VCA Animal Hospitals is owned by Mars (the United States), which acquired the brand on 12 September 2017, as part of a $9.1 billion deal that also included Banfield Pet Hospital.[1][2] VCA Animal Hospitals was founded in 1986 in the United States and was independent until 2017.
VCA Animal Hospitals is a North American veterinary hospital chain founded in 1986 that grew by acquiring independent practices. Mars acquired it in 2017 for about $9.1 billion, a purchase that made Mars one of the largest providers of veterinary care in the world.
Trademark record for VCA Animal Hospitals
The USPTO record for the VCA Animal Hospitals mark lists Vicar Operating, Inc. as the owner of record (serial number 78253902). A trademark is often held by a group company rather than the listed parent, so the registrant's name can differ from the owner named above.[3]
Mars is a family-owned company headquartered in McLean, Virginia, United States, founded in 1911. Brandtree records 42 brands under its control.
Mars is one of the largest privately held companies in the world, owned by the Mars family since Frank Mars began making sweets in Tacoma in 1911. It publishes no financial statements. Its four segments are snacking, pet nutrition, food and Mars Wrigley, and it agreed to acquire Kellanova in 2024.
Brandtree records a controlling owner for 2,549 brands that began in the United States.
478 of them (19%) are now controlled by a company headquartered in another country; VCA Animal Hospitals is not one of them.
Mars acquired VCA Inc., the largest chain of veterinary hospitals in the United States, for about $9.1 billion including debt. Mars already owned Banfield, and the combination made the largest pet food company in the world also the largest provider of veterinary care.
Who is the parent company of VCA Animal Hospitals?
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The parent company of VCA Animal Hospitals is Mars, a family-owned company headquartered in the United States.
Is VCA Animal Hospitals American?
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Yes. VCA Animal Hospitals originated in the United States in 1986 and its owner, Mars, is also headquartered in the United States.
When did Mars buy VCA Animal Hospitals?
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Mars completed its acquisition of VCA Animal Hospitals on 12 September 2017, after announcing the deal on 9 January 2017. The deal, which also included Banfield Pet Hospital, was valued at $9.1 billion (enterprise value).
Who owned VCA Animal Hospitals before Mars?
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VCA Animal Hospitals was an independent company from its founding in 1986 until Mars acquired it in 2017.
Is VCA Animal Hospitals still owned by Mars?
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Yes. As of 27 September 2026, VCA Animal Hospitals is still owned by Mars. The ownership record was last checked against primary sources on that date.
Sources (3) & corrections
Last verified . Every ownership fact above is backed by one of these primary documents. Numbers in brackets in the text refer to this list.
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