Veterinary Practice
Owners

Success comes down to a strategic three-phase approach:

1) Obtain an independent practice appraisal to determine accurate market positioning.

2) Leverage confidential marketing to qualified corporate consolidators and investment firms.

3) Employ skilled transaction negotiation to optimize your final terms.

RightFit Capital orchestrates this entire sequence to deliver superior outcomes for veterinary sellers.

(See the full M&A Process Explained).

Premium acquisition prices depend on several key metrics: strong Adjusted EBITDA performance, established client retention and recurrent visit patterns, current medical technology and equipment, multiple revenue channels (including surgical, emergency, and specialty care), and proven team stability. These indicators signal profitability and minimize buyer risk. (Read about 7 Little Known Factors Every Buyer Must Understand)

Today's acquisition landscape includes three dominant buyer categories: 1. National and Regional Consolidation Groups (expanding their geographic footprint); 2. Investment Firms backed by private capital (seeking portfolio growth while preserving hospital identity); and 3. Individual Veterinarian Partnerships (pursuing practice ownership or expansion opportunities). RightFit Capital maintains active relationships across all buyer segments. Read our Case Study on how we matched an owner with the perfect buyer.

Your optimal transition path depends on your lifestyle objectives and financial targets. Common approaches include a complete immediate transaction, a graduated handoff that includes a continued employment agreement, or a minority stake sale that reduces ownership burden while maintaining involvement. If you're wondering about your options, it may be time to start planning. Strategic preparation beginning 2-3 years before your target exit date yields significantly better financial results.

Most veterinary transactions require 6 to 12 months from initial assessment through final closing. Engaging a specialized M&A advisor with an established buyer network and experience assembling comprehensive financial packages can meaningfully shorten this duration. Understand a typical Veterinary Practice M&A (Merger & Acquisition) process to best-prepare for your sale.

Most acquiring organizations prioritize continuity and actively seek to retain your existing veterinary team, including associate DVMs, veterinary technicians, and support staff. Quality buyers recognize that your trained personnel are valuable assets who maintain client relationships and ensure seamless operational transition. In most transactions, employment terms either remain consistent or improve under new ownership, with many consolidators offering enhanced benefits packages and career advancement opportunities. During negotiations, you can advocate for specific protections for key team members, and post-sale employment agreements often allow you to remain involved during the transition period to support staff through the ownership change.

Right Fit Capital works with buyers who value staff retention as a critical success factor.

This decision significantly impacts both your transaction structure and long-term wealth strategy. Selling the real estate alongside your practice typically results in a simpler, single-closing transaction with immediate full liquidity. However, retaining ownership and negotiating a long-term lease agreement (commonly 10-20 years with renewal options) creates a reliable passive income stream while potentially offering superior tax advantages through ongoing rental depreciation. Real estate retention also allows property appreciation to continue benefiting you personally rather than the buyer. The optimal choice depends on your retirement income needs, tax situation, estate planning objectives, and the strength of the buyer's creditworthiness as a tenant.

Right Fit Capital collaborates with specialized real estate and tax advisors to structure the arrangement that maximizes your total financial outcome.