a standardised complaints process.

How to check if your practice is owned by Pets at Home

Look at the corporate footer on the practice website. Many practices include a line like "Pets at Home Limited" or "part of Pets at Home".
Check the practice on the RCVS Find a Vet register. The accredited practice listing includes ownership details.
Ask at reception. From 23 September 2026 the practice must disclose corporate ownership during the consultation regardless.

Whatever group your practice belongs to, you can still save on medication

The single biggest price gap is not between corporate and independent practice dispensaries — it's between any vet practice dispensary and a VMD-approved UK online pharmacy. Typical UK owner saving: £200–£700 a year. Senior dogs on multiple prescriptions: more.

Run the savings calculator Switch in 5 minutes →

Frequently asked questions

Vets4Pets and Companion Care look like independent brands — are they Pets at Home?: Yes. Both are Pets at Home Group plc brands operating under the joint-venture model. From 23 September 2026 the parent ownership must be disclosed during consultations.
Does the joint-venture model affect how the Order applies?: The Order applies to the parent group. Individual practice-vet co-owners are still bound by the disclosure, prescription and pricing rules. Compliance is the group's responsibility.
My Pets at Home retail store stocks parasiticides — is that cheaper?: Sometimes. The retail price for non-POM parasiticides at Pets at Home is typically close to the cheapest online pharmacy. For POM-V products you still need a written prescription, and the cheapest UK online pharmacies are usually still lower.

Stay across CMA compliance updates

We'll email when the CMA publishes compliance findings or when new disclosure requirements take effect.

Neutral and fact-based. Practice ownership changes; verify with the practice if it matters. Sources: CMA Final Report and Order (March 2026), gov.uk/cma-cases; RCVS Find a Vet, rcvs.org.uk.