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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 10th January 2017
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Mars, Incorporated to acquire VCA Inc.
hand shake
The transaction is expected to complete later in 2017.
Transaction price set at around $9.1 billion

Mars, Incorporated has entered an agreement to acquire VCA Inc., which owns nearly 800 animal hospitals in the US and Canada.

Mars is set to acquire all outstanding shares of VCA for $93 per share - a total value of around $9.1 billion, which includes $1.4 billion in outstanding debt.

When the acquisition is complete VCA will operate as a distinct business unit within Mars Petcare, alongside other veterinary businesses; Banfield Pet Hospital, Bluepearl and Pet Partners. VCA will continue to be led by Bob Antin, its chief executive officer, president, chairman and founder.

Since it was founded in 1986, VCA has grown to nearly 800 veterinary hospitals with 60 diagnostic laboratories. The company operates across four divisions: veterinary services, laboratory diagnostics, imaging equipment and medical technology and pet care services.

Mars CEO Grant F Reid commented: “We are thrilled to welcome VCA to the Mars family and to our portfolio of brands and businesses around the world.

“VCA is a leader across pet health care and the opportunity we see together - for pets, pet owners, veterinarians and other pet care providers - is tremendous.

“We have great respect for VCA, with whom we share many common values and a strong commitment to pet care. Together, we will be able to provide even greater value, better service and higher quality care to pets and pet owners.”

The transaction is subject to VCA shareholder approval, customary regulatory approval, and other conditions. It is expected to complete later in 2017.

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.