PetIQ
Provides veterinary services and pet health products through retail partnerships.
PE-OWNED
Acquired by Ares Management2014-08-15
What Made It Great
Accessible veterinary care through retail locations and mobile clinics
What PE Will Likely Do
Reduction in the number of on-site veterinary professionals at PetIQ's retail locations and mobile clinics, leading to longer wait times and less personalized care for pet owners
Upcoding of pet health procedures and diagnoses to maximize insurance reimbursements, potentially leading to inflated costs for pet owners
Elimination of less profitable but essential pet health services like preventative care, dental cleanings, or specialized treatments, reducing the comprehensive care available to pet owners
Increased extraction of management fees, reducing the resources available for investments in equipment, facility upgrades, and employee training, negatively impacting the quality of care
Expected Timeline
“0 to 6 months months”
Announcement of 'operational optimization' initiatives, potential leadership changes
“6 to 12 months months”
Gradual staffing reductions, service line reviews and cost-cutting measures
“12 to 24 months months”
Noticeable decline in service quality, longer wait times, and fewer available pet health services
“24 to 36 months months”
Potential closure of underperforming or less profitable retail locations or mobile clinics, leading to reduced accessibility of PetIQ's services
“36+ months months”
Potential bankruptcy or sale of PetIQ to another operator, further disrupting the continuity and quality of pet healthcare services
Similar Cases
Other companies that followed a similar path after PE acquisition
What You Can Do
Actions
Be vigilant for any changes in the availability and quality of pet health services at PetIQ's retail locations and mobile clinics
Monitor for increases in pet healthcare costs, particularly if procedures and diagnoses seem to be upcodedinconsistently
Consider alternative pet healthcare providers in your area that may not be affected by private equity ownership and cost-cutting measures
Advocate for transparency and accountability from PetIQ and its new private equity owner to ensure the continued availability of high-quality, affordable pet healthcare services
Alternatives
Community-focused healthcare
Integrated managed care consortium