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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 500hgdhTJa+3l++IeDeZEA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-04-038699.txt : 20040804
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-04-038699.hdr.sgml : 20040804
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040804182159
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-04-038699
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040802
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040804

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BAUMER JOHN M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001243584

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-16783
		FILM NUMBER:		04952761

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		11111SANTA MONICA BLVD
		STREET 2:		STE 2000
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90025

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
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd49585.xml
<DESCRIPTION>VCA ANTECH AUGUST 2004
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-08-02</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001243584</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BAUMER JOHN M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>11111 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD, SUITE 2000</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LOS ANGELES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>90025</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-08-02</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3256937</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>40.55</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>140000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Note (1)</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Green Equity Investors III, L.P. (&quot;GEI III&quot;) and Green Equity Investors Side III, L.P. (&quot;GEI Side III&quot;) are the direct owners of 140,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share of the Issuer (the &quot;Shares&quot;). Mr. Baumer directly (whether through ownership or position) or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, may be deemed for purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to have shared beneficial ownership of the Shares owned by GEI III and GEI Side III. Mr. Baumer disclaims beneficial ownership of the Shares reported herein except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein and this report shall not be deemed an admission that he is the beneficial owner of such securities for purposes of Section 16 or for any other purpose.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>John M. Baumer</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-08-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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