Ashley Gray, founder and managing director of Vetsure Pet Insurance.

Independent Vets Thriving, Not Just Surviving, Landmark Report Reveals

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Posted
10th November, 2026 11h16

First-of-its-kind ‘health barometer’ for independent veterinary practices finds rising trust, growth confidence and strong team culture as sector adapts to CMA reforms

A landmark survey into the health of independent veterinary practices has revealed a thriving sector, where teams feel valued and trust has grown in the wake of the CMA report.

The Vetsure Indie Report 2026, which has just been published, finds a sector which is more confident, resilient and positive than the outside picture may suggest. 

It found 96 per cent of veterinary professionals expected their independent practice to grow or strengthen over the next 12 months, with 92 per cent predicting a successful year for the independent sector as a whole. 

The report, which will become an annual survey, launches as the CMA’s remedy package, implemented at the end of September, begins to reshape the veterinary landscape. 

Vetsure’s findings reveal that, far from being damaged by the investigation, independent practices have actually seen trust in their model increase. Key findings from the report include: 

• 76 per cent report an increase in trust following the CMA investigation, with one in four (25.9 per cent) saying trust increased significantly – just 2.9 per cent say it decreased 
• 97 per cent experienced regulatory or compliance pressure, yet 96 per cent see this as an opportunity to differentiate themselves from corporate groups on trust and transparency 
• 95 per cent have already changed the way they communicate their fees, with 47.5 per cent making a major overhaul 
• 98 per cent offer a health plan or membership scheme, with 53 per cent describing them as essential to their business 
• 91 per cent say independence helps cultivate a strong team environment, while 84 per cent see it as a recruitment benefit 
• 97.8 per cent expect staff levels to be maintained or increased over the next year 
• 71 per cent have been approached by a corporate group about acquisition in the last 12 months, with 41 per cent approached more than once 

However, the report also identifies emerging anxieties, with more than half fearing a loss of medicine sales to online retailers (53.2 per cent), a price-led ‘race to the bottom’ (52.5 per cent) or increased red tape (43.2 per cent). 

Meanwhile, 58.3 per cent worry AI could erode the human touch that defines independent practice and 38.9 per cent fear corporate vets will adopt AI faster, widening the competitive gap. 

Ashley Gray MRCVS, founder and managing director of Vetsure Pet Insurance, said that while the report produced some expected results, there were also plenty of surprisingly positive elements as well. 

He said: “Independent practices are responding to intense scrutiny with confidence rather than retreat. 

“They are strengthening transparency, investing in their teams and technology, and remaining focused on the personal relationships that make local veterinary care distinctive. 

“For too long, the independent sector hasn’t really had a voice or been listened to as well as it should be. This report is about giving independent vets a voice – representing their experiences and opinions at the centre of the industry conversation. 

“The findings are more positive than many independents will feel because they’re so zoomed in on the day-to-day pressures. But the headline story is clear – trust has improved, teams feel valued, and the independent model is thriving. 

“However, I am concerned some practices are making knee-jerk reactions with their pricing. There is a real risk of throwing the baby out with the bathwater. 

“Most clients are happy to pay for convenience and they love their independent vet. Price is not what creates long-term loyalty – only four per cent of respondents said price drives client loyalty. We know that it’s expertise, rapport and the human relationship that matter.

“The opportunity for independents is to make trust visible. Clear prices matter, but they are most powerful when paired with continuity of care, clinical explanation and an open conversation about options.

“Independence is not simply an ownership structure. It is a way to preserve clinical freedom and shape culture by the people delivering care. 

“This report is a flag in the ground. It’s a baseline we can track year on year, and it’s a call to action for the sector to come together, share what works and support each other. 

“We want independents to feel they are not alone – that others have the same challenges and opportunities, and that there is a whole community behind them.” 

The Vetsure Indie Report 2026 measured sector health across five indices: Regulatory, Happiness, Business, Technology and the Indie Index. It will be repeated annually to track the sector's progress and provide a data-driven, evidence-based resource for independent practices. 

To read the full Vetsure Indie Report 2026, visit https://vetsurevet.com/vetsure-indie-report/. 

The Vetsure Indie Report’s five priorities for the independent sector’s success over the next 12 months: 

• Make trust measurable through clear pricing, options and ownership information
• Protect workforce capacity as carefully as financial capacity
• Diversify resilience through well-run plans, services and client relationships
• Use technology to create time for human care, backed by training and governance
• Define the value of independence before market pressure or acquisition interest defines it for you

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