Pets at Home Vet Group has acquired Northwest Surgeons, a specialist veterinary business based in Sutton Weaver, Cheshire.

This acquisition marks the company’s first move into specialist veterinary referrals. Having acquired Northwest Surgeons, Pets at Home Vet Group will seek to develop a shared venture model with key clinicians in the future.

Northwest Surgeons provides specialist veterinary services and acts as a referral centre for veterinary practices in the North West of England. It specialises in orthopaedic, soft tissue and spinal surgery and internal medicine with support in anaesthesia, pain management and diagnostic imaging.

Following the acquisition, Northwest Surgeons will continue to operate as a stand-alone brand and business within the Pets at Home Vet Group’s practice network. Chris May and Chrissi May, the current owners of Northwest Surgeons, will remain with the business for at least a year to ensure a smooth transition.

Sally Hopson, Pets at Home Vet Group CEO said: “Having built the UK’s largest network of small animal veterinary practices, we are delighted to announce our first step into the market for specialist veterinary services with the acquisition of Northwest Surgeons.

"This is an important strategic move for us as it offers an opportunity to capture an additional segment of the market. And underlining our commitment to quality, it also means we can further support our Joint Venture Partners with additional expertise from within the group.”

Chris May, founder and Managing Director of Northwest Surgeons, said: “We have been hugely impressed by the dedication of everyone at the Pets at Home Vet Group and their aim to maintain the integrity of Northwest Surgeons.

"This is a significant step for all of us at Northwest Surgeons and we look forward to working with the Pets at Home Vet Group team to continue the development of our business.”