Pet Lovers

[Marp]

Mars to buy pet health care provider VCA for $7.7 billion

ReutersJanuary 9, 2017

(Reuters) - Mars Inc said it would buy VCA Inc for $7.7 billion, cementing the Whiskas and Pedigree pet food maker's position as the largest operator of pet hospitals in the United States.

Candy maker Mars, also the largest pet food manufacturer in the world, said it would offer $93 for every share, a premium of 31.4 percent to VCA's Friday closing price.

VCA shares were trading at $91 before the opening bell on Monday.

Mars became the No. 1 pet food maker in 2014, after buying Procter & Gamble Co's pet foods business, known for brands such as Iams and Natura, for $2.9 billion.

Nestle SA, the maker of Purina pet products, is the second-biggest pet food maker, according to Euromonitor data.

VCA, founded in 1986, operates nearly 800 animal hospitals with 60 diagnostic laboratories in the United States and Canada. The company had annual sales of $2.13 billion in 2015.

Mars Petcare business includes the Banfield Pet Hospital, which runs over 900 pet clinics.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/mars-buy-pet-health-care-provider-vca-7-133300812--sector.html?ref=gs

[software]

Am I the only one who thinks that bigger is not necessarily better?

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@Marp wrote:

Mars to buy pet health care provider VCA for $7.7 billion

ReutersJanuary 9, 2017

(Reuters) - Mars Inc said it would buy VCA Inc for $7.7 billion, cementing the Whiskas and Pedigree pet food maker's position as the largest operator of pet hospitals in the United States.

Candy maker Mars, also the largest pet food manufacturer in the world, said it would offer $93 for every share, a premium of 31.4 percent to VCA's Friday closing price.

VCA shares were trading at $91 before the opening bell on Monday.

Mars became the No. 1 pet food maker in 2014, after buying Procter & Gamble Co's pet foods business, known for brands such as Iams and Natura, for $2.9 billion.

Nestle SA, the maker of Purina pet products, is the second-biggest pet food maker, according to Euromonitor data.

VCA, founded in 1986, operates nearly 800 animal hospitals with 60 diagnostic laboratories in the United States and Canada. The company had annual sales of $2.13 billion in 2015.

Mars Petcare business includes the Banfield Pet Hospital, which runs over 900 pet clinics.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/mars-buy-pet-health-care-provider-vca-7-133300812--sector.html?ref=gs

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[photodreamr]

Bigger is not better.  We have used both VCA and Banfield and were not impressed.  Today we use a semi-retired vet; prices are about 1/3 of less for the same blood work and treatments. 

She takes her time with each pet and refers us to a specialist when needed.  The specialists we have gone tow are ususally small also.  My kittis (I have 5) used to hate going to the vet; now when they see her office they can't wait to see there friend.

One time one ouf out cats have a lung infection in both lungs; she had blood work;  2 xrays;  IVs;  a stay for the day; medicine and 3 different medicines to take home.  Cost was under 150.00 ans she aplogized for how large the bill was.  We had to call her every day and night including weekend to give her an update on my kittie at no extra charge.

I don't know what we will do once she decides to retire.