September 9, 2021  |  London, United Kingdom and Woodbridge, Canada

IVC Evidensia, Europe’s leading veterinary care provider, announced its plan to merge with VetStrategy, the leading Canadian veterinary care provider. The combined businesses will be one of the largest veterinary care groups in the world, with almost 30,000 employees and 2,000 clinics and hospitals across 17 countries. The union will further expand the two companies’ shared purpose of delivering the highest quality pet care, bringing new standards to staff well-being and broadening digitalization as well as innovation capabilities within the sector. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

VetStrategy, including Groupe Vétérinaire Daubigny, operates more than 270 hospitals across nine Canadian provinces. Like IVC Evidensia, VetStrategy employs a “heritage-first” model promoting clinical independence and services innovation.

Stephen Clarke, CEO of IVC Evidensia, said:
“IVC Evidensia will support VetStrategy as it continues to invest in patient care, client service, and staff growth and well-being. Our businesses are a great fit, not just in terms of expanding our geographic footprint, but also in terms of our shared vision and values. Both companies are totally committed to caring for animals, people, and the environment. VetStrategy shares our view on sustainability and the need to make a more positive impact on the world. Together we will continue leading the way in bringing new standards of animal clinical excellence and staff well-being to the markets we serve. This includes investing in digitalization to benefit consumers, their pets, and veterinarians alike.”

Orin Litman, CEO of VetStrategy, said:
“VetStrategy is excited to partner with the IVC Evidensia team. Under the broader IVC Evidensia umbrella, we can further invest in our network of clinics across Canada while enhancing the range of services we provide to our customers and our veterinarian partners. Having co-founded the business in 2006, I am immensely proud of our organization’s growth and commitment to our key stakeholders. I am thrilled to partner with one of the leading veterinary groups in the world to further benefit our veterinarian partners and hospital teams, as well as continue to invest in our service and standards of care. I am particularly excited about our shared vision for the benefits that digitalization can bring to the pet care ecosystem, and the expertise in that area that joining with IVC Evidensia can bring to VetStrategy/ Groupe Vétérinaire Daubigny. I look forward to working closely with Steve and his team as we do great things together.”

EQT will remain the largest shareholder in the enlarged IVC Evidensia group, while Silver Lake and Nestlé will retain their significant minority stakes. All existing VetStrategy shareholders, including Berkshire Partners and the VetStrategy management team, are rolling their investment into the enlarged IVC Evidensia group, reflecting their long-term commitment and shared vision to veterinary care across multiple countries and cultures.