CVS buys Hampshire veterinary practice

CVS Group, which owns more than 500 veterinary practices in the UK, the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland, has bought Hampshire-based Anton Vets for £6m.

Anton Vets, in Andover, is an independent single-site veterinary practice specialising in small animals and exotics.

The CVS Group’s purchase of Quality Pet Care – which trades as The Vet – has been investigated by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). In March, CVS offered undertakings to the CMA which involve divesting the entire The Vet business. The CMA said the undertakings, or a modified version of them, might be accepted under the Enterprise Act 2002. A decision is expected in July.

CVS Group currently employs about 7,900 people, including around 2,100 veterinary surgeons and 2,800 nurses.