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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 25th October 2018
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Buyer sought for Independent Vetcare, reports suggest
IVC's sale will see a change of ownership for its 300 practices.

Insiders say offers could reach £1.5 billion

The owner of Independent Vetcare (IVC) is rumoured to be preparing to sell it for £1.5 billion, in what would be the sector’s biggest takeover to date, Sky News has reported.

EQT partners, IVC’s controlling shareholder, has instructed bankers at Jefferies to run an auction of the business and its 300 practices. It is seeking offers in the first week of November.

According to Sky News, insiders have said that offers could value the company at up to £1.5 billion. This is compared to the £700 million paid out by BC Partners, which purchased VetPartners in August.

IVC operates in numerous other countries, including Sweden, where it merged with Evidensia Group in 2017.

Commenting on the reports, David Hillier, CEO of IVC said: “There is some current speculation that IVC is potentially seeking additional funding.

"Given the phenomenal growth the company is experiencing this is not particularly surprising and does not imply any change in ownership or strategy.

"For us this is very much business as usual. There is absolutely no change to the underlying business, to the current management team or to the long-term direction of the company.

"We will continue our strong growth, our investment in people, premises and processes in order to provide our stated aim of ‘exceptional veterinary care’”.

 

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.