EXHIBIT 23.1

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


The Board of Directors
VCA Antech, Inc.


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement on
Form S-3 of VCA Antech, Inc. of our report dated February 20, 2003, with respect
to the consolidated balance sheets of VCA Antech, Inc. as of December 31, 2002
and 2001, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders'
equity, cash flows and comprehensive income for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 2002, and the related financial statement
schedule, which report appears in the December 31, 2002, annual report on Form
10-K of VCA Antech, Inc and to the reference to our firm under the heading
"Experts" in the prospectus.

/s/ KPMG LLP



Los Angeles, California
August 21, 2003