More than chocolate...
We’re excited to announce that Mars has agreed to acquire VCA Inc., one of the most diverse pet healthcare companies in the industry. VCA’s variety of services – including veterinary services, laboratory diagnostics, technology and pet care services – is a wonderful complement to Mars’ existing portfolio of pet health and nutrition science, including Banfield, BluePearl and Pet Partners.
Together, Mars and VCA will deliver an unprecedented level of accessible high quality medical care for pets, from wellness and prevention through to primary, emergency and specialty care. Pet owners can expect more options for service and high-quality care for their pets, and Associates and the veterinary profession will be able to pursue a diverse range of educational and learning opportunities.
Already some of the coverage coming is of the "I didn't know Mars did pet" kind. In fact pet care has been an important part of Mars for over 80 years, and as a business as we strive to deliver the very best quality products and services to meet needs of pets and their owners. Mars has always invested in producing nutritious, high quality, safe food for pets. As the global leader in pet nutrition, we established the WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition over 50 years ago – the first center of its kind, dedicated entirely to understanding pet nutrition and the benefits pets bring to people. WALTHAM science is applied across our portfolio, which includes some of the worlds most trusted pet nutrition brands – ROYAL CANIN?, PEDIGREE? and WHISKAS?. We have a growing business in pet DNA testing through the WISDOM PANEL?, and in 2015 also acquired pet technology provider WHISTLE.
The 40,000 Associates in Mars Petcare are pet lovers who come to work every day with one goal in mind: to create a better world for pets. That vision has led Mars to grow from a pet food company into a leading pet care provider. Today, Mars is a leading scientific authority in pet nutrition and wellbeing, a pioneer in understanding the behavioral needs of pets and their benefits to humans, and one of the foremost providers of veterinary medicine and preventative healthcare for pets.
Veterinary services is a fast-growing field, and we’re proud of our legacy, our people and our contributions to pet health care. Mars has been providing Veterinary Care since 1994 when we first began partnering with BANFIELD? Pet Hospital. Today, across BANFIELD? Pet Hospital, BLUEPEARL? and PET PARTNERS? we employ, train and develop more than 4,000 Veterinarians and their paraprofessional teams, and care for more than 3 million pets annually. More important, we’re in the business of veterinary services because we believe that the combination of nutritious, high-quality food together with the highest level of health care enable pets to live better and healthier lives.
Senior IP Counsel at Sinova, one of the three operational divisions of SARIA
8 年A great company to work for just got better!
Global Communications Executive I ESG & Corporate Reputation Strategist I Thought Leader in Crisis & Stakeholder Relations
8 年Great news and a smart move!
Corporate Communications, Reputation Management, and Employee Experience
8 年Exciting news!
Strategic Corporate Communications | Employee, Change, Mergers & Aquistions | Business Partner & Change Agent
8 年I found it interesting that Mars has incorporated a pet feeding center at its Nashville-area global innovation center, which has earned Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. As many 300 dogs and cats rescued from local shelters receive veterinary care, are groomed, exercised, trained and apparently well-fed, as they participate in pet feeding trials. After a few years, paid staff help the animals find their forever home.