Your Questions answered below

1). Does Companion Care dictate clinical policy for the individual surgeries?

No we do not. You have total clinical freedom in the running of the practice.

2). Does Pets at Home control the operations of Companion Care?

No they do not. Companion Care is an independently run company owned by Pets at Home. We work closely with them to establish sites and ensure operational excellence but each practice is run and managed by CCSL and the vets independently of Pets at Home.  

3). What happens if I wanted to leave a partnership before all the loans are paid off?

If you are going to enter into a joint venture partnership you should look at this as a medium to long-term venture (5 years or more). The business plan and finance is structured around a 5 year plus term.

If you needed to leave the practice before the loans had been paid off then Companion care would work with you to look for a replacement  partner to take over the practice and the loans.

4). Who are the practice staff employed by?

 The staff are employed by the local practice (as a Ltd company) but the terms and conditions of the Companion Care Services Limited Group of companies are used by each of the local practices. This ensures consistency across the Group on policies, procedures and pay.

5). How would I be paid?

The local practice (as a limited company) employs you and you draw a salary from the company. Similarly the veterinary staff are employed by and paid by the practice.
 
6). What about out of hours cover – how is this supplied to individual practices?

Companion Care works with individual veterinary partners to ensure there is a level of provision of out of hours cover on a local basis. In the vast majority of cases this is covered using our supplier VetsNow, however in a few cases the practice covers out of hours itself.

7). What are the employment benefits of being a partner – for example is there a company pension, healthcare and a company car?

We offer a highly competitive pay and benefits package for everyone who joins companion care. Partners receive a company car/allowance and enhanced PHI provisions in addition to a company pension and death in service benefit. In addition we have a range of other benefits such as discount at Pets at Home stores, childcare voucher scheme, reduced entry to theme parks, cut price hotels and many more.    

8). What training and development is given to partners and veterinary staff?

Companion Care actively supports and encourages the development of staff. All employees will be provided with Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as required in their role. A framework is in place to annually assess the behaviours, skills and knowledge of each employee against the Companion Care standard. From this, individual training plans are devised to support employees in their personal and professional development. All employees are encouraged to study for a qualification relevant to their role.

9). What happens when a surgery needs to be updated or new equipment needs to be bought – where is this financed from?

This is funded by the individual surgery and is discussed and arranged through consultation with the surgery’s operations manager. These discussions and consultations will ensure that the best and most cost effective ways to acquire equipment are considered which could include leasing or purchase.

10). Can I have more than one joint venture practice?

Yes you can. We have a number of partners who have more than one practice. To do this you would need to have an additional partner so that there is a permanent partner on site for each practice.

11). How do I exit the practice – what is the process?

If you want to exit from a practice once the loans have been repaid then we have a tried and tested method for doing this. This involves us working with you to find a new partner and helping throughout the whole process. We have a 100% success rate of helping partners who have decided they want to exit.

12). What is the average length of time by which the loans get paid off and I would start receiving dividend payments?

On average all loans are paid off within five years though some practices have done this in less time. Once the loans are paid off then you receive profits from the practice in the form of dividend payments.

13). Will you accept partners who do not have £30,000 available to invest?

Yes we can. We can be flexible subject to individual circumstances.

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