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Nature of Operations	6 Months Ended
Nature of Operations	Jun. 30, 2011
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation [Abstract]
Nature of Operations	1. Nature of Operations Our company, VCA Antech, Inc. (“VCA”) is a Delaware corporation formed in 1986 and is based in Los Angeles, California. We are an animal healthcare company with three strategic segments: animal hospitals (“Animal Hospital”), veterinary diagnostic laboratories (“Laboratory”) and veterinary medical technology (“Medical Technology”). Our animal hospitals offer a full range of general medical and surgical services for companion animals. Our animal hospitals treat diseases and injuries, provide pharmaceutical products and perform a variety of pet-wellness programs, including health examinations, diagnostic testing, vaccinations, spaying, neutering and dental care. At June 30, 2011, we operated 530 animal hospitals throughout 41 states. We operate a full-service veterinary diagnostic laboratory network serving all 50 states and certain areas in Canada. Our laboratory network provides sophisticated testing and consulting services used by veterinarians in the detection, diagnosis, evaluation, monitoring, treatment and prevention of diseases and other conditions affecting animals. At June 30, 2011, we operated 52 laboratories of various sizes located strategically throughout the United States and Canada. Our Medical Technology segment sells digital radiography and ultrasound imaging equipment, provides education and training on the use of that equipment, provides consulting and mobile imaging services, and sells software and ancillary services to the veterinary market.