10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

___________________________________________________ 

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014

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

Commission File Number: 001-16783

___________________________________________________ 

VCA Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	95-4097995
(State or other jurisdiction of	(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)	Identification No.)

12401 West Olympic Boulevard

Los Angeles, California 90064-1022

(Address of principal executive offices)

(310) 571-6500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [  ].

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes [X] No [  ].

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.:

Large accelerated filer [X]	Accelerated filer [  ]
Non-accelerated filer [  ]	Smaller reporting company [  ]
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [  ] No [X].

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: common stock, $0.001 par value, 84,124,955 shares as of November 3, 2014.

VCA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Form 10-Q

September 30, 2014

Table of Contents

Part I.	Financial Information	Page Number
Item 1.	Financial Statements (Unaudited)
	Condensed, Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013	1
	Condensed, Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013	2
	Condensed, Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013	3
	Condensed, Consolidated Statements of Equity for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013	4
	Condensed, Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013	5
	Notes to Condensed, Consolidated Financial Statements	7
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	25
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	48
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	48
Part II.	Other Information
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	49
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	50
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	50
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	51
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	51
Item 5.	Other Information	51
Item 6.	Exhibits	51
	Signature	52
	Exhibit Index	53

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

VCA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed, Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except par value)

	September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	126,507		$	125,029
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for uncollectible accounts of $18,292 and $17,702 at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	65,603			59,900
Inventory	50,325			55,067
Prepaid expenses and other	32,830			25,417
Deferred income taxes	28,921			28,907
Prepaid income taxes	—			15,434
Total current assets	304,186			309,754
Property and equipment, net	450,617			448,366
Goodwill	1,368,230			1,330,917
Other intangible assets, net	78,611			86,671
Notes receivable	3,016			3,454
Deferred financing costs, net	8,308			2,987
Other	59,517			55,632
Total assets	$	2,272,485		$	2,237,781
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	$	11,687		$	51,087
Accounts payable	38,858			36,962
Accrued payroll and related liabilities	72,221			57,337
Income tax payable	3,078			—
Other accrued liabilities	64,414			58,762
Total current liabilities	190,258			204,148
Long-term debt, less current portion	648,723			568,558
Deferred income taxes	90,428			100,099
Other liabilities	35,811			36,758
Total liabilities	965,220			909,563
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	11,014			10,678
Preferred stock, par value $0.001, 11,000 shares authorized, none outstanding	—			—
VCA Inc. stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, par value $0.001, 175,000 shares authorized, 85,292 and 88,508 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	85			89
Additional paid-in capital	261,812			384,721
Retained earnings	1,035,799			928,720
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(12,581		)	(6,190		)
Total VCA Inc. stockholders’ equity	1,285,115			1,307,340
Noncontrolling interests	11,136			10,200
Total equity	1,296,251			1,317,540
Total liabilities and equity	$	2,272,485		$	2,237,781

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed, consolidated financial statements.

1

VCA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed, Consolidated Income Statements

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014		2013			2014			2013
Revenue	$	499,577	$	464,055		$	1,438,556		$	1,367,916
Direct costs	375,820		353,378			1,092,933			1,046,022
Gross profit	123,757		110,677			345,623			321,894
Selling, general and administrative expense	42,792		38,747			124,163			117,616
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	27,019		—			27,019			—
Net loss (gain) on sale or disposal of assets	470		(109		)	(173		)	1,187
Operating income	53,476		72,039			194,614			203,091
Interest expense, net	4,367		4,474			12,564			14,439
Debt retirement costs	1,709		—			1,709			—
Other expense (income)	188		(86		)	178			(113		)
Income before provision for income taxes	47,212		67,651			180,163			188,765
Provision for income taxes	18,261		25,740			69,389			71,571
Net income	28,951		41,911			110,774			117,194
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,499		1,264			3,695			4,400
Net income attributable to VCA Inc.	$	27,452	$	40,647		$	107,079		$	112,794
Basic earnings per share	$	0.32	$	0.46		$	1.22		$	1.27
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.31	$	0.45		$	1.21		$	1.26
Weighted-average shares outstanding for basic earnings per share	86,274		88,834			87,543			88,583
Weighted-average shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share	87,360		89,845			88,665			89,659

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed, consolidated financial statements.

2

VCA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed, Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013		2014			2013
Net income(1)	$	28,951		$	41,911	$	110,774		$	117,194
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(6,207		)	2,633		(6,919		)	(3,708		)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(6,207		)	2,633		(6,919		)	(3,708		)
Total comprehensive income	22,744			44,544		103,855			113,486
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests(1)	1,021			1,264		3,167			4,400
Comprehensive income attributable to VCA Inc.	$	21,723		$	43,280	$	100,688		$	109,086

 ____________________________

⁽¹⁾  Includes approximately $1.9 million and $2.6 million of net income related to redeemable and mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests combined for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed, consolidated financial statements.

3

VCA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed, Consolidated Statements of Equity

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

	Common Stock					Additional Paid-In Capital			Retained Earnings		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Noncontrolling Interests			Total
	Shares		Amount
Balances, December 31, 2012	88,372		$	88		$	390,359		$	791,209	$	1,847		$	10,890		$	1,194,393
Net income (excludes $1,152 and $1,475 related to redeemable and mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests, respectively).	—		—			—			112,794		—			1,773			114,567
Other comprehensive loss	—		—			—			—		(3,708		)	—			(3,708		)
Formation of noncontrolling interests	—		—			—			—		—			1,806			1,806
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	—		—			—			—		—			(1,175		)	(1,175		)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests	—		—			(976		)	—		—			(4,309		)	(5,285		)
Share-based compensation	—		—			10,340			—		—			—			10,340
Issuance of common stock under stock incentive plans	1,313		1			15,110			—		—			—			15,111
Stock repurchases	(737	)	—			(19,384		)	—		—			—			(19,384		)
Excess tax benefit from stock options	—		—			2,654			—		—			—			2,654
Tax benefit and other from stock options and awards	—		—			(4		)	—		—			—			(4		)
Other	—		—			—			—		—			163			163
Balances, September 30, 2013	88,948		89			398,099			904,003		(1,861		)	9,148			1,309,478
Balances, December 31, 2013	88,508		$	89		$	384,721		$	928,720	$	(6,190	)	$	10,200		$	1,317,540
Net income (excludes $723 and $1,172 related to redeemable and mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests, respectively).	—		—			—			107,079		—			1,800			108,879
Other comprehensive loss (excludes $358 related to mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests).	—		—			—			—		(6,391		)	(170		)	(6,561		)
Formation of noncontrolling interests	—		—			—			—		—			933			933
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	—		—			—			—		—			(1,627		)	(1,627		)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests	—		—			29			—		—			—			29
Share-based compensation	—		—			12,234			—		—			—			12,234
Issuance of common stock under stock incentive plans	614		—			926			—		—			—			926
Stock repurchases	(3,830	)	(4		)	(139,906		)	—		—			—			(139,910		)
Excess tax benefit from stock options	—		—			3,808			—		—			—			3,808
Balances, September 30, 2014	85,292		$	85		$	261,812		$	1,035,799	$	(12,581	)	$	11,136		$	1,296,251

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed, consolidated financial statements.

4

VCA Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed, Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (In thousands)
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	110,774		$	117,194
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	27,019			—
Depreciation and amortization	59,659			57,783
Amortization of debt issue costs	957			937
Provision for uncollectible accounts	4,388			5,380
Debt retirement costs	1,709			—
Net (gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets	(173		)	1,187
Share-based compensation	12,234			10,340
Deferred income taxes	—			2,868
Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options	(3,808		)	(2,654		)
Other	381			(251		)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable	(9,678		)	(9,986		)
Inventory, prepaid expense and other assets	(8,233		)	(1,634		)
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	2,920			4,941
Accrued payroll and related liabilities	14,761			11,408
Income taxes	12,137			21,492
Net cash provided by operating activities	225,047			219,005
Cash flows from investing activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(62,122		)	(39,640		)
Real estate acquired in connection with business acquisitions	(3,293		)	(1,208		)
Capital expenditures	(50,093		)	(52,682		)
Proceeds from sale or disposal of assets	4,464			905
Other	(202		)	(1,738		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(111,246		)	(94,363		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of debt	(563,976		)	(28,507		)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	600,000			—
Payment of financing costs	(7,987		)	—
Distributions to noncontrolling interest partners	(3,577		)	(3,324		)
Purchase of existing noncontrolling interests	(326		)	(5,727		)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under stock option plans	926			15,111
Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options	3,808			2,654
Repurchase of common stock	(139,910		)	(19,384		)
Other	(838		)	(160		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(111,880		)	(39,337		)
Effect of currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(443		)	(566		)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	1,478			84,739
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	125,029			68,435
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	126,507		$	153,174

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed, consolidated financial statements.

5

VCA Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed, Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Continued (Unaudited) (In thousands)
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid	$	10,633		$	9,487
Income taxes paid	$	57,108		$	47,305
Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and financing activities:
Detail of acquisitions:
Fair value of assets acquired	$	76,686		$	58,825
Fair value of pre-existing investment	(2,014		)	—
Noncontrolling interest	(1,705		)	(5,406		)
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of acquired cash	(62,122		)	(39,640		)
Assumed debt	(4,483		)	(2,360		)
Contingent consideration	(2,531		)	(1,120		)
Holdbacks	(2,900		)	(892		)
Other liabilities assumed	$	931		$	9,407
Other noncash items:
Capital lease additions	$	—		$	21,668

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed, consolidated financial statements.

6

VCA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed, Consolidated Financial Statements

September 30, 2014

(Unaudited)

1. Nature of Operations

Our company, VCA Inc. (“VCA”) is a Delaware corporation formed in 1986 and is based in Los Angeles, California. We are an animal healthcare company with the following five operating segments: animal hospitals (“Animal Hospital”), veterinary diagnostic laboratories (“Laboratory”), veterinary medical technology (“Medical Technology”), Vetstreet, and Camp Bow Wow Franchising, Inc. (f/k/a D.O.G. Enterprises, LLC) ("Camp Bow Wow"). Our operating segments are aggregated into two reportable segments “Animal Hospital” and “Laboratory.” Our Medical Technology, Vetstreet and Camp Bow Wow operating segments are combined in our “All Other” category. See Footnote 9, “Lines of Business”within these notes to unaudited condensed, consolidated financial statements.

Our animal hospitals offer a full range of general medical and surgical services for companion animals. Our animal hospitals treat diseases and injuries, provide pharmaceutical products and perform a variety of pet-wellness programs, including health examinations, diagnostic testing, vaccinations, spaying, neutering and dental care. At September 30, 2014, we operated or managed 622 animal hospitals throughout 41 states and four Canadian provinces.

We operate a full-service veterinary diagnostic laboratory network serving all 50 states and certain areas in Canada. Our laboratory network provides sophisticated testing and consulting services used by veterinarians in the detection, diagnosis, evaluation, monitoring, treatment and prevention of diseases and other conditions affecting animals. At September 30, 2014, we operated 59 laboratories of various sizes located strategically throughout the United States and Canada.

Our Medical Technology business sells digital radiography and ultrasound imaging equipment, provides education and training on the use of that equipment, provides consulting and mobile imaging services, and sells software and ancillary services to the veterinary market.

Our Vetstreet business provides several different services to the veterinary community including, online communications, professional education, marketing solutions and a home delivery platform for independent animal hospitals.

Our Camp Bow Wow business operates and franchises a premier provider of pet services including dog day care, overnight boarding, grooming and other ancillary services at specially designed pet care facilities, principally under the trademark Camp Bow Wow^®.  As of September 30, 2014, there were 125 Camp Bow Wow® franchise locations operating in 37 states and one Canadian province. 

The practice of veterinary medicine is subject to seasonal fluctuation. In particular, demand for veterinary services is significantly higher during the warmer months because pets spend a greater amount of time outdoors where they are more likely to be injured and are more susceptible to disease and parasites. In addition, use of veterinary services may be affected by levels of flea infestation, heartworms and ticks, and the number of daylight hours.

2. Basis of Presentation

Our accompanying unaudited, condensed, consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the disclosures required by GAAP for annual financial statements as permitted under applicable rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, all normal recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2014. For further information, refer to our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The preparation of our condensed, consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our condensed, consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

7

VCA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed, Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

September 30, 2014

(Unaudited)

3. Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets

Goodwill

The following table presents the changes in the carrying amount of our goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 (in thousands):

	Animal Hospital			Laboratory			All Other			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2013
Goodwill	$	1,216,581		$	96,871		$	138,276		$	1,451,728
Accumulated impairment losses	—			—			(120,811		)	(120,811		)
Subtotal	1,216,581			96,871			17,465			1,330,917
Goodwill acquired	46,475			27			6,669			53,171
Goodwill impairment	—			—			(9,246		)	(9,246		)
Foreign translation adjustment	(5,176		)	(28		)	—			(5,204		)
Other (1)	(1,408		)	—			—			(1,408		)
Balance as of September 30, 2014
Goodwill	1,256,472			96,870			144,945			1,498,287
Accumulated impairment losses	—			—			(130,057		)	(130,057		)
Subtotal	$	1,256,472		$	96,870		$	14,888		$	1,368,230

 ____________________________

⁽¹⁾  "Other" primarily includes immaterial measurement period adjustments and an immaterial write-off related to the sale of an animal hospital.

Vetstreet Goodwill Impairment Charge

Impairment testing for goodwill is performed at least annually at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment (also known as a component). We perform our annual impairment test as of October 31st. Goodwill is also tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value.

With respect to our Vetstreet reporting unit, during 2013 we established a Fiscal 2014 Operating and Financial Performance - Turnaround Plan. The Plan anticipated the launch of numerous product enhancements designed to restore our competitive advantage in the marketplace. Although certain of these product enhancements were delivered in a timely fashion, others were not. In addition, increasing competition created the need for additional product enhancements to those already planned. Given the less than anticipated impact of new product offerings combined with the the impact of increased competition, we determined that a triggering event had occurred with respect to goodwill and long-lived assets of our Vetstreet reporting unit. Accordingly, we established revised multi-year projections and performed an interim test of Vetstreet’s recorded goodwill and long-lived assets for impairment in the third quarter of 2014, prior to our annual October 31, 2014 test. As a result of our review, we determined that goodwill related to our Vetstreet reporting unit was impaired.

The impairment test for goodwill uses a two-step approach. Step one compares the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value including goodwill. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, there is a potential impairment and step two must be performed. Step two compares the carrying value of the reporting unit's goodwill to its implied fair value (i.e., the fair value of the reporting unit less the fair value of the unit's assets and liabilities, including identifiable intangible assets). If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, the excess is recorded as an impairment.

8

VCA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed, Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

September 30, 2014

(Unaudited)

3. Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets, continued

We calculate the implied fair value of the reporting unit utilizing the income approach. The income approach is based on a discounted cash flow analysis and calculates the fair value of the reporting unit by estimating the after-tax cash flows attributable to the reporting unit and then discounting the after-tax cash flows to a present value, using a weighted average cost of capital ("WACC"). The WACC utilized in our analysis using the income approach was 14.0%. The WACC is an estimate of the overall after-tax rate of return required for equity and debt holders of a business enterprise. The reporting unit's cost of equity and debt was developed based on data and factors relevant to the economy, the industry and the reporting unit. The cost of equity was estimated using the capital asset pricing model ("CAPM"). The CAPM uses a risk-free rate of return and an appropriate market risk premium for equity investments and the specific risks of the investment. The analysis also included comparisons to a group of guideline companies engaged in the same or similar businesses. The cost of debt was estimated using the current after-tax average borrowing cost that a market participant would expect to pay to obtain its debt financing assuming a target capital structure.

Based on the above analysis, it was determined that the carrying value of the Vetstreet reporting unit including goodwill exceeded the fair value of the reporting unit, requiring us to perform step two of the goodwill impairment test to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any.

In performing step two of the goodwill impairment test, we compared the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill to its carrying value. As the carrying value of Vetstreet's goodwill exceeded its implied fair value we recognized a non-cash, goodwill impairment charge of $9.2 million, representing the entire balance of Vetstreet's goodwill. The impairment charge was recognized during the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

The fair value estimates used in the goodwill impairment analysis required significant judgment. The Company's fair value estimates for purposes of determining the goodwill impairment charge are considered Level 3 fair value measurements.

Other Intangible Assets

Our acquisition related amortizable intangible assets at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):

	As of September 30, 2014							As of December 31, 2013
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
Non-contractual customer relationships	$	98,904	$	(50,033	)	$	48,871	$	109,842	$	(41,895	)	$	67,947
Covenants not-to-compete	9,170		(4,383		)	4,787		8,843		(4,661		)	4,182
Favorable lease assets	9,591		(4,844		)	4,747		7,458		(4,373		)	3,085
Trademarks	13,104		(4,608		)	8,496		13,115		(4,194		)	8,921
Contracts	460		(363		)	97		608		(305		)	303
Technology	2,913		(1,613		)	1,300		5,240		(3,015		)	2,225
Client lists	—		—			—		50		(42		)	8
Franchise rights	10,400		(87		)	10,313		—		—			—
Total	$	144,542	$	(65,931	)	$	78,611	$	145,156	$	(58,485	)	$	86,671

9

VCA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed, Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

September 30, 2014

(Unaudited)

3. Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets, continued

The recoverability of the carrying values of all fixed assets and intangible assets with finite lives are re-evaluated when events or changes in circumstances indicate an asset's value may be impaired. We perform a quarterly review of fixed assets and identified intangible assets to determine if facts and circumstances indicate that the useful life is shorter than we had originally estimated or that the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable. If such facts and circumstances exist, we assess recoverability by comparing the projected undiscounted net cash flows associated with the related asset or group of assets over their remaining lives against their respective carrying amounts. Impairments, if any, are based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of those assets. If the useful life is shorter than originally estimated, we accelerate the rate of amortization and amortize the remaining carrying value over the new shorter useful life.

We recorded a $13.1 million intangible asset impairment charge related to non-contractual customer relationships, technology, trademarks and contracts related to our above noted interim impairment test of Vetstreet. We also recorded a fixed asset impairment of $4.7 million. Our determination during interim testing that the fair value of the intangible assets was less than carrying value was based upon changes in our estimate of forecasted cash flows. The fair values of the impaired intangibles were calculated utilizing valuation methods consisting primarily of discounted cash flow techniques, and market comparables, where applicable. The impairment charges are included under the caption "Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets" in our consolidated income statement.

The following table summarizes our aggregate amortization expense related to acquisition related intangible assets (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Aggregate amortization expense	$	5,231	$	5,588	$	15,605	$	16,153

The estimated amortization expense related to acquisition related intangible assets for the remainder of 2014 and each of the succeeding years thereafter, as of September 30, 2014, is as follows (in thousands):

Definite-lived intangible assets:
Remainder of 2014	$	5,147
2015	19,232
2016	16,321
2017	10,114
2018	6,677
Thereafter	20,250
Total	$	77,741
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Trademarks	870
Total intangible assets	$	78,611

10

VCA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed, Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

September 30, 2014

(Unaudited)

4. Acquisitions

The table below reflects the activity related to the acquisitions and dispositions of our animal hospitals and laboratories during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014		2013
Animal Hospitals:
Acquisitions	23		14
Acquisitions, merged	(4	)	(2	)
Sold, closed or merged	(6	)	(15	)
Net increase (decrease)	13		(3	)
Laboratories:
Acquisitions	—		1
Created	3		—
Net increase	3		1

Animal Hospital Acquisitions

The purchase price allocations for the acquisitions in the table below are preliminary. However, adjustments, if any, are not expected to be material. The measurement periods for purchase price allocations do not exceed 12 months from the acquisition date. The following table summarizes the aggregate consideration for our independent animal hospitals acquired during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, (in thousands):

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013
Consideration:
Cash, net of cash acquired	$	46,948		$	39,640
Assumed debt	4,160			2,360
Holdbacks	1,400			892
Earn-out contingent consideration	721			1,120
Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	53,229		$	44,012
Allocation of the Purchase Price:
Tangible assets	$	2,317		$	13,494
Identifiable intangible assets	8,176			12,774
Goodwill (1)	46,502			32,557
Other liabilities assumed	(47		)	(9,407		)
Fair value of assets acquired	$	56,948		$	49,418
Noncontrolling interest	(1,705		)	(5,406		)
Fair value of pre-existing investment	(2,014		)	—
Total	$	53,229		$	44,012

____________________________

11

VCA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed, Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

September 30, 2014

(Unaudited)

4. Acquisitions, continued

⁽¹⁾   We expect that $36.6 million and $12.9 million of the goodwill recorded for these acquisitions, as of September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, will be fully deductible for income tax purposes.

In addition to the purchase price listed above, we made cash payments for real estate acquired in connection with our purchase of animal hospitals totaling $3.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. There were $1.2 million in cash payments made for real estate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Camp Bow Wow

On August 15, 2014, we acquired D.O.G. Enterprises, LLC for $17.0 million with up to an additional $3.0 million that may be earned over the next three years. Camp Bow Wow primarily operates and franchises a premier provider of pet services including dog day care, overnight boarding, grooming and other ancillary services at specially designed pet care facilities, principally under the trademark Camp Bow Wow^®.  As of September 30, 2014, there were 125 Camp Bow Wow^® franchise locations operating in 37 states and one Canadian province. 

The following table summarizes the preliminary purchase price allocation (in thousands):

Consideration:
Cash, net of cash acquired	$	15,174
Assumed debt	323
Holdbacks	1,500
Earn-out contingent consideration	1,810
Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	18,807
Allocation of the Purchase Price:
Tangible assets	$	942
Identifiable intangible assets	12,080
Goodwill (1)	6,669
Other liabilities assumed	(884		)
Total	$	18,807

____________________________

⁽¹⁾   As of September 30, 2014, we expect that the full amount of goodwill recorded for this acquisition will be deductible for income tax purposes.

The purchase price allocation for Camp Bow Wow is preliminary and is pending the completion of tangible and intangible asset valuations.

12

VCA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed, Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

September 30, 2014

(Unaudited)

5. Other Accrued Liabilities

Other accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):

	As of September 30, 2014		As of December 31, 2013
Deferred revenue	$	11,399	$	11,190
Accrued health insurance	4,439		5,479
Deferred rent	4,125		4,331
Accrued other insurance	4,200		4,381
Miscellaneous accrued taxes(1)	4,270		2,804
Accrued workers' compensation	6,828		3,267
Holdbacks and earn-outs	3,629		3,040
Customer deposits	3,314		3,075
Accrued consulting fees	3,312		3,028
Accrued lease payments	1,744		2,547
Other	17,154		15,620
	$	64,414	$	58,762

____________________________

⁽¹⁾    Includes property, sales and use taxes.

6. Long-Term Obligations

New Senior Credit Facility

On August 27, 2014, we entered into a new senior credit facility with various lenders for $1.4 billion of senior secured credit facilities with Bank of America, N.A., as the administrative agent, swingline lender and Letter of Credit issuer, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and Suntrust Bank as co-syndication agents (the "New Senior Credit Facility). The New Senior Credit Facility replaced our existing senior credit facility providing for $534 million of term notes and a $125 million revolving credit facility. The New Senior Credit Facility which provided for $600 million of senior secured term notes and an $800 million senior secured revolving facility, which may be used to borrow, on a same-day notice under a swing line, the lesser of $25 million and the aggregate unused amount of the revolving credit facility then in effect. In addition to refinancing all outstanding amounts under our existing credit agreement, borrowings under our New Senior Credit Facility may be used for general corporate purchases, including permitted share repurchases.

In connection with the New Senior Credit Facility, we incurred $8.0 million in financing costs, of which approximately $6.5 million were capitalized as deferred financing costs and $1.5 million were recognized as part of net income. In addition, we expensed $0.2 million of previously capitalized deferred financing costs associated with lenders under our existing senior credit facility who are not lenders under our New Senior Credit Facility.

13

VCA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed, Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

September 30, 2014

(Unaudited)

6. Long-Term Obligations, continued

The following table summarizes our long-term obligations at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):

		September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
Senior term notes	Notes payable, maturing in 2019, secured by assets, variable interest rate (1.91% and 1.92% at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively)	600,000			556,914
Revolving credit	Revolving line of credit, maturing in 2019, secured by assets, variable interest rate	—			—
Secured seller notes	Notes payable matures in 2014, secured by assets and stock of certain subsidiaries, with interest rate of 10.0%	230			230
	Total debt obligations	600,230			557,144
	Capital lease obligations	60,180			62,501
		660,410			619,645
	Less — current portion	(11,687		)	(51,087		)
		$	648,723		$	568,558

Interest Rate. In general, borrowings under the New Senior Credit Facility (including swing line borrowings) bear interest, at our option, on either:

• the base rate (as defined below) plus the applicable margin of 0.75% (Pricing Tier 3, see table below) per annum; or

• the Eurodollar rate (as defined below), plus a margin of 1.75% (Pricing Tier 3, see table below) per annum

Each of the aforementioned margins remain applicable until the date of delivery of the compliance certificate and the financial statements, for the period ended September 30, 2014, at which time the applicable margin will be determined by reference to the leverage ratio in effect from time to time as set forth in the following table:

Pricing Tier	Consolidated Leverage Ratio	Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Loans/Letter of Credit Fees		Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans		Commitment Fee
1	≥ 4.00:1.00	2.25	%	1.25	%	0.45	%
2	< 4.00:1.00 and ≥ 3.25:1.00	2.00	%	1.00	%	0.40	%
3	< 3.25:1.00 and ≥ 2.50:1.00	1.75	%	0.75	%	0.35	%
4	< 2.50:1.00 and ≥ 1.75:1.00	1.50	%	0.50	%	0.30	%
5	< 1.75:1.00 and ≥ 1.00:1.00	1.25	%	0.25	%	0.25	%
6	< 1.00:1.00	1.00	%	—	%	0.25	%

The base rate for the senior term notes is a rate per annum equal to the highest of the (a) Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%, (b) Bank of America, N.A.'s ("Bank of America") prime rate in effect on such day, and (c) the Eurodollar rate plus 1.0%. The Eurodollar rate is defined as the rate per annum equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), or a comparable or successor rate which is approved by Bank of America.

Maturity and Principal Payments. The senior term notes mature on August 27, 2019. Principal payments on the senior term notes of $7.5 million are due each calendar quarter from September 30, 2015 to and including June 30, 2017, $11.3 million are due each calendar quarter from September 30, 2017 to and including June 30, 2018 and $15.0 million are due each calendar quarter thereafter with a final payment of the outstanding principal balance due upon maturity. The following table sets forth the scheduled principal payments for our senior term notes (in thousands):

14

VCA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed, Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

September 30, 2014

(Unaudited)

6. Long-Term Obligations, continued

	2014		2015		2016		2017		2018		Thereafter
Senior term notes	$	—	$	15,000	$	30,000	$	37,500	$	52,500	$	465,000

The revolving credit facility matures on August 27, 2019. Principal payments under the revolving credit facility portion are made at our discretion with the entire unpaid amount due at maturity. As of September 30, 2014, no amounts have been borrowed under our revolving credit facility.

Guarantees and Security. We and each of our wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries guarantee the outstanding indebtedness under the New Senior Credit Facility. Any borrowings, along with the guarantees of the domestic subsidiaries, are further secured by a pledge of substantially all of our consolidated assets, including 65% of the voting equity and 100% of the non-voting equity interest in each of our foreign subsidiaries.

7.Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The FASB accounting guidance requires disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not they are recognized in the accompanying condensed, consolidated balance sheets. Fair value as defined by the guidance is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value estimates of financial instruments are not necessarily indicative of the amounts we might pay or receive in actual market transactions. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. These balances include cash and cash equivalents with maturities of less than three months. The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.

Receivables, Less Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Accounts Payable and Certain Other Accrued Liabilities. Due to their short-term nature, fair value approximates carrying value.

Long-Term Debt. The fair value of debt at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 is based upon the ask price quoted from an external source, which is considered a Level 2 input.

The following table reflects the carrying value and fair value of our variable-rate long-term debt (in thousands):

	As of September 30, 2014				As of December 31, 2013
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Variable-rate long-term debt	$	600,000	$	600,000	$	556,914	$	556,914

Non-Recurring Assets

Non-financial assets such as property, plant and equipment, land, goodwill and intangible assets are also subject to non-recurring fair value measurements if they are deemed to be impaired. The impairment models used for nonfinancial assets depend on the type of asset and are accounted for in accordance with FASB’s guidance on fair value measurement.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2014, the entire balance of $9.2 million of our Vetstreet goodwill was written off in an impairment charge which was included in earnings in the period. Additionally, during the quarter ended September 30, 2014, our Vetstreet long-lived assets were written down to their estimated fair value resulting in an impairment charge of $17.8 million, which was included in earnings in the period. Our Vetstreet long-lived assets balance as of September 30, 2014 was $5.0 million. Both the implied fair value of goodwill and the estimated fair value of long-lived assets were calculated using Level 3 inputs which are described in Note 3.

15

VCA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed, Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

September 30, 2014

(Unaudited)

8. Calculation of Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to VCA Inc. by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, after giving effect to all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period. Basic and diluted earnings per share were calculated as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Net income attributable to VCA Inc.	$	27,452	$	40,647	$	107,079	$	112,794
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic	86,274		88,834		87,543		88,583
Effect of dilutive potential common shares:
Stock options	324		310		285		318
Nonvested shares and units	762		701		837		758
Diluted	87,360		89,845		88,665		89,659
Basic earnings per share	$	0.32	$	0.46	$	1.22	$	1.27
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.31	$	0.45	$	1.21	$	1.26

For the three months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013, there were no potential common shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share.

There were no potential common shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, potential common shares of 23,538 were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because their inclusion would have had an antidilutive effect.

9. Lines of Business

Our reportable segments are Animal Hospital and Laboratory. Our Animal Hospital segment provides veterinary services for companion animals and sells related retail and pharmaceutical products. Our Laboratory segment provides diagnostic laboratory testing services for veterinarians, both associated with our animal hospitals and those independent of us. Our other operating segments included in “All Other” in the following tables are our Medical Technology business, which sells digital radiography and ultrasound imaging equipment, related computer hardware, software and ancillary services to the veterinary market, our Vetstreet business, which provides online and printed communications, professional education, marketing solutions to the veterinary community and an ecommerce platform for independent animal hospitals, and our Camp Bow Wow business, which primarily franchises the right to operate dog day care, overnight boarding and grooming services. These operating segments do not meet the quantitative requirements for reportable segments. Our operating segments are strategic business units that have different services, products and/or functions. The segments are managed separately because each is a distinct and different business venture with unique challenges, risks and rewards. We also operate a corporate office that provides general and administrative support services for our other segments.

The accounting policies of our segments are essentially the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies included in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K. We evaluate the performance of our segments based on gross profit and operating income. For purposes of reviewing the operating performance of our segments, all intercompany sales and purchases are generally accounted for as if they were transactions with independent third parties at current market prices.

16

VCA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed, Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

September 30, 2014

(Unaudited)

9. Lines of Business, continued

The following is a summary of certain financial data for each of our segments (in thousands):

	Animal Hospital			Laboratory		All Other			Corporate			Eliminations			Total
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
External revenue	$	395,820		$	77,394	$	25,397		$	—		$	966		$	499,577
Intercompany revenue	—			14,509		4,684			—			(19,193		)	—
Total revenue	395,820			91,903		30,081			—			(18,227		)	499,577
Direct costs	327,283			46,879		19,945			—			(18,287		)	375,820
Gross profit	68,537			45,024		10,136			—			60			123,757
Selling, general and administrative expense	9,269			8,610		8,023			16,890			—			42,792
Operating income (loss) before charges	59,268			36,414		2,113			(16,890		)	60			80,965
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	—			—		27,019			—			—			27,019
Net loss (gain) on sale or disposal of assets	598			7		—			(135		)	—			470
Operating income (loss)	$	58,670		$	36,407	$	(24,906	)	$	(16,755	)	$	60		$	53,476
Depreciation and amortization	$	15,201		$	2,671	$	1,781		$	688		$	(479	)	$	19,862
Capital expenditures	$	17,224		$	2,391	$	1,123		$	2,025		$	(649	)	$	22,114
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
External revenue	$	368,868		$	72,877	$	21,482		$	—		$	828		$	464,055
Intercompany revenue	—			13,583		5,980			—			(19,563		)	—
Total revenue	368,868			86,460		27,462			—			(18,735		)	464,055
Direct costs	308,029			45,650		17,456			—			(17,757		)	353,378
Gross profit	60,839			40,810		10,006			—			(978		)	110,677
Selling, general and administrative expense	8,678			7,921		7,618			14,530			—			38,747
Operating income (loss) before charges	52,161			32,889		2,388			(14,530		)	(978		)	71,930
Net (gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets	(110		)	11		—			(10		)	—			(109		)
Operating income (loss)	$	52,271		$	32,878	$	2,388		$	(14,520	)	$	(978	)	$	72,039
Depreciation and amortization	$	15,037		$	2,554	$	2,087		$	816		$	(450	)	$	20,044
Capital expenditures	$	15,915		$	1,905	$	872		$	1,795		$	(900	)	$	19,587

17

VCA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed, Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

September 30, 2014

(Unaudited)

9. Lines of Business, continued

	Animal Hospital		Laboratory			All Other			Corporate			Eliminations			Total
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
External revenue	$	1,134,184	$	233,497		$	68,055		$	—		$	2,820		$	1,438,556
Intercompany revenue	—		42,895			13,859			—			(56,754		)	—
Total revenue	1,134,184		276,392			81,914			—			(53,934		)	1,438,556
Direct costs	953,511		139,245			54,161			—			(53,984		)	1,092,933
Gross profit	180,673		137,147			27,753			—			50			345,623
Selling, general and administrative expense	28,261		24,909			23,782			47,211			—			124,163
Operating income (loss) before charges	152,412		112,238			3,971			(47,211		)	50			221,460
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	—		—			27,019			—			—			27,019
Net loss (gain) on sale and disposal of assets	1,180		(71		)	(1,087		)	(195		)	—			(173		)
Operating income (loss)	$	151,232	$	112,309		$	(21,961	)	$	(47,016	)	$	50		$	194,614
Depreciation and amortization	$	45,053	$	7,769		$	5,921		$	2,333		$	(1,417	)	$	59,659
Capital expenditures	$	38,411	$	5,676		$	2,801		$	4,769		$	(1,564	)	$	50,093
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
External revenue	$	1,074,688	$	223,466		$	67,339		$	—		$	2,423		$	1,367,916
Intercompany revenue	—		41,559			16,118			—			(57,677		)	—
Total revenue	1,074,688		265,025			83,457			—			(55,254		)	1,367,916
Direct costs	908,537		136,524			54,394			—			(53,433		)	1,046,022
Gross profit	166,151		128,501			29,063			—			(1,821		)	321,894
Selling, general and administrative expense	25,723		23,891			24,573			43,429			—			117,616
Operating income (loss) before charges	140,428		104,610			4,490			(43,429		)	(1,821		)	204,278
Net loss (gain) on sale and disposal of assets	1,459		5			3			(280		)	—			1,187
Operating income (loss)	$	138,969	$	104,605		$	4,487		$	(43,149	)	$	(1,821	)	$	203,091
Depreciation and amortization	$	43,108	$	7,651		$	5,989		$	2,370		$	(1,335	)	$	57,783
Capital expenditures	$	41,682	$	5,641		$	3,244		$	3,741		$	(1,626	)	$	52,682
At September 30, 2014
Total assets	$	1,904,183	$	261,245		$	85,031		$	174,308		$	(152,282	)	$	2,272,485
At December 31, 2013
Total assets	$	1,854,609	$	247,591		$	96,245		$	77,153		$	(37,817	)	$	2,237,781

18

VCA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed, Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

September 30, 2014

(Unaudited)

10. Commitments and Contingencies

We have certain commitments including operating leases, purchase agreements and acquisition agreements. These items are discussed in detail in our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K. We also have contingencies as follows:

a. Earn-Out Payments

We have contractual arrangements in connection with certain acquisitions, whereby additional cash may be paid to former owners of acquired companies upon attainment of specified financial criteria as set forth in the respective agreements. The amount to be paid cannot be determined until the earn-out periods have expired and the attainment of criteria is established. If the specified financial criteria are attained, we will be obligated to pay an additional $5.2 million.

In accordance with business combination accounting guidance, contingent consideration, such as earn-out agreements, are recognized as part of the consideration transferred on the acquisition date. A liability is initially recorded based upon its acquisition date fair value. The changes in fair value are recognized in earnings where applicable for each reporting period. The fair value is determined using a contractually stated formula using either a multiple of revenue or Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA"). The formulas used to determine the estimated fair value are Level 3 inputs. The changes in fair value were immaterial to our condensed, consolidated financial statements when taken as a whole. We recorded $3.7 million and $2.2 million in earn-out liabilities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, which are included in other accrued liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets.

b. Legal Proceedings

On May 29, 2013, a former veterinary assistant at one of our animal hospitals filed a purported class action lawsuit against us in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles, titled Jorge Duran vs. VCA Animal Hospitals, Inc., et. al. The lawsuit seeks to assert claims on behalf of current and former veterinary assistants employed by us in California, and alleges, among other allegations, that we improperly failed to pay regular and overtime wages, improperly failed to provide proper meal and rest periods, and engaged in unfair business practices. The lawsuit seeks damages, statutory penalties, and other relief, including attorneys’ fees and costs. On May 7, 2014, we obtained partial summary judgment, dismissing 4 of the 8 claims of the complaint, including the claims for failure to pay regular and overtime wages. We intend to continue to vigorously defend against the remaining claims in this action. At this time, we are unable to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of possible loss, but do not believe losses, if any, would have a material effect on our results of operations or financial position taken as a whole.

On July 16, 2014, two additional former veterinary assistants filed a purported class action lawsuit against us in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles, titled La Kimba Bradsbery and Cheri Brakensiek vs. Vicar Operating, Inc., et. al. The lawsuit seeks to assert claims on behalf of current and former veterinary assistants, kennel assistants, and client service representatives employed by us in California, and alleges, among other allegations, that we improperly failed to pay regular and overtime wages, improperly failed to provide proper meal and rest periods, improperly failed to pay reporting time pay, improperly failed to reimburse for certain business-related expenses, and engaged in unfair business practices. The lawsuit seeks damages, statutory penalties, and other relief, including attorneys’ fees and costs. We currently expect that these two actions will be consolidated with, or related before the same judge hearing, the Duran action discussed above. At this time, we are unable to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of possible loss, but do not believe losses, if any, would have a material effect on our results of operations or financial position taken as a whole.

On July 12, 2013, an individual who provided courier services with respect to our laboratory clients in California filed a purported class action lawsuit against us in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Santa Clara - San Jose Branch, titled Carlos Lopez vs. Logistics Delivery Solutions, LLC, Antech Diagnostics, Inc., et. al. Logistics Delivery Solutions, LLC, a co-defendant in the lawsuit, is a company with which Antech has contracted to provide courier services in California. The lawsuit seeks to assert claims on behalf of individuals who were engaged by Logistics Delivery Solutions, LLC to perform such courier services and alleges, among other allegations, that Logistics Delivery Solutions and Antech Diagnostics improperly classified the plaintiffs as independent contractors, improperly failed to pay overtime wages, and improperly failed to provide proper meal periods. The lawsuit seeks damages, statutory penalties, and other relief, including attorneys' fees and costs. We filed our answer to the complaint on September 13, 2013. Written discovery is currently ongoing. We filed a motion for summary judgment on July 18, 2014, and on October 3, 2014 the court denied our request for summary judgment. We are

19

VCA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed, Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

September 30, 2014

(Unaudited)

10. Commitments and Contingencies, continued

continuing to vigorously defend this action. At this time, we are unable to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of possible loss, but do not believe losses, if any, would have a material effect on our results of operations or financial position taken as a whole.

On May 12, 2014, an individual client who purchased goods and services from one of our animal hospitals filed a purported class action lawsuit against us in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, titled Tony M. Graham vs. VCA Antech, Inc. and VCA Animal Hospitals, Inc. The lawsuit seeks to assert claims on behalf of the plaintiff and other individuals who purchased similar goods and services from our animal hospitals and alleges, among other allegations, that we improperly charged such individuals for “biohazard waste management” in connection with the services performed. The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages in unspecified amounts, and other relief, including attorneys' fees and costs. This case is in an early procedural stage and we intend to vigorously defend this action. At this time, we are unable to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of possible loss, but do not believe losses, if any, would have a material effect on our results of operations or financial position taken as a whole.

In addition to the lawsuits described above, we are party to ordinary routine legal proceedings and claims incidental to our business, but we are not currently a party to any legal proceeding that we believe would have a material adverse effect on our financial position.

c. Other Contingencies

On May 14, 2014, the headquarters of our Medical Technology business in Carlsbad, California was severely damaged by wildfires. There were no injuries to personnel. However, the fire caused severe damage to a substantial portion of the facility. We have worked diligently to satisfy customer requirements and to prevent supply disruptions. We maintain standard insurance coverage for both property damage and business interruption losses. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recorded approximately $0.4 million and $17.9 million, respectively, in estimated losses in connection with this event, primarily associated with property damage. This amount is included in operating expenses in our condensed, consolidated income statements, offset by the related insurance recovery of the same amount. We have received insurance proceeds to date of $12.0 million. As of September 30, 2014, we have recorded receivables of $5.9 million remaining from expected insurance recoveries. We continue to assess damages and insurance coverage and we currently do not expect our losses to exceed the applicable insurance coverage.

11. Income Taxes

The effective tax rate of income attributable to VCA for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was 39.9% and 39.3%, respectively, as compared to 38.9% for the year ended December 31, 2013.

20

VCA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed, Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

September 30, 2014

(Unaudited)

12. Noncontrolling Interests

We own some of our animal hospitals in partnerships with noncontrolling interest holders. We consolidate our partnerships in our condensed, consolidated financial statements because our ownership interest in these partnerships is equal to or greater than 50.1% and we control these entities. We record noncontrolling interest in income of subsidiaries equal to our partners’ percentage ownership of the partnerships’ income. We also record changes in the redemption value of our redeemable noncontrolling interests in net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in our condensed, consolidated income statements. We reflect our noncontrolling partners’ cumulative share in the equity of the respective partnerships as either noncontrolling interests in equity, mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests in other liabilities, or redeemable noncontrolling interests in temporary equity (mezzanine) in our condensed, consolidated balance sheets.

a. Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

The terms of some of our partnership agreements require us to purchase the partner’s equity in the partnership in the event of the partner’s death. We report these redeemable noncontrolling interests at their estimated redemption value, which approximates fair value, and classify them as liabilities due to the certainty of the related event. Estimated redemption value is determined using either a contractually stated formula or a discounted cash flow technique, both of which are used as an approximation of fair value. The discounted cash flow inputs used to determine the redemption value are Level 3 and include forecasted growth rates, valuation multiples, and the weighted average cost of capital. We recognize changes in the obligation as interest cost in our condensed, consolidated statements of income.

The following table provides a summary of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests included in other liabilities in our condensed, consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):

	Income Statement Impact		Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
Balance as of December 31, 2012			$	11,047
Noncontrolling interest expense	$	1,475
Redemption value change	134		1,609
Purchase of noncontrolling interests			(658		)
Dissolution of noncontrolling interests			(357		)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests			(1,437		)
Currency translation adjustment			(145		)
Balance as of September 30, 2013			$	10,059
Balance as of December 31, 2013			$	9,355
Noncontrolling interest expense	$	1,172
Redemption value change	315		1,487
Distribution to noncontrolling interests			(1,064		)
Currency translation adjustment			(358		)
Balance as of September 30, 2014			$	9,420

21

VCA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed, Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

September 30, 2014

(Unaudited)

12. Noncontrolling Interests, continued

b. Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

We also enter into partnership agreements whereby the minority partner is issued certain “put” rights. These rights are normally exercisable at the sole discretion of the minority partner. We report these redeemable noncontrolling interests at their estimated redemption value and classify them in temporary equity (mezzanine). We recognize changes in the obligation in net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in our condensed, consolidated statements of income.

The following table provides a summary of redeemable noncontrolling interests (in thousands):

	Income Statement Impact			Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
Balance as of December 31, 2012				$	6,991
Noncontrolling interest expense	$	900
Redemption value change	252			1,152
Formation of noncontrolling interests				3,600
Distribution to noncontrolling interests				(712		)
Balance as of September 30, 2013				$	11,031
Balance as of December 31, 2013				$	10,678
Noncontrolling interest expense	$	940
Redemption value change	(217		)	723
Formation of noncontrolling interests				855
Purchase of noncontrolling interests				(356		)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests				(886		)
Balance as of September 30, 2014				$	11,014

22

VCA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed, Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

September 30, 2014

(Unaudited)

13. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance creating Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Section 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. The new section will replace Section 605, “Revenue Recognition” and create modifications to various other revenue accounting standards for specialized transactions and industries. The guidance in this update is intended to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard for U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) that would remove inconsistencies and weaknesses in revenue requirements, provide a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues, and improve comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions, and capital markets.

The new accounting guidance will require companies to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This update creates a five-step model that requires companies to exercise judgment when considering the terms of the contract(s) which include (i) identifying the contract(s) with the customer, (ii) identifying the separate performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determining the transaction price, (iv) allocating the transaction price to the separate performance obligations, and (v) recognizing revenue when each performance obligation is satisfied. The update allows for either full retrospective adoption, meaning the standard is applied to all of the periods presented, or modified retrospective adoption, meaning the standard is applied only to the most current period presented in the financial statements.

The updated guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is not permitted. Accordingly, we will adopt the new provisions of this accounting standard at the beginning of fiscal year 2017. We will further study the implications of this statement in order to evaluate the expected impact on the consolidated financial statements and evaluate the method of adoption we would apply.

In April 2014, the FASB issued new accounting guidance which includes amendments that change the criteria for reporting discontinued operations in Subtopic 205-20 and requires entities to provide additional disclosures about disposal transactions that do not meet the discontinued-operations criteria. The revised guidance will change how entities identify and disclose information about disposal transactions under U.S. GAAP.

The FASB issued the ASU to provide more decision-useful information to users and to elevate the threshold for a disposal transaction to qualify as a discontinued operation (since too many disposal transactions were qualifying as discontinued operations under existing guidance). Under the new guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations that has or will have a major impact on an entity’s operations or financial results should be presented as discontinued operations. Under current U.S. GAAP, an entity is prohibited from reporting a discontinued operation if it has certain continuing cash flows or involvement with the component after the disposal. The new guidance eliminates these criteria. The ASU also requires entities to reclassify assets and liabilities of a discontinued operation for all comparative periods presented in the statement of financial position.

The ASU is effective prospectively for all disposals (except disposals classified as held for sale before the adoption date) or components initially classified as held for sale in periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, with early adoption permitted. This guidance is not expected to significantly impact our consolidated financial statements.

23

VCA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed, Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

September 30, 2014

(Unaudited)

14. Subsequent Events

During October 2014, we borrowed $50 million from our revolving credit facility to fund repurchases under our existing $400 million share repurchase authorization.

During October 2014, our Board of Directors granted 271,451 shares of non-vested common stock to our executives and 162,571 shares to non executive employees. The awards granted to executive officers are subject to vesting based upon achievement of performance standards and continued service. Both of the awards will vest in equal annual installments over four years.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

	Page
Introduction	26
Executive Overview	27
Critical Accounting Policies	29
Consolidated Results of Operations	31
Segment Results	34
Liquidity and Capital Resources	42

25

Introduction

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our condensed, consolidated financial statements provided under Part I, Item I of this Quarterly report on Form 10-Q. We have included herein statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We generally identify forward-looking statements in this report using words like “believe,” “intend,” “expect,” “estimate,” “may,” “plan,” “should plan,” “project,” “contemplate,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” or similar expressions. You may find some of these statements below and elsewhere in this report. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts and are inherently uncertain and outside of our control. Any or all of our forward-looking statements in this report may turn out to be wrong. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions we might make, or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Many factors mentioned in our discussion in this report will be important in determining future results. Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Actual future results may vary materially. Factors that may cause our plans, expectations, future financial condition and results to change are described throughout this report and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, particularly in “Risk Factors,” Part I, Item 1A of that report.

The forward-looking information set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is as of November 7, 2014, and we undertake no duty to update this information unless required by law. Shareholders and prospective investors can find information filed with the SEC after November 7, 2014 at our website at http://investor.vca.com or at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

We are a leading North American animal healthcare company. We provide veterinary services and diagnostic testing services to support veterinary care and we sell diagnostic imaging equipment and other medical technology products and related services to veterinarians. We also provide both online and printed communications, education and information, and analytical-based marketing solutions to the veterinary community. Additionally, we operate and franchise the right to operate dog day care, overnight boarding and grooming services at specially designed pet care facilities.

Our reportable segments are as follows:

• Our Animal Hospital segment operates the largest network of freestanding, full-service animal hospitals in the nation. Our animal hospitals offer a full range of general medical and surgical services for companion animals. We treat diseases and injuries, offer pharmaceutical and retail products and perform a variety of pet wellness programs, including health examinations, diagnostic testing, routine vaccinations, spaying, neutering and dental care. At September 30, 2014, our animal hospital network consisted of 622 animal hospitals in 41 states and in four Canadian provinces.

• Our Laboratory segment operates the largest network of veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the nation. Our laboratories provide sophisticated testing and consulting services used by veterinarians in the detection, diagnosis, evaluation, monitoring, treatment and prevention of diseases and other conditions affecting animals. At September 30, 2014, our laboratory network consisted of 59 laboratories serving all 50 states and certain areas in Canada.

Our “All Other” category includes the results of our Medical Technology, Vetstreet and Camp Bow Wow operating segments. Each of these segments did not meet the materiality thresholds to be reported individually.

The practice of veterinary medicine is subject to seasonal fluctuation. In particular, demand for veterinary services is significantly higher during the warmer months because pets spend a greater amount of time outdoors where they are more likely to be injured and are more susceptible to disease and parasites. In addition, use of veterinary services may be affected by levels of flea infestation, heartworms and ticks, and the number of daylight hours.

Consumer spending habits, including spending for pet healthcare, are affected by, among other things, prevailing economic conditions, levels of employment, salaries and wage rates, consumer confidence and consumer perception of economic conditions. These factors continue to impact consumer spending and may continue to cause levels of spending to remain depressed for the foreseeable future. Additionally, these factors may cause pet owners to elect to defer expensive treatment options or to forgo treatment for their pets altogether.

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Use of Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In this management's discussion and analysis, we use supplemental measures of our performance, which are derived from our consolidated financial information, but which are not presented in our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). These financial measures, which are considered “Non-GAAP financial measures” under SEC rules, include our Non-GAAP gross profit, Non-GAAP gross margin, Non-GAAP gross profit, excluding acquisition related amortization and Non-GAAP gross margin, excluding acquisition related amortization computed on a consolidated basis, for our Animal Hospital segment, and the same measures expressed on a same-store basis. Additionally, our Non-GAAP financial measures include our Non-GAAP operating income, Non-GAAP operating margin, Non-GAAP operating income, excluding acquisition related amortization and Non-GAAP operating margin, excluding acquisition related amortization, on a consolidated basis. Lastly, our Non-GAAP financial measures also include our Non-GAAP interest expense, Non-GAAP consolidated net income, Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, Non-GAAP consolidated net income, excluding acquisition related amortization and Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, excluding acquisition related amortization. See “Consolidated Results of Operations - Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for information about our use of these Non-GAAP financial measures, including our reasons for including the measures, material limitations with respect to the usefulness of the measures, and a reconciliation of each Non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. All references to Non-GAAP figures in the discussion that follows refer to Non-GAAP results excluding acquisition related amortization.

Executive Overview

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, we experienced increases in both consolidated revenue and gross profit. The increases were primarily driven by revenue from our acquisitions and organic growth in our Animal Hospital and Laboratory segments. Our Animal Hospital same-store revenue increased 4.1% and 2.3% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. Our Laboratory internal revenue increased 5.5%, adjusted for an additional one-half billing day, for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 4.1%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. Our consolidated operating income decreased 25.8% and 4.2% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. Our consolidated operating margin decreased 4.8% and 1.3% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. Excluding the impact of Non-GAAP adjustments detailed below under the caption, Operating Income, our Non-GAAP consolidated operating income increased 16.3% and 9.3% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, and our Non-GAAP consolidated operating margin increased 120 basis points and 60 basis points for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. Our Non-GAAP consolidated operating income, excluding acquisition related amortization, increased 14.6% and 8.4% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. Our Non-GAAP consolidated operating margin, excluding acquisition related amortization, increased 110 basis points and 50 basis points for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. The increase in Non-GAAP consolidated operating income, excluding acquisition related amortization was primarily due to improved results from our Animal Hospital and Laboratory business segments.

Share Repurchase Program

In April 2013, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase for up to $125.0 million of our common shares, which was completed in August 2014. In August 2014, our Board of Directors authorized the continuance of that share repurchase program, authorizing us to repurchase up to an additional $400.0 million of our common shares. These repurchases may be made from time to time through various methods, including open market transactions, block trades, accelerated share repurchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise and may be effected through Rule 10b5-1 and Rule 10b-18 plans. The timing and number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including price, capital availability, legal requirements and economic and market conditions. The Company is not obligated to purchase any shares under the repurchase program, and repurchases may be suspended or discontinued at any time without prior notice. The repurchases have been and will continue to be funded by existing cash balances and by our revolving credit facility. Refer to Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and the Use of Proceeds in Part II of this report.

Financing Transaction

On August 27, 2014, we entered into a new senior credit facility with various lenders for $1.4 billion of senior secured credit facilities with Bank of America, N.A., as the administrative agent, swingline lender and Letter of Credit issuer, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and Suntrust Bank as co-syndication agents (the "New Senior Credit Facility). The New Senior

27

Credit Facility replaced our existing senior credit facility providing for $534 million of term notes and a $125 million revolving credit facility. The New Senior Credit Facility which provided for $600 million of senior secured term notes and an $800 million senior secured revolving facility, which may be used to borrow, on a same-day notice under a swing line, the lesser of $25 million and the aggregate unused amount of the revolving credit facility then in effect. In addition to refinancing all outstanding amounts under our existing credit agreement, borrowings under our New Senior Credit Facility may be used for general corporate purchases, including permitted share repurchases.

In connection with the New Senior Credit Facility, we incurred $8.0 million in financing costs, of which approximately $6.5 million were capitalized as deferred financing costs and $1.5 million were recognized as part of net income. In addition, we expensed $0.2 million of previously capitalized deferred financing costs associated with lenders under our existing senior credit facility who are not lenders under our New Senior Credit Facility.

Goodwill and Other Long-lived Assets Impairment

As a result of an interim impairment review, we recorded a goodwill and other long-lived assets impairment charge in our Vetstreet reporting unit of $27.0 million, $17.0 million net of tax or $0.20 per diluted share. We determined that a write-down of goodwill and long-lived assets was necessary as Vetstreet's fiscal 2014 actual operating results and cash flow to date, and projections of future operating results and cash flow, were significantly lower than previously forecasted. We do not expect this

accounting write-down to affect our ongoing business or financial performance.

Acquisitions

Our annual growth strategy includes the acquisition of independent animal hospitals. We also evaluate the acquisition of animal hospital chains, laboratories or related businesses if favorable opportunities are presented. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we acquired $54.0 million of annualized Animal Hospital revenue. These acquisitions are immaterial individually and accordingly, have not been separately disclosed. We currently anticipate that during the year, we will acquire $110 million to $130 million of annualized Animal Hospital revenue.

The following table summarizes the changes in the number of facilities operated by our Animal Hospital and Laboratory segments during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014		2013
Animal Hospitals:
Beginning of period	609		609
Acquisitions	23		14
Acquisitions, merged	(4	)	(2	)
Sold, closed or merged	(6	)	(15	)
End of period	622		606
Laboratories:
Beginning of period	56		55
Acquired	—		1
Created	3		—
End of period	59		56

Camp Bow Wow

On August 15, 2014, we acquired D.O.G. Enterprises, LLC for $17.0 million with up to an additional $3.0 million that may be earned over the next three years. Camp Bow Wow primarily operates and franchises a premier provider of pet services including dog day care, overnight boarding, grooming and other ancillary services at specially designed pet care facilities, principally under the trademark Camp Bow Wow^®.  As of September 30, 2014, there were 125 Camp Bow Wow^® franchise locations operating in 37 states and one Canadian province.  The acquisition will expand our participation in the dog boarding and day care service segment of the pet health industry.

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Groupe Veteri - Medic Inc.

On July 5, 2013, AVC acquired 90% of the shares of Groupe Veteri - Medic Inc. for approximately CDN $17.2 million, which included contingent consideration. Groupe Veteri - Medic operates three animal hospitals in Montreal, Quebec. The acquisition expanded AVC's presence within the Canadian market by increasing operations into a fourth province, Quebec.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our condensed, consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts. The estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience and on other factors that management believes to be reasonable. Actual results may differ from those estimates. Critical accounting policies represent the areas where more significant judgments and estimates are used in the preparation of our condensed, consolidated financial statements. A discussion of such critical accounting policies, which include revenue recognition, goodwill, other intangible assets, and income taxes, can be found in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K. There have been no material changes to the policies noted above as of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2014. A summary of our valuation of goodwill accounting policy is discussed below.

Valuation of Goodwill and Other Long-lived Assets

Goodwill

We allocate a significant portion of the purchase price for our acquired businesses to goodwill. Our goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the net of the amounts assigned to identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The total amount of our goodwill at September 30, 2014 was $1.4 billion, accounting for 60% of our total assets.

We test our goodwill for impairment annually, or sooner if circumstances indicate impairment may exist, in accordance with goodwill guidance. Our annual impairment testing date is October 31st, which allows us time to accurately complete our impairment testing process in order to incorporate the results in our annual financial statements and timely file those statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The recognition and measurement of a goodwill impairment loss involves either a qualitative assessment of the fair value of each reporting unit or a more detailed two-step process. We have not presently elected to rely on a qualitative assessment, accordingly we measure our goodwill for impairment based upon the following two-step process:

First we identify potential impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of our reporting units with the carrying value defined as the reporting unit’s net assets, including goodwill. If the estimated fair value of our reporting units is greater than our carrying value, there is no impairment and the second step is not needed.

If we identify a potential impairment in the first step, we then measure the amount of impairment. The amount of the impairment is determined by allocating the estimated fair value of the reporting unit as determined in step one to the reporting unit’s net assets based on fair value as would be done in an acquisition. In this hypothetical purchase price allocation, the residual estimated fair value after allocation to the reporting units’ identifiable net assets is the implied current fair value of goodwill. If the implied current fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying amount of goodwill, goodwill is considered impaired and written down to the implied current fair value with a corresponding charge to earnings. However, if the implied current fair value of goodwill is greater than the carrying amount of goodwill, goodwill is not considered impaired and is not adjusted to the implied current fair value. Determining the fair value of the net assets of our reporting units under this step requires significant estimates.

Our estimated fair values are calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles related to fair value and utilize generally accepted valuation techniques consisting primarily of discounted cash flow techniques and market comparables, where applicable. These valuation methods involve the use of significant assumptions and estimates such as forecasted growth rates, valuation multiples, the weighted-average cost of capital, and risk premiums, which are based upon the best available market information and are consistent with our long-term strategic plans.

Negative changes in our projected cash flows related to variables such as revenue growth rates, margins, or the discount rate could result in a decrease in the estimated fair value of our reporting units and could ultimately result in a substantial goodwill impairment charge. The performance of our reporting units, and in turn the risk of goodwill impairment, is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, some of which are outside of our control.

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Other Long-lived Assets

In addition to goodwill, we acquire other identifiable intangible assets in our acquisitions, including but not limited to covenants-not-to-compete, client lists, lease related assets and customer relationships. We value these identifiable intangible assets at estimated fair value. Our estimated fair values are based on generally accepted valuation techniques such as market comparables, discounted cash flow techniques or costs to replace. These valuation methods involve the use of significant assumptions such as the timing and amount of future cash flows, risks, appropriate discount rates, and the useful lives of intangible assets.

Subsequent to acquisition, we test our identifiable intangible assets for impairment as part of a broader test for impairment of long-lived assets under the FASB’s accounting guidance whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The recognition and measurement of an impairment loss under the FASB’s accounting guidance also involves a two-step process:

First we identify potential impairment by estimating the aggregate projected undiscounted future cash flows associated with an asset or asset group and compare that amount with the carrying value of those assets. If the aggregate projected cash flow is greater than our carrying amount, there is no impairment and the second step is not needed.

If the estimated aggregate projected undiscounted future cash flows associated with an asset or asset group is less than the carrying value, we then write the assets or asset group down to the estimated fair value with a corresponding charge to earnings. If the estimated fair value is greater than carrying value, there is no adjustment. We may be required to make significant estimates in determining the fair value of some of our assets or asset groups.

Interim Impairment Review

As a result of an interim impairment review, we determined that goodwill related to our Vetstreet reporting unit was impaired. We determined that a write-down of goodwill and long-lived assets was necessary as Vetstreet's fiscal 2014 actual operating results and cash flow to date, and projections of future operating results and cash flow, were significantly lower than previously forecasted. Accordingly, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge in our Vetstreet reporting unit of $9.2 million, $6.2 million net of tax, for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. In conjunction with our interim impairment review during the quarter ended September 30, 2014, we recorded a long-lived intangible asset impairment charge of $13.1 million, $8.0 million net of tax, related to the aforementioned Vetstreet business. The intangibles consisted of technology, customer relationships, trademarks and certain other contracts. Additionally, we recorded a long-lived tangible asset impairment charge of approximately $4.7 million, $2.8 million net of tax.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

A discussion of recent accounting pronouncements is included in Note 13, "Recent Accounting Pronouncements" to the Unaudited Condensed, Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

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Consolidated Results of Operations

The following table sets forth components of our condensed, consolidated income statements expressed as a percentage of revenue:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Revenue:
Animal Hospital	79.2	%	79.5	%	78.8	%	78.6	%
Laboratory	18.4		18.6		19.2		19.4
All Other	6.0		5.9		5.7		6.1
Intercompany	(3.6	)	(4.0	)	(3.7	)	(4.1	)
Total revenue	100.0		100.0		100.0		100.0
Direct costs	75.2		76.2		76.0		76.5
Gross profit	24.8		23.8		24.0		23.5
Selling, general and administrative expense	8.6		8.3		8.6		8.6
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	5.4		—		1.9		—
Net loss on sale of assets	0.1		—		—		0.1
Operating income	10.7		15.5		13.5		14.8
Interest expense, net	0.9		0.9		0.9		1.0
Debt retirement costs	0.3		—		0.1		—
Income before provision for income taxes	9.5		14.6		12.5		13.8
Provision for income taxes	3.7		5.6		4.8		5.2
Net income	5.8		9.0		7.7		8.6
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0.3		0.2		0.3		0.4
Net income attributable to VCA Inc.	5.5	%	8.8	%	7.4	%	8.2	%

Revenue

The following table summarizes our revenue (in thousands, except percentages):

	Three Months Ended September 30,												Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014					2013							2014					2013
	$			% of Total		$			% of Total		% Change		$			% of Total		$			% of Total		% Change
Animal Hospital	$	395,820		79.2	%	$	368,868		79.5	%	7.3	%	$	1,134,184		78.8	%	$	1,074,688		78.6	%	5.5	%
Laboratory	91,903			18.4	%	86,460			18.6	%	6.3	%	276,392			19.2	%	265,025			19.4	%	4.3	%
All Other	30,081			6.0	%	27,462			5.9	%	9.5	%	81,914			5.7	%	83,457			6.1	%	(1.8	)%
Intercompany	(18,227		)	(3.6	)%	(18,735		)	(4.0	)%	2.7	%	(53,934		)	(3.7	)%	(55,254		)	(4.1	)%	2.4	%
Total revenue	$	499,577		100.0	%	$	464,055		100.0	%	7.7	%	$	1,438,556		100.0	%	$	1,367,916		100.0	%	5.2	%

Consolidated revenue increased $35.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and $70.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. The increases in revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 were primarily attributable to revenue from animal hospitals acquired since the beginning of the comparable periods in 2013. Excluding the impact of acquisitions, revenue increased $20.3 million and $26.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, primarily due to organic growth in our Animal Hospital and Laboratory operating segments. The increases were partially offset by the impact of foreign currency translation and declining revenues in our Vetstreet business.

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Direct Costs

The following table summarizes our direct costs (in thousands, except percentages):

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014												Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	2014					2013							2014					2013
	$			% of Revenue		$			% of Revenue		% Change		$			% of Revenue		$			% of Revenue		% Change
Animal Hospital	$	327,283		82.7	%	$	308,029		83.5	%	6.3	%	$	953,511		84.1	%	$	908,537		84.5	%	5.0	%
Laboratory	46,879			51.0	%	45,650			52.8	%	2.7	%	139,245			50.4	%	136,524			51.5	%	2.0	%
All Other	19,945			66.3	%	17,456			63.6	%	14.3	%	54,161			66.1	%	54,394			65.2	%	(0.4	)%
Intercompany	(18,287		)	(3.7	)%	(17,757		)	(3.8	)%	(3.0	)%	(53,984		)	(3.8	)%	(53,433		)	(3.9	)%	(1.0	)%
Total revenue	$	375,820		75.2	%	$	353,378		76.2	%	6.4	%	$	1,092,933		76.0	%	$	1,046,022		76.5	%	4.5	%

Consolidated direct costs increased $22.4 million and $46.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. The increases were primarily attributable to compensation related costs and supplies, both predominately in the animal hospital segment.

Gross Profit

The following table summarizes our consolidated gross profit, Non-GAAP consolidated gross profit and Non-GAAP consolidated gross profit, excluding acquisition related amortization in dollars and as a percentage of applicable revenue (in

thousands, except percentages):

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	Three Months Ended September 30,											Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014				2013							2014				2013
	$		Gross Margin		$			Gross Margin		% Change		$		Gross Margin		$			Gross Margin		% Change
Animal Hospital	$	68,537	17.3	%	$	60,839		16.5	%	12.7	%	$	180,673	15.9	%	$	166,151		15.5	%	8.7	%
Laboratory	45,024		49.0	%	40,810			47.2	%	10.3	%	137,147		49.6	%	128,501			48.5	%	6.7	%
All Other	10,136		33.7	%	10,006			36.4	%	1.3	%	27,753		33.9	%	29,063			34.8	%	(4.5	)%
Intercompany	60				(978		)					50				(1,821		)
Consolidated gross profit and gross margin	$	123,757	24.8	%	$	110,677		23.8	%	11.8	%	$	345,623	24.0	%	$	321,894		23.5	%	7.4	%
Impact of inventory adjustment	—				(2,808		)					—				(2,808		)
Impact of rent expense adjustment	—				—							—				(1,396		)
Impact of vacant property adjustment	—				—							—				2,046
Non-GAAP consolidated gross profit and Non-GAAP gross margin(1)	$	123,757	24.8	%	$	107,869		23.2	%	14.7	%	$	345,623	24.0	%	$	319,736		23.4	%	8.1	%
Intangible asset amortization associated with acquisitions	5,166				5,520							15,406				16,035
Non-GAAP consolidated gross profit, excluding acquisition related amortization and Non-GAAP gross margin, excluding acquisition related amortization(1)	$	128,923	25.8	%	$	113,389		24.4	%	13.7	%	$	361,029	25.1	%	$	335,771		24.5	%	7.5	%

 ____________________________

⁽¹⁾  Non-GAAP consolidated gross profit, Non-GAAP gross margin, Non-GAAP consolidated gross profit, excluding acquisition related amortization and Non-GAAP gross margin, excluding acquisition related amortization, are not measurements of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for information about these Non-GAAP financial measures, including our reasons for including the measures, material limitations with respect to the usefulness of the measures, and a reconciliation of each Non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

Consolidated gross profit increased $13.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and $23.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. Excluding the impact of the Non-GAAP adjustments detailed in the table above, Non-GAAP consolidated gross profit, excluding acquisition related amortization, increased $15.5 million and $25.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. The increase in Non-GAAP consolidated gross profit, excluding acquisition related amortization, was primarily attributable to organic revenue growth in our Animal Hospital and Laboratory operating segments.

33

Segment Results

Animal Hospital Segment

Revenue

Animal Hospital revenue increased $27.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and $59.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. The components of the increase are summarized in the following table (in thousands, except percentages and average revenue per order):

	Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013		% Change		2014			2013		% Change
Same-store facilities:
Orders (1)	2,140			2,122		0.8	%	6,052			6,089		(0.6	)%
Average revenue per order (2)	$	174.92		$	169.42	3.2	%	$	177.52		$	172.45	2.9	%
Same-store revenue (1)	$	374,249		$	359,582	4.1	%	$	1,074,410		$	1,050,046	2.3	%
Acquisitions	23,374			6,531				66,310			15,022
Closures	36			2,755				810			9,620
Net acquired revenue (3)	$	23,410		$	9,286			$	67,120		$	24,642
Foreign currency impact	(1,839		)	—				(7,346		)	—
Total	$	395,820		$	368,868	7.3	%	$	1,134,184		$	1,074,688	5.5	%

____________________________

⁽¹⁾  Same-store revenue and orders were calculated using Animal Hospital operating results, adjusted to exclude the operating results for newly acquired animal hospitals that we did not own, as of the beginning of the comparable periods in 2013. Same-store revenue also includes revenue generated by customers referred from our relocated or combined animal hospitals, including those merged upon acquisition.

⁽²⁾  Computed by dividing same-store revenue by same-store orders. The average revenue per order may not calculate exactly due to rounding.

⁽³⁾  Net acquired revenue represents the revenue from animal hospitals acquired, net of revenue from animal hospitals sold or closed, on or after the beginning of the comparable periods in 2013. Fluctuations in net acquired revenue occur due to the volume, size, and timing of acquisitions and dispositions.

During the three months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the same period in the prior year, our volume of same-store orders increased primarily due to the combination of an overall improvement in the economy during the quarter and the impact of certain previously implemented initiatives in our animal hospitals.

Our business strategy is to place a greater emphasis on comprehensive wellness visits and advanced medical procedures, which typically generate higher priced orders. The migration of lower priced orders from our animal hospitals to other distribution channels as a result of increasing competition and our emphasis on comprehensive wellness visits has, over the past several years, resulted in a decrease in lower priced orders and an increase in higher priced orders. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, we experienced a decrease in the number of lower-priced orders and an increase in the number of higher-priced orders.

Price increases as well as the aforementioned shift in revenue from lower to higher-priced orders contributed to the overall increase in the average revenue per order. Prices at each of our animal hospitals are reviewed regularly and adjustments are made based on market considerations, demographics and our costs. These adjustments historically approximated 3% to 6% on most services at the majority of our animal hospitals and are typically implemented in November of each year; however, price increases in November 2013 generally ranged between 3% and 4%.

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Direct Costs

Animal Hospital direct costs increased $19.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to an increase in compensation related expenses of $11.1 million and supplies of $5.2 million. The remainder of the increase was due to numerous items, all of which were individually immaterial. The increases in compensation related-costs and supplies generally are related to revenue growth.

Animal Hospital direct costs increased $45.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to an increase in compensation related expenses of $26.9 million, supplies of $9.2 million and depreciation and amortization of $2.1 million. The remainder of the increase was due to numerous items, all of which were individually immaterial. As mentioned above, the increases in compensation related costs and supplies generally are related to revenue growth. The increase in depreciation and amortization is related to acquired animal hospitals.

Gross Profit

Animal Hospital gross profit is calculated as Animal Hospital revenue less Animal Hospital direct costs. Animal Hospital direct costs comprise all costs of services and products at the animal hospitals including, but not limited to, salaries of veterinarians, technicians and all other animal hospital-based personnel, facilities rent, occupancy costs, supply costs, depreciation and amortization, certain marketing and promotional expense and costs of goods sold associated with the retail sales of pet food and pet supplies.

The following table summarizes gross profit, gross margin, Non-GAAP gross profit, Non-GAAP gross margin, Non-GAAP gross profit, excluding acquisition related amortization and Non-GAAP gross margin, excluding acquisition related amortization, for our Animal Hospital segment (in thousands, except percentages) and the same measures on a same-store basis:

35

	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013			% Change		2014			2013			% Change
Gross profit	$	68,537		$	60,839		12.7	%	$	180,673		$	166,151		8.7	%
Impact of inventory adjustment	—			(2,808		)			—			(2,808		)
Impact of rent expense adjustment	—			—					—			(1,396		)
Impact of vacant property adjustment	—			—					—			2,046
Non-GAAP gross profit(1)	$	68,537		$	58,031		18.1	%	$	180,673		$	163,993		10.2	%
Intangible asset amortization associated with acquisitions	4,121			4,368					12,102			12,415
Non-GAAP gross profit, excluding acquisition related amortization(1)	$	72,658		$	62,399		16.4	%	$	192,775		$	176,408		9.3	%
Gross margin	17.3		%	16.5		%			15.9		%	15.5		%
Non-GAAP gross margin(1)	17.3		%	15.7		%			15.9		%	15.3		%
Non-GAAP gross margin, excluding acquisition related amortization(1)	18.4		%	16.9		%			17.0		%	16.4		%
Same-store gross profit	$	66,060		$	61,481		7.4	%	$	175,741		$	165,837		6.0	%
Impact of inventory adjustment	—			(2,790		)			—			(2,757		)
Impact of rent expense adjustment	—			—					—			(1,396		)
Impact of vacant property adjustment	—			—					—			1,662
Non-GAAP same-store gross profit(1)	$	66,060		$	58,691		12.6	%	$	175,741		$	163,346		7.6	%
Intangible asset amortization associated with acquisitions	3,443			4,075					9,626			11,608
Non-GAAP same-store gross profit, excluding acquisition related amortization(1)	$	69,503		$	62,766		10.7	%	$	185,367		$	174,954		6.0	%
Same-store gross margin	17.7		%	17.1		%			16.4		%	15.8		%
Non-GAAP same-store gross margin(1)	17.7		%	16.3		%			16.4		%	15.6		%
Non-GAAP same-store gross margin, excluding acquisition related amortization(1)	18.6		%	17.5		%			17.3		%	16.7		%

____________________________

⁽¹⁾  Non-GAAP gross profit, Non-GAAP gross margin, Non-GAAP gross profit, excluding acquisition related amortization and Non-GAAP gross margin, excluding acquisition related amortization and the same measures expressed on a same store basis, are not measurements of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for information about these Non-GAAP financial measures, including our reasons for including the measures, material limitations with respect to the usefulness of the measures, and a reconciliation of each Non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

Consolidated Animal Hospital gross profit increased $7.7 million and $14.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. Excluding the impact of the Non-GAAP adjustments detailed in the table above, Non-GAAP gross profit, excluding acquisition related amortization, increased $10.3 million and $16.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. The increase in Non-GAAP consolidated gross profit, excluding acquisition related amortization, was primarily attributable to an increase in Animal Hospital same-store gross margin, which increased as a result of leverage gained from higher same-store revenue, managing costs and additional gross profit from acquired animal hospitals.

Over the last several years, we have acquired a significant number of animal hospitals. Many of these newly acquired animal hospitals had lower gross margins at the time of acquisition than those previously operated by us. We have improved

these lower gross margins, in the aggregate, subsequent to the acquisition primarily through cost efficiencies.

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Laboratory Segment

The following table summarizes revenue and gross profit for our Laboratory segment (in thousands, except percentages):

	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013			% Change		2014			2013			% Change
Revenue	$	91,903		$	86,460		6.3	%	$	276,392		$	265,025		4.3	%
Gross profit	$	45,024		$	40,810		10.3	%	$	137,147		$	128,501		6.7	%
Gross margin	49.0		%	47.2		%			49.6		%	48.5		%

Laboratory revenue increased $5.4 million and $11.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. The components of the changes in Laboratory revenue are detailed below (in thousands, except percentages and average revenue per requisition):

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014		2013		% Change		2014		2013		% Change
Internal growth:
Number of requisitions (1)	3,247		3,229		0.6	%	9,878		9,974		(1.0	)%
Average revenue per requisition (2)	$	28.08	$	26.78	4.9	%	$	27.94	$	26.57	5.2	%
Total internal revenue (1)	$	91,183	$	86,460	5.5	%	$	275,996	$	265,025	4.1	%
Billing-day adjustment (3)	596		—				—		—
Acquired revenue (4)	124		—				396		—
Total	$	91,903	$	86,460	6.3	%	$	276,392	$	265,025	4.3	%

  ____________________________

⁽¹⁾  Internal revenue and requisitions were calculated using Laboratory operating results, which are adjusted (i) to exclude the operating results of acquired laboratories that we did not own as of the beginning of the comparable periods in 2013, and (ii) for the impact resulting from any differences in the number of billing days in comparable periods, if applicable.

⁽²⁾  Computed by dividing internal revenue by the number of requisitions.

⁽³⁾  The billing-day adjustment reflects the impact of an additional one-half billing day in 2014, as compared to 2013.

⁽⁴⁾  Acquired revenue represents the current-year period revenue recognized from our acquired laboratories that we did not own as of the beginning of the comparable periods in 2013.

The increase in Laboratory revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the prior-year periods, was due to an increase in average revenue per requisition, primarily as a result of price increases in February 2014 and changes in product mix.

Laboratory gross profit is calculated as Laboratory revenue less direct costs. Laboratory direct cost comprises all costs of laboratory services including, but not limited to, salaries of veterinarians, specialists, technicians and other laboratory-based personnel, transportation and delivery costs, facilities rent, occupancy costs, depreciation and amortization and supply costs.

Our Laboratory gross margin increased to 49.0% and 49.6% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to 47.2% and 48.5% for the same periods in the prior year. The improvement in gross margins is primarily attributable to leverage on labor and transportation costs.

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Intercompany Revenue

Laboratory revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 included intercompany revenue of $14.5 million and $42.9 million, respectively, generated by providing laboratory services to our animal hospitals, as compared to $13.6 million and $41.6 million for the respective prior year periods. All Other revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 included intercompany revenue of $4.7 million and $13.9 million, respectively, generated by providing products and services to our animal hospitals and laboratories, as compared to $6.0 million and $16.1 million for the respective prior year periods. For purposes of reviewing the operating performance of our segments, all intercompany transactions are accounted for as if the transaction was with an independent third party at current market prices. For financial reporting purposes, intercompany transactions are eliminated as part of our consolidation.

Selling, General and Administrative Expense

SG&A is primarily comprised of costs incurred to support each of our business units. These costs typically include compensation related items for our accounting, legal, information technology, marketing, training, and medical operations departments and in addition, other shared costs such as marketing and rent for corporate facilities.

The following table summarizes our selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense in both dollars and as a percentage of applicable revenue (in thousands, except percentages):

	Three Months Ended September 30,										Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014				2013						2014				2013
	$		% of Revenue		$		% of Revenue		% Change		$		% of Revenue		$		% of Revenue		% Change
Animal Hospital	$	9,269	2.3	%	$	8,678	2.4	%	6.8	%	$	28,261	2.5	%	$	25,723	2.4	%	9.9	%
Laboratory	8,610		9.4	%	7,921		9.2	%	8.7	%	24,909		9.0	%	23,891		9.0	%	4.3	%
All Other	8,023		26.7	%	7,618		27.7	%	5.3	%	23,782		29.0	%	24,573		29.4	%	(3.2	)%
Corporate	16,890		3.4	%	14,530		3.1	%	16.2	%	47,211		3.3	%	43,429		3.2	%	8.7	%
Total SG&A	$	42,792	8.6	%	$	38,747	8.3	%	10.4	%	$	124,163	8.6	%	$	117,616	8.6	%	5.6	%

Consolidated SG&A expense increased $4.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase in consolidated SG&A expense for the three months ended September 30, 2014, was primarily due to an increase in compensation related expenses at our Corporate, Laboratory, and Animal Hospital segments of $1.7 million, $0.7 million, and $0.6 million, respectively, related to increased headcount to support our growing operations. The remainder of the variance is attributable to several individually immaterial items.

Consolidated SG&A expense increased $6.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase in consolidated SG&A expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, was primarily due to an increase in compensation related expenses at our Corporate, Animal Hospital and Laboratory segments of $3.2 million, $2.2 million, and $1.0 million, respectively, related to increased headcount to support our growing operations and to a lesser extent, executive compensation. The increases were partially offset by a decrease in SG&A of $1.7 million at our Vetstreet business due to our cost containment efforts. The remainder of the variance is attributable to several individually immaterial items.

38

Operating Income

The following table summarizes our consolidated operating income, Non-GAAP consolidated operating income and Non-GAAP consolidated operating income, excluding acquisition related amortization in both dollars and as a percentage of applicable revenue (in thousands, except percentages):

	Three Months Ended September 30,												Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014					2013							2014					2013
	$			% of Revenue		$			% of Revenue		% Change		$			% of Revenue		$			% of Revenue		% Change
Animal Hospital	$	58,670		14.8	%	$	52,271		14.2	%	12.2	%	$	151,232		13.3	%	$	138,969		12.9	%	8.8	%
Laboratory	36,407			39.6	%	32,878			38.0	%	10.7	%	112,309			40.6	%	104,605			39.5	%	7.4	%
All Other	(24,906		)	(82.8	)%	2,388			8.7	%	(1,143.0	)%	(21,961		)	(26.8	)%	4,487			5.4	%	(589.4	)%
Corporate	(16,755		)			(14,520		)			(15.4	)%	(47,016		)			(43,149		)			(9.0	)%
Eliminations	60					(978		)			106.1	%	50					(1,821		)			102.7	%
Total GAAP consolidated operating income	$	53,476		10.7	%	$	72,039		15.5	%	(25.8	)%	$	194,614		13.5	%	$	203,091		14.8	%	(4.2	)%
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	27,019					—							27,019					—
Impact of inventory adjustment	—					(2,808		)					—					(2,808		)
Impact of rent expense adjustment	—					—							—					(1,396		)
Impact of vacant property adjustment	—					—							—					3,804
Non-GAAP operating income(1)	$	80,495		16.1	%	$	69,231		14.9	%	16.3	%	$	221,633		15.4	%	$	202,691		14.8	%	9.3	%
Intangible asset amortization associated with acquisitions	5,231					5,588							15,605					16,153
Non-GAAP consolidated operating income, excluding acquisition related amortization and Non-GAAP operating margin, excluding acquisition related amortization(1)	$	85,726		17.2	%	$	74,819		16.1	%	14.6	%	$	237,238		16.5	%	$	218,844		16.0	%	8.4	%

 ____________________________

⁽¹⁾  Non-GAAP consolidated operating income, Non-GAAP consolidated operating margin, Non-GAAP consolidated operating income, excluding acquisition related amortization and Non-GAAP consolidated operating margin, excluding acquisition related amortization are not measurements of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for information about these Non-GAAP financial measures, including our reasons for including the measures, material limitations with respect to the usefulness of the measures, and a reconciliation of each Non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

Consolidated operating income decreased by $18.6 million and $8.5 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in prior year. Excluding the impact of the Non-GAAP adjustments detailed in the above table, Non-GAAP consolidated operating income, excluding acquisition related amortization, increased $10.9 million and $18.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in prior year. The remaining increases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 were primarily related to improved results, as mentioned above, in our Animal Hospital and Laboratory segments.

Intangible asset amortization associated with acquisitions

Included in our direct costs is amortization expense related to our acquired intangible assets. At acquisition we assign a fair market value to identifiable intangible assets other than goodwill in our purchase price allocation. These assets include non-contractual customer relationships, covenants not-to-compete, trademarks, contracts, technology and client lists. For those identified intangible assets that have finite lives, we amortize those values over the estimated useful lives to direct costs. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, amortization expense associated with acquisitions was $5.2 million and $15.6 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, amortization expense associated with acquisitions was $5.6 million and $16.2 million, respectively.

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Interest Expense, Net

The following table summarizes our interest expense, net of interest income (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Interest expense:
Senior term notes	$	2,704		$	2,863		$	7,781		$	8,653
Capital leases and other	1,363			1,405			3,937			3,656
Amortization of debt costs	353			310			958			937
Non-GAAP interest expense	4,420			4,578			12,676			13,246
Rent expense adjustment	—			—			—			1,401
Consolidated interest expense	4,420			4,578			12,676			14,647
Interest income	(53		)	(104		)	(112		)	(208		)
Total consolidated interest expense, net of interest income	$	4,367		$	4,474		$	12,564		$	14,439

The decrease in net interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the same periods in the prior year, was primarily attributable to lower interest expense on our senior term notes. The weighted average balance and interest rate have declined as compared to the prior year periods. The decrease in the weighted average balance resulted from scheduled debt repayments whereas the decrease in the weighted average interest rates resulted from a lower effective LIBOR rate. In addition, interest expense related to capital leases declined as a result of an immaterial out-of-period adjustment related to an operating lease that should have been accounted for as a capital lease in the prior period for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. These decreases were partially offset by the additions of new capital leases from animal hospitals acquired in the current period .

Provision for Income Taxes

The effective tax rate of income attributable to VCA for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was 39.9% and 39.3%, respectively, as compared to 38.9% for the year ended December 31, 2013. Our estimated annual effective tax rate is 39.1%.

Inflation

Historically, our operations have not been materially affected by inflation. We cannot assure that our operations will not be affected by inflation in the future.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We use Non-GAAP financial measures to supplement the financial information presented on a GAAP basis. We believe that excluding certain items from our GAAP results allows our management to better understand our consolidated financial performance from period to period and in relationship to the operating results of our segments. We also believe that excluding certain items from our GAAP results allows our management to better project our future consolidated financial performance because our forecasts are developed at a level of detail different from that used to prepare GAAP-based financial measures. Moreover, we believe these Non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with useful information to help them evaluate our operating results by facilitating an enhanced understanding of our operating performance, and enabling them to make more meaningful period to period comparisons.

The Non-GAAP financial measures presented in this report include Non-GAAP gross profit, Non-GAAP gross margin, Non-GAAP gross profit, excluding acquisition related amortization and Non-GAAP gross margin, excluding acquisition related amortization computed on a consolidated basis, for our Animal Hospital segment, and the same measures expressed on a same-store basis. Additionally, our Non-GAAP financial measures include our Non-GAAP operating income, Non-GAAP operating margin, Non-GAAP operating income, excluding acquisition related amortization and Non-GAAP operating margin, excluding acquisition related amortization on a consolidated basis. Lastly, our Non-GAAP financial measures also include our Non-GAAP interest expense, Non-GAAP consolidated net income, Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, Non-GAAP consolidated net income, excluding acquisition related amortization and Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, excluding acquisition related amortization. These Non-GAAP financial measures, as defined by us, represent the comparable GAAP measures adjusted to exclude certain charges or credits, as detailed in the tables above and below. In future fiscal periods, we may exclude such items and may incur income and expenses

40

similar to these excluded items. Accordingly, the exclusion of these items and other similar items in our Non-GAAP presentation should not be interpreted as implying that these items are non-recurring, infrequent, or unusual.

There are limitations to the use of the Non-GAAP financial measures presented in this report. Our Non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate the Non-GAAP financial measures differently than we do, limiting the usefulness of those measures for comparative purposes. In addition, these items can have a material impact on earnings. Our management compensates for the foregoing limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and using Non-GAAP financial measures supplementally. The Non-GAAP financial measures are not meant to be considered as indicators of performance in isolation from or as a substitute for consolidated gross profit or gross margin prepared in accordance with GAAP and should be read only in conjunction with financial information presented on a GAAP basis. We have presented reconciliations of each Non-GAAP financial measure to the most comparable GAAP measure for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 and encourage you to review the reconciliations in conjunction with the presentation of the Non-GAAP financial measures for each of the periods included in this report. Refer to the tables above in the gross profit and operating income sections within Part I, Item 2 of this report for a reconciliation of consolidated gross profit to Non-GAAP gross profit and to Non-GAAP gross profit, excluding acquisition related amortization, consolidated operating income to Non-GAAP operating income and to Non-GAAP operating income, excluding acquisition related amortization.

Our Non-GAAP adjustments include the following:

• Goodwill and other long-lived asset impairment adjustment - We recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $27.0 million related to the write-down of goodwill and other long-lived assets in our Vetstreet business for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.

• Debt retirement costs adjustment - We incurred debt retirement costs of $1.7 million related to the refinancing of our senior credit facility for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.

• Inventory adjustment - We recorded a non-cash physical inventory adjustment in our Animal Hospital business segment, which resulted in a $2.8 million credit adjustment to direct costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.

• Rent expense adjustment - We reclassified an operating lease to a capital lease and accordingly recorded a corresponding credit to rent expense of $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. This adjustment had an immaterial impact on the consolidated income statement and to net income.

• Vacant property adjustment - We vacated properties of two animal hospitals whose operations were consolidated into a newly constructed, newly owned animal hospital. Accordingly, we recorded a write-down to fair value and accrued certain lease related costs totaling $3.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

• Intangible asset amortization associated with acquisitions - Our GAAP net income includes amortization expense related to intangible assets in our acquired businesses. The amortization expense related to our acquired intangible assets can vary significantly dependent upon the amount and size of our acquisitions in each period; accordingly, we exclude amortization from our GAAP net income, for all periods presented, to provide investors with more comparable operating results.

The following table reconciles our GAAP net income to Non-GAAP net income, calculates our Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, and reconciles to Non-GAAP net income, excluding acquisition related amortization and calculates our Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, excluding acquisition related amortization for the adjustments mentioned above:

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	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
GAAP net income	$	27,452		$	40,647		$	107,079		$	112,794
Impact of goodwill and other long-lived asset impairment adjustment	27,019			—			27,019			—
Impact of debt retirement cost adjustment	1,709			—			1,709			—
Impact of inventory adjustment	—			(2,808		)	—			(2,808		)
Impact of vacant property adjustment	—			—			—			3,804
Tax benefit on above adjustments	(10,647		)	1,099			(10,647		)	(390		)
Non-GAAP net income	45,533			38,938			125,160			113,400
Intangible asset amortization associated with acquisitions, net of tax	3,184			3,401			9,497			9,831
Non-GAAP net income, excluding acquisition related amortization	$	48,717		$	42,339		$	134,657		$	123,231
Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share	$	0.52		$	0.43		$	1.41		$	1.26
Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, excluding acquisition related amortization	$	0.56		$	0.47		$	1.52		$	1.37
Shares used for computing adjusted diluted earnings per share	87,360			89,845			88,665			89,659

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Introduction

We generate cash primarily from (i) payments made by customers for our veterinary services, (ii) payments from animal hospitals and other clients for our laboratory services, (iii) proceeds received from the sale of our imaging equipment and other related services and (iv) payments received from participating hospitals for Vetstreet subscriptions and reminder notices. Our business historically has experienced strong liquidity, as fees for services provided in our animal hospitals are due at the time of service and fees for laboratory services are collected under standard industry terms. Our cash disbursements are primarily for payments related to the compensation of our employees, supplies and inventory purchases for our operating segments, occupancy and other administrative costs, interest expense, payments on long-term borrowings, capital expenditures and acquisitions. Cash outflows fluctuate with the amount and timing of the settlement of these transactions.

We manage our cash, investments and capital structure so we are able to meet the short-term and long-term obligations of our business while maintaining financial flexibility and liquidity. We forecast, analyze and monitor our cash flows to enable investment and financing within the overall constraints of our financial strategy.

At September 30, 2014, our consolidated cash and cash equivalents totaled $126.5 million, representing an increase of $1.5 million, compared to December 31, 2013. Cash flows generated from operating activities totaled at $225.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, representing an increase of $6.0 million, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

As of September 30, 2014, $32.1 millionof the$126.5 million of cash and cash equivalents were held by foreign subsidiaries. Our intention is to indefinitely reinvest foreign earnings in our foreign subsidiaries. If these earnings were used to fund domestic operations, they would be subject to additional income taxes upon repatriation.

We have historically funded our working capital requirements, capital expenditures, investments in the acquisition of individual hospitals and laboratories, repurchases of our common shares, and other smaller acquisitions, primarily from internally-generated cash flows. As of September 30, 2014, we had access to an $800 million revolving credit facility, an increase of $675 million as part of new our New Senior Credit Facility dated August 27, 2014; this allows us to maintain further operating and financial flexibility. In the future, we plan to utilize our revolving credit facility to supplement our internally generated cash flows to fund both our acquisition pipeline and our share repurchase program. See Note 6, Long-Term Obligations, in our condensed, consolidated financial statements of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for a more detailed discussion.

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Historically, we have been able to access the capital markets to fund larger acquisitions that could not be funded out of internally generated cash flows. The availability of financing in the form of debt or equity is influenced by many factors including our profitability, operating cash flows, debt levels, debt ratings, contractual restrictions, and market conditions. Although in the past we have been able to obtain financing for material transactions on terms we believe to be reasonable, there is a possibility that we may not be able to obtain financing on favorable terms in the future.

Future Cash Flows

Short-Term

We historically have funded our working capital requirements, capital expenditures, investments in acquisitions of individual hospitals and laboratories, repurchases of our common shares, and other smaller acquisitions, from internally-generated cash flows. We anticipate that our cash on hand and net cash provided by operations and available funds under our revolving credit agreement and incremental facilities will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash requirements for the next 12 months. During October 2014, to fund share repurchases under our existing $400 million share repurchase authorization as described below, we borrowed $50 million from our revolving credit facility. If we consummate additional significant acquisitions during this period, we may seek additional debt or equity financing.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, we expect to spend $120 million to $135 million for the acquisition of independent animal hospitals. The ultimate number of acquisitions and cash used is largely dependent upon the attractiveness of the candidates and the strategic fit within our operations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we spent $62.1 million in connection with the acquisition of 23 independent animal hospitals. In addition, we expect to spend approximately $80 million in 2014 for both property and equipment additions and capital costs necessary to maintain our existing facilities, of which approximately $50.1 million had been expended at September 30, 2014.

In April 2013, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase for up to $125.0 million of our common shares, which was completed in August 2014. In August 2014, our Board of Directors authorized the continuance of that share repurchase program, authorizing us to repurchase up to an additional $400.0 million of our common shares. These repurchases may be made from time to time through various methods, including open market transactions, block trades, accelerated share repurchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise and may be effected through Rule 10b5-1 and Rule 10b-18 plans. The timing and number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including price, capital availability, legal requirements and economic and market conditions. The Company is not obligated to purchase any shares under the repurchase program, and repurchases may be suspended or discontinued at any time without prior notice. The repurchases have been and will continue to be funded by existing cash balances and by our revolving credit facility. During the quarter ended September 30, 2014, we repurchased an aggregate of 990,000 shares of common stock for $40.7 million under our new plan.

Long-Term

Our long-term liquidity needs, other than those related to the day-to-day operations of our business, including commitments for operating leases, generally are comprised of scheduled principal and interest payments for our outstanding long-term indebtedness, capital expenditures related to the expansion of our business and acquisitions in accordance with our growth strategy.

We are unable to project with certainty whether our long-term cash flow from operations will be sufficient to repay our long-term debt when it comes due. If this cash flow is insufficient, we expect that we will need to refinance such indebtedness, amend its terms to extend maturity dates, or issue common stock of our company. Our management cannot make any assurances that such refinancing or amendments, if necessary, will be available on attractive terms, if at all.

Debt Related Covenants

Our new senior credit facility contains certain financial covenants pertaining to interest coverage and leverage ratios. As of September 30, 2014, we were in compliance with these covenants, including the two covenant ratios, the interest coverage ratio and the leverage ratio.

At September 30, 2014, we had an interest coverage ratio of 21.52 to 1.00, which was in compliance with the required ratio of no less than 3.00 to 1.00. The senior credit facility defines the interest coverage ratio as that ratio that is calculated on a last 12-month basis by dividing pro forma earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as defined by the senior credit facility (“pro forma earnings”), by consolidated interest expense. Interest expense is defined as total interest expense with respect to all outstanding indebtedness, including commissions, discounts and other fees charged related to letters of credit. Pro forma earnings include 12 months of operating results for businesses acquired during the period.

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At September 30, 2014, we had a leverage ratio of 1.89 to 1.00, which was in compliance with the required ratio of no more than 4.50 to 1.00 from September 30, 2014 until March 31, 2015 as defined under the New Senior Credit Facility. The senior credit facility defines the leverage ratio as that ratio which is calculated as total debt divided by pro forma earnings.

Historical Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our cash flows (in thousands):

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013
Cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	225,047		$	219,005
Investing activities	(111,246		)	(94,363		)
Financing activities	(111,880		)	(39,337		)
Effect of currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(443		)	(566		)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	1,478			84,739
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	125,029			68,435
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	126,507		$	153,174

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities increased by $6.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the prior-year period. Operating cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 included $110.8 million of net income, net non-cash expenses of $102.3 million and net cash provided as a result of changes in operating assets and liabilities of $11.9 million. The changes in operating assets and liabilities included a $14.8 million increase in accrued payroll and related liabilities, a $12.1 million decrease in prepaid income taxes, and a $2.9 million increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. These changes were offset by an $8.2 million increase in inventory, prepaid expenses and other assets, and a $9.7 million increase in trade accounts receivable. The increase in accrued payroll and related liabilities, the decrease in prepaid income taxes, and the increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities are a result of timing of payment obligations. The increase in inventory, prepaid expenses and other assets is primarily due to increased medical supplies in relation to the acquired hospitals during 2014, and increased partner program funds provided for joint marketing initiatives used to promote certain products. The increase in trade accounts receivable is primarily due to the addition of new hospitals in 2014 as well as increased Antech revenue.

Net cash provided by operating activities increased $30.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, as compared to the prior-year period. Operating cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 included $117.2 million of net income, net non-cash expenses of $75.6 million and net cash provided as a result of changes in operating assets and liabilities of $26.2 million. The changes in operating assets and liabilities included a $21.5 million decrease in prepaid income taxes, a $5.0 million increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, an $11.4 million increase in accrued payroll and related liabilities, partially offset by a $10.0 million increase in accounts receivable. The increase in accounts payable, accrued liabilities, accrued payroll and related liabilities and decrease in prepaid income taxes were all a result of timing of payment obligations. The increase in accounts receivable was primarily due to an increase in third quarter 2013 net revenue compared to 2012.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

The table below presents the components of the changes in investing cash flows (in thousands):

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	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013			Change
Investing Cash Flows:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(62,122		)	$	(39,640	)	$	(22,482	)	(1)
Capital expenditures	(50,093		)	(52,682		)	2,589			(2)
Real estate acquired in connection with business acquisitions	(3,293		)	(1,208		)	(2,085		)	(3)
Proceeds from sale or disposal of assets	4,464			905			3,559			(4)
Other	(202		)	(1,738		)	1,536
Net cash used in investing activities	$	(111,246	)	$	(94,363	)	$	(16,883	)

 ____________________________

⁽¹⁾  The number of acquisitions will vary from year to year based upon the available pool of suitable candidates. A discussion of our acquisitions is provided above in our Executive Overview.

⁽²⁾  The cash used for capital expenditures will vary from period to period based on upgrade requirements and the expansion of our animal hospital and laboratory facilities.

⁽³⁾  The cash used to acquire real estate varies dependent upon the number of opportunities that meet our selective acquisition criteria.

⁽⁴⁾  The proceeds from the sale or disposal of assets increased in 2014 primarily due to the insurance recovery received on assets from our Medical Technology business that were destroyed by a fire.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

The table below presents the components of the changes in financing cash flows (in thousands):

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013			Change
Financing Cash Flows:
Repayment of debt	$	(563,976	)	$	(28,507	)	$	(535,469	)	(1)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	600,000			—			600,000			(2)
Payment of financing costs	(7,987		)	—			(7,987		)	(3)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest partners	(3,577		)	(3,324		)	(253		)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests	(326		)	(5,727		)	5,401			(4)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under stock option plans	926			15,111			(14,185		)	(5)
Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options	3,808			2,654			1,154
Repurchase of common stock	(139,910		)	(19,384		)	(120,526		)	(6)
Other	(838		)	(160		)	(678		)
Net cash used in financing activities	$	(111,880	)	$	(39,337	)	$	(72,543	)

____________________________

⁽¹⁾  For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the cash payments on our long-term obligations included $533.2 million related to the pay-off of our existing Senior Credit Facility. In addition, there were $30.8 million of scheduled principal payments.

⁽²⁾  On August 27, 2014 we entered into a new senior credit facility with various lenders which replaced our existing senior credit facility. A discussion of our New Senior Credit Facility is provided above in our Executive Overview.

⁽³⁾  The payment of financing costs in 2014 were related to the New Senior Credit Facility entered into on August 27, 2014.

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⁽⁴⁾  The cash paid to purchase noncontrolling interests will vary based upon differing opportunities and circumstances during each of the respective periods.

⁽⁵⁾  The proceeds from issuance of common stock under stock option plans decreased in the current period, as in the prior year comparable period there were more exercises as options were near expiration.

⁽⁶⁾  The cash paid for stock repurchases includes both the repurchase of our common shares, in accordance with our share repurchase program, and income taxes paid on behalf of employees who elected to settle their tax obligation on vested stock with a portion of their vested stock.

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Future Contractual Cash Requirements

The following table sets forth material changes from the amounts reported in our 2013 Form 10-K to our scheduled principal and interest due by us for each of the years indicated as of September 30, 2014 (in thousands):

	Payment due by period
	Total		Less than 1 Year		1-3 years		3-5 years		More than 5 years
Contractual Obligations:
Long-term debt	$	600,230	$	7,730	$	63,750	$	528,750	$	—
Variable cash interest expense Term A(1)	50,866		11,460		21,631		17,775		—
	$	651,096	$	19,190	$	85,381	$	546,525	$	—

____________________________

⁽¹⁾  The interest payments on our variable-rate senior term notes are based on rates effective as of September 30, 2014.

Off-Balance-Sheet Financing Arrangements

Other than operating leases, as of September 30, 2014, we do not have any off-balance-sheet financing arrangements .

Description of Indebtedness

New Senior Credit Facility

We entered into a new senior credit facility on August 27, 2014 and pay interest on our senior term notes and revolving credit facility based on the interest rate offered to our administrative agent on, the Eurodollar rate plus the applicable margin determined by reference to the leverage ratio in effect from time-to-time, ranging from 1.00% to 2.25% per annum, as set forth in the table in Note 6, Long-Term Obligations, of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.We pay a commitment fee on our revolving credit facility determined by reference to the Leverage Ratio in effect from time-to-time ranging from 0.25% to 0.45%, as set forth in Note 6, Long-Term Obligations, of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

At September 30, 2014, we had $600.0 million in principal outstanding under our senior term notes and no borrowings outstanding under our revolving credit facility.

The senior term notes and the revolving credit facility mature in August 2019.

Other Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

At September 30, 2014, we had a seller note secured by assets of a certain animal hospital, capital leases, and other debt that totaled $60.4 million, which are included in long-term debt in the condensed, consolidated balance sheet of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. Our seller note matures in 2014 and has an interest rate of 10.0%. Our capital leases and other debt have various maturities through 2042 and various interest rates ranging from 1.9% to 15.0%.

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There have been no material changes in our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk from those disclosed in Part II, Item 7A, of our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We carried out an evaluation required by the Exchange Act, under the supervision and with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and to provide reasonable assurance that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

During our most recent fiscal quarter, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives as specified above. Management does not expect, however, that our disclosure controls and procedures will prevent or detect all error and fraud. Any control system, no matter how well designed and operated, is based upon certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that its objectives will be met. Further, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur, or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the company have been detected.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

On May 29, 2013, a former veterinary assistant at one of our animal hospitals filed a purported class action lawsuit against us in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles, titled Jorge Duran vs. VCA Animal Hospitals, Inc., et. al. The lawsuit seeks to assert claims on behalf of current and former veterinary assistants employed by us in California, and alleges, among other allegations, that we improperly failed to pay regular and overtime wages, improperly failed to provide proper meal and rest periods, and engaged in unfair business practices. The lawsuit seeks damages, statutory penalties, and other relief, including attorneys’ fees and costs. On May 7, 2014, we obtained partial summary judgment, dismissing 4 of the 8 claims of the complaint, including the claims for failure to pay regular and overtime wages. We intend to continue to vigorously defend against the remaining claims in this action. At this time, we are unable to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of possible loss, but do not believe losses, if any, would have a material effect on our results of operations or financial position taken as a whole.

On July 16, 2014, two additional former veterinary assistants filed a purported class action lawsuit against us in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles, titled La Kimba Bradsbery and Cheri Brakensiek vs. Vicar Operating, Inc., et. al. The lawsuit seeks to assert claims on behalf of current and former veterinary assistants, kennel assistants, and client service representatives employed by us in California, and alleges, among other allegations, that we improperly failed to pay regular and overtime wages, improperly failed to provide proper meal and rest periods, improperly failed to pay reporting time pay, improperly failed to reimburse for certain business-related expenses, and engaged in unfair business practices. The lawsuit seeks damages, statutory penalties, and other relief, including attorneys’ fees and costs. We currently expect that these two actions will be consolidated with, or related before the same judge hearing, the Duran action discussed above. At this time, we are unable to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of possible loss, but do not believe losses, if any, would have a material effect on our results of operations or financial position taken as a whole.

On July 12, 2013, an individual who provided courier services with respect to our laboratory clients in California filed a purported class action lawsuit against us in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Santa Clara - San Jose Branch, titled Carlos Lopez vs. Logistics Delivery Solutions, LLC, Antech Diagnostics, Inc., et. al. Logistics Delivery Solutions, LLC, a co-defendant in the lawsuit, is a company with which Antech has contracted to provide courier services in California. The lawsuit seeks to assert claims on behalf of individuals who were engaged by Logistics Delivery Solutions, LLC to perform such courier services and alleges, among other allegations, that Logistics Delivery Solutions and Antech Diagnostics improperly classified the plaintiffs as independent contractors, improperly failed to pay overtime wages, and improperly failed to provide proper meal periods. The lawsuit seeks damages, statutory penalties, and other relief, including attorneys' fees and costs. We filed our answer to the complaint on September 13, 2013. Written discovery is currently ongoing. We filed a motion for summary judgment on July 18, 2014, and on October 3, 2014 the court denied our request for summary judgment. We are continuing to vigorously defend this action. At this time, we are unable to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of possible loss, but do not believe losses, if any, would have a material effect on our results of operations or financial position taken as a whole.

On May 12, 2014, an individual client who purchased goods and services from one of our animal hospitals filed a purported class action lawsuit against us in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, titled Tony M. Graham vs. VCA Antech, Inc. and VCA Animal Hospitals, Inc. The lawsuit seeks to assert claims on behalf of the plaintiff and other individuals who purchased similar goods and services from our animal hospitals and alleges, among other allegations, that we improperly charged such individuals for “biohazard waste management” in connection with the services performed. The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages in unspecified amounts, and other relief, including attorneys' fees and costs. This case is in an early procedural stage and we intend to vigorously defend this action. At this time, we are unable to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of possible loss, but do not believe losses, if any, would have a material effect on our results of operations or financial position taken as a whole.

In addition to the lawsuits described above, we are party to ordinary routine legal proceedings and claims incidental to our business, but we are not currently a party to any legal proceeding that we believe would have a material adverse effect on our financial position.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A, of our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Transactions in Our Equity Securities

For the period covered by this report, we have not engaged in any transactions involving the sale of our unregistered equity securities that were not disclosed in a quarterly report on Form 10-Q or a current report on Form 8-K. We have not engaged in any sales of registered securities for which the use of proceeds is required to be disclosed.

The following table provides information on shares of our common stock we repurchased during the quarter ended September 30, 2014:

				Total Number of	Approximate Dollar
				Shares Purchased as	Value of Shares That
	Total Number	Average		Part of Publicly	May Yet Be Purchased
	of Shares	Price Paid		Announced Plan	Under the Plan
Period	Purchased	Per Share		or Program	or Program
(1)	(2)	(3)		(4)	(4)
July 1, 2014 to July 31, 2014	1,100,000	$	36.21	1,100,000	$	8,209,481
August 1, 2014 to August 31, 2014	231,697	$	37.53	216,171	$	400,114,637
September 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014	1,027,633	$	41.09	990,000	$	359,438,232
	2,359,330	$	38.46	2,306,171	$	359,438,232

⁽¹⁾ Information is based on settlement dates of repurchase transactions.

⁽²⁾ Consists of shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share. Of these shares, 2,306,171 shares were repurchased in the open market pursuant to a previously-announced share repurchase program (see (4) below). The balance of the repurchases were related to 53,159 shares of common stock surrendered to us by employees to satisfy minimum statutory tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of restricted stock and payout of restricted stock units. In the table above, these shares were excluded from column (4) as they do not affect the number of shares that may be repurchased under the Share Repurchase Program.

⁽³⁾ The average price paid for shares repurchased under the Share Repurchase Program excludes commissions paid.

⁽⁴⁾ In April 2013, our Board of Directors authorized a repurchase program to purchase up to $125 million in shares of our common stock. As of August 2014, we have completed this program and our Board of Directors authorized a new repurchase program to buyback up to $400 million in shares of our common stock in open market purchases or negotiated transactions.

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ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

The agreements and other documents filed as exhibits to this report are not intended to provide factual information or other disclosure, other than with respect to the terms of the agreements or other documents themselves, and you should not rely on them for that purpose. In particular, any representations and warranties made by us in these agreements or other documents were made solely within the specific context of the relevant agreement or document and may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time.

31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

51

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on November 7, 2014.

Date:	November 7, 2014	By: /s/ Tomas W. Fuller
		Tomas W. Fuller
		Chief Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer, and Vice President and Secretary

52

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description
31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 101.INS	XBRL Instance Document
Exhibit 101.SCH	XBRL Extension Schema Document
Exhibit 101.CAL	XBRL Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
Exhibit 101.LAB	XBRL Extension Label Linkbase Document
Exhibit 101.PRE	XBRL Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
Exhibit 101.DEF	XBRL Extension Definition Linkbase Document

53

EX-31.1

EXHIBIT 31.1

Certification of

Chief Executive Officer

of VCA Inc.

I, Robert L. Antin, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of VCA Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the Audit Committee of the registrant’s Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 7, 2014

/s/ Robert L. Antin

Robert L. Antin

Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

EXHIBIT 31.2

Certification of

Chief Financial Officer

of VCA Inc.

I, Tomas W. Fuller, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of VCA Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the Audit Committee of the registrant’s Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 7, 2014

/s/ Tomas W. Fuller

Tomas W. Fuller

Chief Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer, and Vice President and Secretary

EX-32.1

EXHIBIT 32.1

Certification of

Chief Executive Officer & Chief Financial Officer

of VCA Inc.

This certification is provided pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and accompanies this quarterly report on Form 10-Q (the “Report”) for the period ended September 30, 2014 of VCA Inc. (the “Issuer”).

Each of the undersigned, who are the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, respectively, of VCA Inc., hereby certify that, to the best of each such officer’s knowledge:

(i) the Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d)); and

(ii) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Issuer.

Dated: November 7, 2014
	/s/ Robert L. Antin
	Robert L. Antin
	Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
	/s/ Tomas W. Fuller
	Tomas W. Fuller
	Chief Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer, and Vice President and Secretary

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Long-Term Obligations (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		0 Months Ended								9 Months Ended		21 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Aug. 27, 2014 New Senior Credit Facility [Member]	Aug. 27, 2014 New Senior Credit Facility [Member]	Aug. 27, 2014 Line of credit [Member] New Senior Credit Facility [Member] Secured debt [Member]	Aug. 27, 2014 Line of credit [Member] New Senior Credit Facility [Member] Revolving line of credit [Member]	Aug. 27, 2014 Line of credit [Member] New Senior Credit Facility [Member] Swing line [Member]	Aug. 27, 2014 Line of credit [Member] Senior Credit Facility [Member] Revolving line of credit [Member]	Aug. 27, 2014 Senior notes [Member] New Senior Credit Facility [Member]	Aug. 27, 2014 Senior notes [Member] Senior Credit Facility [Member]	Jun. 30, 2019 Senior notes [Member] Forecast	Jun. 30, 2018 Senior notes [Member] Forecast	Jun. 30, 2017 Senior notes [Member] Forecast
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity under credit agreement						$ 1,400,000,000.0	$ 800,000,000	$ 25,000,000	$ 125,000,000	$ 600,000,000	$ 534,000,000
Financing costs incurred	0	7,987,000		8,000,000
Deferred financing costs capitalized	8,308,000	8,308,000	2,987,000		6,500,000
Debt related expense recognized as income from continuing operations				1,500,000
Write-off of previously capitalized deferred financing costs				200,000
Principal payment (quarterly)												$ 15,000,000	$ 11,300,000	$ 7,500,000
Voting equity guarantee on indebtedness, percentage		65.00%
Non-voting equity guarantee on indebtedness, percentage		100.00%

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Noncontrolling Interests (Details Textuals)	Sep. 30, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Percentage of ownership interest in partnership	50.10%

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Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 1,498,287	$ 1,451,728
Accumulated impairment losses	(130,057)	(120,811)
Subtotal	1,368,230	1,330,917
Goodwill acquired		53,171
Goodwill impairment	(9,200)	(9,246)
Foreign translation adjustment		(5,204)
Other		(1,408)	[1]
Animal Hospital [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	1,256,472	1,216,581
Accumulated impairment losses	0	0
Subtotal	1,256,472	1,216,581
Goodwill acquired		46,475
Goodwill impairment		0
Foreign translation adjustment		(5,176)
Other		(1,408)	[1]
Laboratory [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	96,870	96,871
Accumulated impairment losses	0	0
Subtotal	96,870	96,871
Goodwill acquired		27
Goodwill impairment		0
Foreign translation adjustment		(28)
Other		0	[1]
All Other Segments [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	144,945	138,276
Accumulated impairment losses	(130,057)	(120,811)
Subtotal	14,888	17,465
Goodwill acquired		6,669
Goodwill impairment		(9,246)
Foreign translation adjustment		0
Other		$ 0	[1]

[1] "Other" primarily includes immaterial measurement period adjustments and an immaterial write-off related to the sale of an animal hospital.

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Acquisitions (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Business Acquisition Summary Of Acquired Properties

The table below reflects the activity related to the acquisitions and dispositions of our animal hospitals and laboratories during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014		2013
Animal Hospitals:
Acquisitions	23		14
Acquisitions, merged	(4	)	(2	)
Sold, closed or merged	(6	)	(15	)
Net increase (decrease)	13		(3	)
Laboratories:
Acquisitions	—		1
Created	3		—
Net increase	3		1

Animal Hospital [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed

The following table summarizes the aggregate consideration for our independent animal hospitals acquired during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, (in thousands):

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013
Consideration:
Cash, net of cash acquired	$	46,948		$	39,640
Assumed debt	4,160			2,360
Holdbacks	1,400			892
Earn-out contingent consideration	721			1,120
Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	53,229		$	44,012
Allocation of the Purchase Price:
Tangible assets	$	2,317		$	13,494
Identifiable intangible assets	8,176			12,774
Goodwill (1)	46,502			32,557
Other liabilities assumed	(47		)	(9,407		)
Fair value of assets acquired	$	56,948		$	49,418
Noncontrolling interest	(1,705		)	(5,406		)
Fair value of pre-existing investment	(2,014		)	—
Total	$	53,229		$	44,012

____________________________

4. Acquisitions, continued

⁽¹⁾   We expect that $36.6 million and $12.9 million of the goodwill recorded for these acquisitions, as of September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, will be fully deductible for income tax purposes.

Camp Bow Wow [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed

The following table summarizes the preliminary purchase price allocation (in thousands):

Consideration:
Cash, net of cash acquired	$	15,174
Assumed debt	323
Holdbacks	1,500
Earn-out contingent consideration	1,810
Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	18,807
Allocation of the Purchase Price:
Tangible assets	$	942
Identifiable intangible assets	12,080
Goodwill (1)	6,669
Other liabilities assumed	(884		)
Total	$	18,807

____________________________

⁽¹⁾   As of September 30, 2014, we expect that the full amount of goodwill recorded for this acquisition will be deductible for income tax purposes.

The purchase price allocation for Camp Bow Wow is preliminary and is pending the completion of tangible and intangible asset valuations.

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Lines of Business (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Lines of Business
External revenue	$ 499,577	$ 464,055	$ 1,438,556	$ 1,367,916
Intercompany revenue	0	0	0	0
Total revenue	499,577	464,055	1,438,556	1,367,916
Direct costs	375,820	353,378	1,092,933	1,046,022
Gross profit	123,757	110,677	345,623	321,894
Selling, general and administrative expense	42,792	38,747	124,163	117,616
Operating income (loss) before charges	80,965	71,930	221,460	204,278
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	27,019	0	27,019	0
Net (gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets	470	(109)	(173)	1,187
Operating income (loss)	53,476	72,039	194,614	203,091
Depreciation and amortization	19,862	20,044	59,659	57,783
Capital expenditures	22,114	19,587	50,093	52,682
Total assets	2,272,485		2,272,485		2,237,781
Operating Segments [Member] | Animal Hospital [Member]
Lines of Business
External revenue	395,820	368,868	1,134,184	1,074,688
Intercompany revenue	0	0	0	0
Total revenue	395,820	368,868	1,134,184	1,074,688
Direct costs	327,283	308,029	953,511	908,537
Gross profit	68,537	60,839	180,673	166,151
Selling, general and administrative expense	9,269	8,678	28,261	25,723
Operating income (loss) before charges	59,268	52,161	152,412	140,428
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	0
Net (gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets	598	(110)	1,180	1,459
Operating income (loss)	58,670	52,271	151,232	138,969
Depreciation and amortization	15,201	15,037	45,053	43,108
Capital expenditures	17,224	15,915	38,411	41,682
Total assets	1,904,183		1,904,183		1,854,609
Operating Segments [Member] | Laboratory [Member]
Lines of Business
External revenue	77,394	72,877	233,497	223,466
Intercompany revenue	14,509	13,583	42,895	41,559
Total revenue	91,903	86,460	276,392	265,025
Direct costs	46,879	45,650	139,245	136,524
Gross profit	45,024	40,810	137,147	128,501
Selling, general and administrative expense	8,610	7,921	24,909	23,891
Operating income (loss) before charges	36,414	32,889	112,238	104,610
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	0		0
Net (gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets	7	11	(71)	5
Operating income (loss)	36,407	32,878	112,309	104,605
Depreciation and amortization	2,671	2,554	7,769	7,651
Capital expenditures	2,391	1,905	5,676	5,641
Total assets	261,245		261,245		247,591
Operating Segments [Member] | All Other [Member]
Lines of Business
External revenue	25,397	21,482	68,055	67,339
Intercompany revenue	4,684	5,980	13,859	16,118
Total revenue	30,081	27,462	81,914	83,457
Direct costs	19,945	17,456	54,161	54,394
Gross profit	10,136	10,006	27,753	29,063
Selling, general and administrative expense	8,023	7,618	23,782	24,573
Operating income (loss) before charges	2,113	2,388	3,971	4,490
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	27,019		27,019
Net (gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets	0	0	(1,087)	3
Operating income (loss)	(24,906)	2,388	(21,961)	4,487
Depreciation and amortization	1,781	2,087	5,921	5,989
Capital expenditures	1,123	872	2,801	3,244
Total assets	85,031		85,031		96,245
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Lines of Business
External revenue	0	0	0	0
Intercompany revenue	0	0	0	0
Total revenue	0	0	0	0
Direct costs	0	0	0	0
Gross profit	0	0	0	0
Selling, general and administrative expense	16,890	14,530	47,211	43,429
Operating income (loss) before charges	(16,890)	(14,530)	(47,211)	(43,429)
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	0		0
Net (gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets	(135)	(10)	(195)	(280)
Operating income (loss)	(16,755)	(14,520)	(47,016)	(43,149)
Depreciation and amortization	688	816	2,333	2,370
Capital expenditures	2,025	1,795	4,769	3,741
Total assets	174,308		174,308		77,153
Eliminations [Member]
Lines of Business
External revenue	966	828	2,820	2,423
Intercompany revenue	(19,193)	(19,563)	(56,754)	(57,677)
Total revenue	(18,227)	(18,735)	(53,934)	(55,254)
Direct costs	(18,287)	(17,757)	(53,984)	(53,433)
Gross profit	60	(978)	50	(1,821)
Selling, general and administrative expense	0	0	0	0
Operating income (loss) before charges	60	(978)	50	(1,821)
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	0		0
Net (gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets	0	0	0	0
Operating income (loss)	60	(978)	50	(1,821)
Depreciation and amortization	(479)	(450)	(1,417)	(1,335)
Capital expenditures	(649)	(900)	(1,564)	(1,626)
Total assets	$ (152,282)		$ (152,282)		$ (37,817)

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Other Accrued Liabilities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Other accrued liabilities
Deferred revenue	$ 11,399		$ 11,190
Accrued health insurance	4,439		5,479
Deferred rent	4,125		4,331
Accrued other insurance	4,200		4,381
Miscellaneous accrued taxes	4,270	[1]	2,804	[1]
Accrued workers' compensation	6,828		3,267
Holdbacks and earn-outs	3,629		3,040
Customer deposits	3,314		3,075
Accrued consulting fees	3,312		3,028
Accrued lease payments	1,744		2,547
Other	17,154		15,620
Other accrued liabilities	$ 64,414		$ 58,762

[1] Includes property, sales and use taxes.

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Subsequent Events (Details) (Subsequent Event [Member], USD $)	1 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Share repurchase authorization, amount	$ 400,000,000
Revolving line of credit [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Amount borrowed from credit facility	$ 50,000,000
Restricted Stock [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Vesting period of awards	4 years
Restricted Stock [Member] | Executive employees [Member] | Common stock [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of shares granted	271,451
Restricted Stock [Member] | Non-executive employees [Member] | Common stock [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of shares granted	162,571

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Nature of Operations

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Nature of Operations

Nature of Operations

Our company, VCA Inc. (“VCA”) is a Delaware corporation formed in 1986 and is based in Los Angeles, California. We are an animal healthcare company with the following five operating segments: animal hospitals (“Animal Hospital”), veterinary diagnostic laboratories (“Laboratory”), veterinary medical technology (“Medical Technology”), Vetstreet, and Camp Bow Wow Franchising, Inc. (f/k/a D.O.G. Enterprises, LLC) ("Camp Bow Wow"). Our operating segments are aggregated into two reportable segments “Animal Hospital” and “Laboratory.” Our Medical Technology, Vetstreet and Camp Bow Wow operating segments are combined in our “All Other” category. See Footnote 9, “Lines of Business”within these notes to unaudited condensed, consolidated financial statements.

Our animal hospitals offer a full range of general medical and surgical services for companion animals. Our animal hospitals treat diseases and injuries, provide pharmaceutical products and perform a variety of pet-wellness programs, including health examinations, diagnostic testing, vaccinations, spaying, neutering and dental care. At September 30, 2014, we operated or managed 622 animal hospitals throughout 41 states and four Canadian provinces.

We operate a full-service veterinary diagnostic laboratory network serving all 50 states and certain areas in Canada. Our laboratory network provides sophisticated testing and consulting services used by veterinarians in the detection, diagnosis, evaluation, monitoring, treatment and prevention of diseases and other conditions affecting animals. At September 30, 2014, we operated 59 laboratories of various sizes located strategically throughout the United States and Canada.

Our Medical Technology business sells digital radiography and ultrasound imaging equipment, provides education and training on the use of that equipment, provides consulting and mobile imaging services, and sells software and ancillary services to the veterinary market.

Our Vetstreet business provides several different services to the veterinary community including, online communications, professional education, marketing solutions and a home delivery platform for independent animal hospitals.

Our Camp Bow Wow business operates and franchises a premier provider of pet services including dog day care, overnight boarding, grooming and other ancillary services at specially designed pet care facilities, principally under the trademark Camp Bow Wow^®.  As of September 30, 2014, there were 125 Camp Bow Wow® franchise locations operating in 37 states and one Canadian province. 

The practice of veterinary medicine is subject to seasonal fluctuation. In particular, demand for veterinary services is significantly higher during the warmer months because pets spend a greater amount of time outdoors where they are more likely to be injured and are more susceptible to disease and parasites. In addition, use of veterinary services may be affected by levels of flea infestation, heartworms and ticks, and the number of daylight hours.

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Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)			3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014 California Wildfire [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 California Wildfire [Member]	May 07, 2014 Jorge Duran vs. VCA Animal Hospitals [Member] claim
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Potential earn-out payment	$ 5,200,000
Contingent consideration	3,700,000	2,200,000
Number of claims dismissed					4
Total number of claims					8
Loss recorded in connection with event			400,000	17,900,000
Insurance proceeds received				12,000,000
Insurance receivable			$ 5,900,000	$ 5,900,000

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Calculation of Earnings per Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share

Basic and diluted earnings per share were calculated as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Net income attributable to VCA Inc.	$	27,452	$	40,647	$	107,079	$	112,794
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic	86,274		88,834		87,543		88,583
Effect of dilutive potential common shares:
Stock options	324		310		285		318
Nonvested shares and units	762		701		837		758
Diluted	87,360		89,845		88,665		89,659
Basic earnings per share	$	0.32	$	0.46	$	1.22	$	1.27
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.31	$	0.45	$	1.21	$	1.26

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Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Carrying value and fair value of variable rate long-term debt

The following table reflects the carrying value and fair value of our variable-rate long-term debt (in thousands):

	As of September 30, 2014				As of December 31, 2013
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Variable-rate long-term debt	$	600,000	$	600,000	$	556,914	$	556,914

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Income Taxes (Details)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate (percent)	39.90%	39.30%	38.90%

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Lines of Business (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Lines of Business

The following is a summary of certain financial data for each of our segments (in thousands):

	Animal Hospital			Laboratory		All Other			Corporate			Eliminations			Total
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
External revenue	$	395,820		$	77,394	$	25,397		$	—		$	966		$	499,577
Intercompany revenue	—			14,509		4,684			—			(19,193		)	—
Total revenue	395,820			91,903		30,081			—			(18,227		)	499,577
Direct costs	327,283			46,879		19,945			—			(18,287		)	375,820
Gross profit	68,537			45,024		10,136			—			60			123,757
Selling, general and administrative expense	9,269			8,610		8,023			16,890			—			42,792
Operating income (loss) before charges	59,268			36,414		2,113			(16,890		)	60			80,965
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	—			—		27,019			—			—			27,019
Net loss (gain) on sale or disposal of assets	598			7		—			(135		)	—			470
Operating income (loss)	$	58,670		$	36,407	$	(24,906	)	$	(16,755	)	$	60		$	53,476
Depreciation and amortization	$	15,201		$	2,671	$	1,781		$	688		$	(479	)	$	19,862
Capital expenditures	$	17,224		$	2,391	$	1,123		$	2,025		$	(649	)	$	22,114
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
External revenue	$	368,868		$	72,877	$	21,482		$	—		$	828		$	464,055
Intercompany revenue	—			13,583		5,980			—			(19,563		)	—
Total revenue	368,868			86,460		27,462			—			(18,735		)	464,055
Direct costs	308,029			45,650		17,456			—			(17,757		)	353,378
Gross profit	60,839			40,810		10,006			—			(978		)	110,677
Selling, general and administrative expense	8,678			7,921		7,618			14,530			—			38,747
Operating income (loss) before charges	52,161			32,889		2,388			(14,530		)	(978		)	71,930
Net (gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets	(110		)	11		—			(10		)	—			(109		)
Operating income (loss)	$	52,271		$	32,878	$	2,388		$	(14,520	)	$	(978	)	$	72,039
Depreciation and amortization	$	15,037		$	2,554	$	2,087		$	816		$	(450	)	$	20,044
Capital expenditures	$	15,915		$	1,905	$	872		$	1,795		$	(900	)	$	19,587

9. Lines of Business, continued

	Animal Hospital		Laboratory			All Other			Corporate			Eliminations			Total
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
External revenue	$	1,134,184	$	233,497		$	68,055		$	—		$	2,820		$	1,438,556
Intercompany revenue	—		42,895			13,859			—			(56,754		)	—
Total revenue	1,134,184		276,392			81,914			—			(53,934		)	1,438,556
Direct costs	953,511		139,245			54,161			—			(53,984		)	1,092,933
Gross profit	180,673		137,147			27,753			—			50			345,623
Selling, general and administrative expense	28,261		24,909			23,782			47,211			—			124,163
Operating income (loss) before charges	152,412		112,238			3,971			(47,211		)	50			221,460
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	—		—			27,019			—			—			27,019
Net loss (gain) on sale and disposal of assets	1,180		(71		)	(1,087		)	(195		)	—			(173		)
Operating income (loss)	$	151,232	$	112,309		$	(21,961	)	$	(47,016	)	$	50		$	194,614
Depreciation and amortization	$	45,053	$	7,769		$	5,921		$	2,333		$	(1,417	)	$	59,659
Capital expenditures	$	38,411	$	5,676		$	2,801		$	4,769		$	(1,564	)	$	50,093
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
External revenue	$	1,074,688	$	223,466		$	67,339		$	—		$	2,423		$	1,367,916
Intercompany revenue	—		41,559			16,118			—			(57,677		)	—
Total revenue	1,074,688		265,025			83,457			—			(55,254		)	1,367,916
Direct costs	908,537		136,524			54,394			—			(53,433		)	1,046,022
Gross profit	166,151		128,501			29,063			—			(1,821		)	321,894
Selling, general and administrative expense	25,723		23,891			24,573			43,429			—			117,616
Operating income (loss) before charges	140,428		104,610			4,490			(43,429		)	(1,821		)	204,278
Net loss (gain) on sale and disposal of assets	1,459		5			3			(280		)	—			1,187
Operating income (loss)	$	138,969	$	104,605		$	4,487		$	(43,149	)	$	(1,821	)	$	203,091
Depreciation and amortization	$	43,108	$	7,651		$	5,989		$	2,370		$	(1,335	)	$	57,783
Capital expenditures	$	41,682	$	5,641		$	3,244		$	3,741		$	(1,626	)	$	52,682
At September 30, 2014
Total assets	$	1,904,183	$	261,245		$	85,031		$	174,308		$	(152,282	)	$	2,272,485
At December 31, 2013
Total assets	$	1,854,609	$	247,591		$	96,245		$	77,153		$	(37,817	)	$	2,237,781

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Noncontrolling Interests (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Securities Subject to Mandatory Redemption [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]

Summary of redeemable noncontrolling interests

The following table provides a summary of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests included in other liabilities in our condensed, consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):

	Income Statement Impact		Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
Balance as of December 31, 2012			$	11,047
Noncontrolling interest expense	$	1,475
Redemption value change	134		1,609
Purchase of noncontrolling interests			(658		)
Dissolution of noncontrolling interests			(357		)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests			(1,437		)
Currency translation adjustment			(145		)
Balance as of September 30, 2013			$	10,059
Balance as of December 31, 2013			$	9,355
Noncontrolling interest expense	$	1,172
Redemption value change	315		1,487
Distribution to noncontrolling interests			(1,064		)
Currency translation adjustment			(358		)
Balance as of September 30, 2014			$	9,420

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]

Summary of redeemable noncontrolling interests

The following table provides a summary of redeemable noncontrolling interests (in thousands):

	Income Statement Impact			Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
Balance as of December 31, 2012				$	6,991
Noncontrolling interest expense	$	900
Redemption value change	252			1,152
Formation of noncontrolling interests				3,600
Distribution to noncontrolling interests				(712		)
Balance as of September 30, 2013				$	11,031
Balance as of December 31, 2013				$	10,678
Noncontrolling interest expense	$	940
Redemption value change	(217		)	723
Formation of noncontrolling interests				855
Purchase of noncontrolling interests				(356		)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests				(886		)
Balance as of September 30, 2014				$	11,014

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Condensed, Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 110,774	[1]	$ 117,194	[1]
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	27,019		0
Depreciation and amortization	59,659		57,783
Amortization of debt issue costs	957		937
Provision for uncollectible accounts	4,388		5,380
Debt retirement costs	1,709		0
Net (gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets	(173)		1,187
Share-based compensation	12,234		10,340
Deferred income taxes	0		2,868
Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options	(3,808)		(2,654)
Other	381		(251)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable	(9,678)		(9,986)
Inventory, prepaid expense and other assets	(8,233)		(1,634)
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	2,920		4,941
Accrued payroll and related liabilities	14,761		11,408
Income taxes	12,137		21,492
Net cash provided by operating activities	225,047		219,005
Cash flows from investing activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(62,122)		(39,640)
Real estate acquired in connection with business acquisitions	(3,293)		(1,208)
Capital expenditures	(50,093)		(52,682)
Proceeds from sale or disposal of assets	4,464		905
Other	(202)		(1,738)
Net cash used in investing activities	(111,246)		(94,363)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of debt	(563,976)		(28,507)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	600,000
Payment of financing costs	(7,987)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest partners	(3,577)		(3,324)
Purchase of existing noncontrolling interests	(326)		(5,727)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under stock option plans	926		15,111
Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options	3,808		2,654
Repurchase of common stock	(139,910)		(19,384)
Other	(838)		(160)
Net cash used in financing activities	(111,880)		(39,337)
Effect of currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(443)		(566)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	1,478		84,739
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	125,029		68,435
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	126,507		153,174
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid	10,633		9,487
Income taxes paid	57,108		47,305
Detail of acquisitions:
Fair value of assets acquired	76,686		58,825
Fair value of pre-existing investment	(2,014)		0
Noncontrolling interest	(1,705)		(5,406)
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of acquired cash	(62,122)		(39,640)
Assumed debt	(4,483)		(2,360)
Contingent consideration	(2,531)		(1,120)
Holdbacks	(2,900)		(892)
Other liabilities assumed	931		9,407
Capital lease additions	$ 0		$ 21,668

[1] Includes approximately $1.9 million and $2.6 million of net income related to redeemable and mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests combined for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

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Nature of Operations (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014 segment Provinces Laboratory Hospital State
Nature of Operations (Textuals) [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	5
Number of hospitals operated	622
Number of states in which hospitals are operated	41
Number Of Canadian Provinces	4
Number of states in which the company operate a full-service veterinary diagnostic laboratory network	50
Number of laboratories operated	59
Camp Bow Wow [Member]
Nature of Operations (Textuals) [Abstract]
Number of dog boarding and day care service locations operated (more than)	125
Number of Canadian Provinces in which entity operates	1

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Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Variable-rate long-term debt, Carrying Value	$ 600,000,000	$ 556,914,000
Variable-rate long-term debt, Fair Value	600,000,000	556,914,000
Goodwill impairment charge	9,200,000	9,246,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Vetstreet [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment charge	9,200,000
Impairment charge of long-lived assets	17,800,000
Long-lived assets	$ 5,000,000

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Condensed, Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 126,507	$ 125,029
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for uncollectible accounts of $18,292 and $17,702 at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	65,603	59,900
Inventory	50,325	55,067
Prepaid expenses and other	32,830	25,417
Deferred income taxes	28,921	28,907
Prepaid income taxes	0	15,434
Total current assets	304,186	309,754
Property and equipment, net	450,617	448,366
Goodwill	1,368,230	1,330,917
Other intangible assets, net	78,611	86,671
Notes receivable	3,016	3,454
Deferred financing costs, net	8,308	2,987
Other	59,517	55,632
Total assets	2,272,485	2,237,781
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	11,687	51,087
Accounts payable	38,858	36,962
Accrued payroll and related liabilities	72,221	57,337
Income tax payable	3,078	0
Other accrued liabilities	64,414	58,762
Total current liabilities	190,258	204,148
Long-term debt, less current portion	648,723	568,558
Deferred income taxes	90,428	100,099
Other liabilities	35,811	36,758
Total liabilities	965,220	909,563
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	11,014	10,678
Preferred stock, par value $0.001, 11,000 shares authorized, none outstanding	0	0
VCA Inc. stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, par value $0.001, 175,000 shares authorized, 85,292 and 88,508 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	85	89
Additional paid-in capital	261,812	384,721
Retained earnings	1,035,799	928,720
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(12,581)	(6,190)
Total VCA Inc. stockholders’ equity	1,285,115	1,307,340
Noncontrolling interests	11,136	10,200
Total equity	1,296,251	1,317,540
Total liabilities and equity	$ 2,272,485	$ 2,237,781

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Noncontrolling Interests (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Roll Forward]
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests, beginning balance	$ 9,355	$ 11,047
Noncontrolling interest expense	1,172	1,475
Purchase of noncontrolling interests	29	(5,285)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	(1,627)	(1,175)
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests, ending balance	9,420	10,059
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Roll Forward]
Redeemable noncontrolling interests, beginning balance	10,678	6,991
Noncontrolling interest expense	940	900
Redemption value change	(217)	252
Redemption value change, redeemable noncontrolling interest	723	1,152
Formation of noncontrolling interests		3,600
Redeemable noncontrolling interests, ending balance	11,014	11,031
Securities Subject to Mandatory Redemption [Member]
Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Roll Forward]
Redemption value change	315	134
mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests income statement impact	1,487	1,609
Purchase of noncontrolling interests		(658)
Dissolution of noncontrolling interests		(357)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	(1,064)	(1,437)
Currency translation adjustment	(358)	(145)
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Roll Forward]
Purchase of noncontrolling interests	(356)
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Roll Forward]
Redemption value change, redeemable noncontrolling interest	723	1,152
Formation of noncontrolling interests	855
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	$ (886)	$ (712)

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Condensed, Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning Balances at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 1,194,393	$ 88	$ 390,359	$ 791,209	$ 1,847	$ 10,890
Beginning Balances, shares at Dec. 31, 2012		88,372
Net income	114,567			112,794		1,773
Other comprehensive loss	(3,708)				(3,708)
Formation of noncontrolling interests	1,806					1,806
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	(1,175)					(1,175)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests	(5,285)		(976)			(4,309)
Share-based compensation	10,340		10,340
Issuance of common stock under stock incentive plans, shares		1,313
Issuance of common stock under stock incentive plans	15,111	1	15,110
Stock repurchases, shares		(737)
Stock repurchases, value	(19,384)		(19,384)
Excess tax benefit from stock options	2,654		2,654
Tax benefit and other from stock options and awards	(4)		(4)
Other	163					163
Ending Balances at Sep. 30, 2013	1,309,478	89	398,099	904,003	(1,861)	9,148
Ending Balances, shares at Sep. 30, 2013		88,948
Beginning Balances at Dec. 31, 2013	1,317,540	89	384,721	928,720	(6,190)	10,200
Beginning Balances, shares at Dec. 31, 2013	88,508	88,508
Net income	108,879			107,079		1,800
Other comprehensive loss	(6,919)
Other comprehensive loss (excludes $358 related to mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests).	(6,561)				(6,391)	(170)
Formation of noncontrolling interests	933					933
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	(1,627)					(1,627)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests	29		29
Share-based compensation	12,234		12,234
Issuance of common stock under stock incentive plans, shares		614
Issuance of common stock under stock incentive plans	926		926
Stock repurchases, shares		(3,830)
Stock repurchases, value	(139,910)	(4)	(139,906)
Excess tax benefit from stock options	3,808		3,808
Ending Balances at Sep. 30, 2014	$ 1,296,251	$ 85	$ 261,812	$ 1,035,799	$ (12,581)	$ 11,136
Ending Balances, shares at Sep. 30, 2014	85,292	85,292

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Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average cost of capital (WACC)	14.00%
Goodwill impairment charge	$ 9,200,000				$ 9,246,000
Fixed asset impairment charge	4,700,000
Aggregate amortization expense	5,231,000	5,588,000	15,605,000	16,153,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Remainder of 2014	5,147,000		5,147,000
2015	19,232,000		19,232,000
2016	16,321,000		16,321,000
2017	10,114,000		10,114,000
2018	6,677,000		6,677,000
Thereafter	20,250,000		20,250,000
Total	77,741,000		77,741,000
Trademarks	870,000		870,000
Total intangible assets	78,611,000		78,611,000		86,671,000
Non-contractual Customer Relationships, Technology, Trademarks, and Contracts [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment of intangible assets	$ 13,100,000

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Subsequent Events

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events

During October 2014, we borrowed $50 million from our revolving credit facility to fund repurchases under our existing $400 million share repurchase authorization.

During October 2014, our Board of Directors granted 271,451 shares of non-vested common stock to our executives and 162,571 shares to non executive employees. The awards granted to executive officers are subject to vesting based upon achievement of performance standards and continued service. Both of the awards will vest in equal annual installments over four years.

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Acquisition (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended			9 Months Ended						0 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014 Animal Hospital [Member] Hospital		Sep. 30, 2013 Animal Hospital [Member] Hospital		Sep. 30, 2014 Laboratories Acquisitions [Member] Laboratory	Sep. 30, 2013 Laboratories Acquisitions [Member] Laboratory	Aug. 15, 2014 D.O.G. Enterprises, LLC [Member]	Aug. 15, 2014 D.O.G. Enterprises, LLC [Member]		Sep. 30, 2014 Camp Bow Wow [Member] State province day_care_location	Sep. 30, 2014 Camp Bow Wow [Member] Provinces
Business Acquisition Summary Of Acquired Properties [Line Items]
Acquisitions				23		14		0	1
Acquisitions, merged				(4)		(2)
Created								3	0
Sold, closed or merged				(6)		(15)
Net increase (decrease) in Animal Hospitals				13		(3)
Net increase in Laboratories								3	1
Consideration:
Cash, net of cash acquired	$ 62,122,000	$ 39,640,000		$ 46,948,000		$ 39,640,000				$ 15,174,000
Assumed debt				4,160,000		2,360,000					323,000
Holdbacks				1,400,000		892,000					1,500,000
Earn-out contingent consideration	3,700,000		2,200,000	721,000		1,120,000					1,810,000
Fair value of total consideration transferred				53,229,000		44,012,000				18,807,000
Allocation of the Purchase Price:
Tangible assets				2,317,000		13,494,000					942,000
Identifiable intangible assets				8,176,000		12,774,000					12,080,000
Goodwill	1,368,230,000		1,330,917,000	46,502,000	[1]	32,557,000	[1]				6,669,000	[2]
Other liabilities assumed				(47,000)		(9,407,000)					(884,000)
Fair value of assets acquired				56,948,000		49,418,000
Noncontrolling interest				(1,705,000)		(5,406,000)
Fair value of pre-existing investment	(2,014,000)	0		(2,014,000)		0
Total				53,229,000		44,012,000					18,807,000
Goodwill recorded for acquisitions, fully deductible for income tax purposes				36,600,000		12,900,000
Cash payments for real estate	3,293,000	1,208,000
Payments to acquire businesses, including holdbacks										17,000,000
Maximum additional consideration to be earned	$ 5,200,000										$ 3,000,000
Additional consideration earned, period										3 years
Number of dog boarding and day care service locations operated (more than)													125	125
Number of states in which the entity operates													37	1
Number of Canadian Provinces in which entity operates													1	1

[1] We expect that $36.6 million and $12.9 million of the goodwill recorded for these acquisitions, as of September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, will be fully deductible for income tax purposes.

[2] As of September 30, 2014, we expect that the full amount of goodwill recorded for this acquisition will be deductible for income tax purposes. The purchase price allocation for Camp Bow Wow is preliminary and is pending the completion of tangible and intangible asset valuations.

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Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill

The following table presents the changes in the carrying amount of our goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 (in thousands):

	Animal Hospital			Laboratory			All Other			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2013
Goodwill	$	1,216,581		$	96,871		$	138,276		$	1,451,728
Accumulated impairment losses	—			—			(120,811		)	(120,811		)
Subtotal	1,216,581			96,871			17,465			1,330,917
Goodwill acquired	46,475			27			6,669			53,171
Goodwill impairment	—			—			(9,246		)	(9,246		)
Foreign translation adjustment	(5,176		)	(28		)	—			(5,204		)
Other (1)	(1,408		)	—			—			(1,408		)
Balance as of September 30, 2014
Goodwill	1,256,472			96,870			144,945			1,498,287
Accumulated impairment losses	—			—			(130,057		)	(130,057		)
Subtotal	$	1,256,472		$	96,870		$	14,888		$	1,368,230

 ____________________________

⁽¹⁾  "Other" primarily includes immaterial measurement period adjustments and an immaterial write-off related to the sale of an animal hospital.

Other Intangible Assets

Our acquisition related amortizable intangible assets at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):

	As of September 30, 2014							As of December 31, 2013
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
Non-contractual customer relationships	$	98,904	$	(50,033	)	$	48,871	$	109,842	$	(41,895	)	$	67,947
Covenants not-to-compete	9,170		(4,383		)	4,787		8,843		(4,661		)	4,182
Favorable lease assets	9,591		(4,844		)	4,747		7,458		(4,373		)	3,085
Trademarks	13,104		(4,608		)	8,496		13,115		(4,194		)	8,921
Contracts	460		(363		)	97		608		(305		)	303
Technology	2,913		(1,613		)	1,300		5,240		(3,015		)	2,225
Client lists	—		—			—		50		(42		)	8
Franchise rights	10,400		(87		)	10,313		—		—			—
Total	$	144,542	$	(65,931	)	$	78,611	$	145,156	$	(58,485	)	$	86,671

Estimated amortization expense related to intangible assets

The following table summarizes our aggregate amortization expense related to acquisition related intangible assets (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Aggregate amortization expense	$	5,231	$	5,588	$	15,605	$	16,153

The estimated amortization expense related to acquisition related intangible assets for the remainder of 2014 and each of the succeeding years thereafter, as of September 30, 2014, is as follows (in thousands):

Definite-lived intangible assets:
Remainder of 2014	$	5,147
2015	19,232
2016	16,321
2017	10,114
2018	6,677
Thereafter	20,250
Total	$	77,741
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Trademarks	870
Total intangible assets	$	78,611

Estimated amortization expense related to indefinite intangible assets

The estimated amortization expense related to acquisition related intangible assets for the remainder of 2014 and each of the succeeding years thereafter, as of September 30, 2014, is as follows (in thousands):

Definite-lived intangible assets:
Remainder of 2014	$	5,147
2015	19,232
2016	16,321
2017	10,114
2018	6,677
Thereafter	20,250
Total	$	77,741
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Trademarks	870
Total intangible assets	$	78,611

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Condensed, Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	$ 723
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest	1,172
Other comprehensive loss related to mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests	$ 358

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Condensed, Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Allowance for uncollectible accounts	$ 18,292	$ 17,702
Liabilities and Equity
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, shares authorized	11,000,000	11,000,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
VCA Inc. stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized	175,000,000	175,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	85,292,000	88,508,000

XML

Lines of Business

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Lines of Business

Lines of Business

Our reportable segments are Animal Hospital and Laboratory. Our Animal Hospital segment provides veterinary services for companion animals and sells related retail and pharmaceutical products. Our Laboratory segment provides diagnostic laboratory testing services for veterinarians, both associated with our animal hospitals and those independent of us. Our other operating segments included in “All Other” in the following tables are our Medical Technology business, which sells digital radiography and ultrasound imaging equipment, related computer hardware, software and ancillary services to the veterinary market, our Vetstreet business, which provides online and printed communications, professional education, marketing solutions to the veterinary community and an ecommerce platform for independent animal hospitals, and our Camp Bow Wow business, which primarily franchises the right to operate dog day care, overnight boarding and grooming services. These operating segments do not meet the quantitative requirements for reportable segments. Our operating segments are strategic business units that have different services, products and/or functions. The segments are managed separately because each is a distinct and different business venture with unique challenges, risks and rewards. We also operate a corporate office that provides general and administrative support services for our other segments.

The accounting policies of our segments are essentially the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies included in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K. We evaluate the performance of our segments based on gross profit and operating income. For purposes of reviewing the operating performance of our segments, all intercompany sales and purchases are generally accounted for as if they were transactions with independent third parties at current market prices.

9. Lines of Business, continued

The following is a summary of certain financial data for each of our segments (in thousands):

	Animal Hospital			Laboratory		All Other			Corporate			Eliminations			Total
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
External revenue	$	395,820		$	77,394	$	25,397		$	—		$	966		$	499,577
Intercompany revenue	—			14,509		4,684			—			(19,193		)	—
Total revenue	395,820			91,903		30,081			—			(18,227		)	499,577
Direct costs	327,283			46,879		19,945			—			(18,287		)	375,820
Gross profit	68,537			45,024		10,136			—			60			123,757
Selling, general and administrative expense	9,269			8,610		8,023			16,890			—			42,792
Operating income (loss) before charges	59,268			36,414		2,113			(16,890		)	60			80,965
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	—			—		27,019			—			—			27,019
Net loss (gain) on sale or disposal of assets	598			7		—			(135		)	—			470
Operating income (loss)	$	58,670		$	36,407	$	(24,906	)	$	(16,755	)	$	60		$	53,476
Depreciation and amortization	$	15,201		$	2,671	$	1,781		$	688		$	(479	)	$	19,862
Capital expenditures	$	17,224		$	2,391	$	1,123		$	2,025		$	(649	)	$	22,114
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
External revenue	$	368,868		$	72,877	$	21,482		$	—		$	828		$	464,055
Intercompany revenue	—			13,583		5,980			—			(19,563		)	—
Total revenue	368,868			86,460		27,462			—			(18,735		)	464,055
Direct costs	308,029			45,650		17,456			—			(17,757		)	353,378
Gross profit	60,839			40,810		10,006			—			(978		)	110,677
Selling, general and administrative expense	8,678			7,921		7,618			14,530			—			38,747
Operating income (loss) before charges	52,161			32,889		2,388			(14,530		)	(978		)	71,930
Net (gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets	(110		)	11		—			(10		)	—			(109		)
Operating income (loss)	$	52,271		$	32,878	$	2,388		$	(14,520	)	$	(978	)	$	72,039
Depreciation and amortization	$	15,037		$	2,554	$	2,087		$	816		$	(450	)	$	20,044
Capital expenditures	$	15,915		$	1,905	$	872		$	1,795		$	(900	)	$	19,587

9. Lines of Business, continued

	Animal Hospital		Laboratory			All Other			Corporate			Eliminations			Total
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
External revenue	$	1,134,184	$	233,497		$	68,055		$	—		$	2,820		$	1,438,556
Intercompany revenue	—		42,895			13,859			—			(56,754		)	—
Total revenue	1,134,184		276,392			81,914			—			(53,934		)	1,438,556
Direct costs	953,511		139,245			54,161			—			(53,984		)	1,092,933
Gross profit	180,673		137,147			27,753			—			50			345,623
Selling, general and administrative expense	28,261		24,909			23,782			47,211			—			124,163
Operating income (loss) before charges	152,412		112,238			3,971			(47,211		)	50			221,460
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	—		—			27,019			—			—			27,019
Net loss (gain) on sale and disposal of assets	1,180		(71		)	(1,087		)	(195		)	—			(173		)
Operating income (loss)	$	151,232	$	112,309		$	(21,961	)	$	(47,016	)	$	50		$	194,614
Depreciation and amortization	$	45,053	$	7,769		$	5,921		$	2,333		$	(1,417	)	$	59,659
Capital expenditures	$	38,411	$	5,676		$	2,801		$	4,769		$	(1,564	)	$	50,093
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
External revenue	$	1,074,688	$	223,466		$	67,339		$	—		$	2,423		$	1,367,916
Intercompany revenue	—		41,559			16,118			—			(57,677		)	—
Total revenue	1,074,688		265,025			83,457			—			(55,254		)	1,367,916
Direct costs	908,537		136,524			54,394			—			(53,433		)	1,046,022
Gross profit	166,151		128,501			29,063			—			(1,821		)	321,894
Selling, general and administrative expense	25,723		23,891			24,573			43,429			—			117,616
Operating income (loss) before charges	140,428		104,610			4,490			(43,429		)	(1,821		)	204,278
Net loss (gain) on sale and disposal of assets	1,459		5			3			(280		)	—			1,187
Operating income (loss)	$	138,969	$	104,605		$	4,487		$	(43,149	)	$	(1,821	)	$	203,091
Depreciation and amortization	$	43,108	$	7,651		$	5,989		$	2,370		$	(1,335	)	$	57,783
Capital expenditures	$	41,682	$	5,641		$	3,244		$	3,741		$	(1,626	)	$	52,682
At September 30, 2014
Total assets	$	1,904,183	$	261,245		$	85,031		$	174,308		$	(152,282	)	$	2,272,485
At December 31, 2013
Total assets	$	1,854,609	$	247,591		$	96,245		$	77,153		$	(37,817	)	$	2,237,781

XML

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Nov. 03, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	VCA INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000817366
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2014
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		84,124,955

XML

Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies

We have certain commitments including operating leases, purchase agreements and acquisition agreements. These items are discussed in detail in our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K. We also have contingencies as follows:

a. Earn-Out Payments

We have contractual arrangements in connection with certain acquisitions, whereby additional cash may be paid to former owners of acquired companies upon attainment of specified financial criteria as set forth in the respective agreements. The amount to be paid cannot be determined until the earn-out periods have expired and the attainment of criteria is established. If the specified financial criteria are attained, we will be obligated to pay an additional $5.2 million.

In accordance with business combination accounting guidance, contingent consideration, such as earn-out agreements, are recognized as part of the consideration transferred on the acquisition date. A liability is initially recorded based upon its acquisition date fair value. The changes in fair value are recognized in earnings where applicable for each reporting period. The fair value is determined using a contractually stated formula using either a multiple of revenue or Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA"). The formulas used to determine the estimated fair value are Level 3 inputs. The changes in fair value were immaterial to our condensed, consolidated financial statements when taken as a whole. We recorded $3.7 million and $2.2 million in earn-out liabilities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, which are included in other accrued liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets.

b. Legal Proceedings

On May 29, 2013, a former veterinary assistant at one of our animal hospitals filed a purported class action lawsuit against us in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles, titled Jorge Duran vs. VCA Animal Hospitals, Inc., et. al. The lawsuit seeks to assert claims on behalf of current and former veterinary assistants employed by us in California, and alleges, among other allegations, that we improperly failed to pay regular and overtime wages, improperly failed to provide proper meal and rest periods, and engaged in unfair business practices. The lawsuit seeks damages, statutory penalties, and other relief, including attorneys’ fees and costs. On May 7, 2014, we obtained partial summary judgment, dismissing 4 of the 8 claims of the complaint, including the claims for failure to pay regular and overtime wages. We intend to continue to vigorously defend against the remaining claims in this action. At this time, we are unable to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of possible loss, but do not believe losses, if any, would have a material effect on our results of operations or financial position taken as a whole.

On July 16, 2014, two additional former veterinary assistants filed a purported class action lawsuit against us in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles, titled La Kimba Bradsbery and Cheri Brakensiek vs. Vicar Operating, Inc., et. al. The lawsuit seeks to assert claims on behalf of current and former veterinary assistants, kennel assistants, and client service representatives employed by us in California, and alleges, among other allegations, that we improperly failed to pay regular and overtime wages, improperly failed to provide proper meal and rest periods, improperly failed to pay reporting time pay, improperly failed to reimburse for certain business-related expenses, and engaged in unfair business practices. The lawsuit seeks damages, statutory penalties, and other relief, including attorneys’ fees and costs. We currently expect that these two actions will be consolidated with, or related before the same judge hearing, the Duran action discussed above. At this time, we are unable to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of possible loss, but do not believe losses, if any, would have a material effect on our results of operations or financial position taken as a whole.

On July 12, 2013, an individual who provided courier services with respect to our laboratory clients in California filed a purported class action lawsuit against us in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Santa Clara - San Jose Branch, titled Carlos Lopez vs. Logistics Delivery Solutions, LLC, Antech Diagnostics, Inc., et. al. Logistics Delivery Solutions, LLC, a co-defendant in the lawsuit, is a company with which Antech has contracted to provide courier services in California. The lawsuit seeks to assert claims on behalf of individuals who were engaged by Logistics Delivery Solutions, LLC to perform such courier services and alleges, among other allegations, that Logistics Delivery Solutions and Antech Diagnostics improperly classified the plaintiffs as independent contractors, improperly failed to pay overtime wages, and improperly failed to provide proper meal periods. The lawsuit seeks damages, statutory penalties, and other relief, including attorneys' fees and costs. We filed our answer to the complaint on September 13, 2013. Written discovery is currently ongoing. We filed a motion for summary judgment on July 18, 2014, and on October 3, 2014 the court denied our request for summary judgment. We are

10. Commitments and Contingencies, continued

continuing to vigorously defend this action. At this time, we are unable to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of possible loss, but do not believe losses, if any, would have a material effect on our results of operations or financial position taken as a whole.

On May 12, 2014, an individual client who purchased goods and services from one of our animal hospitals filed a purported class action lawsuit against us in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, titled Tony M. Graham vs. VCA Antech, Inc. and VCA Animal Hospitals, Inc. The lawsuit seeks to assert claims on behalf of the plaintiff and other individuals who purchased similar goods and services from our animal hospitals and alleges, among other allegations, that we improperly charged such individuals for “biohazard waste management” in connection with the services performed. The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages in unspecified amounts, and other relief, including attorneys' fees and costs. This case is in an early procedural stage and we intend to vigorously defend this action. At this time, we are unable to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of possible loss, but do not believe losses, if any, would have a material effect on our results of operations or financial position taken as a whole.

In addition to the lawsuits described above, we are party to ordinary routine legal proceedings and claims incidental to our business, but we are not currently a party to any legal proceeding that we believe would have a material adverse effect on our financial position.

c. Other Contingencies

On May 14, 2014, the headquarters of our Medical Technology business in Carlsbad, California was severely damaged by wildfires. There were no injuries to personnel. However, the fire caused severe damage to a substantial portion of the facility. We have worked diligently to satisfy customer requirements and to prevent supply disruptions. We maintain standard insurance coverage for both property damage and business interruption losses. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recorded approximately $0.4 million and $17.9 million, respectively, in estimated losses in connection with this event, primarily associated with property damage. This amount is included in operating expenses in our condensed, consolidated income statements, offset by the related insurance recovery of the same amount. We have received insurance proceeds to date of $12.0 million. As of September 30, 2014, we have recorded receivables of $5.9 million remaining from expected insurance recoveries. We continue to assess damages and insurance coverage and we currently do not expect our losses to exceed the applicable insurance coverage.

XML

Condensed, Consolidated Income Statements (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 499,577		$ 464,055		$ 1,438,556		$ 1,367,916
Direct costs	375,820		353,378		1,092,933		1,046,022
Gross profit	123,757		110,677		345,623		321,894
Selling, general and administrative expense	42,792		38,747		124,163		117,616
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets	27,019		0		27,019		0
Net loss (gain) on sale or disposal of assets	470		(109)		(173)		1,187
Operating income (loss)	53,476		72,039		194,614		203,091
Interest expense, net	4,367		4,474		12,564		14,439
Debt retirement costs	1,709		0		1,709		0
Other expense (income)	188		(86)		178		(113)
Income before provision for income taxes	47,212		67,651		180,163		188,765
Provision for income taxes	18,261		25,740		69,389		71,571
Net income	28,951	[1]	41,911	[1]	110,774	[1]	117,194	[1]
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,499		1,264		3,695		4,400
Net income attributable to VCA Inc.	$ 27,452		$ 40,647		$ 107,079		$ 112,794
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.32		$ 0.46		$ 1.22		$ 1.27
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31		$ 0.45		$ 1.21		$ 1.26
Weighted-average shares outstanding for basic earnings per share (in shares)	86,274		88,834		87,543		88,583
Weighted-average shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share (in shares)	87,360		89,845		88,665		89,659

[1] Includes approximately $1.9 million and $2.6 million of net income related to redeemable and mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests combined for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

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Acquisitions

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Acquisitions

Acquisitions

The table below reflects the activity related to the acquisitions and dispositions of our animal hospitals and laboratories during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014		2013
Animal Hospitals:
Acquisitions	23		14
Acquisitions, merged	(4	)	(2	)
Sold, closed or merged	(6	)	(15	)
Net increase (decrease)	13		(3	)
Laboratories:
Acquisitions	—		1
Created	3		—
Net increase	3		1

Animal Hospital Acquisitions

The purchase price allocations for the acquisitions in the table below are preliminary. However, adjustments, if any, are not expected to be material. The measurement periods for purchase price allocations do not exceed 12 months from the acquisition date. The following table summarizes the aggregate consideration for our independent animal hospitals acquired during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, (in thousands):

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013
Consideration:
Cash, net of cash acquired	$	46,948		$	39,640
Assumed debt	4,160			2,360
Holdbacks	1,400			892
Earn-out contingent consideration	721			1,120
Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	53,229		$	44,012
Allocation of the Purchase Price:
Tangible assets	$	2,317		$	13,494
Identifiable intangible assets	8,176			12,774
Goodwill (1)	46,502			32,557
Other liabilities assumed	(47		)	(9,407		)
Fair value of assets acquired	$	56,948		$	49,418
Noncontrolling interest	(1,705		)	(5,406		)
Fair value of pre-existing investment	(2,014		)	—
Total	$	53,229		$	44,012

____________________________

4. Acquisitions, continued

⁽¹⁾   We expect that $36.6 million and $12.9 million of the goodwill recorded for these acquisitions, as of September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, will be fully deductible for income tax purposes.

In addition to the purchase price listed above, we made cash payments for real estate acquired in connection with our purchase of animal hospitals totaling $3.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. There were $1.2 million in cash payments made for real estate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Camp Bow Wow

On August 15, 2014, we acquired D.O.G. Enterprises, LLC for $17.0 million with up to an additional $3.0 million that may be earned over the next three years. Camp Bow Wow primarily operates and franchises a premier provider of pet services including dog day care, overnight boarding, grooming and other ancillary services at specially designed pet care facilities, principally under the trademark Camp Bow Wow^®.  As of September 30, 2014, there were 125 Camp Bow Wow^® franchise locations operating in 37 states and one Canadian province. 

The following table summarizes the preliminary purchase price allocation (in thousands):

Consideration:
Cash, net of cash acquired	$	15,174
Assumed debt	323
Holdbacks	1,500
Earn-out contingent consideration	1,810
Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	18,807
Allocation of the Purchase Price:
Tangible assets	$	942
Identifiable intangible assets	12,080
Goodwill (1)	6,669
Other liabilities assumed	(884		)
Total	$	18,807

____________________________

⁽¹⁾   As of September 30, 2014, we expect that the full amount of goodwill recorded for this acquisition will be deductible for income tax purposes.

The purchase price allocation for Camp Bow Wow is preliminary and is pending the completion of tangible and intangible asset valuations.

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Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets

Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets

Goodwill

The following table presents the changes in the carrying amount of our goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 (in thousands):

	Animal Hospital			Laboratory			All Other			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2013
Goodwill	$	1,216,581		$	96,871		$	138,276		$	1,451,728
Accumulated impairment losses	—			—			(120,811		)	(120,811		)
Subtotal	1,216,581			96,871			17,465			1,330,917
Goodwill acquired	46,475			27			6,669			53,171
Goodwill impairment	—			—			(9,246		)	(9,246		)
Foreign translation adjustment	(5,176		)	(28		)	—			(5,204		)
Other (1)	(1,408		)	—			—			(1,408		)
Balance as of September 30, 2014
Goodwill	1,256,472			96,870			144,945			1,498,287
Accumulated impairment losses	—			—			(130,057		)	(130,057		)
Subtotal	$	1,256,472		$	96,870		$	14,888		$	1,368,230

 ____________________________

⁽¹⁾  "Other" primarily includes immaterial measurement period adjustments and an immaterial write-off related to the sale of an animal hospital.

Vetstreet Goodwill Impairment Charge

Impairment testing for goodwill is performed at least annually at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment (also known as a component). We perform our annual impairment test as of October 31st. Goodwill is also tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value.

With respect to our Vetstreet reporting unit, during 2013 we established a Fiscal 2014 Operating and Financial Performance - Turnaround Plan. The Plan anticipated the launch of numerous product enhancements designed to restore our competitive advantage in the marketplace. Although certain of these product enhancements were delivered in a timely fashion, others were not. In addition, increasing competition created the need for additional product enhancements to those already planned. Given the less than anticipated impact of new product offerings combined with the the impact of increased competition, we determined that a triggering event had occurred with respect to goodwill and long-lived assets of our Vetstreet reporting unit. Accordingly, we established revised multi-year projections and performed an interim test of Vetstreet’s recorded goodwill and long-lived assets for impairment in the third quarter of 2014, prior to our annual October 31, 2014 test. As a result of our review, we determined that goodwill related to our Vetstreet reporting unit was impaired.

The impairment test for goodwill uses a two-step approach. Step one compares the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value including goodwill. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, there is a potential impairment and step two must be performed. Step two compares the carrying value of the reporting unit's goodwill to its implied fair value (i.e., the fair value of the reporting unit less the fair value of the unit's assets and liabilities, including identifiable intangible assets). If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, the excess is recorded as an impairment.

3. Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets, continued

We calculate the implied fair value of the reporting unit utilizing the income approach. The income approach is based on a discounted cash flow analysis and calculates the fair value of the reporting unit by estimating the after-tax cash flows attributable to the reporting unit and then discounting the after-tax cash flows to a present value, using a weighted average cost of capital ("WACC"). The WACC utilized in our analysis using the income approach was 14.0%. The WACC is an estimate of the overall after-tax rate of return required for equity and debt holders of a business enterprise. The reporting unit's cost of equity and debt was developed based on data and factors relevant to the economy, the industry and the reporting unit. The cost of equity was estimated using the capital asset pricing model ("CAPM"). The CAPM uses a risk-free rate of return and an appropriate market risk premium for equity investments and the specific risks of the investment. The analysis also included comparisons to a group of guideline companies engaged in the same or similar businesses. The cost of debt was estimated using the current after-tax average borrowing cost that a market participant would expect to pay to obtain its debt financing assuming a target capital structure.

Based on the above analysis, it was determined that the carrying value of the Vetstreet reporting unit including goodwill exceeded the fair value of the reporting unit, requiring us to perform step two of the goodwill impairment test to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any.

In performing step two of the goodwill impairment test, we compared the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill to its carrying value. As the carrying value of Vetstreet's goodwill exceeded its implied fair value we recognized a non-cash, goodwill impairment charge of $9.2 million, representing the entire balance of Vetstreet's goodwill. The impairment charge was recognized during the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

The fair value estimates used in the goodwill impairment analysis required significant judgment. The Company's fair value estimates for purposes of determining the goodwill impairment charge are considered Level 3 fair value measurements.

Other Intangible Assets

Our acquisition related amortizable intangible assets at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):

	As of September 30, 2014							As of December 31, 2013
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
Non-contractual customer relationships	$	98,904	$	(50,033	)	$	48,871	$	109,842	$	(41,895	)	$	67,947
Covenants not-to-compete	9,170		(4,383		)	4,787		8,843		(4,661		)	4,182
Favorable lease assets	9,591		(4,844		)	4,747		7,458		(4,373		)	3,085
Trademarks	13,104		(4,608		)	8,496		13,115		(4,194		)	8,921
Contracts	460		(363		)	97		608		(305		)	303
Technology	2,913		(1,613		)	1,300		5,240		(3,015		)	2,225
Client lists	—		—			—		50		(42		)	8
Franchise rights	10,400		(87		)	10,313		—		—			—
Total	$	144,542	$	(65,931	)	$	78,611	$	145,156	$	(58,485	)	$	86,671

3. Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets, continued

The recoverability of the carrying values of all fixed assets and intangible assets with finite lives are re-evaluated when events or changes in circumstances indicate an asset's value may be impaired. We perform a quarterly review of fixed assets and identified intangible assets to determine if facts and circumstances indicate that the useful life is shorter than we had originally estimated or that the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable. If such facts and circumstances exist, we assess recoverability by comparing the projected undiscounted net cash flows associated with the related asset or group of assets over their remaining lives against their respective carrying amounts. Impairments, if any, are based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of those assets. If the useful life is shorter than originally estimated, we accelerate the rate of amortization and amortize the remaining carrying value over the new shorter useful life.

We recorded a $13.1 million intangible asset impairment charge related to non-contractual customer relationships, technology, trademarks and contracts related to our above noted interim impairment test of Vetstreet. We also recorded a fixed asset impairment of $4.7 million. Our determination during interim testing that the fair value of the intangible assets was less than carrying value was based upon changes in our estimate of forecasted cash flows. The fair values of the impaired intangibles were calculated utilizing valuation methods consisting primarily of discounted cash flow techniques, and market comparables, where applicable. The impairment charges are included under the caption "Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets" in our consolidated income statement.

The following table summarizes our aggregate amortization expense related to acquisition related intangible assets (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Aggregate amortization expense	$	5,231	$	5,588	$	15,605	$	16,153

The estimated amortization expense related to acquisition related intangible assets for the remainder of 2014 and each of the succeeding years thereafter, as of September 30, 2014, is as follows (in thousands):

Definite-lived intangible assets:
Remainder of 2014	$	5,147
2015	19,232
2016	16,321
2017	10,114
2018	6,677
Thereafter	20,250
Total	$	77,741
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Trademarks	870
Total intangible assets	$	78,611

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Basis of Presentation (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]

Segment Reporting, Policy

The accounting policies of our segments are essentially the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies included in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K. We evaluate the performance of our segments based on gross profit and operating income. For purposes of reviewing the operating performance of our segments, all intercompany sales and purchases are generally accounted for as if they were transactions with independent third parties at current market prices.

Consolidation, Policy

We own some of our animal hospitals in partnerships with noncontrolling interest holders. We consolidate our partnerships in our condensed, consolidated financial statements because our ownership interest in these partnerships is equal to or greater than 50.1% and we control these entities. We record noncontrolling interest in income of subsidiaries equal to our partners’ percentage ownership of the partnerships’ income. We also record changes in the redemption value of our redeemable noncontrolling interests in net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in our condensed, consolidated income statements. We reflect our noncontrolling partners’ cumulative share in the equity of the respective partnerships as either noncontrolling interests in equity, mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests in other liabilities, or redeemable noncontrolling interests in temporary equity (mezzanine) in our condensed, consolidated balance sheets.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements, Policy

In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance creating Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Section 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. The new section will replace Section 605, “Revenue Recognition” and create modifications to various other revenue accounting standards for specialized transactions and industries. The guidance in this update is intended to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard for U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) that would remove inconsistencies and weaknesses in revenue requirements, provide a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues, and improve comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions, and capital markets.

The new accounting guidance will require companies to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This update creates a five-step model that requires companies to exercise judgment when considering the terms of the contract(s) which include (i) identifying the contract(s) with the customer, (ii) identifying the separate performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determining the transaction price, (iv) allocating the transaction price to the separate performance obligations, and (v) recognizing revenue when each performance obligation is satisfied. The update allows for either full retrospective adoption, meaning the standard is applied to all of the periods presented, or modified retrospective adoption, meaning the standard is applied only to the most current period presented in the financial statements.

The updated guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is not permitted. Accordingly, we will adopt the new provisions of this accounting standard at the beginning of fiscal year 2017. We will further study the implications of this statement in order to evaluate the expected impact on the consolidated financial statements and evaluate the method of adoption we would apply.

In April 2014, the FASB issued new accounting guidance which includes amendments that change the criteria for reporting discontinued operations in Subtopic 205-20 and requires entities to provide additional disclosures about disposal transactions that do not meet the discontinued-operations criteria. The revised guidance will change how entities identify and disclose information about disposal transactions under U.S. GAAP.

The FASB issued the ASU to provide more decision-useful information to users and to elevate the threshold for a disposal transaction to qualify as a discontinued operation (since too many disposal transactions were qualifying as discontinued operations under existing guidance). Under the new guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations that has or will have a major impact on an entity’s operations or financial results should be presented as discontinued operations. Under current U.S. GAAP, an entity is prohibited from reporting a discontinued operation if it has certain continuing cash flows or involvement with the component after the disposal. The new guidance eliminates these criteria. The ASU also requires entities to reclassify assets and liabilities of a discontinued operation for all comparative periods presented in the statement of financial position.

The ASU is effective prospectively for all disposals (except disposals classified as held for sale before the adoption date) or components initially classified as held for sale in periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, with early adoption permitted. This guidance is not expected to significantly impact our consolidated financial statements.

Securities Subject to Mandatory Redemption [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]

Shares Subject to Mandatory Redemption, Changes in Redemption Value, Policy

The terms of some of our partnership agreements require us to purchase the partner’s equity in the partnership in the event of the partner’s death. We report these redeemable noncontrolling interests at their estimated redemption value, which approximates fair value, and classify them as liabilities due to the certainty of the related event. Estimated redemption value is determined using either a contractually stated formula or a discounted cash flow technique, both of which are used as an approximation of fair value. The discounted cash flow inputs used to determine the redemption value are Level 3 and include forecasted growth rates, valuation multiples, and the weighted average cost of capital. We recognize changes in the obligation as interest cost in our condensed, consolidated statements of income.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]

Shares Subject to Mandatory Redemption, Changes in Redemption Value, Policy

We also enter into partnership agreements whereby the minority partner is issued certain “put” rights. These rights are normally exercisable at the sole discretion of the minority partner. We report these redeemable noncontrolling interests at their estimated redemption value and classify them in temporary equity (mezzanine). We recognize changes in the obligation in net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in our condensed, consolidated statements of income.

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Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate of income attributable to VCA for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was 39.9% and 39.3%, respectively, as compared to 38.9% for the year ended December 31, 2013.

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Fair Value Measurements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The FASB accounting guidance requires disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not they are recognized in the accompanying condensed, consolidated balance sheets. Fair value as defined by the guidance is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value estimates of financial instruments are not necessarily indicative of the amounts we might pay or receive in actual market transactions. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. These balances include cash and cash equivalents with maturities of less than three months. The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.

Receivables, Less Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Accounts Payable and Certain Other Accrued Liabilities. Due to their short-term nature, fair value approximates carrying value.

Long-Term Debt. The fair value of debt at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 is based upon the ask price quoted from an external source, which is considered a Level 2 input.

The following table reflects the carrying value and fair value of our variable-rate long-term debt (in thousands):

	As of September 30, 2014				As of December 31, 2013
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Variable-rate long-term debt	$	600,000	$	600,000	$	556,914	$	556,914

Non-Recurring Assets

Non-financial assets such as property, plant and equipment, land, goodwill and intangible assets are also subject to non-recurring fair value measurements if they are deemed to be impaired. The impairment models used for nonfinancial assets depend on the type of asset and are accounted for in accordance with FASB’s guidance on fair value measurement.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2014, the entire balance of $9.2 million of our Vetstreet goodwill was written off in an impairment charge which was included in earnings in the period. Additionally, during the quarter ended September 30, 2014, our Vetstreet long-lived assets were written down to their estimated fair value resulting in an impairment charge of $17.8 million, which was included in earnings in the period. Our Vetstreet long-lived assets balance as of September 30, 2014 was $5.0 million. Both the implied fair value of goodwill and the estimated fair value of long-lived assets were calculated using Level 3 inputs which are described in Note 3.

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Other Accrued Liabilities

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Other Accrued Liabilities

Other Accrued Liabilities

Other accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):

	As of September 30, 2014		As of December 31, 2013
Deferred revenue	$	11,399	$	11,190
Accrued health insurance	4,439		5,479
Deferred rent	4,125		4,331
Accrued other insurance	4,200		4,381
Miscellaneous accrued taxes(1)	4,270		2,804
Accrued workers' compensation	6,828		3,267
Holdbacks and earn-outs	3,629		3,040
Customer deposits	3,314		3,075
Accrued consulting fees	3,312		3,028
Accrued lease payments	1,744		2,547
Other	17,154		15,620
	$	64,414	$	58,762

____________________________

⁽¹⁾    Includes property, sales and use taxes.

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Long-Term Obligations

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-Term Obligations

Long-Term Obligations

New Senior Credit Facility

On August 27, 2014, we entered into a new senior credit facility with various lenders for $1.4 billion of senior secured credit facilities with Bank of America, N.A., as the administrative agent, swingline lender and Letter of Credit issuer, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and Suntrust Bank as co-syndication agents (the "New Senior Credit Facility). The New Senior Credit Facility replaced our existing senior credit facility providing for $534 million of term notes and a $125 million revolving credit facility. The New Senior Credit Facility which provided for $600 million of senior secured term notes and an $800 million senior secured revolving facility, which may be used to borrow, on a same-day notice under a swing line, the lesser of $25 million and the aggregate unused amount of the revolving credit facility then in effect. In addition to refinancing all outstanding amounts under our existing credit agreement, borrowings under our New Senior Credit Facility may be used for general corporate purchases, including permitted share repurchases.

In connection with the New Senior Credit Facility, we incurred $8.0 million in financing costs, of which approximately $6.5 million were capitalized as deferred financing costs and $1.5 million were recognized as part of net income. In addition, we expensed $0.2 million of previously capitalized deferred financing costs associated with lenders under our existing senior credit facility who are not lenders under our New Senior Credit Facility.

6. Long-Term Obligations, continued

The following table summarizes our long-term obligations at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):

		September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
Senior term notes	Notes payable, maturing in 2019, secured by assets, variable interest rate (1.91% and 1.92% at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively)	600,000			556,914
Revolving credit	Revolving line of credit, maturing in 2019, secured by assets, variable interest rate	—			—
Secured seller notes	Notes payable matures in 2014, secured by assets and stock of certain subsidiaries, with interest rate of 10.0%	230			230
	Total debt obligations	600,230			557,144
	Capital lease obligations	60,180			62,501
		660,410			619,645
	Less — current portion	(11,687		)	(51,087		)
		$	648,723		$	568,558

Interest Rate. In general, borrowings under the New Senior Credit Facility (including swing line borrowings) bear interest, at our option, on either:

• the base rate (as defined below) plus the applicable margin of 0.75% (Pricing Tier 3, see table below) per annum; or

• the Eurodollar rate (as defined below), plus a margin of 1.75% (Pricing Tier 3, see table below) per annum

Each of the aforementioned margins remain applicable until the date of delivery of the compliance certificate and the financial statements, for the period ended September 30, 2014, at which time the applicable margin will be determined by reference to the leverage ratio in effect from time to time as set forth in the following table:

Pricing Tier	Consolidated Leverage Ratio	Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Loans/Letter of Credit Fees		Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans		Commitment Fee
1	≥ 4.00:1.00	2.25	%	1.25	%	0.45	%
2	< 4.00:1.00 and ≥ 3.25:1.00	2.00	%	1.00	%	0.40	%
3	< 3.25:1.00 and ≥ 2.50:1.00	1.75	%	0.75	%	0.35	%
4	< 2.50:1.00 and ≥ 1.75:1.00	1.50	%	0.50	%	0.30	%
5	< 1.75:1.00 and ≥ 1.00:1.00	1.25	%	0.25	%	0.25	%
6	< 1.00:1.00	1.00	%	—	%	0.25	%

The base rate for the senior term notes is a rate per annum equal to the highest of the (a) Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%, (b) Bank of America, N.A.'s ("Bank of America") prime rate in effect on such day, and (c) the Eurodollar rate plus 1.0%. The Eurodollar rate is defined as the rate per annum equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), or a comparable or successor rate which is approved by Bank of America.

Maturity and Principal Payments. The senior term notes mature on August 27, 2019. Principal payments on the senior term notes of $7.5 million are due each calendar quarter from September 30, 2015 to and including June 30, 2017, $11.3 million are due each calendar quarter from September 30, 2017 to and including June 30, 2018 and $15.0 million are due each calendar quarter thereafter with a final payment of the outstanding principal balance due upon maturity. The following table sets forth the scheduled principal payments for our senior term notes (in thousands):

6. Long-Term Obligations, continued

	2014		2015		2016		2017		2018		Thereafter
Senior term notes	$	—	$	15,000	$	30,000	$	37,500	$	52,500	$	465,000

The revolving credit facility matures on August 27, 2019. Principal payments under the revolving credit facility portion are made at our discretion with the entire unpaid amount due at maturity. As of September 30, 2014, no amounts have been borrowed under our revolving credit facility.

Guarantees and Security. We and each of our wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries guarantee the outstanding indebtedness under the New Senior Credit Facility. Any borrowings, along with the guarantees of the domestic subsidiaries, are further secured by a pledge of substantially all of our consolidated assets, including 65% of the voting equity and 100% of the non-voting equity interest in each of our foreign subsidiaries.

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Calculation of Earnings per Share

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Calculation of Earnings per Share

Calculation of Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to VCA Inc. by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, after giving effect to all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period. Basic and diluted earnings per share were calculated as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Net income attributable to VCA Inc.	$	27,452	$	40,647	$	107,079	$	112,794
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic	86,274		88,834		87,543		88,583
Effect of dilutive potential common shares:
Stock options	324		310		285		318
Nonvested shares and units	762		701		837		758
Diluted	87,360		89,845		88,665		89,659
Basic earnings per share	$	0.32	$	0.46	$	1.22	$	1.27
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.31	$	0.45	$	1.21	$	1.26

For the three months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013, there were no potential common shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share.

There were no potential common shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, potential common shares of 23,538 were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because their inclusion would have had an antidilutive effect.

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Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 144,542	$ 145,156
Accumulated Amortization	(65,931)	(58,485)
Total intangible assets	78,611	86,671
Noncontractual customer relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	98,904	109,842
Accumulated Amortization	(50,033)	(41,895)
Total intangible assets	48,871	67,947
Covenants not-to-compete [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	9,170	8,843
Accumulated Amortization	(4,383)	(4,661)
Total intangible assets	4,787	4,182
Favorable lease asset [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	9,591	7,458
Accumulated Amortization	(4,844)	(4,373)
Total intangible assets	4,747	3,085
Contract [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	460	608
Accumulated Amortization	(363)	(305)
Total intangible assets	97	303
Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	2,913	5,240
Accumulated Amortization	(1,613)	(3,015)
Total intangible assets	1,300	2,225
Client lists [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	0	50
Accumulated Amortization	0	(42)
Total intangible assets	0	8
Franchise rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	10,400	0
Accumulated Amortization	(87)	0
Total intangible assets	10,313	0
Trademarks [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	13,104	13,115
Accumulated Amortization	(4,608)	(4,194)
Total intangible assets	$ 8,496	$ 8,921

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance creating Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Section 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. The new section will replace Section 605, “Revenue Recognition” and create modifications to various other revenue accounting standards for specialized transactions and industries. The guidance in this update is intended to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard for U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) that would remove inconsistencies and weaknesses in revenue requirements, provide a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues, and improve comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions, and capital markets.

The new accounting guidance will require companies to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This update creates a five-step model that requires companies to exercise judgment when considering the terms of the contract(s) which include (i) identifying the contract(s) with the customer, (ii) identifying the separate performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determining the transaction price, (iv) allocating the transaction price to the separate performance obligations, and (v) recognizing revenue when each performance obligation is satisfied. The update allows for either full retrospective adoption, meaning the standard is applied to all of the periods presented, or modified retrospective adoption, meaning the standard is applied only to the most current period presented in the financial statements.

The updated guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is not permitted. Accordingly, we will adopt the new provisions of this accounting standard at the beginning of fiscal year 2017. We will further study the implications of this statement in order to evaluate the expected impact on the consolidated financial statements and evaluate the method of adoption we would apply.

In April 2014, the FASB issued new accounting guidance which includes amendments that change the criteria for reporting discontinued operations in Subtopic 205-20 and requires entities to provide additional disclosures about disposal transactions that do not meet the discontinued-operations criteria. The revised guidance will change how entities identify and disclose information about disposal transactions under U.S. GAAP.

The FASB issued the ASU to provide more decision-useful information to users and to elevate the threshold for a disposal transaction to qualify as a discontinued operation (since too many disposal transactions were qualifying as discontinued operations under existing guidance). Under the new guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations that has or will have a major impact on an entity’s operations or financial results should be presented as discontinued operations. Under current U.S. GAAP, an entity is prohibited from reporting a discontinued operation if it has certain continuing cash flows or involvement with the component after the disposal. The new guidance eliminates these criteria. The ASU also requires entities to reclassify assets and liabilities of a discontinued operation for all comparative periods presented in the statement of financial position.

The ASU is effective prospectively for all disposals (except disposals classified as held for sale before the adoption date) or components initially classified as held for sale in periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, with early adoption permitted. This guidance is not expected to significantly impact our consolidated financial statements.

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Other Accrued Liabilities (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Other Accrued Liabilities

Other accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):

	As of September 30, 2014		As of December 31, 2013
Deferred revenue	$	11,399	$	11,190
Accrued health insurance	4,439		5,479
Deferred rent	4,125		4,331
Accrued other insurance	4,200		4,381
Miscellaneous accrued taxes(1)	4,270		2,804
Accrued workers' compensation	6,828		3,267
Holdbacks and earn-outs	3,629		3,040
Customer deposits	3,314		3,075
Accrued consulting fees	3,312		3,028
Accrued lease payments	1,744		2,547
Other	17,154		15,620
	$	64,414	$	58,762

____________________________

⁽¹⁾    Includes property, sales and use taxes.

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Calculation of Earnings per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share
Net income attributable to VCA, Inc.	$ 27,452	$ 40,647	$ 107,079	$ 112,794
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	86,274,000	88,834,000	87,543,000	88,583,000
Effect of dilutive potential common shares:
Stock options (in shares)	324,000	310,000	285,000	318,000
Nonvested shares and units (in shares)	762,000	701,000	837,000	758,000
Diluted (in shares)	87,360,000	89,845,000	88,665,000	89,659,000
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.32	$ 0.46	$ 1.22	$ 1.27
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.45	$ 1.21	$ 1.26
Calculation of Earnings per Share (Textuals) [Abstract]
Potential common shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share	0	0	0	23,538

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Condensed, Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 28,951,000	[1]	$ 41,911,000	[1]	$ 110,774,000	[1]	$ 117,194,000	[1]
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(6,207,000)		2,633,000		(6,919,000)		(3,708,000)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(6,207,000)		2,633,000		(6,919,000)		(3,708,000)
Total comprehensive income	22,744,000		44,544,000		103,855,000		113,486,000
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,021,000	[1]	1,264,000	[1]	3,167,000	[1]	4,400,000	[1]
Comprehensive income attributable to VCA Inc.	21,723,000		43,280,000		100,688,000		109,086,000
Net income related to redeemable and mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests					$ 1,900,000		$ 2,600,000

[1] Includes approximately $1.9 million and $2.6 million of net income related to redeemable and mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests combined for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

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Basis of Presentation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

Our accompanying unaudited, condensed, consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the disclosures required by GAAP for annual financial statements as permitted under applicable rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, all normal recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2014. For further information, refer to our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The preparation of our condensed, consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our condensed, consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

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Long-Term Obligations (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of long-term debt obligations

The following table summarizes our long-term obligations at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):

		September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
Senior term notes	Notes payable, maturing in 2019, secured by assets, variable interest rate (1.91% and 1.92% at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively)	600,000			556,914
Revolving credit	Revolving line of credit, maturing in 2019, secured by assets, variable interest rate	—			—
Secured seller notes	Notes payable matures in 2014, secured by assets and stock of certain subsidiaries, with interest rate of 10.0%	230			230
	Total debt obligations	600,230			557,144
	Capital lease obligations	60,180			62,501
		660,410			619,645
	Less — current portion	(11,687		)	(51,087		)
		$	648,723		$	568,558

In general, borrowings under the New Senior Credit Facility (including swing line borrowings) bear interest, at our option, on either:

• the base rate (as defined below) plus the applicable margin of 0.75% (Pricing Tier 3, see table below) per annum; or

• the Eurodollar rate (as defined below), plus a margin of 1.75% (Pricing Tier 3, see table below) per annum

Each of the aforementioned margins remain applicable until the date of delivery of the compliance certificate and the financial statements, for the period ended September 30, 2014, at which time the applicable margin will be determined by reference to the leverage ratio in effect from time to time as set forth in the following table:

Pricing Tier	Consolidated Leverage Ratio	Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Loans/Letter of Credit Fees		Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans		Commitment Fee
1	≥ 4.00:1.00	2.25	%	1.25	%	0.45	%
2	< 4.00:1.00 and ≥ 3.25:1.00	2.00	%	1.00	%	0.40	%
3	< 3.25:1.00 and ≥ 2.50:1.00	1.75	%	0.75	%	0.35	%
4	< 2.50:1.00 and ≥ 1.75:1.00	1.50	%	0.50	%	0.30	%
5	< 1.75:1.00 and ≥ 1.00:1.00	1.25	%	0.25	%	0.25	%
6	< 1.00:1.00	1.00	%	—	%	0.25	%

Schedule of long-term debt principal payments

The following table sets forth the scheduled principal payments for our senior term notes (in thousands):

6. Long-Term Obligations, continued

	2014		2015		2016		2017		2018		Thereafter
Senior term notes	$	—	$	15,000	$	30,000	$	37,500	$	52,500	$	465,000

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Long-Term Obligations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified							9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014 Senior term notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Senior term notes [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Secured seller notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Secured seller notes [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Federal funds rate [Member] Senior term notes [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Eurodollar [Member] Senior term notes [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Tier 1 [Member] New Senior Credit Facility [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Tier 1 [Member] Eurodollar [Member] New Senior Credit Facility [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Tier 1 [Member] Base Rate [Member] New Senior Credit Facility [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Tier 2 [Member] New Senior Credit Facility [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Tier 2 [Member] Eurodollar [Member] New Senior Credit Facility [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Tier 2 [Member] Base Rate [Member] New Senior Credit Facility [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Tier 3 [Member] New Senior Credit Facility [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Tier 3 [Member] Eurodollar [Member] New Senior Credit Facility [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Tier 3 [Member] Base Rate [Member] New Senior Credit Facility [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Tier 4 [Member] New Senior Credit Facility [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Tier 4 [Member] Eurodollar [Member] New Senior Credit Facility [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Tier 4 [Member] Base Rate [Member] New Senior Credit Facility [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Tier 5 [Member] New Senior Credit Facility [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Tier 5 [Member] Eurodollar [Member] New Senior Credit Facility [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Tier 5 [Member] Base Rate [Member] New Senior Credit Facility [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Tier 6 [Member] New Senior Credit Facility [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Tier 6 [Member] Eurodollar [Member] New Senior Credit Facility [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Tier 6 [Member] Base Rate [Member] New Senior Credit Facility [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Minimum [Member] Tier 1 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Minimum [Member] Tier 2 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Minimum [Member] Tier 3 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Minimum [Member] Tier 4 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Minimum [Member] Tier 5 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Maximum [Member] Tier 2 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Maximum [Member] Tier 3 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Maximum [Member] Tier 4 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Maximum [Member] Tier 5 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Maximum [Member] Tier 6 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Revolving line of credit [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Revolving line of credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt obligations	$ 600,230	$ 557,144	$ 600,000	$ 556,914	$ 230	$ 230																															$ 0	$ 0
Capital lease obligations	60,180	62,501
Debt and capital lease obligations	660,410	619,645
Less - current portion	(11,687)	(51,087)
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	648,723	568,558
Effective interest rate			1.91%	1.92%
Stated interest rate					10.00%
Consolidated Leverage Ratio																											4	3.25	2.50	1.75	1.00	4	3.25	2.5	1.75	1.00
Applicable margin for borrowings										2.25%	1.25%		2.00%	1.00%		1.75%	0.75%		1.50%	0.50%		1.25%	0.25%		1.00%	0.00%
Commitment Fee									0.45%			0.40%			0.35%			0.30%			0.25%			0.25%
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Including Current Maturities [Abstract]
2014	0
2015	15,000
2016	30,000
2017	37,500
2018	52,500
Thereafter	$ 465,000
Basis spread on variable interest rate							0.05%	1.00%

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Noncontrolling Interests

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling Interests

We own some of our animal hospitals in partnerships with noncontrolling interest holders. We consolidate our partnerships in our condensed, consolidated financial statements because our ownership interest in these partnerships is equal to or greater than 50.1% and we control these entities. We record noncontrolling interest in income of subsidiaries equal to our partners’ percentage ownership of the partnerships’ income. We also record changes in the redemption value of our redeemable noncontrolling interests in net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in our condensed, consolidated income statements. We reflect our noncontrolling partners’ cumulative share in the equity of the respective partnerships as either noncontrolling interests in equity, mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests in other liabilities, or redeemable noncontrolling interests in temporary equity (mezzanine) in our condensed, consolidated balance sheets.

a. Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

The terms of some of our partnership agreements require us to purchase the partner’s equity in the partnership in the event of the partner’s death. We report these redeemable noncontrolling interests at their estimated redemption value, which approximates fair value, and classify them as liabilities due to the certainty of the related event. Estimated redemption value is determined using either a contractually stated formula or a discounted cash flow technique, both of which are used as an approximation of fair value. The discounted cash flow inputs used to determine the redemption value are Level 3 and include forecasted growth rates, valuation multiples, and the weighted average cost of capital. We recognize changes in the obligation as interest cost in our condensed, consolidated statements of income.

The following table provides a summary of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests included in other liabilities in our condensed, consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):

	Income Statement Impact		Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
Balance as of December 31, 2012			$	11,047
Noncontrolling interest expense	$	1,475
Redemption value change	134		1,609
Purchase of noncontrolling interests			(658		)
Dissolution of noncontrolling interests			(357		)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests			(1,437		)
Currency translation adjustment			(145		)
Balance as of September 30, 2013			$	10,059
Balance as of December 31, 2013			$	9,355
Noncontrolling interest expense	$	1,172
Redemption value change	315		1,487
Distribution to noncontrolling interests			(1,064		)
Currency translation adjustment			(358		)
Balance as of September 30, 2014			$	9,420

12. Noncontrolling Interests, continued

b. Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

We also enter into partnership agreements whereby the minority partner is issued certain “put” rights. These rights are normally exercisable at the sole discretion of the minority partner. We report these redeemable noncontrolling interests at their estimated redemption value and classify them in temporary equity (mezzanine). We recognize changes in the obligation in net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in our condensed, consolidated statements of income.

The following table provides a summary of redeemable noncontrolling interests (in thousands):

	Income Statement Impact			Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
Balance as of December 31, 2012				$	6,991
Noncontrolling interest expense	$	900
Redemption value change	252			1,152
Formation of noncontrolling interests				3,600
Distribution to noncontrolling interests				(712		)
Balance as of September 30, 2013				$	11,031
Balance as of December 31, 2013				$	10,678
Noncontrolling interest expense	$	940
Redemption value change	(217		)	723
Formation of noncontrolling interests				855
Purchase of noncontrolling interests				(356		)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests				(886		)
Balance as of September 30, 2014				$	11,014