Sell or Buy a Veterinary Practice in Illinois

Your complete guide to veterinary practice transactions. Valuations, licensing, and client file considerations.

Illinois Veterinary Practice Market

$650K
Avg. Sale Price
3.0-5.0x
SDE Multiple
5.0-8.0x
EBITDA Multiple
3,200+
IL Veterinary Practices

Veterinary Practice Overview

Illinois veterinary practices serve pet owners and animal owners with medical care, preventive services, and emergency treatment. The industry benefits from strong pet ownership trends and increasing spending on pet healthcare.

Veterinary practices benefit from recurring wellness visits, loyal client relationships, and growing demand for specialty services. Success depends on client retention, service mix, and staff quality.

Veterinary Practice Valuation

Practice TypeMultiple RangeBasis
Small Animal3.0x - 5.0xSDE
Mixed Practice2.5x - 4.0xSDE
Emergency/Specialty4.0x - 6.0xSDE
Large Animal/Equine2.0x - 3.5xSDE

Key Valuation Factors

  • Active clients: Number of active patient files and retention
  • Revenue per client: Average transaction value and visits
  • Service mix: Wellness, surgery, dental, specialty services
  • Staff quality: Veterinarians and technicians willing to stay
  • Facility: Equipment, location, and capacity

Selling a Veterinary Practice

Key Selling Considerations

  • Client files: Active patient count and medical records
  • License documentation: DEA, state veterinary, and controlled substance licenses
  • Equipment inventory: Medical equipment, diagnostic tools, surgical equipment
  • Staff retention: Veterinarians and technicians committed to staying
  • Transition planning: Client introduction and handoff period

Illinois Regulatory Compliance

  • Illinois Veterinary License (IDFPR)
  • DEA Registration (controlled substances)
  • Illinois Controlled Substances License
  • Facility registration and inspection
  • Radiation safety compliance (if applicable)
  • Medical records retention requirements

Buying a Veterinary Practice

Key Buying Considerations

  • License requirements: Illinois veterinary license and DEA registration
  • Client file verification: Active patient count and trends
  • Equipment assessment: Age and condition of medical equipment
  • Staff interviews: Meet veterinarians and key staff
  • Transition support: Seller involvement during transition

Veterinary Practice Types

🐕 Small Animal

Dogs, cats, and small pets.

🐴 Large Animal

Horses, cattle, livestock.

🏥 Emergency

24/7 emergency care.

🔬 Specialty

Surgery, oncology, cardiology.

🐾 Mixed Practice

Small and large animal combined.

🐦 Exotic

Birds, reptiles, exotic pets.

Ready to Buy or Sell a Veterinary Practice?

Get expert guidance for your Illinois veterinary practice transaction.