Condensed, Consolidated Income Statements (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Condensed, Consolidated Income Statements [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 376,105	$ 353,919	$ 731,228	$ 684,653
Direct costs	279,273	260,435	554,618	508,374
Gross profit	96,832	93,484	176,610	176,279
Selling, general and administrative expense	26,663	41,045	52,846	67,185
Net loss (gain) on sale of assets	60	(14)	149	11
Operating income	70,109	52,453	123,615	109,083
Interest expense, net	4,575	2,778	8,594	5,945
Other income	(67)	(335)	(9)	(310)
Income before provision for income taxes	65,601	50,010	115,030	103,448
Provision for income taxes	25,536	19,493	44,469	39,999
Net income	40,065	30,517	70,561	63,449
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	453	1,113	2,110	2,110
Net income attributable to VCA Antech, Inc.	$ 39,612	$ 29,404	$ 68,451	$ 61,339
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.46	$ 0.34	$ 0.79	$ 0.71
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.45	$ 0.34	$ 0.78	$ 0.70
Weighted-average shares outstanding for basic earnings per share	86,535	86,041	86,445	85,933
Weighted-average shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share	87,304	87,178	87,303	87,069