Sweden’s AniCura Group has managed to position itself as the largest owner of veterinary clinics in Spain and Portugal. This milestone has been reached thanks to the acquisition of the 26 Vetsum veterinary hospitals located in Spain, thus totalling 79 veterinary hospitals and clinics, and with more than 1,400 employees spread between the two countries.

However, size is not the most important thing. AniCura offers a wide range of medical and surgical services, as well as rehabilitation, physiotherapy and dietary advice. With a focus on specialised veterinary medicine and high-quality care, the group values Vetsum’s prestigious track record, with 26 hospitals and clinics and more than 420 employees throughout Spain.

Shared vision
The completion of the transaction, pending approval by the National Commission on Markets and Competition (Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia - CNMC), will expand the veterinary group’s geographic reach and allow an improvement in services. The two parties share the same vision of specialisation, quality, training and collaborative work that has led to this agreement.

As AniCura’s General Manager for Southern Europe, Guillermo Ruiz San Juan, explained, “Vetsum provides veterinary hospitals that are a benchmark for success in our country, such as Vetsia, Indautxu, San Vicente and others that share our values and passion for specialisation and quality care. This is why we’ve decided to join forces and work together to continue shaping the veterinary medicine of the future in our country.”

Industry challenges
Looking to the future, Ruiz San Juan said, “By incorporating the Vetsum veterinary hospitals into the AniCura Group, we aim to provide a robust response to the challenges facing our industry, delivering veterinary and managerial excellence in an environment that is full of exciting changes and opportunities.”

AniCura was founded in 2011, arising from the first merger of veterinary hospitals in the Nordic countries. It currently has 450 clinics, employs 11,000 workers across Europe, and treats more than 3.5 million patients every year. Since 2018, AniCura has been part of Mars Veterinary Health, a company specialising in veterinary care.

^{Photo: AniCura}