How is Mars expanding its footprint into the Indian vet market?

Mars Veterinary Health has bought a minority stake in Crown Vet, a veterinary services chain in India, for an undisclosed amount.

Crown Vet founder Pratapsinh Gaekwad called the investment a “significant milestone.” “My vision has always been to bring global standards of care to India,” he says. “This collaboration validates our mission.”

The transaction is set to help Crown Vet expand its operations. In a statement, the company says it would use the capital injection to expand clinics, support staff training and update equipment for its veterinary services.

For Mars, it’s another piece of a major global expansion plan that aims to double the company’s sales by 2030.

Future potential

Founded in 2016, Crown Vet has grown to run 8 veterinary centers in India, mostly in major cities like Delhi and Mumbai.

Crown may have room for significant growth as a veterinary market player in the developing nation, which also has the largest population in the world of 1.42 billion people.

Pet ownership is rising rapidly in India, causing a spike in demand for pet care. A report by Indian firm Tecnova found the country’s pet population grew from 22.1 million in 2018 to 38.5 million in 2023.

Mars expands around the world

Mars has made various strategic investments worldwide, expanding its reach and diversifying its portfolio. In the veterinary space, the company is investing heavily in global vet technology.

In 2024, Mars acquired Cerba Vet and ANTAGENE, a pair of French tech companies, and it invested in tech company VetVerifi, a vaccination records system.

As part of its expansion, Mars also aims to boost production capacity, including at a new steam-based plant in Australia and its existing facilities in France.

You can find an overview of the pet industry in India, including the latest data and trends, here.