Mars to buy AniCura pet care business

Mars Inc announced on Monday that it was making another move into the European veterinary market with the acquisition of AniCura, which has operations in seven countries, for an undisclosed sum.

The company said that this - along with its acquisition last week of UK-based veterinary care provider Linnaeus - marks the start of Mars Petcare's strategic entry into the European veterinary care market, giving it a presence in eight markets across the world's second-largest region for veterinary care.

Poul Weinhauch, president of Marks Petcare, said: "Pets have made their way into our hearts and our homes, and I know from the joy my family and I get from our Labrador, Twixie, just how important they can be in our lives. The veterinary care industry is rapidly evolving, and as a family-owned business we have the privilege of being able to think in terms of decades.

"As the second largest region in the world for pet care, European pet care is expected to grow significantly over the coming years. There is a great opportunity to address growing demand by providing high quality, consistent veterinary care across Europe."

AniCura has more than 4,000 veterinary professionals working across 200 animal hospitals and clinics specialised in veterinary care for companion animals.

"Together with Mars Petcare, AniCura and Linnaeus we’ll be in a position to benefit from our respective best practices and competencies, improving clinical practice and continuing to advance the veterinary profession in North America and Europe. For pets this will mean improved care, and for pet parents this will mean healthier, happier pets at affordable costs," the company said.