Private equity tightens grip on Asheville’s vet clinics
An Asheville Watchdog analysis shows Buncombe County’s small-animal clinics are increasingly owned by corporate, private-equity-backed groups, with more than half of clinics and all three emergency hospitals now consolidated. Private equity lures vets with signing bonuses, student-loan relief, and higher salaries, driving buyouts that raise costs for pet owners and contribute to clinician burnout, even as some independents remain. Pet owners report higher bills and tougher access, while welfare groups provide vouchers to help keep pets in homes. Surveys indicate independent and corporate vets share similar overall satisfaction, suggesting the industry’s shift affects care models and costs more than clinician happiness.
