Who Owns Your Vet Clinic?

Why Supporting Local Matters More Than Ever

In recent years, something significant has been happening in the world of veterinary medicine – quietly and often without pet owners even realizing it. The same corporatization that transformed human healthcare and dentistry is now changing how veterinary clinics operate across the country, including right here in the Portland metro area.

Just like hospitals and dental offices before us, veterinary clinics are being purchased – often quietly – by large national or international corporations. These companies are backed by private equity firms and investment groups looking to turn consistent profits in a growing industry. On paper, the clinic may look the same. It may even have the same name. But if your once-familiar vet clinic has started to feel different – more rushed appointments, more staff turnover, less personal attention – you’re not imagining it. There’s a good chance it’s now part of a large corporate group.

Now, let’s be clear: corporatization isn’t inherently evil. Large corporate veterinary groups often bring in resources, efficiencies, and access to specialty care that smaller practices can struggle to offer. However, what we’re seeing – and what many pet owners are feeling – is that something is being lost in the process—something vital to the heart of good veterinary care.

Locally Owned Clinics Offer More Than Just Medicine

Independent veterinary practices, like local businesses in any industry, play an important role in their communities. They are deeply tied to the people and pets they serve. Decisions are made in-house, not in a distant boardroom. Staff are more likely to stay long-term, building relationships with clients and patients over time. There is often more flexibility with care plans, pricing, and communication because the people in charge are the ones on-site.

Studies across industries have shown that when you support locally owned businesses, more of your dollars stay in the local economy. Local clinics are more likely to sponsor youth sports teams, donate to community causes, and hire from within the neighborhood. They’re woven into the community in a way that corporations, by their nature, can’t replicate.

A Shrinking Group in a Changing Landscape

In the Portland area, independent clinics are becoming harder to find. More and more have sold to corporate groups, sometimes with little or no public announcement. You may still see the same logo on the sign out front, but inside, the decisions being made about staffing, scheduling, and care may be guided by metrics and profit margins, not just patient well-being.

As a pet owner, you don’t have to choose local out of loyalty alone. You’ll often find the care is more personalized, the staff more invested, and the experience more consistent. So the next time you visit your vet, it’s worth asking: Who owns this clinic? And do their values reflect yours?

In a world where bigger is becoming the norm, choosing local still matters. Your pets—and your community—will thank you.

Article by Dr. Hadi for Tigard Life, June 12, 2025