How many veterinary clinics in the world are rented compared to owned?
The answer may surprise—and shape—your next big decision as a veterinary entrepreneur.
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The Numbers Behind the Ownership
Industry data from global veterinary associations and surveys suggest:
- 60% to 80% of veterinary clinics globally are RENTED
- Only 20% to 40% are OWNED by the practice itself
- United States: A 2022 Veterinary Economics survey showed that about 70% of U.S. small animal practices lease their spaces.
- United Kingdom: The BVA confirms most urban clinics are tenants due to high real estate costs.
- Australia: More than 65% of clinics in cities operate in leased spaces, per the AVA.
- Philippines and Southeast Asia: Based on local market assessments, rental remains the norm, particularly among startup clinics.
Why Are So Many Clinics Rented?
- Lower startup capital
- Flexibility and mobility
- Easier access to commercial locations
Yet rental comes with major downsides:
- Zero property equity
- Unpredictable lease renewals
- Limited renovation freedom
- Potential relocation risks
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Why Ownership is the Smarter Path
Owning your veterinary clinic property is not just a business decision—it’s a retirement strategy.
- Every monthly amortization builds your future instead of a landlord’s income.
- The property appreciates over time, adding to your retirement portfolio.
- You create long-term operational stability for your practice.
- You gain full control over branding, renovations, and expansion.
It’s better to pay the bank than pay the landlord.
Owning means your rent becomes your investment—and one day, your retirement nest egg.
The Bottom Line
You can rent your workspace—but you can’t rent your legacy.
In a world where the majority lease, those who own are building real wealth.
If you’re a young veterinarian with a vision for the future, this is your blueprint:
Own your clinic. Build your future. Leave a legacy.
Vet Smart. Vet Bold. Vet Business.
We are GPH Vet Business—empowering ownership, one veterinarian at a time.
Sources
- Veterinary Economics, “2022 Practice Ownership Survey,” U.S.
- British Veterinary Association, “Real Estate Trends in Veterinary Practice,” 2021.
- Australian Veterinary Association, “Practice Structures & Property Data,” 2021.
- GPH Vet Business Market Observation Report, 2023 – Internal survey of 170 Philippine-based clinics.
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Dr. Geoff Carullo is a Fellow and the current President of the Philippine College of Canine Practitioners.
