Condensed, Consolidated Income Statements (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Revenue	$ 465,255	$ 438,372	$ 903,861	$ 847,837
Direct costs	350,961	337,765	692,644	653,851
Gross profit	114,294	100,607	211,217	193,986
Selling, general and administrative expense	39,023	38,997	78,869	78,048
Net (gain) loss on sale of assets	(430)	112	1,296	635
Operating income	75,701	61,498	131,052	115,303
Interest expense, net	5,658	4,364	9,965	8,451
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement Gain	0	0	0	(5,719)
Other expense (income)	(18)	(148)	(27)	(355)
Income before provision for income taxes	70,061	57,282	121,114	112,926
Provision for income taxes	26,601	21,504	45,831	40,827
Net income	43,460	35,778	75,283	72,099
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,798)	(1,458)	(3,136)	(2,534)
Net income attributable to VCA Antech, Inc.	41,662	34,320	72,147	69,565
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.47	$ 0.39	$ 0.82	$ 0.80
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.46	$ 0.39	$ 0.81	$ 0.79
Weighted-average shares outstanding for basic earnings per share	88,509	87,589	88,455	87,443
Weighted-average shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share	89,653	88,723	89,531	88,555
Animal Hospital [Member]
Revenue	365,205	342,282	705,820	658,407
Direct costs	305,092	292,902	600,508	563,471
Gross profit	60,113	49,380	105,312	94,936
Selling, general and administrative expense	8,720	7,995	17,045	15,052
Net (gain) loss on sale of assets	(160)	(112)	1,569	393
Operating income	$ 51,553	$ 41,497	$ 86,698	$ 79,491