VetThing launches in Ireland as the group marks its first anniversary

Fast-growing veterinary group expands following strong first year of growth, investment and community-building

VetThing is marking its first anniversary with the launch of VetThing Ireland, as the fast-growing veterinary group builds on a successful first year in the UK. In its first 12 months, eight new practices across 13 sites have joined VetThing, alongside significant investment in people, equipment and facilities. Now, the group is taking its vet-led approach even further with the launch of VetThing Ireland.

The operation in Ireland will be led by Kim Mohan, an experienced veterinary and healthcare leader with more than 15 years’ experience across Ireland and the UK. Kim began her career as a veterinary nurse before moving into leadership roles, giving her first-hand insight into both frontline veterinary care and the wider challenges facing veterinary teams. Her combination of clinical, operational and cultural expertise will be central to VetThing’s ambitions in Ireland.

Her vision is to build a veterinary group that puts patient welfare at its heart, gives veterinary teams the support and autonomy they need to thrive, and delivers trusted, compassionate care to every client and animal.

VetThing Ireland MD, Kim Mohan, said:

‘There is nothing quite like VetThing in Ireland and I think practice owners and their teams will really value what we have to offer. I’m looking forward to meeting as many practices as I can over the coming months and taking the first steps towards building Ireland’s first vet-led community that’s majority employee-owned – one that puts owners, animals and veterinary teams at the heart of everything it does.

‘We’ll also benefit from the strong links we have with VetThing UK and the wider Vetopia group across Europe, giving practices in Ireland access to a genuinely collaborative network while retaining the independence and individuality that makes each practice special.’

A year of growth and investment

VetThing’s first year has been defined not simply by growth, but by investment in the practices, people and technology that underpin high-quality veterinary care and building the community that makes it stand out from the crowd.

Highlights incllude:

• Eight new practices joining the group across 13 sites, with each continuing to retain its individual identity and approach while gaining access to VetThing’s support and resources.
• Investment in advanced equipment and facilities, helping clinical teams provide faster, more effective and less invasive treatment. For example, investment in an electrochemotherapy unit has enabled one VetThing practice to offer shorter, more cost-effective treatment programmes for appropriate patients.
• Investment in people and professional development, helping teams build their skills, develop their careers and deliver the highest possible standards of care.
• More than 45,000 animals treated by practices since joining VetThing, including cats, dogs, horses, rabbits, cows, parrots and even a wallaby!

VetThing CEO, Dr Ben Hanning MRCVS, commented:

“VetThing has had a fantastic first year. We’ve brought together a strong and diverse community of practices and proven that vet-led ownership and decision-making can deliver something genuinely different. Our strength is in the community we’re building together, and as we enter our second year, we will continue to focus on what matters: backing our practices to grow sustainably and achieve their ambitions - without ever losing what makes them special.

‘I’m also delighted that we can now take that approach into Ireland. This was only ever going to happen with the right person leading the team and for me that person is Kim. We've worked together before, I know how she thinks and how she leads and I wouldn't have taken this step with anyone else. Relationships are what VetThing is built on - between our practices, our teams and the people at the top - and this is a great example of that.

‘Like me, Kim has a strong foundation in both frontline clinical care and large-group veterinary operations and her balanced, modern approach to leadership is a natural fit with our values. Most importantly, she knows and understands the Irish market and I'm excited to support her as she begins to build a community around the needs of vets and their clients in Ireland.'

Building a different kind of veterinary group

VetThing is part of Vetopia – one of Europe’s fastest-growing veterinary groups with more than 200 practices across nine countries. Each VetThing practice continues to be locally run while benefitting from Vetopia’s extensive European network, advanced resources and collaborative approach that provide support but encourage autonomy. 

Dr Nick Williams, from Park House Vets, one of VetThing’s UK practices, added:

‘Joining VetThing was definitely the right choice for us. We’ve always prioritised investing in our team and our services, but with VetThing’s support we’ve been able to fast track this. Ultimately, this means better care, that’s more effective and less invasive for pets and often more cost-effective for owners too. Plus, we can better support the professional development of our fantastic team and provide them with better facilities to deliver the exemplary care they provide.’

What really sets the group apart is its unique ownership model as more than half of the company’s shares are owned by employees, an approach rarely seen in the profession. This enables vets and clinic leaders to become shareholders and directly benefit from the group’s success, while fostering long-term value, collective commitment and a sense of shared purpose across the network. 

VetThing is interested to hear from other veterinary professionals and practice owners who want to learn more about the benefits of being a member of the group and its growing network.