Condensed, Consolidated Income Statements (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Revenue	$ 433,613	$ 385,135	$ 1,281,450	$ 1,116,363
Direct costs	334,432	294,998	988,283	849,616
Gross profit	99,181	90,137	293,167	266,747
Selling, general and administrative expense	37,608	32,488	115,656	85,334
Net (gain) loss on sale of assets	387	(192)	1,022	(43)
Operating income	61,186	57,841	176,489	181,456
Interest expense, net	4,295	4,222	12,746	12,816
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement Gain	0	0	(5,719)	0
Debt retirement costs	0	2,764	0	2,764
Other expense (income)	(284)	8	(639)	(1)
Income before provision for income taxes	57,175	50,847	170,101	165,877
Provision for income taxes	21,533	19,488	62,360	63,957
Net income	35,642	31,359	107,741	101,920
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,605)	(1,190)	(4,139)	(3,300)
Net income attributable to VCA Antech, Inc.	34,037	30,169	103,602	98,620
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.39	$ 0.35	$ 1.18	$ 1.14
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.38	$ 0.35	$ 1.17	$ 1.13
Weighted-average shares outstanding for basic earnings per share	87,773	86,697	87,554	86,531
Weighted-average shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share	88,654	87,253	88,589	87,293
Animal Hospital [Member]
Revenue	342,840	303,203	1,001,247	864,476
Direct costs	288,588	251,613	852,059	720,393
Gross profit	54,252	51,590	149,188	144,083
Selling, general and administrative expense	7,745	6,126	22,797	18,253
Net (gain) loss on sale of assets	(77)	(213)	316	(84)
Operating income	$ 46,584	$ 45,677	$ 126,075	$ 125,914