Fur Real Life

By Rissa Berg

Corporate-owned veterinary clinics are sweeping across the pet care world, fueled by private equity dollars and promises of streamlined efficiency. Yet behind the glossy branding and consolidated networks lies a deeper question: what happens to the warmth, affordability, and community trust that independent clinics have always provided?

It almost seems like corporations own everything now, from neighborhood buyouts to independent businesses. Decades ago, people believed they offered stability, consistent schedules, reliable income and opportunities for growth. But what was sold as security often turned into control. The average person was promised consistency, yet many have found themselves caught in a system more focused on profit than people. When corporations struggle to prioritize human well-being, it raises a sobering question: If they have a lack of interest in suitable care for humanity, that dwindles down to the care for our animals.

I really thought at one point I wanted to be in a vet clinic sometimes I still do. But what I have witnessed behind closed doors is so disheartening. I have seen incredible vet techs torn down by the doctors that are there to mentor them. I have watched doctors so overworked that surgeries take longer, not because of complexity, but because they’re forced to meet corporate imposed time limits. I’ve heard pet parents cry about not being able to afford care for their animals, only for the staff to mutter “people shouldn’t have pets if they cant afford them”.

The veterinary world of today often lacks the empathy that it was built upon. What once was a profession rooted in compassion and community has, in too many cases, become another cog in the corporate machine, where profit margins overshadow the bond between humans and their pets.

Independent veterinary clinics must make a stronger comeback because they are the soul of pet care. They are the places where your dog is greeted by name, where your cat’s quirks are remembered, and where compassion outweighs profit margins. In a world where corporations reduce care to numbers on a spreadsheet, independent clinics remind us that our pets are family not commodities. They carry the warmth of community, the empathy of caregivers who live among us, and the trust that comes from knowing your vet is invested in your pet’s life, not a shareholder’s bottom line.

When we lose independent clinics, we lose more than just a business, we lose the heartbeat of veterinary medicine. We lose the gentle reassurance in a vet tech’s smile, the patience of a doctor who takes time to explain, and the comfort of knowing decisions are made for love, not for profit. Our pets deserve care rooted in compassion, dignity, and humanity. Supporting independent clinics isn’t just about preserving traditions, it’s about protecting the bond between people and their animals, a bond too sacred to be handed over to corporate interests.

It’s time to stand with the clinics that see our pets as family, not as profit margins. Independent veterinary practices are the heartbeat of compassionate care, and they deserve our support. By choosing local vets, speaking up for their value, and reminding our communities why empathy matters, we can help them make the comeback our pets and pet parents so desperately need and deserve.

Treats & Tail Wags Until Next Time