Independent Resources

We believe the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and many other countries are ready for a resurgence of independent veterinary practices. As pet owners increasingly seek local alternatives, veterinarians grow tired of corporate models, and startup resources become more accessible, the barriers to launching and operating an independent clinic are falling. Modern software makes everything from practice management and scheduling to payroll and billing easier. With the right resources and support, we believe that it could be easier than ever to take over an existing practice or build a successful new independent practice from the ground up.

We believe a healthy veterinary profession benefits from a diverse mix of ownership models. Greater competition and choice can help improve access to care, strengthen continuity of care, support veterinary teams, and encourage innovation throughout the profession. Independent Vet exists to support that vision by helping pet owners discover independent practices, highlighting successful independent clinics, and sharing resources for veterinarians interested in starting, growing, or acquiring their own independent practice. Here are a few places to begin:

Resources for Independent Veterinary Practices

• Independent Veterinary Practitioners Association (IVPA) — The only nonprofit association solely dedicated to independent practice owners. Founded to counter corporate consolidation, IVPA offers peer community, teleradiology services, and member discounts.
• Veterinary Management Groups (VMG) — A membership community exclusively for independent practice owners, focused on peer groups, benchmarking, and business education.
• Veterinary Specialty Practice Alliance (VSPA) — For independently owned emergency and specialty referral hospitals, focused on collaboration around issues unique to that segment.
• Independent Animal Hospital Association (IAHA) — An association for independent hospital owners offering group purchasing power and business resources.
• The Veterinary Cooperative (TVC) — A member-owned cooperative giving independent practices collective buying power typically only available to corporate groups.
• PSIvet — A group purchasing organization giving independent practices collective buying power, vendor savings, and dedicated practice consultants.

Independent Vet Champions to Follow

• Jarrettsville Vet Center (Facebook) — Dr. Krista Magnifico’s independently owned practice in Maryland, with over 80 years of community roots. A brilliant and outspoken advocate for accessible, affordable veterinary care and a model for what independent practice can look like.
• Dr. Forbes (@drforbeez) (TikTok) — Small animal veterinarian and clinic owner with 20 years of experience and 180K+ followers. Dr. Forbes uses her platform to speak candidly about corporate consolidation and private equity’s impact on veterinary medicine.
• Dr. Judy Morgan (Instagram) — Holistic veterinarian, bestselling author, and longtime champion of natural, independent pet care. With over 37 years in practice, Dr. Morgan is one of the most recognized voices in independent veterinary medicine.
• Danielle K. Lambert (Instagram) — Known as the “Anti-Corporate Strategy Queen,” Danielle is CEO of The Snout Group and creator of the Anti-Corporate Clinic Playbook — a practical guide helping independent practices stand out against corporate consolidation.
• Dr. Carlee Tucker (@dr.carlee_vetpracticerising) (Instagram) — Independent practice owner and outspoken advocate for veterinary ownership who encourages other veterinarians to start and build practices of their own.

Reddit Communities

• r/veterinaryprofession (Reddit) — A community for veterinary professionals to discuss the realities of working in the field, from career challenges to industry trends.
• r/VeterinaryMedicine (Reddit) — An evidence-based community focused on veterinary medicine research, clinical practice, and emerging treatment modalities.
• r/AskVet (Reddit) — A 98K-member community where pet owners ask veterinary professionals questions about animal health — useful for staying connected to the client perspective.