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Henry Schein Animal Health to merge with Vets First Choice
Henry Schein and Vets First Choice expect the new business to grow such that in year three, operating income synergies will be in excess of $100 million.
Spin off to bring new global animal health company 

Henry Schein is set to spin off its animal health business and merge with Vets First Choice, launching a new public company.

The new company, called Vets First Corp., will be headquartered in Portland, Maine. It is promising to ‘provide veterinarians with a powerful new platform to grow their practices, improve client engagement, and drive better health outcomes for pets’.

Upon completion of the transaction, Henry Schein shareholders will own approximately 63 per cent of the new company, while Vets First Choice shareholders will own 37 per cent. Henry Schein is expected to receive $1-1.25 billion in cash on a tax-free basis.

Ben Shaw, founder and CEO of Vets First Choice, who will become CEO of the new company, said: "This merger creates an enhanced value chain that connects the veterinarian, the manufacturer, and the pet owner through insights and analytics that will support better clinical and financial outcomes.

“This new global animal health care company is focused on improving clinical compliance by facilitating the delivery of care how, when, and where the pet owner wants it."

Henry Schein and Vets First Choice expect the new business to grow such that in year three, operating income synergies will be in excess of $100 million.

The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2018. 

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Voting opens for BEVA Council

News Story 1
 Eligible members of BEVA will be able to vote for their Council team until Monday, 17 August 2026. Members will have received an election email on 17 July.

There are five candidates standing for four available places on Council. They are:

  • Alexandre Triguino
  • Angela Jones
  • Beth Bryant
  • Holly Rees
  • Hugh Somerville
Full profiles for each candidate can be found on the BEVA website

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Government releases latest bluetongue statistics

APHA has confirmed the number of bluetongue cases that have been logged in the UK since 1 July 2026.

The total number of BTV-3 cases, as of 6 August, is 187. This includes 183 cases in England and four cases in Wales.

There have been no recorded cases in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The location of premises in Great Britain where at least one animal has tested positive by PCR for BTV-3, BTV-8 or BTV-12 is available on the bluetongue case map. All livestock keepers in Great Britain are urged to familiarise themselves with nation-specific bluetongue control policies.

Bluetongue virus is a notifiable disease. It is a legal requirement that any suspicions, even if livestock has been vaccinated, are reported immediately.