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Competition and Markets Authority investigation

On 22 September, the CMA published its Final Orders bringing its two-and-a-half-year investigation into UK听veterinary services for听household听pets听to an end. Throughout the investigation,听we鈥檝e听worked听tirelessly听to ensure the CMA understands the complexity and nuances of the veterinary landscape, challenged the CMA when we felt it was getting it wrong. The result was听a final package of remedies that is more proportionate, workable and fairer for both vets and clients. This includes a听significantly amended client notice on medicines and prescriptions following which was a particular concern for our members and the wider profession.

You can find听the latest information听on the investigation, FAQs to keep you up to date听and a range of handy resources to support you to adapt to the CMA鈥檚 Final Orders.

Latest updates

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published their Final Orders - learn more here.

We have also published our Impact Report, so you can see how听your 趣夜app membership influenced the outcome of the CMA investigation. Learn more and download the report here.

Get ready, get compliant

We鈥檝e designed our resources to help you understand and adapt to the CMA鈥檚 Final Orders. Below, you鈥檒l find guidance for both individual vets and veterinary businesses, with practical tools and information to help you navigate the changes.

Please note, these resources are 趣夜app member exclusive. If you would like full access to these resources, you can join 趣夜app here.

How to manage unfair and abusive reviews online Image

How to manage unfair and abusive reviews online

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Transparency and client choice guidance Image

Transparency and client choice guidance

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In the news

Throughout the investigation, 趣夜app鈥檚 senior vet team has been speaking to national and regional media outlets across to UK combatting misconceptions and setting the record straight about the cost of vet care and the motivations of vets. This includes BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 4 Today, and BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast, Sky News and ITV News, to name just a few.

#InSafeHands campaign听

Vets and vet teams鈥痗are deeply about animal welfare and take pride in delivering highly skilled care for patients and clients. However, recent media and social media coverage has seen high levels of criticism unfairly levelled towards veterinary professionals. Our #InSafeHands campaign is changing the narrative by showing the public the realities of the incredible work vets deliver daily鈥痶o help animal health and welfare.

Find out how you can get involved
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FAQs

The Competition and Markets Authority is the principal competition regulator in the UK. It is a non-ministerial government department responsible for strengthening business competition and preventing and reducing anti-competitive activities.鈥�

The CMA launched听an initial听review looking at consumer experiences and business practices in the provision of veterinary services for household pets in the UK in September 2023. The review explored how well the market is working for pet owners, including whether they are receiving the information they need at the right time to get鈥痑ppropriate treatment听for their pets.

On 23 May 2024, the CMA launched a formal 'market investigation' to explore the factors which might be affecting competition in more depth.听Following more than two years of evidence gathering and consultation, the CMA concluded its investigation publishing its final decision report on 25 March 2026.听

The remedies aim to address the factors in the veterinary market which the CMA found to have an adverse effect on competition. The remedies cover:

  • Providing information on ownership, prices and services
  • Providing information on policies and treatments
  • Handling complaints
  • Prescribing veterinary medicines
  • Offering cremation services
  • OOH contracts

听A full list of the CMA鈥檚 remedies can be found听.听

The CMA鈥檚 remedies package is being introduced by Orders placing requirements on veterinary businesses, alongside Undertakings from the RCVS.

The Funding Order and RCVS Undertakings were published in August 2026. The Funding Order requires in scope veterinary businesses to pay a fee to RCVS to fund monitoring activities. The details are available .

The Substantive Order and Undertakings were published in September 2026. The Substantive Order includes details of the standardised materials (posters and flyers) which in scope veterinary businesses will be required to display in waiting rooms. The details are available .

The remedies will be introduced in phases, with full implementation complete by September 2027. Smaller businesses have longer to comply with the remedies than larger businesses.听

For more information on how to ensure compliance with the remedies, take a look at our handy downloadable resource.

Standing up for our members

趣夜app have been championing vets throughout the CMA process, over the last two years.

You can find all of our responses and activity here:听