Zarah ChoudharyVetPartners’ has shut down four of its Vet Valley surgeries and made a number of redundancies, which Unite said was the equivalent of six full-time roles.
According to VetPatrners, permanently closing four surgeries in Cardiff, Caerphilly, Pentyrch and Ystrad Mynach was necessary in order to manage long-term vet shortages.
The company moved all services and workers to its animal hospital in Gwaelod-y-Garth.
VetPartners issued this statement: “Over the past four years, we have been experiencing an acute shortage of vets.
“By closing the branches, we will be able to make best use of our veterinary team, reduce our use of locum vets and make our practice more sustainable.
“The closure of the branches means that, unfortunately, a small number of our employees in support roles are now at risk of redundancy.
“We understand this will be a difficult time for all the people affected but we want to ensure a sustainable future and to ensure that Valley Vets can continue to provide a great service to its valued clients in South Wales.
“Valley Veterinary Hospital will continue to focus on providing the best possible care of patients, as well as an out-of-hours emergency and critical care service for around 40 other practices.
“However, it will no longer be accepting referral cases.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “VetPartners’ behaviour shows why it is under investigation by the CMA.
“Its business model is based on the US healthcare market and mercilessly profiteers from people’s love of their pets.
“Rather than address the concerns its Valley Vets workers’ have at workers using food banks and pet owners putting their animals down because they can’t afford treatment, it shuts surgeries to try and silence them.
“These are the desperate actions of a company that knows the tide is turning against its UK-wide exploitation of pet owners and animal healthcare workers.
“Unite will continue to be at the forefront of the fight to hold VetPartners to account.”
Most Valley Vets support staff (80%) report regularly borrowing money to make ends meet and 5% report having to use food banks.
VetPartners, owned by £138bn private equity fund BC Partners, said it cannot afford to give the lowest paid workers at Valley Vets the real living wage of £12 an hour.
However, Unite noted that in 2023, the company reported gross profits of £553m.
Unite regional officer Paul Seppman said: “In the six years Vet Partners has owned Valley Vets, it has become synonymous with low wages and ever-increasing prices.
“The company’s decision to close the surgeries show just how much damage it is willing to inflict so it can continue to underpay and overcharge.
“It cites vet shortages but its appalling behaviour before and during the strikes has driven crucial staff away.
“Valley Vets actions have strengthened the resolve of our members and disgusted Vets Partners staff across the country.
“The British Veterinary Union is one of Unite’s fastest growing memberships. It is clear the fight against Vet Partners abhorrent business practices is not going to stop, it is going to spread.”
