Tractor Supply expands footprint with mobile vet care provider acquisition

The American retailer Tractor Supply is expanding its veterinary care business through the acquisition of VIP Petcare, a mobile veterinary care provider, from pet health company PetIQ. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Operating under the VIP Petcare and PetVet brands, the firm is the largest provider of mobile veterinary care in the US, running community clinics at approximately 2,700 retail locations through partnership agreements, and serving more than 1 million pets annually. Its network includes 1,700 Tractor Supply stores.

The company’s 90-minute clinics provide services including vaccinations, diagnostic testing, flea, tick and heartworm prevention, deworming and microchipping.

Hal Lawton, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tractor Supply Company, says the acquisition will strengthen the company’s pet care ecosystem by integrating VIP Petcare’s veterinary services with its retail network, Neighbor’s Club loyalty program and Allivet’s digital pharmacy platform. 

“We are creating meaningful opportunities to further leverage our pet care portfolio through a differentiated omnichannel offering.”

Company background

PetIQ manufactures and distributes a portfolio of over-the-counter (OTC) pet medications and wellness products, including PetArmor, Capstar, Nexstar, Minties, VetIQ and Rocco & Roxie. 

Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Idaho, the firm operates manufacturing and distribution facilities in Nebraska, Utah and Florida. PetIQ was acquired by New York-based private investment firm Bansk Group in 2024 for $1.5 billion (€1.37B).

Tractor Supply, headquartered in Tennessee, is a rural lifestyle retailer that offers products ranging from pet food and supplies to home and garden equipment, poultry products, sporting goods and clothing. As of March 2026, the company operated more than 2,400 stores across 49 states.

Pet health footprint

Tractor Supply is already active in the veterinary segment through Petsense by Tractor Supply, its pet specialty retail chain that offers in-store veterinary services on a weekly or monthly basis. Petsense currently operates 206 stores across 23 states.

Each Petsense location spans approximately 5,000 to 6,000 sq ft and carries between 5,000 and 7,000 SKUs.

The retailer also operates Allivet, an online pet and animal pharmacy acquired in October 2024. Allivet is licensed in all US states and operates 3 distribution centers.

US veterinary care market

According to the latest data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the animal care services industry employed 439,400 people in 2024. 

The sector has also seen increased merger and acquisition activity this year. On 8 April, Chewy acquired Modern Animal, a tech-focused veterinary platform that operates 29 clinics and offers 24/7 virtual care. 

According to the online pet retailer, the acquisition is part of its strategy to build a fully integrated pet healthcare ecosystem combining care, commerce and services.

In February, animal health company Covetrus merged with MWI Animal Health, the animal health division of pharmaceutical solutions company Cencora.