EXHIBIT 99.1

                       PRESS RELEASE DATED OCTOBER 4, 2004

                                VCA ANTECH, INC.
                            ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF
                            SOUND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.


     LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, OCTOBER 4, 2004 - VCA ANTECH, INC. (NASDAQ NM
SYMBOL: WOOF), a leading animal health care company in the United States, and
Sound Technologies, Inc. today announced the consummation of a merger pursuant
to which VCA Antech acquired Sound Technologies, Inc., the nation's largest
supplier of ultrasound and digital radiology equipment to the veterinary market.

     Bob Antin, Chairman and CEO of VCA Antech, stated, "We are excited about
the merger of VCA Antech and Sound Technologies, Inc. and the opportunity to
expand the diagnostic capabilities in our VCA animal hospitals as well as the
advanced diagnostic capabilities in Antech Diagnostics. Sound Technologies will
provide us with the leadership position in the ultrasound business as well as
the in the young, but rapidly growing, digital radiology business."

     Kevin Wilson, CEO of Sound Technologies, stated, "Our vision for creating
the most effective and complete diagnostic solutions is more fully realized by
joining the VCA Antech family. As growing numbers of veterinarians implement
digital imaging diagnostics through Sound Technologies, our team continually
seeks new advances, complementary services, and greater resources to further
innovation. The merger of Sound Technologies and VCA Antech provides these key
ingredients. Sound Technologies is pleased to be a part of this exciting new
chapter in veterinary diagnostic imaging and testing as these capabilities
become fully accessible to every veterinarian in the coming years."

     Bob Antin continued, "We view the combination as the natural extension of
our goal to provide all of our clients with the highest level of diagnostics in
the veterinary profession. With the merger of two strong management teams we
expect that Sound Technologies will continue to advance its leadership position
in the market with over 1,500 ultrasound, digital radiography, PACS, and
telemedicine customers."

     VCA Antech believes that the merger will be accretive to net income and
diluted earnings per share in 2005. A positive impact of approximately one cent
per diluted earnings per share, in 2005, is expected. No material impact is
expected in the fourth quarter of 2004.

     Details of the financial terms of the merger were not disclosed.

     Statements contained in this release that are not based on historical
information are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.
Actual results may vary substantially as a result of a variety of factors. Among
the important factors that could cause actual results to differ are the level of
direct costs and the ability of the Company to maintain revenue at a level
necessary to maintain expected operating margins, the level of selling, general
and administrative costs, the





effects of competition, the efficient integration of the Company's acquisitions,
the effects of the Company's recent acquisitions and its ability to effectively
manage its growth, the ability of the Company to service its debt, the continued
implementation of its management information systems, pending litigation and
governmental investigations, general economic conditions, and the results of the
Company's acquisition program. These and other risk factors are discussed in the
Company's recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K
and the reader is directed to these statements for a further discussion of
important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those in the forward-looking statements.

     VCA Antech owns, operates and manages the largest networks of freestanding
veterinary hospitals and veterinary-exclusive clinical laboratories in the
country.

     Media contact: Tom Fuller, Chief Financial Officer
                    (310) 571-6505