-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 OGmjVtP+72zp4xgaDqKscRc/CDcwhpV7veHtQFIvVlb2Szaj+aLG21ga+Ux1j4Ti
 /JTOld6d7WjMBI43Dv+xJA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001011438-04-000116.txt : 20040423
<SEC-HEADER>0001011438-04-000116.hdr.sgml : 20040423
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040423123741
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001011438-04-000116
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040421
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040423

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			VCA ANTECH INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000817366
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	AGRICULTURE SERVICES [0700]
		IRS NUMBER:				954097995
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		12401 WEST OLYMPIC BOULEVARD
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90064-1022
		BUSINESS PHONE:		310-584-65

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		12401 WEST OLYMPIC BOULEVARD
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90064-1022

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	VETERINARY CENTERS OF AMERICA INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19940328

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CHICKERING JOHN B JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001036184

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-16783
		FILM NUMBER:		04750158

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O VCA ANTECH INC
		STREET 2:		12401 WEST OLYMPIC BOULEVARD
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90064
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(310) 571 6500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O VCA ANTECH INC
		STREET 2:		12401 WEST OLYMPIC BOULEVARD
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90064
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-04-21</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000817366</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>VCA ANTECH INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>WOOF</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001036184</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CHICKERING JOHN B JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O VCA ANTECH INC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>12401 WEST OLYMPIC BOULEVARD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LOS ANGELES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>90064</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ John B. Chickering, Jr.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-04-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----