--- title: UK veterinary groups media reputation tracker – September 2026 canonical_url: https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-veterinary-groups-2026-09 type: dataset publisher: Omniscan sector: UK Veterinary Groups period: September 2026 coverage_start: '2026-09-01' coverage_end: '2026-09-30' date_published: '2026-10-04' last_updated: '2026-10-04' organisations: 6 articles_analysed: 128 mentions: 55 data_download: https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-veterinary-groups-2026-09/data.json summary: CVS Group had the highest average monthly share of coverage (43.6%) among 6 groups in UK earned media from 1 September 2026 to 30 September 2026, ahead of IVC Evidensia (16.4%) and VetPartners (14.5%). --- # UK veterinary groups media reputation tracker: September 2026 (1 September 2026–30 September 2026) > CVS Group had the highest average monthly share of coverage (43.6%) among 6 groups in UK earned media from 1 September 2026 to 30 September 2026, ahead of IVC Evidensia (16.4%) and VetPartners (14.5%). Linnaeus had the most favourable net tone (+100). Omniscan analysed 128 articles containing 55 mentions of the groups tracked. Interactive version: https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-veterinary-groups-2026-09 ## UK Veterinary Groups ranking by share of coverage, September 2026 | Rank | Organisation | Average monthly share of coverage | Mentions | Positive | Neutral | Negative | Net tone | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | CVS Group | 43.6% | 24 | 29% | 71% | 0% | +29 | | 2 | IVC Evidensia | 16.4% | 9 | 56% | 44% | 0% | +56 | | 3 | VetPartners | 14.5% | 8 | 75% | 25% | 0% | +75 | | 4 | Pets at Home Vet Group | 12.7% | 7 | 43% | 57% | 0% | +43 | | 5 | Medivet | 10.9% | 6 | 50% | 50% | 0% | +50 | | 6 | Linnaeus | 1.8% | 1 | 100% | 0% | 0% | +100 | ## Groups in detail ### CVS Group **Results, acquisitions and clinical projects define CVS Group’s September coverage** CVS Group ranked 1st of 6 by average monthly share of coverage (43.6%) in the UK Veterinary Groups benchmark for September 2026, with 24 mentions and a net tone of +29. CVS Group reported 5.9% revenue growth to £712.8 million and 5.1% adjusted EBITDA growth to £141.5 million, while regulatory and rebranding costs contributed to a 1.8% fall in pre-tax profit. It ranked first with 24 mentions, representing 43.6% of tracked-company mentions. Financial results and ownership led the subject mix with 11 mentions, followed by five each for CMA remedies and competition, and clinical standards and pet safety. Coverage of the CMA reforms included £5.1 million spent making practice ownership clearer, alongside CVS Group’s view that the remedies were manageable. The group also exchanged contracts to acquire two UK veterinary sites for £15 million, marking its return to domestic acquisitions after the investigation concluded. Clinical developments included equine asthma and pain-management projects, a fall in antibiotic prescribing from more than 32% to approximately 21% of non-routine consultations across nine practices, CPR training across 30 practices and a minimally invasive cardiac procedure at Chestergates Veterinary Specialists. Key messages: - CVS Group accounted for 43.6% of tracked-company mentions and ranked #1 among 6 in September 2026. - Coverage concentrated on Financial Results & Ownership and CMA Remedies & Competition. - 24 captured company mentions were recorded in September 2026. - CVS targets post-CMA acquisitions as it reports annual results — Vet Times Leading themes: - Financial Results & Ownership: 45.8% of CVS Group's coverage (theme index 7.1, net tone +9) - Clinical Standards & Pet Safety: 20.8% of CVS Group's coverage (theme index 0.46, net tone +100) - CMA Remedies & Competition: 20.8% of CVS Group's coverage (theme index 0.72, net tone 0) Notable positive coverage: - 2 September 2026, vettimes.com: [CVS Equine launches pain project](https://www.vettimes.com/news/vets/equine/cvs-equine-launches-analgesia-project). CVS Equine has launched an internal quality-improvement project to standardise pain scoring and strengthen analgesia assessment for hospitalised equine patients. The group aims to improve clinical monitoring, care plans and client communication. - 8 September 2026, vettimes.com: [CVS stewardship project delivers drop in antimicrobial prescribing](https://www.vettimes.com/news/vets/small-animal-vets/cvs-hails-substantial-and-sustained-ams-improvement-project). CVS Group reported an 11% reduction in overall antibiotic prescribing across nine Devon and Cornwall small-animal practices following a quality-improvement project. Use of higher-priority Category B and C antimicrobials declined while diagnostic-led prescribing increased. - 15 September 2026, vettimes.com: [CVS Equine launches asthma QI project](https://www.vettimes.com/news/vet-nursing/equine-vet-nursing/cvs-equine-launches-asthma-qi-project). CVS Equine has launched an equine asthma quality-improvement project to improve diagnosis recording, review treatment approaches and develop updated evidence-based clinical guidance across its practices. The initiative also emphasises veterinary-nurse involvement in long-term monitoring and owner education. - [CVS Group deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-veterinary-groups-2026-09?entity=cvsgroup&view=deep-dive) - [CVS Group PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-veterinary-groups-2026-09/reports/cvsgroup.pdf) ### IVC Evidensia **Clinical research and emergency care shape IVC Evidensia’s September profile** IVC Evidensia ranked 2nd of 6 by average monthly share of coverage (16.4%) in the UK Veterinary Groups benchmark for September 2026, with 9 mentions and a net tone of +56. IVC Evidensia’s September coverage was led by its recruitment of UK and Republic of Ireland vets for research into canine osteoarthritis diagnosis and treatment decisions. Its nine mentions represented 16.4% of tracked-company mentions, placing the group second. Clinical standards and pet safety accounted for five mentions, including Vets Now’s emergency and critical care congress, Pet Emergency Week and dog-friendly beach safety guidance. The congress offered 80 hours of professional development across seven streams, while Vets Now Glasgow hosted a broadcaster to promote emergency-care advice. Practice and estate coverage comprised one mention: Acres Vets moved to a purpose-built Airdrie site three times larger than its previous premises. As context, three mentions concerned competition and regulatory remedies, including wider reporting on corporate ownership in Greater Manchester and comments from IVC Evidensia’s UK head of farm about price-led competition. Key messages: - IVC Evidensia accounted for 16.4% of tracked-company mentions and ranked #2 among 6 in September 2026. - Coverage concentrated on Clinical Standards & Pet Safety and CMA Remedies & Competition. - 9 captured company mentions were recorded in September 2026. - Canine osteoarthritis research recruitment — Vet Times Leading themes: - Clinical Standards & Pet Safety: 55.6% of IVC Evidensia's coverage (theme index 1.83, net tone +80) - CMA Remedies & Competition: 33.3% of IVC Evidensia's coverage (theme index 1.39, net tone 0) - Practices, Acquisitions & Estate: 11.1% of IVC Evidensia's coverage (theme index 1.7, net tone +100) Notable positive coverage: - 7 September 2026, vettimes.com: [ECC congress to be focused on 'realities' of emergency and critical care practice](https://www.vettimes.com/news/vet-nursing/wellbeing-at-work-vet-nursing/vets-now-unveils-2026-ecc-congress-programme). IVC Evidensia's Vets Now has announced its 2026 emergency and critical care congress in Leeds, offering 80 hours of CPD across seven learning streams. The programme is focused on practical emergency-care clinical education. - 29 September 2026, yorkpress.co.uk: ['Picturesque' Yorkshire beach named one of the most dog-friendly in the UK](https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/26587320.yorkshire-beach-named-among-dog-friendly-uk/). Inspiring Vet Care published a list of dog-friendly UK beaches and provided safety guidance on coastal hazards for dogs. Inspiring Vet Care is the UK operating identity of IVC Evidensia. - 2 September 2026, dailyrecord.co.uk: [Airdrie vets relocates to significantly larger, purpose-built site](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/in-your-area/lanarkshire/airdrie-vets-relocates-significantly-larger-37617577). Acres Vets has relocated to a purpose-built Airdrie site three times larger than its previous premises, with expanded consultation, dental and treatment facilities. The practice says it is part of the inspiring vet care network, which rolls up to IVC Evidensia. - [IVC Evidensia deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-veterinary-groups-2026-09?entity=ivcevidensia&view=deep-dive) - [IVC Evidensia PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-veterinary-groups-2026-09/reports/ivcevidensia.pdf) ### VetPartners **Clinical care and charity fundraising shape VetPartners’ September profile** VetPartners ranked 3rd of 6 by average monthly share of coverage (14.5%) in the UK Veterinary Groups benchmark for September 2026, with 8 mentions and a net tone of +75. Emergency surgery at a VetPartners-owned Surrey practice featured in September’s coverage, after clinicians removed four coins swallowed by a pug that subsequently made a full recovery. Further clinical reporting featured St Peter’s Vets’ long-term care for two Labradors with megaoesophagus, making clinical standards and pet safety the largest subject area with three mentions. VetPartners ranked third with eight mentions and a 14.5% share of tracked-company mentions. Leadership and strategy accounted for two mentions, both reporting chief executive Jo Malone’s ultra-marathon and the £14,400 raised for Vetlife and Macmillan Cancer Support with support from VetPartners. Another article covered Border Vets’ dog show, where VetPartners’ matched funding brought the Vetlife donation to £3,020.58. Two competition-related mentions came from a Greater Manchester ownership census that identified VetPartners among major local corporate groups and linked the findings to ownership-transparency concerns. Key messages: - VetPartners accounted for 14.5% of tracked-company mentions and ranked #3 among 6 in September 2026. - Coverage concentrated on Clinical Standards & Pet Safety and CMA Remedies & Competition. - 8 captured company mentions were recorded in September 2026. - Pug Penny’s emergency surgery and recovery — Sussex Express Leading themes: - Clinical Standards & Pet Safety: 37.5% of VetPartners's coverage (theme index 1.1, net tone +100) - Leadership & Strategy: 25.0% of VetPartners's coverage (theme index 11.75, net tone +100) - CMA Remedies & Competition: 25.0% of VetPartners's coverage (theme index 0.98, net tone 0) Notable positive coverage: - 28 September 2026, bdaily.co.uk: [VetPartners chief goes extra mile for charities](https://bdaily.co.uk/articles/2026/09/28/vetpartners-chief-goes-extra-mile-for-charities). VetPartners chief executive Jo Malone completed an ultra-marathon that raised £14,400 for Vetlife and Macmillan Cancer Support. VetPartners matched and supplemented donations, with Vetlife its chosen UK charity for 2026. - 9 September 2026, vettimes.com: [Border Vets dog show described as 'Best event yet'](https://www.vettimes.com/news/vet-nursing/small-animal/vet-practice-dog-show-raises-3k-for-vetlife). VetPartners-owned Border Vets raised £1,510.29 for Vetlife through its Dogs Day Out event. VetPartners matched the fundraising, bringing the total donation to £3,020.58. - 29 September 2026, yorkpress.co.uk: [York veterinary boss completes 58km ultra to raise thousands for charities](https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/26588094.york-chief-executive-raises-14-400-ultra-marathon/). VetPartners chief executive Jo Malone completed a 58.4km ultra-marathon, raising funds for Vetlife and Macmillan Cancer Support. VetPartners matched and supplemented donations, bringing the total to £14,400. - [VetPartners deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-veterinary-groups-2026-09?entity=vetpartners&view=deep-dive) - [VetPartners PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-veterinary-groups-2026-09/reports/vetpartners.pdf) ### Pets at Home Vet Group **Vet expertise and investment case underpin fourth-place visibility** Pets at Home Vet Group ranked 4th of 6 by average monthly share of coverage (12.7%) in the UK Veterinary Groups benchmark for September 2026, with 7 mentions and a net tone of +43. Coverage centred on Vets4Pets’ clinical work and advice, including vaccinations and microchipping for seven puppies in Bridlington and guidance on introducing puppies to car travel. Financial reporting featured Shore Capital’s buy case for Pets at Home, which identified the Vet Group as the principal source of group profit and cash generation and cited practice maturity, care-plan growth and further estate capacity. Pets at Home Vet Group ranked fourth with a 12.7% share of tracked-company mentions, based on seven mentions. The subject mix was evenly led by financial results and ownership, clinical standards and pet safety, and competition-related coverage, with two mentions each; leadership and strategy accounted for one. Pet Gazette included the group among major corporate veterinary owners in Greater Manchester when reporting a census linked to CMA ownership-transparency concerns. Insurance Times referred to veterinary-treatment data and services within Pets at Home’s wider insurance and retail proposition. Key messages: - Pets at Home Vet Group accounted for 12.7% of tracked-company mentions and ranked #4 among 6 in September 2026. - Coverage concentrated on CMA Remedies & Competition and Financial Results & Ownership. - 7 captured company mentions were recorded in September 2026. - Vets4Pets Bridlington’s care for seven puppies — The Scarborough News Leading themes: - Financial Results & Ownership: 28.6% of Pets at Home Vet Group's coverage (theme index 1.25, net tone +100) - Clinical Standards & Pet Safety: 28.6% of Pets at Home Vet Group's coverage (theme index 0.81, net tone +50) - CMA Remedies & Competition: 28.6% of Pets at Home Vet Group's coverage (theme index 1.14, net tone 0) Notable positive coverage: - 22 September 2026, thescarboroughnews.co.uk: [Cuddly chaos as trolley full of seven puppies arrives at Bridlington vet](https://www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/news/people/cuddly-chaos-as-trolley-full-of-seven-puppies-arrives-at-bridlington-vet-9142536). Vets4Pets Bridlington provided first vaccinations and microchips to a litter of seven Australian Labradoodle puppies. The puppies were reported to be healthy following their routine visit. - 3 September 2026, lse.co.uk: [Shore Capital starts Pets at Home at 'buy'](https://www.lse.co.uk/news/shore-capital-starts-pets-at-home-at-buy-pr8zd8jf1p40ze6.html). Shore Capital initiates coverage of Pets at Home with a buy rating, highlighting the Vet Group as the principal source of profit and cash generation. It cites practice maturity, care-plan growth and capacity for roughly 100 additional practices and extensions. - [Pets at Home Vet Group deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-veterinary-groups-2026-09?entity=petsathomevetgroup&view=deep-dive) - [Pets at Home Vet Group PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-veterinary-groups-2026-09/reports/petsathomevetgroup.pdf) ### Medivet **Pet-safety guidance leads Medivet’s September profile** Medivet ranked 5th of 6 by average monthly share of coverage (10.9%) in the UK Veterinary Groups benchmark for September 2026, with 6 mentions and a net tone of +50. Medivet’s September coverage was led by practical pet-safety guidance, including advice on beach hazards reported by Examiner Live and safe ear cleaning covered by the Express and Wales Online. Its six mentions represented 10.9% of tracked-company mentions, placing the group fifth. Clinical standards and pet safety accounted for four mentions, making this the principal subject area. Two articles concerning competition and regulatory remedies came from Pet Gazette’s report on a Greater Manchester ownership census, which named Medivet among several major corporate owners rather than reporting a Medivet development. The resulting profile centred on consumer-facing clinical advice, while competition coverage arose from wider sector reporting. Key messages: - Medivet accounted for 10.9% of tracked-company mentions and ranked #5 among 6 in September 2026. - Coverage concentrated on Clinical Standards & Pet Safety and CMA Remedies & Competition. - 6 captured company mentions were recorded in September 2026. - Beach-safety advice for dog owners — Examiner Live Leading themes: - Clinical Standards & Pet Safety: 66.7% of Medivet's coverage (theme index 2.18, net tone +75) - CMA Remedies & Competition: 33.3% of Medivet's coverage (theme index 1.36, net tone 0) Notable positive coverage: - 29 September 2026, cambridge-news.co.uk: [Vet's warning ahead of October 1 dog rule change](https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/vets-warning-ahead-october-1-34689181). Medivet issued beach-safety advice for dog owners as seasonal beach restrictions end, warning about seawater, sticks, litter and marine animals. The guidance advises owners to seek veterinary attention after incidents. - 14 September 2026, express.co.uk: [Vet's urgent warning to 15million dog owners in the UK](https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/2247097/vets-urgent-warning-to-15million-dog-owners). Medivet provides advice from Dr Rhian on safely cleaning dogs' ears and signs that require veterinary assessment. The guidance warns against incorrect cleaning techniques that could worsen infection or damage the ear. - [Medivet deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-veterinary-groups-2026-09?entity=medivet&view=deep-dive) - [Medivet PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-veterinary-groups-2026-09/reports/medivet.pdf) ### Linnaeus **Anderson Moores anniversary provides Linnaeus’s September visibility** Linnaeus ranked 6th of 6 by average monthly share of coverage (1.8%) in the UK Veterinary Groups benchmark for September 2026, with 1 mentions and a net tone of +100. Linnaeus recorded one mention in September, representing 1.8% of tracked-company mentions and placing it sixth. Vet Times reported that Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists marked its 20th anniversary, having grown from five clinicians to more than 160 staff. This single practice-development story supports a narrow account of specialist-hospital growth, rather than a broader conclusion about the group’s month. Key messages: - Linnaeus accounted for 1.8% of tracked-company mentions and ranked #6 among 6 in September 2026. - Coverage concentrated on Practices, Acquisitions & Estate. - 1 captured company mentions were recorded in September 2026. - Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists’ 20th anniversary — Vet Times Leading themes: - Practices, Acquisitions & Estate: 100.0% of Linnaeus's coverage (theme index 18, net tone +100) Notable positive coverage: - 9 September 2026, vettimes.com: [Anderson Moores celebrates 20-year anniversary](https://www.vettimes.com/news/business/practice-developments/anderson-moores-celebrates-20-year-anniversary). Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists, part of Linnaeus, is marking its 20th anniversary. The Hampshire referral hospital has expanded from five clinicians to more than 160 staff and offers multidisciplinary specialist services. - [Linnaeus deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-veterinary-groups-2026-09?entity=linnaeus&view=deep-dive) - [Linnaeus PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-veterinary-groups-2026-09/reports/linnaeus.pdf) ## Methodology - **Share of coverage**: an organisation's mentions divided by all mentions of the organisations tracked in the same sector that month, in UK earned media. It is the central measure of media visibility in Omniscan benchmarks. "Average monthly share" is the mean of the monthly shares across the reporting period. - **Mention**: one article that covers an organisation, classified as positive, neutral or negative in tone. Articles are deduplicated, and an organisation's own websites and passing sponsorship name-checks are excluded, so only earned media counts. - **Net tone**: positive mentions minus negative mentions, as a percentage of all mentions (range −100 to +100). - **Themes**: every article is assigned to one of the sector's editorial themes. A theme index above 1 means the organisation is covered on that theme more than its peers are; below 1 means less. - **Calculation**: every figure is computed directly from the classified articles; narrative summaries are checked against those figures. - **Sources**: UK national and international, trade and specialist, regional and local, and aggregator and syndication earned media. ## Other UK Veterinary Groups editions - [UK veterinary groups media reputation tracker – 2026 year to date](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-veterinary-groups-2026-ytd.md) - [UK veterinary groups media reputation tracker – H1 2026](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-veterinary-groups-2026-h1.md) - [UK veterinary groups media reputation tracker – July 2026](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-veterinary-groups-2026-07.md) - [UK veterinary groups media reputation tracker – August 2026](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-veterinary-groups-2026-08.md) - [All Omniscan media benchmarks](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks.md) ## How to cite Omniscan, "UK veterinary groups media reputation tracker", September 2026 (1 September 2026–30 September 2026), published 4 October 2026. https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-veterinary-groups-2026-09