Pets at Home acquires two veterinary specialist referral centres

Pets at Home Group Plc has acquired two further veterinary specialist referral centres.

Cambridgeshire-based Dick White Referrals (DWR) is one of the UK’s largest small animal specialist referral centres, treating over 5,000 cases each year. Pets at Home has acquired a 76 percent ownership stake in DWR for a consideration of £14.1m and will operate the practice as a shared venture model.

Eye-Vet Referrals (EVR), in Cheshire, is a dedicated opthalmology centre with six veterinary clinicians. EVR already provides services a Pets at Home referral centre, NorthWest Surgeons. EVR will also operate as a shared venture.

Ian Kellett, Chief Executive Officer, commented: “We are delighted to welcome both Dick White Referrals and Eye-Vet Referrals to the Group. These new shared ventures represent another strategic step in building our presence in the specialist referrals market, whilst also enhancing our reputation with the UK’s veterinary clinicians.

“We have grown our specialist referrals division to four centres in just over a year and see further opportunities in the veterinary market that will deliver growth and attractive returns.”