8-K

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                          Washington, D.C.  20549

                             _________________

                                 Form 8-K

                              CURRENT REPORT
                    PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                    THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


     Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  January 2, 1997


                    VETERINARY CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)


              Delaware                 1-10787               95-4097995
   (State or Other Jurisdiction     (Commission            (IRS Employer
         of Incorporation)          File Number)         Identification No.)


                     3420 Ocean Park Boulevard, Suite 1000
                        Santa Monica, California  90405
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

                                 (310) 392-9599
                        (Registrant's Telephone Number)

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ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS
         ____________

     Reference is made to the press release of Registrant, issued on January 6,
1996, which contains information meeting the requirements of this Item 5, and
which is incorporated herein by this reference.  A copy of this press release
is attached to this Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1.

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                                    SIGNATURES


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


January 21, 1997                 VETERINARY CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.



                              By:/s/Tomas Fuller
                                 __________________________________________  
                                   Tomas W. Fuller
                                   Chief Financial Officer, 
                                   Vice President and 
                                   Assistant Secretary

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                                 EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBITS                                                            PAGE NUMBER


99.1      Press Release dated January 6, 1997.                   

EX-99.1

HEADLINE:  Veterinary Centers of America Inc. Acquires Partner's Minority Stake
in Vet Research Labs

DATELINE: SANTA MONICA, Calif.

BODY:  January 6, 1997--Veterinary Centers of America Inc. (NMS:VCAI)  today
announced that it has exercised its option to purchase its partner's remaining
interest in Vet Research Labs, a joint venture which operates veterinary
laboratories located in New York, Florida and Georgia.  The option was granted
to VCA in March 1995 in connection with VCA's acquisition of a controlling
interest in Vet Research Labs.  VCA has managed the joint venture since that
time.  Rob and Bruce Schneider, the former owners of Vet Research Labs, will
continue to serve in the capacities of  Vice President and President,
respectively, of Vet Research Labs under employment agreements entered into in
connection with VCA's acquisition of its original interest in the venture.  

     Bob Antin, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of
VCA, said, "Since we acquired our joint venture interest in Vet Research in
March 1995, Vet Research has contributed significantly to our laboratory
operations as well as to our overall growth strategy.  As a result of this
acquisition, our results of operations will reflect 100% of the profits of Vet
Research from the date of acquisition on January 2, 1997.  Through our
continuing relationship with Rob and Bruce Schneider, we will continue to
provide the high quality of service to our customers for which Vet Research
Labs is known."

     VCA owns and operates a nationwide network of veterinary hospitals and
veterinary laboratories.  The company currently provides goods and services to
approximately 9,000 animal hospitals nationwide.  In addition, VCA is a partner
of Vets Choice, a joint venture with Heinz Pet Products, an affiliate of H.J.
Heinz Co. (NYSE:HNZ), which markets and distributes a complete line of
specialty pet foods.

CONTACT:  Veterinary Centers of America Inc.
          Bob Antin or Tom Fuller, 310/392-9599