Covetrus
A veterinary health company supplying animal-health products, practice software, prescription services, and related business solutions.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Covetrus is an animal-health products and services company serving veterinary practices, animal-health retailers, and pet owners through a combination of distribution, technology, pharmacy, and practice-support activities. The business was created in 2019 when Henry Schein separated its animal-health operations and combined them with Vets First Choice, a Portland, Maine-based company focused on veterinary prescription management. The transaction brought together a large veterinary distribution platform with software and digital pharmacy capabilities under the Covetrus name. The company's roots extend through several earlier businesses. Henry Schein entered or expanded its veterinary distribution activities through the acquisition of NLS Animal Health in 2006. In 2009, Henry Schein and Butler Animal Health Supply formed Butler Schein Animal Health, which became a major United States veterinary sales and distribution business. The operation was renamed Henry Schein Animal Health in 2013. Henry Schein subsequently acquired or integrated additional specialist capabilities, including Netherlands-based AUV Veterinary Services in 2012, Scil Animal Care in 2015, and veterinary practice-management software provider RxWorks in 2016. Covetrus's offering spans the veterinary value chain. Its distribution activities provide medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, supplies, equipment, and other consumable products used by veterinary practices and animal-health businesses. Its technology portfolio includes practice-management systems, data-oriented applications, and tools intended to support communication between practices and clients. Its prescription-management and pharmacy services help veterinarians manage recurring prescriptions and provide medication to clients through digital and fulfillment channels. The company also provides supply-chain and business-support services intended to help practices manage inventory, purchasing, and operational workflows. The company has primarily served customers in North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. Public descriptions of its scale have stated that Covetrus serves approximately 100,000 veterinary practices worldwide, although the precise customer count and operating footprint may change over time. Its business model is oriented toward recurring relationships with veterinary practices and animal-health customers rather than a single consumer product line. This gives Covetrus a role as an infrastructure and services provider within the veterinary sector. Covetrus became a Nasdaq-listed company at its formation. Henry Schein shareholders received approximately 63 percent of the new company, while Vets First Choice shareholders held approximately 37 percent. In 2021, Covetrus was included at number 593 on the Fortune 1000 based on total revenue. The company later underwent a major ownership transition: Clayton, Dubilier & Rice and TPG announced an agreement to acquire Covetrus in May 2022, and the transaction was completed in October 2022. Following the acquisition, Covetrus ceased to operate as a publicly traded company. It remains an active veterinary-health business under private ownership.
History
Covetrus developed from the consolidation of several veterinary distribution, technology, and animal-health service businesses associated with Henry Schein and Vets First Choice. An important early predecessor was NLS Animal Health, a privately held veterinary distribution company acquired by Henry Schein in 2006. In 2009, Henry Schein and Butler Animal Health Supply established Butler Schein Animal Health as a joint venture. The venture became one of the largest veterinary sales and distribution businesses in the United States and was renamed Henry Schein Animal Health in 2013. Henry Schein continued building the predecessor platform through international expansion and specialist acquisitions. In 2012, it acquired AUV Veterinary Services, a veterinary-services company based in the Netherlands, for approximately $40 million. In 2015, Scil Animal Care merged with Henry Schein Animal Health, adding further animal-care capabilities. In 2016, Henry Schein acquired RxWorks, a provider of veterinary practice-management software. These steps broadened the business beyond wholesale distribution and strengthened its software and practice-operations capabilities. In 2019, Henry Schein announced the separation of its animal-health business. The separated operation was combined with Vets First Choice, a Portland, Maine company focused on veterinary prescription management, creating Covetrus. The new company was listed on Nasdaq at formation. Henry Schein shareholders owned approximately 63 percent of Covetrus, while Vets First Choice shareholders owned approximately 37 percent. The combination was intended to unite physical animal-health distribution with digital prescription services, veterinary software, and other practice-support tools. Covetrus operates across multiple parts of the veterinary supply chain. Its activities include selling animal-health medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, supplies, equipment, and other consumable goods to wholesale and retail customers. Its software business provides veterinary practices with practice-management systems, data-driven applications, and client-communications tools. Prescription-management services support the administration and fulfillment of medications prescribed by veterinary professionals. The company has primarily operated in North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region and has described its global customer base as including approximately 100,000 veterinary practices. The company's post-formation history included both commercial expansion and legal scrutiny. In 2021, Chewy filed a lawsuit alleging that Covetrus illegally redirected potential purchases of pet medication and food away from Chewy and toward Covetrus sales. The available reference does not establish a final judgment or settlement, so the matter is recorded as an allegation rather than a proven violation. Covetrus was ranked number 593 on the 2021 Fortune 1000 list, based on total revenue. In May 2022, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice and TPG announced plans to acquire the company for approximately $4 billion. The transaction closed in October 2022, taking Covetrus private and ending its Nasdaq-listed status. Covetrus therefore represents a transition from a publicly traded veterinary-services consolidator to a privately owned platform combining animal-health distribution, pharmacy, software, and practice-support operations.
- 2022
Covetrus agrees to a private-equity acquisition
[1]Clayton, Dubilier & Rice and TPG announced an approximately $4 billion acquisition of Covetrus.
- 2022
Covetrus becomes privately owned
[1]The acquisition by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice and TPG closed in October, ending Covetrus's public listing.
- 2021
Covetrus appears on the Fortune 1000
[1]Covetrus ranked 593rd on the Fortune 1000 list of the largest United States corporations by total revenue.
- 2019
Covetrus is created and listed on Nasdaq
[1]Henry Schein's animal-health business was separated and combined with Vets First Choice, creating Covetrus as a Nasdaq-listed company.
- 2016
RxWorks is acquired
[1]Henry Schein acquired RxWorks, a provider of veterinary practice-management software.
- 2015
Scil Animal Care merges with Henry Schein Animal Health
[1]Scil Animal Care merged with Henry Schein Animal Health, expanding the predecessor business's animal-care capabilities.
- 2013
Butler Schein Animal Health is renamed Henry Schein Animal Health
[1]The Butler Schein Animal Health business adopted the Henry Schein Animal Health name.
- 2012
AUV Veterinary Services is acquired
[1]Henry Schein acquired Netherlands-based AUV Veterinary Services for approximately $40 million.
- 2009
Butler Schein Animal Health joint venture is established
[1]Henry Schein and Butler Animal Health Supply launched Butler Schein Animal Health, creating a major United States veterinary sales and distribution business.
- 2006
Henry Schein acquires NLS Animal Health
[1]Henry Schein acquired NLS Animal Health, a privately held veterinary distribution business that became part of the predecessor network later associated with Covetrus.
Products and positioning
A veterinary infrastructure, distribution, technology, and prescription-services provider serving professional animal-health practices.
Animal-health distribution
Veterinary pharmaceuticals and vaccines
Covetrus distributes medicines, vaccines, and related animal-health products used by veterinary practices and other animal-health customers. These products form part of the company's wholesale and retail distribution activities and connect manufacturers with professional veterinary users.
Veterinary supplies
Animal-health supplies and consumables
The company supplies veterinary consumables, equipment, diagnostic products, and other practice materials. The offering supports routine clinical work and the operational needs of veterinary hospitals, clinics, and related animal-health businesses.
Veterinary software
Veterinary practice-management software
Covetrus provides software systems intended to help veterinary practices manage clinical and business workflows. The software portfolio includes practice-management capabilities, data-driven applications, and tools that support communication between practices and their clients. RxWorks is identified as an important predecessor software business.
Veterinary pharmacy · 2019
Prescription-management and pharmacy services
Prescription-management services help veterinary practices administer medication workflows and support the fulfillment of prescriptions for animal patients. This capability came into the Covetrus combination through Vets First Choice and complements the company's distribution and software activities.
Business services
Veterinary supply-chain services
Covetrus provides supply-chain and related business services for veterinary practices and animal-health customers. These services are designed to support purchasing, product availability, inventory flows, and the broader operational requirements of professional veterinary businesses.
Controversies
2021
Chewy lawsuit over alleged customer and purchase diversion
Chewy filed a lawsuit alleging that Covetrus illegally diverted potential purchases of pet medications and food away from Chewy and into Covetrus sales channels. The available reference identifies the allegations but does not establish a final legal outcome.
2021
Chewy sues Covetrus over alleged diversion of online orders
Chewy sued Covetrus, alleging it illegally diverted potential purchases of pet medication and food away from Chewy. The source says Chewy expanded its complaint on September 24; the allegations are not presented as a court determination.
Brand decisions
2022
Accept acquisition by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice and TPGM&ABackground
Covetrus was a publicly traded veterinary-health company operating across distribution, technology, and prescription services.
Action taken
The company agreed to be acquired by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice and TPG for approximately $4 billion. The transaction closed in October 2022.
Aftermath
Covetrus became privately owned and ceased to be listed on Nasdaq.
announced acquisition value. approximately $4 billion (2022 announced transaction)
2019
Combine Henry Schein Animal Health with Vets First ChoiceM&ABackground
Henry Schein was separating its animal-health business while Vets First Choice provided veterinary prescription-management capabilities.
Action taken
The two businesses were combined under the Covetrus name, creating a company spanning distribution, pharmacy services, software, and veterinary practice support.
Aftermath
Covetrus became a Nasdaq-listed company, with approximately 63 percent owned by Henry Schein shareholders and approximately 37 percent owned by Vets First Choice shareholders.
Recent events
- 2022
Covetrus enters agreement to be acquired by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice and TPG[1]
M&A
Clayton, Dubilier & Rice and TPG announced an agreement to acquire Covetrus in a transaction valued at approximately $4 billion.
- 2022
Covetrus acquisition is completed and the company becomes privately owned[1]
M&A
The acquisition by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice and TPG was completed in October 2022. Covetrus consequently ceased to be a publicly traded Nasdaq company.
- 2019
Covetrus is formed through the combination of Henry Schein Animal Health and Vets First Choice[1]
M&A
Henry Schein separated its animal-health business and combined it with Vets First Choice to create Covetrus. The new company listed on Nasdaq, with Henry Schein shareholders holding approximately 63 percent and Vets First Choice shareholders approximately 37 percent.
Sources6 sources
- 1Covetrusen.wikipedia.org
- 2Covetrus official websitecovetrus.com
- 3Chewy sues Covetrus over alleged diversion of online ordersmainebiz.biz
- 4Covetrus CEO Benjamin Shaw resignsmainebiz.biz
- 5Covetrus sells off subsidiary, while IDEXX promotes senior execsmainebiz.biz
- 6Heska Corporation Completes Acquisition of scil animal care to Create a Global Leader in Veterinary Point-of-Care Diagnosticsprnewswire.com
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