Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

CVS acquires the Albavet Group
shaking hands
Albavet is expected to benefit substantially from better purchasing power.
Acquisition a "major step forward" for vet group

Major veterinary group CVS has announced its acquisition of The Albavet Group, which employs more than 150 staff across three separate businesses.

The Albavet Group is comprised of a veterinary buying group trading under the name of Vetshare; instrumentation business VETisco and 11 small animal veterinary surgeries based in Fife, Glasgow, Nottingham, Stoke-on-Trent and Wallington.

Vetshare buying group has more than 400 members operating from over 500 surgeries across the UK. CVS chief executive Simon Innes said this acquisition offers a "major step forward" in its plan to develop a significant buying group.

CVS has also acquired the entire share capital of The Pet Crematorium, which consists of two crematoria, and VETisco, a small distribution business that currently makes a small loss.

Albavet is expected to benefit substantially from better purchasing power, while the geographical spread of its surgeries fit it well with CVS's existing sites.

Mr Innes commented: "The Albavet Group is a well-established, high quality operation. This acquisition significantly develops our surgeries in central Scotland and in the Midlands."

The most recent published accounts for Albavet show the group had a turnover of £6.6 million in the year up to 31 October 2014. The majority of this - £5.5 million - was generated by the surgeries.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.