Rising costs and corporate control are reshaping veterinary care, with increasing concerns over working conditions and animal welfare.
Rising corporate influence in veterinary care
The veterinary care industry is facing increasing scrutiny over rising costs, concerns about the independence of health professionals, and deteriorating working conditions. According to the Autorité de la concurrence's report from October 13, 2025, the percentage of French veterinarians employed by major groups increased from less than 2% in 2019 to about 27% in 2025.Major companies shaping the market
Key players in this market include Mon Véto, a French company partially owned by the investment fund Ardian; IVC Evidensia, a British-Swedish group with significant ownership by Nestlé; and AniCura, a subsidiary of the American company Mars, known for its pet food brands. The consolidation of this market has reportedly worsened the conditions for veterinarians.Working conditions under pressure
Veterinarian Vincent Pirson highlighted the impact of these changes after his clinic was acquired by AniCura. He described increased pressure to boost clinic turnover, including the installation of software to monitor animal care down to the minute. This led to shorter consultation times and a higher number of surgeries per day, which he found unsustainable.Corporate responses and regulatory actions
AniCura denied these allegations, stating that the claims were based on outdated information and emphasized that the independence of veterinarians was respected. However, the National Order of Veterinarians initiated compliance checks against companies in the network, resulting in the expulsion of two AniCura clinics from the register in 2023.Deteriorating standards in other firms
Similar issues were reported in the clinics of IVC Evidensia, where veterinarians and veterinary assistants described economic pressures and a decline in working conditions. These clinics are said to be managed more by financiers than by veterinarians. In a profession with deregulated care prices, the pursuit of profit is reportedly affecting animal well-being, with some veterinary staff noting the removal of items like towels and baskets due to cost concerns.Profit over animal welfare
The prioritization of profit over animal welfare is also evident in the treatment of non-canine companion animals, which are reportedly receiving less attention compared to dogs, which are more profitable. Veterinarian Théo, cited in L'Humanité, described instances where animals were left in their excrement without medication and where hospitalization charges were incorrectly applied.Future trends in veterinary care
Phylum, a firm in the food and animal health sectors, predicts that by 2028, half of canine veterinarians will be working in groups. This prediction is notable given that Philippe Baralon, a co-founder of Phylum, left his position in 2026 to join Mon Véto as general director.
