Pets Choice makes further move into vet market with acquisition

After announcing a senior appointment to launch its new veterinary division, Pets Choice has bolstered its product offering with the acquisition of an established brand.

The Blackburn-based manufactured has acquired the Vet’s Kitchen pet food brand from Pets’ Kitchen Ltd, taking over responsibility of sales as from June.

The Vet’s Kitchen brand, which primarily operates in dry dog & cat food will join Pets Choice’s family of pet brand offerings, which include Webbox, Bob Martin, Felight, TastyBone and B-Calm.

Whilst Pets Choice is purchasing the pet food division, Pets’ Kitchen will concentrate on the development of its clinical veterinary practices under its Vet’s Klinic brand.

A long-term collaboration agreement between the two companies will continue in support of both the Vet’s Kitchen and Vet’s Klinic operations.

Pets Choice, which supplies the grocery, independent and pet speciality sectors, plans to use this acquisition to grow its share of the premium and advanced nutrition sectors.

The sale also allows Pets Choice to increase its reach within the veterinary channel, and to benefit from Vet’s Klinic’s professional expertise, as the practices will continue to provide consultation services regarding new product development and recipe updates.

This partnership-led approach to the sale also means that the two businesses can work together to deliver Vet’s Kitchen’s popular pet clubs activity in the future too.

Tony Raeburn, CEO of Pets Choice, said: "This is a fantastic acquisition for Pets Choice as we continue our drive in both product premiumisation and into the vet sector. We’re excited to onboard the Vet’s Kitchen team and pair their knowledge with our own.

"Our expertise in growing brands perfectly complements Vet’s Kitchen’s use of professional insight in its product formulations, and we believe this acquisition will act as a real partnership and deliver even better premium food for pets. The acquisition will also mean customers and listings alike will benefit from Pets Choice’s distribution network, making Vet’s Kitchen products all the more accessible to all. Vet’s Kitchen will complement our existing portfolio of growing brands entering us into the Premium sector which is extremely exciting.”

Laura Shears, managing director of Pets’ Kitchen, added: “We have just opened our second, state of the art Vet’s Klinic veterinary practice in Reading and we have been seeking to divest our pet food division whilst maintaining an ongoing association.

"We are delighted that we can hand over the Vet’s Kitchen brand to Pets Choice and to continue with a collaboration agreement for the long-term benefit of both companies. We look forward to seeing the Vet’s Kitchen brand go from strength to strength under Tony’s fantastic team.”