Vca 10-Q 7 Aug 15 2015 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Aug. 03, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	VCA INC.
Entity Central Index Key	817,366
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2015
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		81,153,273

Condensed, Consolidated Balance

Condensed, Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 74,326	$ 81,383
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for uncollectible accounts of $19,713 and $19,846 at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	81,593	60,482
Inventory	53,789	56,050
Prepaid expenses and other	27,874	36,924
Deferred income taxes	30,324	30,331
Prepaid income taxes	6,472	18,277
Total current assets	274,378	283,447
Property and equipment, net	477,929	468,041
Goodwill	1,452,370	1,415,861
Other intangible assets, net	98,908	88,175
Notes receivable	2,471	2,807
Deferred financing costs, net	7,004	7,874
Other	84,050	65,815
Total assets	2,397,110	2,332,020
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	33,881	19,356
Accounts payable	42,071	46,284
Accrued payroll and related liabilities	72,697	64,359
Other accrued liabilities	73,093	67,219
Total current liabilities	221,742	197,218
Long-term debt, less current portion	819,380	775,412
Deferred income taxes	103,424	103,502
Other liabilities	31,862	33,190
Total liabilities	$ 1,176,408	$ 1,109,322
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	$ 11,183	$ 11,077
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, 81,448 and 82,937 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	81	83
Additional paid-in capital	72,590	155,802
Retained earnings	1,156,758	1,064,158
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(30,331)	(19,397)
Total VCA Inc. stockholders’ equity	1,199,098	1,200,646
Noncontrolling interests	10,421	10,975
Total equity	1,209,519	1,211,621
Total liabilities and equity	$ 2,397,110	$ 2,332,020

Condensed, Consolidated Balanc3

Condensed, Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Allowance for uncollectible accounts	$ 19,713	$ 19,846
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	81,448,000	82,937,000

Condensed, Consolidated Income

Condensed, Consolidated Income Statements (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue		$ 548,785	$ 489,472	$ 1,048,238	$ 938,979
Direct costs		407,938	369,057	793,529	717,113
Gross profit		140,847	120,415	254,709	221,866
Selling, general and administrative expense		44,485	39,931	88,883	81,371
Net (gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets		(819)	578	(484)	(643)
Operating income (loss)		97,181	79,906	166,310	141,138
Interest expense, net		5,104	4,030	9,941	8,197
Other (income) expense		(37)	43	29	(10)
Income before provision for income taxes		92,114	75,833	156,340	132,951
Provision for income taxes		36,191	28,925	60,864	51,128
Net income	[1]	55,923	46,908	95,476	81,823
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		1,624	1,324	2,876	2,196
Net income attributable to VCA Inc.		$ 54,299	$ 45,584	$ 92,600	$ 79,627
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)		$ 0.66	$ 0.52	$ 1.13	$ 0.90
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)		$ 0.65	$ 0.51	$ 1.11	$ 0.89
Weighted-average shares outstanding for basic earnings per share (in shares)		81,956	88,041	82,150	88,188
Weighted-average shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share (in shares)		83,084	89,191	83,227	89,312
[1]	Includes approximately $1.6 million and $1.2 million of net income related to redeemable and mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Condensed, Consolidated Stateme

Condensed, Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	[1]	$ 55,923	$ 46,908	$ 95,476	$ 81,823
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments		4,411	4,809	(11,269)	(712)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		4,411	4,809	(11,269)	(712)
Total comprehensive income		60,334	51,717	84,207	81,111
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	[1]	1,761	1,702	2,541	2,146
Comprehensive income attributable to VCA Inc.		$ 58,573	$ 50,015	81,666	78,965
Net income related to redeemable and mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests				$ 1,600	$ 1,200
[1]	Includes approximately $1.6 million and $1.2 million of net income related to redeemable and mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Condensed, Consolidated Statem6

Condensed, Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning Balances, shares at Dec. 31, 2013		88,508
Beginning Balances at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 1,317,616	$ 89	$ 384,797	$ 928,720	$ (6,190)	$ 10,200
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (excludes $877 and $749 related to redeemable and mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests as of June 30, 2015 and $417 and $739 as of June 30, 2014)	80,667			79,627		1,040
Other comprehensive loss (excludes $136 and $30 as of June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, related to mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests)	(682)				(662)	(20)
Formation of noncontrolling interests	933					933
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	(970)					(970)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests	30		30
Share-based compensation	8,571		8,571
Issuance of common stock under stock incentive plans, shares		377
Issuance of common stock under stock incentive plans	467		467
Stock repurchases, shares		(1,471)
Stock repurchases	(49,091)	$ (2)	(49,089)
Excess tax benefit from stock based compensation	2,092		2,092
Ending Balances, shares at Jun. 30, 2014		87,414
Ending Balances at Jun. 30, 2014	$ 1,359,633	$ 87	346,868	1,008,347	(6,852)	11,183
Beginning Balances, shares at Dec. 31, 2014	82,937	82,937
Beginning Balances at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 1,211,621	$ 83	155,802	1,064,158	(19,397)	10,975
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (excludes $877 and $749 related to redeemable and mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests as of June 30, 2015 and $417 and $739 as of June 30, 2014)	93,850			92,600		1,250
Other comprehensive loss (excludes $136 and $30 as of June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, related to mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests)	(11,133)				(10,934)	(199)
Formation of noncontrolling interests	(14)					(14)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	(1,118)					(1,118)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests	(690)		(217)			(473)
Share-based compensation	8,269		8,269
Issuance of common stock under stock incentive plans, shares		376
Issuance of common stock under stock incentive plans	679		679
Stock repurchases, shares		(1,865)
Stock repurchases	(96,674)	$ (2)	(96,672)
Excess tax benefit from stock based compensation	$ 4,729		4,729
Ending Balances, shares at Jun. 30, 2015	81,448	81,448
Ending Balances at Jun. 30, 2015	$ 1,209,519	$ 81	$ 72,590	$ 1,156,758	$ (30,331)	$ 10,421

Condensed, Consolidated Statem7

Condensed, Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	$ 877	$ 417
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest	749	739
Other comprehensive loss related to mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests	$ 136	$ 30

Condensed, Consolidated Statem8

Condensed, Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	[1]	$ 95,476	$ 81,823
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		40,163	39,797
Amortization of debt issue costs		870	604
Provision for uncollectible accounts		3,379	2,612
Net gain on sale or disposal of assets		(484)	(643)
Share-based compensation		8,269	8,571
Excess tax benefits from stock based compensation		(4,729)	(2,092)
Other		(658)	(53)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable		(24,217)	(8,945)
Inventory, prepaid expenses and other assets		(8,942)	(6,610)
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities		(4,196)	1,171
Accrued payroll and related liabilities		8,300	3,816
Income taxes		16,525	8,062
Net cash provided by operating activities		129,756	128,113
Cash flows from investing activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(66,529)	(30,764)
Property and equipment additions		(34,521)	(27,979)
Proceeds from sale or disposal of assets		6,164	4,456
Other		205	55
Net cash used in investing activities		(94,681)	(54,232)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of long-term obligations		(7,924)	(26,218)
Proceeds from revolving credit facility		61,000	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interest partners		(2,447)	(2,259)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests		(1,493)	(326)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under stock incentive plans		679	467
Excess tax benefits from stock based compensation		4,729	2,092
Stock repurchases		(96,674)	(49,091)
Other		(80)	(838)
Net cash used in financing activities		(42,210)	(76,173)
Effect of currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		78	(202)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(7,057)	(2,494)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		81,383	125,029
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		74,326	122,535
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid		8,907	7,491
Income taxes paid		44,253	42,950
Detail of acquisitions:
Fair value of assets acquired		75,973	34,329
Noncontrolling interest		0	(1,705)
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of acquired cash		(66,529)	(30,764)
Assumed debt		(6,250)	(736)
Contingent consideration		0	(374)
Holdbacks		(2,522)	(750)
Liabilities assumed		$ 672	$ 0
[1]	Includes approximately $1.6 million and $1.2 million of net income related to redeemable and mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Nature of Operations

Nature of Operations	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
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 Hospital, Laboratory, Medical Technology, Vetstreet and 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 8, 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 June 30, 2015 , we operated or managed 657 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 June 30, 2015 , 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 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 service mark Camp Bow Wow ® . As of June 30, 2015 , there were 127 Camp Bow Wow® franchise locations operating in 35 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.

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
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 six months ended June 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2015 . For further information, refer to our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2014 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.

Goodwill and Other Long-Lived A

Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
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 six months ended June 30, 2015 (in thousands): Animal Hospital Laboratory All Other Total Balance as of December 31, 2014 Goodwill $ 1,305,558 $ 97,535 $ 142,825 $ 1,545,918 Accumulated impairment losses — — (130,057 ) (130,057 ) Subtotal 1,305,558 97,535 12,768 1,415,861 Goodwill acquired 42,268 4,172 255 46,695 Foreign translation adjustment (7,844 ) (34 ) — (7,878 ) Other (1) (2,304 ) (4 ) — (2,308 ) Balance as of June 30, 2015 Goodwill 1,337,678 101,669 143,080 1,582,427 Accumulated impairment losses — — (130,057 ) (130,057 ) Subtotal $ 1,337,678 $ 101,669 $ 13,023 $ 1,452,370 ____________________________ (1) "Other" primarily includes write-offs related to the sale of two animal hospitals partially offset by measurement period adjustments. Other Intangible Assets Our acquisition related amortizable intangible assets at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands): As of June 30, 2015 As of December 31, 2014 Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Non-contractual customer relationships $ 118,231 $ (50,879 ) $ 67,352 $ 101,056 $ (45,295 ) $ 55,761 Covenants not-to-compete 11,772 (5,072 ) 6,700 10,093 (4,422 ) 5,671 Favorable lease assets 9,477 (5,191 ) 4,286 9,576 (4,962 ) 4,614 Trademarks 12,659 (3,957 ) 8,702 13,503 (4,015 ) 9,488 Contracts 100 (28 ) 72 100 (11 ) 89 Technology 1,627 (584 ) 1,043 1,627 (414 ) 1,213 Franchise rights 11,730 (977 ) 10,753 11,730 (391 ) 11,339 Total $ 165,596 $ (66,688 ) $ 98,908 $ 147,685 $ (59,510 ) $ 88,175 3. Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets, continued The following table summarizes our aggregate amortization expense related to acquisition related intangible assets (in thousands): Three Months Ended Six Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 Aggregate amortization expense $ 5,858 $ 5,227 $ 11,384 $ 10,374 The estimated amortization expense related to acquisition related intangible assets for the remainder of 2015 and each of the succeeding years thereafter, as of June 30, 2015 , is as follows (in thousands): Finite-lived intangible assets: Remainder of 2015 $ 11,611 2016 21,084 2017 15,137 2018 11,781 2019 8,757 Thereafter 29,498 Total $ 97,868 Indefinite-lived intangible assets: Trademarks 1,040 Total intangible assets $ 98,908

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
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 six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively: Six Months Ended 2015 2014 Animal Hospitals: Acquisitions 23 10 Acquisitions, merged (2 ) (2 ) Sold, closed or merged (7 ) (5 ) Net increase 14 3 Laboratories: Acquisitions 1 — Acquisitions, merged (1 ) — New facilities — 3 Net increase — 3 4. Acquisitions, continued Animal Hospital and Laboratory Acquisitions The purchase price allocations for some of the 2015 animal hospital acquisitions included 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 and the Abaxis Veterinary Reference Laboratory ("AVRL") acquired during the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively, (in thousands): Six Months Ended 2015 2014 Consideration: Cash, net of cash acquired $ 66,229 $ 30,764 Assumed debt 6,250 736 Holdbacks 2,522 750 Earn-out contingent consideration — 374 Fair value of total consideration transferred $ 75,001 $ 32,624 Allocation of the Purchase Price: Tangible assets $ 5,064 $ 2,688 Identifiable intangible assets (1) 24,144 4,880 Goodwill (2) 46,440 26,761 Other liabilities assumed (647 ) — Fair value of assets acquired $ 75,001 $ 34,329 Noncontrolling interest — (1,705 ) Total $ 75,001 $ 32,624 ____________________________ (1) Identifiable intangible assets include customer relationships, trademarks and covenants-not-to-compete. The weighted-average amortization period for the total identifiable intangible assets is approximately fifteen years . The weighted-average amortization period for customer relationships, trademarks and covenants is approximately sixteen years , eight years and five years , respectively. (2) We expect that $35.8 million and $16.3 million of the goodwill recorded for these acquisitions, as of June 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively, will be fully deductible for income tax purposes. Included in the table above is Antech Diagnostics, Inc.'s March 31, 2015 acquisition of the AVRL from Abaxis, Inc., for total consideration of $21.0 million . At the time of the acquisition, we allocated the full purchase price of the AVRL to goodwill. During the current quarter, the fair market value of identifiable intangible assets was finalized which resulted in a reclassification of the majority of the goodwill to these identifiable intangible assets. Of the goodwill recorded, $15.3 million was reclassified as customer relationships with an amortization period of 20 years . The purchase price allocation is pending the finalization of fixed asset valuations. 4. Acquisitions, continued Camp Bow Wow On August 15, 2014, we acquired 100% of D.O.G. Enterprises, LLC for $17.0 million in cash and contingent consideration of up to $3.0 million that may be earned over the next three years . Camp Bow Wow primarily 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 service mark Camp Bow Wow ® . As of June 30, 2015 , there were 127 Camp Bow Wow ® franchise locations operating in 35 states and one Canadian province. The following table summarizes the total purchase price and the final allocation of the purchase price (in thousands): Consideration: Cash, net of cash acquired $ 15,174 Assumed debt 323 Holdbacks 1,500 Earn-out contingent consideration 760 Fair value of total consideration transferred $ 17,757 Allocation of the Purchase Price: Tangible assets $ 637 Identifiable intangible assets (1) 13,420 Goodwill (2) 4,219 Other liabilities assumed (519 ) Total $ 17,757 ____________________________ (1) Identifiable intangible assets primarily include franchise rights, trademarks, covenants-not-to-compete and existing technology. The weighted-average amortization period for the total identifiable intangible assets is approximately ten years . The weighted-average amortization periods for the franchise rights, covenants and existing technology is approximately ten years , three years and four years , respectively. The trademarks have an indefinite life and will be assessed annually for impairment. (2) As of June 30, 2015 , we expect that the full amount of goodwill recorded for this acquisition will be deductible for income tax purposes.

Other Accrued Liabilities

Other Accrued Liabilities	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Other Accrued Liabilities	Other Accrued Liabilities Other accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands): As of June 30, 2015 As of December 31, 2014 Deferred revenue $ 15,967 $ 14,304 Accrued health insurance 4,910 5,194 Deferred rent 4,648 4,535 Accrued other insurance 4,397 4,381 Miscellaneous accrued taxes (1) 4,597 3,025 Accrued accounting and legal fees 2,609 2,900 Accrued workers' compensation 2,938 2,781 Holdbacks and earn-outs 9,247 7,878 Customer deposits 2,590 2,229 Accrued consulting fees 3,494 3,172 Accrued lease payments 1,496 1,657 Other 16,200 15,163 $ 73,093 $ 67,219 ____________________________ (1) Includes property, sales and use taxes.

Long-Term Obligations

Long-Term Obligations	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Obligations	Long-Term Obligations Long-term obligations consisted of the following at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands): June 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Senior term notes Notes payable, maturing in 2019, secured by assets, variable interest rate (1.68% and 1.67% at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively) 600,000 600,000 Revolving credit Revolving line of credit, maturing in 2019, secured by assets, variable interest rate (1.68% and 1.67% at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively) 196,000 135,000 Secured seller notes Notes payable matures in 2015, secured by assets and stock of certain subsidiaries, with interest rate of 10.0% 230 230 Total debt obligations 796,230 735,230 Capital lease obligations and other debt 57,031 59,538 853,261 794,768 Less — current portion (33,881 ) (19,356 ) $ 819,380 $ 775,412 Interest Rate. In general, borrowings under the 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 0.50% (Pricing Tier 4, see table below) per annum; or • the Eurodollar rate (as defined below), plus a margin of 1.50% (Pricing Tier 4, see table below) per annum 6. Long-Term Obligations, continued Each of the aforementioned margins remain applicable until the date of delivery of the compliance certificate and the financial statements, for the period ended June 30, 2015 , 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 revolving credit facility has a per annum commitment fee determined by reference to the Leverage Ratio in effect from time to time as set forth in the table above and is applied to the unused portion of the commitment. The revolving credit facility matures on August 27, 2019. Principal payments on the revolving credit facility are made at our discretion with the entire unpaid amount due at maturity. At June 30, 2015 , we had borrowings of $196.0 million under our revolving credit facility. The following table sets forth the scheduled principal payments for the Senior Credit Facility (in thousands): 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Senior term notes $ 15,000 $ 30,000 $ 37,500 $ 52,500 $ 465,000 Revolving loans — — — — 196,000 $ 15,000 $ 30,000 $ 37,500 $ 52,500 $ 661,000 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.

Calculation of Earnings per Sha

Calculation of Earnings per Share	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
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): 7. Calculation of Earnings per Share, continued Three Months Ended Six Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 Net income attributable to VCA Inc. $ 54,299 $ 45,584 $ 92,600 $ 79,627 Weighted-average common shares outstanding: Basic 81,956 88,041 82,150 88,188 Effect of dilutive potential common shares: Stock options 334 265 337 260 Non-vested shares and units 794 885 740 864 Diluted 83,084 89,191 83,227 89,312 Basic earnings per common share $ 0.66 $ 0.52 $ 1.13 $ 0.90 Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.65 $ 0.51 $ 1.11 $ 0.89 For the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 there were no potential common shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share. For the six months ended June 30, 2015 , an immaterial amount of potential common shares were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because their inclusion would have had an antidilutive effect. For the six months ended June 30, 2014 there were no potential common shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share.

Lines of Business

Lines of Business	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Lines of Business	Lines of Business Our Animal Hospital and Laboratory business segments are each considered reportable segments in accordance with the FASB's guidance related to Segment Reporting. 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 the “All Other” category 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 a premier provider of pet services including dog day care, overnight boarding, grooming and other ancillary services at specially designed pet care facilities. 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 the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies included in our 2014 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. 8. 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 External revenue $ 435,376 $ 89,707 $ 22,818 $ — $ 884 $ 548,785 Intercompany revenue — 16,515 5,851 — (22,366 ) — Total revenue 435,376 106,222 28,669 — (21,482 ) 548,785 Direct costs 361,991 49,519 17,280 — (20,852 ) 407,938 Gross profit 73,385 56,703 11,389 — (630 ) 140,847 Selling, general and administrative expense 10,453 9,487 7,741 16,804 — 44,485 Operating income (loss) before sale or disposal of assets 62,932 47,216 3,648 (16,804 ) (630 ) 96,362 Net (gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets (914 ) 35 11 49 — (819 ) Operating income (loss) $ 63,846 $ 47,181 $ 3,637 $ (16,853 ) $ (630 ) $ 97,181 Depreciation and amortization $ 16,440 $ 2,705 $ 1,176 $ 575 $ (530 ) $ 20,366 Property and equipment additions $ 13,995 $ 2,862 $ 500 $ 1,512 $ (874 ) $ 17,995 Three Months Ended External revenue $ 386,776 $ 81,320 $ 20,457 $ — $ 919 $ 489,472 Intercompany revenue — 14,635 3,255 — (17,890 ) — Total revenue 386,776 95,955 23,712 — (16,971 ) 489,472 Direct costs 323,440 46,863 16,064 — (17,310 ) 369,057 Gross profit 63,336 49,092 7,648 — 339 120,415 Selling, general and administrative expense 9,864 8,281 7,411 14,375 — 39,931 Operating income (loss) before sale or disposal of assets 53,472 40,811 237 (14,375 ) 339 80,484 Net loss (gain) on sale or disposal of assets 414 (7 ) 97 74 — 578 Operating income (loss) $ 53,058 $ 40,818 $ 140 $ (14,449 ) $ 339 $ 79,906 Depreciation and amortization $ 15,110 $ 2,563 $ 2,004 $ 826 $ (473 ) $ 20,030 Property and equipment additions $ 8,119 $ 1,304 $ 920 $ 1,333 $ (316 ) $ 11,360 8. Lines of Business, continued Animal Hospital Laboratory All Other Corporate Eliminations Total Six Months Ended External revenue $ 828,402 $ 168,516 $ 49,351 $ — $ 1,969 $ 1,048,238 Intercompany revenue — 31,678 13,545 — (45,223 ) — Total revenue 828,402 200,194 62,896 — (43,254 ) 1,048,238 Direct costs 699,533 95,509 40,083 — (41,596 ) 793,529 Gross profit 128,869 104,685 22,813 — (1,658 ) 254,709 Selling, general and administrative expense 21,674 18,352 16,428 32,429 — 88,883 Operating income (loss) before charges 107,195 86,333 6,385 (32,429 ) (1,658 ) 165,826 Net (gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets (620 ) 41 20 75 — (484 ) Operating income (loss) $ 107,815 $ 86,292 $ 6,365 $ (32,504 ) $ (1,658 ) $ 166,310 Depreciation and amortization $ 32,512 $ 5,209 $ 2,328 $ 1,167 $ (1,053 ) $ 40,163 Property and equipment additions $ 26,077 $ 6,078 $ 1,300 $ 2,576 $ (1,510 ) $ 34,521 Six Months Ended External revenue $ 738,364 $ 156,103 $ 42,658 $ — $ 1,854 $ 938,979 Intercompany revenue — 28,386 9,175 — (37,561 ) — Total revenue 738,364 184,489 51,833 — (35,707 ) 938,979 Direct costs 626,228 92,366 34,216 — (35,697 ) 717,113 Gross profit 112,136 92,123 17,617 — (10 ) 221,866 Selling, general and administrative expense 18,992 16,299 15,759 30,321 — 81,371 Operating income (loss) before charges 93,144 75,824 1,858 (30,321 ) (10 ) 140,495 Net loss (gain) on sale or disposal of assets 582 (78 ) (1,087 ) (60 ) — (643 ) Operating income (loss) $ 92,562 $ 75,902 $ 2,945 $ (30,261 ) $ (10 ) $ 141,138 Depreciation and amortization $ 29,852 $ 5,098 $ 4,140 $ 1,645 $ (938 ) $ 39,797 Property and equipment additions $ 21,187 $ 3,285 $ 1,678 $ 2,744 $ (915 ) $ 27,979 At June 30, 2015 Total assets $ 2,092,935 $ 304,685 $ 80,994 $ 340,002 $ (421,506 ) $ 2,397,110 At December 31, 2014 Total assets $ 2,021,725 $ 258,550 $ 89,596 $ 270,414 $ (308,265 ) $ 2,332,020

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
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 2014 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 fulfillment 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. If the specified financial criteria are satisfied, we will be obligated to pay an additional $5.6 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 $3.1 million and $ 3.2 million in earn-out liabilities as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively, which are included in other accrued liabilities in our condensed, 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 four of the eight 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 claim 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. These two actions are related before the same judge hearing the Duran action discussed above. In September 2014, the court issued an order staying the La Kimba Bradsbery lawsuit until class certification is completed in the Duran case. Plaintiff Duran filed his class certification motion and supporting documentation in January 2015. A class certification hearing was held on June 2, 2015. On June 25, 2015, the Court entered an Order denying class certification to veterinary assistants who were allegedly not given proper meal or rest periods. The plaintiff continues to have a PAGA claim. We intend to continue to vigorously defend against the remaining claim 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. 9. Commitments and Contingencies, continued 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. The parties have an agreement in principle to settle the action, on a class-wide basis, for an amount not to exceed $1,250,000 . Logistics Delivery Solutions, LLC, has agreed to pay half of the claim. Accordingly, as of June 30, 2015 , we have accrued the remaining fifty percent . The proposed settlement, when and if it becomes effective, would not be an admission of wrongdoing or acceptance of fault by any of the defendants named in the complaint. Antech Diagnostics and Logistics Delivery Solutions have agreed upon the terms of this proposed settlement to eliminate the uncertainties, risk, distraction and expense associated with protracted litigation. The proposed settlement remains subject to court approval and class notice administration before it will be effective. 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. VCA successfully had the venue transferred to the Southern District of California. 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, results of operations, or cash flows. 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 maintain standard insurance coverage for both property damage and business interruption losses. During the six months ended June 30, 2015 , there were no additional estimated losses recorded in connection with this event. Subsequent to the June 30, 2015 quarter end we received a final insurance payment of approximately $6.0 million bringing the total insurance settlement received to approximately $26.0 million .

Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling Interests	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
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 income statement. 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, 2013 $ 9,355 Noncontrolling interest expense $ 739 Redemption value change 237 976 Distribution to noncontrolling interests (679 ) Currency translation adjustment (30 ) Balance as of June 30, 2014 $ 9,622 Balance as of December 31, 2014 $ 9,405 Noncontrolling interest expense $ 749 Redemption value change (78 ) 671 Purchase of noncontrolling interests (803 ) Distribution to noncontrolling interests (728 ) Currency translation adjustment (136 ) Balance as of June 30, 2015 $ 8,409 10. Noncontrolling Interests, continued b. Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests We also enter into partnership agreements whereby the noncontrolling interest partner is issued certain “put” rights. These rights are normally exercisable at the sole discretion of the noncontrolling interest 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 income statement. The following table provides a summary of redeemable noncontrolling interests (in thousands): Income Statement Impact Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests Balance as of December 31, 2013 $ 10,678 Noncontrolling interest expense $ 589 Redemption value change (172 ) 417 Formation of noncontrolling interests 855 Purchase of noncontrolling interests (356 ) Distribution to noncontrolling interests (610 ) Balance as of June 30, 2014 $ 10,984 Balance as of December 31, 2014 $ 11,077 Noncontrolling interest expense $ 681 Redemption value change 196 877 Distribution to noncontrolling interests (771 ) Balance as of June 30, 2015 $ 11,183

Recent Accounting Pronouncement

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2015-03 - “ Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 2015-03): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs ” which requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability instead of being presented as an asset, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by ASU 2015-03. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years and is to be implemented retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. Adoption of the new guidance will only affect the presentation of our consolidated balance sheets and will not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements. In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, “ Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. ” The amendments in this update affect reporting entities that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. All legal entities are subject to reevaluation under the revised consolidation model. Specifically, the amendments (i) modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities (VIEs) or voting interest entities, (ii) eliminate the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership, (iii) affect the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships, and (iv) provide a scope exception from consolidation guidance for reporting entities with interests in certain legal entities. This ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. We do not expect this adoption to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements. 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 was originally effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. However, on April 29, 2015, the FASB issued for public comment a proposed ASU that would defer the effective date of the new revenue recognition standard by one year. Based on the Board’s proposed decision, public organizations would apply the new revenue standard to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Additionally, the Board decided to permit both public and nonpublic organizations to adopt the new revenue standard early, but not before the original public organization effective date. Accordingly, we will adopt the new provisions of this accounting standard at the beginning of fiscal year 2018. 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.

Basis of Presentation (Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Segment Reporting, Policy	The accounting policies of our segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies included in our 2014 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	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2015-03 - “ Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 2015-03): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs ” which requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability instead of being presented as an asset, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by ASU 2015-03. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years and is to be implemented retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. Adoption of the new guidance will only affect the presentation of our consolidated balance sheets and will not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements. In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, “ Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. ” The amendments in this update affect reporting entities that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. All legal entities are subject to reevaluation under the revised consolidation model. Specifically, the amendments (i) modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities (VIEs) or voting interest entities, (ii) eliminate the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership, (iii) affect the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships, and (iv) provide a scope exception from consolidation guidance for reporting entities with interests in certain legal entities. This ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. We do not expect this adoption to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements. 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 was originally effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. However, on April 29, 2015, the FASB issued for public comment a proposed ASU that would defer the effective date of the new revenue recognition standard by one year. Based on the Board’s proposed decision, public organizations would apply the new revenue standard to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Additionally, the Board decided to permit both public and nonpublic organizations to adopt the new revenue standard early, but not before the original public organization effective date. Accordingly, we will adopt the new provisions of this accounting standard at the beginning of fiscal year 2018. 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.
Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Shares Subject to Mandatory Redemption, Changes in Redemption Value, Policy	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 income statement.
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Shares Subject to Mandatory Redemption, Changes in Redemption Value, Policy	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests We also enter into partnership agreements whereby the noncontrolling interest partner is issued certain “put” rights. These rights are normally exercisable at the sole discretion of the noncontrolling interest 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 income statement.

Goodwill and Other Long-Lived21

Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	The following table presents the changes in the carrying amount of our goodwill for the six months ended June 30, 2015 (in thousands): Animal Hospital Laboratory All Other Total Balance as of December 31, 2014 Goodwill $ 1,305,558 $ 97,535 $ 142,825 $ 1,545,918 Accumulated impairment losses — — (130,057 ) (130,057 ) Subtotal 1,305,558 97,535 12,768 1,415,861 Goodwill acquired 42,268 4,172 255 46,695 Foreign translation adjustment (7,844 ) (34 ) — (7,878 ) Other (1) (2,304 ) (4 ) — (2,308 ) Balance as of June 30, 2015 Goodwill 1,337,678 101,669 143,080 1,582,427 Accumulated impairment losses — — (130,057 ) (130,057 ) Subtotal $ 1,337,678 $ 101,669 $ 13,023 $ 1,452,370 ____________________________ (1) "Other" primarily includes write-offs related to the sale of two animal hospitals partially offset by measurement period adjustments.
Other Intangible Assets	Our acquisition related amortizable intangible assets at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands): As of June 30, 2015 As of December 31, 2014 Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Non-contractual customer relationships $ 118,231 $ (50,879 ) $ 67,352 $ 101,056 $ (45,295 ) $ 55,761 Covenants not-to-compete 11,772 (5,072 ) 6,700 10,093 (4,422 ) 5,671 Favorable lease assets 9,477 (5,191 ) 4,286 9,576 (4,962 ) 4,614 Trademarks 12,659 (3,957 ) 8,702 13,503 (4,015 ) 9,488 Contracts 100 (28 ) 72 100 (11 ) 89 Technology 1,627 (584 ) 1,043 1,627 (414 ) 1,213 Franchise rights 11,730 (977 ) 10,753 11,730 (391 ) 11,339 Total $ 165,596 $ (66,688 ) $ 98,908 $ 147,685 $ (59,510 ) $ 88,175
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 Six Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 Aggregate amortization expense $ 5,858 $ 5,227 $ 11,384 $ 10,374 The estimated amortization expense related to acquisition related intangible assets for the remainder of 2015 and each of the succeeding years thereafter, as of June 30, 2015 , is as follows (in thousands): Finite-lived intangible assets: Remainder of 2015 $ 11,611 2016 21,084 2017 15,137 2018 11,781 2019 8,757 Thereafter 29,498 Total $ 97,868 Indefinite-lived intangible assets: Trademarks 1,040 Total intangible assets $ 98,908
Estimated amortization expense related to indefinite intangible assets	The estimated amortization expense related to acquisition related intangible assets for the remainder of 2015 and each of the succeeding years thereafter, as of June 30, 2015 , is as follows (in thousands): Finite-lived intangible assets: Remainder of 2015 $ 11,611 2016 21,084 2017 15,137 2018 11,781 2019 8,757 Thereafter 29,498 Total $ 97,868 Indefinite-lived intangible assets: Trademarks 1,040 Total intangible assets $ 98,908

Acquisitions (Tables)

Acquisitions (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
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 six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively: Six Months Ended 2015 2014 Animal Hospitals: Acquisitions 23 10 Acquisitions, merged (2 ) (2 ) Sold, closed or merged (7 ) (5 ) Net increase 14 3 Laboratories: Acquisitions 1 — Acquisitions, merged (1 ) — New facilities — 3 Net increase — 3
Animal Hospitals And Laboratory Acquisitions [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 and the Abaxis Veterinary Reference Laboratory ("AVRL") acquired during the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively, (in thousands): Six Months Ended 2015 2014 Consideration: Cash, net of cash acquired $ 66,229 $ 30,764 Assumed debt 6,250 736 Holdbacks 2,522 750 Earn-out contingent consideration — 374 Fair value of total consideration transferred $ 75,001 $ 32,624 Allocation of the Purchase Price: Tangible assets $ 5,064 $ 2,688 Identifiable intangible assets (1) 24,144 4,880 Goodwill (2) 46,440 26,761 Other liabilities assumed (647 ) — Fair value of assets acquired $ 75,001 $ 34,329 Noncontrolling interest — (1,705 ) Total $ 75,001 $ 32,624 ____________________________ (1) Identifiable intangible assets include customer relationships, trademarks and covenants-not-to-compete. The weighted-average amortization period for the total identifiable intangible assets is approximately fifteen years . The weighted-average amortization period for customer relationships, trademarks and covenants is approximately sixteen years , eight years and five years , respectively. (2) We expect that $35.8 million and $16.3 million of the goodwill recorded for these acquisitions, as of June 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively, will be fully deductible for income tax purposes.
D.O.G. Enterprises, LLC [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	The following table summarizes the total purchase price and the final allocation of the purchase price (in thousands): Consideration: Cash, net of cash acquired $ 15,174 Assumed debt 323 Holdbacks 1,500 Earn-out contingent consideration 760 Fair value of total consideration transferred $ 17,757 Allocation of the Purchase Price: Tangible assets $ 637 Identifiable intangible assets (1) 13,420 Goodwill (2) 4,219 Other liabilities assumed (519 ) Total $ 17,757 ____________________________ (1) Identifiable intangible assets primarily include franchise rights, trademarks, covenants-not-to-compete and existing technology. The weighted-average amortization period for the total identifiable intangible assets is approximately ten years . The weighted-average amortization periods for the franchise rights, covenants and existing technology is approximately ten years , three years and four years , respectively. The trademarks have an indefinite life and will be assessed annually for impairment. (2) As of June 30, 2015 , we expect that the full amount of goodwill recorded for this acquisition will be deductible for income tax purposes.

Other Accrued Liabilities (Tabl

Other Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Other Accrued Liabilities	Other accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands): As of June 30, 2015 As of December 31, 2014 Deferred revenue $ 15,967 $ 14,304 Accrued health insurance 4,910 5,194 Deferred rent 4,648 4,535 Accrued other insurance 4,397 4,381 Miscellaneous accrued taxes (1) 4,597 3,025 Accrued accounting and legal fees 2,609 2,900 Accrued workers' compensation 2,938 2,781 Holdbacks and earn-outs 9,247 7,878 Customer deposits 2,590 2,229 Accrued consulting fees 3,494 3,172 Accrued lease payments 1,496 1,657 Other 16,200 15,163 $ 73,093 $ 67,219 ____________________________ (1) Includes property, sales and use taxes.

Long-Term Obligations (Tables)

Long-Term Obligations (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of long-term debt instruments	Long-term obligations consisted of the following at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands): June 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Senior term notes Notes payable, maturing in 2019, secured by assets, variable interest rate (1.68% and 1.67% at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively) 600,000 600,000 Revolving credit Revolving line of credit, maturing in 2019, secured by assets, variable interest rate (1.68% and 1.67% at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively) 196,000 135,000 Secured seller notes Notes payable matures in 2015, secured by assets and stock of certain subsidiaries, with interest rate of 10.0% 230 230 Total debt obligations 796,230 735,230 Capital lease obligations and other debt 57,031 59,538 853,261 794,768 Less — current portion (33,881 ) (19,356 ) $ 819,380 $ 775,412
Summary of Leverage Ratio in effect from time to time	Each of the aforementioned margins remain applicable until the date of delivery of the compliance certificate and the financial statements, for the period ended June 30, 2015 , 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 principal payments for senior term notes	The following table sets forth the scheduled principal payments for the Senior Credit Facility (in thousands): 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Senior term notes $ 15,000 $ 30,000 $ 37,500 $ 52,500 $ 465,000 Revolving loans — — — — 196,000 $ 15,000 $ 30,000 $ 37,500 $ 52,500 $ 661,000

Calculation of Earnings per S25

Calculation of Earnings per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
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): 7. Calculation of Earnings per Share, continued Three Months Ended Six Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 Net income attributable to VCA Inc. $ 54,299 $ 45,584 $ 92,600 $ 79,627 Weighted-average common shares outstanding: Basic 81,956 88,041 82,150 88,188 Effect of dilutive potential common shares: Stock options 334 265 337 260 Non-vested shares and units 794 885 740 864 Diluted 83,084 89,191 83,227 89,312 Basic earnings per common share $ 0.66 $ 0.52 $ 1.13 $ 0.90 Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.65 $ 0.51 $ 1.11 $ 0.89

Lines of Business (Tables)

Lines of Business (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
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 External revenue $ 435,376 $ 89,707 $ 22,818 $ — $ 884 $ 548,785 Intercompany revenue — 16,515 5,851 — (22,366 ) — Total revenue 435,376 106,222 28,669 — (21,482 ) 548,785 Direct costs 361,991 49,519 17,280 — (20,852 ) 407,938 Gross profit 73,385 56,703 11,389 — (630 ) 140,847 Selling, general and administrative expense 10,453 9,487 7,741 16,804 — 44,485 Operating income (loss) before sale or disposal of assets 62,932 47,216 3,648 (16,804 ) (630 ) 96,362 Net (gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets (914 ) 35 11 49 — (819 ) Operating income (loss) $ 63,846 $ 47,181 $ 3,637 $ (16,853 ) $ (630 ) $ 97,181 Depreciation and amortization $ 16,440 $ 2,705 $ 1,176 $ 575 $ (530 ) $ 20,366 Property and equipment additions $ 13,995 $ 2,862 $ 500 $ 1,512 $ (874 ) $ 17,995 Three Months Ended External revenue $ 386,776 $ 81,320 $ 20,457 $ — $ 919 $ 489,472 Intercompany revenue — 14,635 3,255 — (17,890 ) — Total revenue 386,776 95,955 23,712 — (16,971 ) 489,472 Direct costs 323,440 46,863 16,064 — (17,310 ) 369,057 Gross profit 63,336 49,092 7,648 — 339 120,415 Selling, general and administrative expense 9,864 8,281 7,411 14,375 — 39,931 Operating income (loss) before sale or disposal of assets 53,472 40,811 237 (14,375 ) 339 80,484 Net loss (gain) on sale or disposal of assets 414 (7 ) 97 74 — 578 Operating income (loss) $ 53,058 $ 40,818 $ 140 $ (14,449 ) $ 339 $ 79,906 Depreciation and amortization $ 15,110 $ 2,563 $ 2,004 $ 826 $ (473 ) $ 20,030 Property and equipment additions $ 8,119 $ 1,304 $ 920 $ 1,333 $ (316 ) $ 11,360 8. Lines of Business, continued Animal Hospital Laboratory All Other Corporate Eliminations Total Six Months Ended External revenue $ 828,402 $ 168,516 $ 49,351 $ — $ 1,969 $ 1,048,238 Intercompany revenue — 31,678 13,545 — (45,223 ) — Total revenue 828,402 200,194 62,896 — (43,254 ) 1,048,238 Direct costs 699,533 95,509 40,083 — (41,596 ) 793,529 Gross profit 128,869 104,685 22,813 — (1,658 ) 254,709 Selling, general and administrative expense 21,674 18,352 16,428 32,429 — 88,883 Operating income (loss) before charges 107,195 86,333 6,385 (32,429 ) (1,658 ) 165,826 Net (gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets (620 ) 41 20 75 — (484 ) Operating income (loss) $ 107,815 $ 86,292 $ 6,365 $ (32,504 ) $ (1,658 ) $ 166,310 Depreciation and amortization $ 32,512 $ 5,209 $ 2,328 $ 1,167 $ (1,053 ) $ 40,163 Property and equipment additions $ 26,077 $ 6,078 $ 1,300 $ 2,576 $ (1,510 ) $ 34,521 Six Months Ended External revenue $ 738,364 $ 156,103 $ 42,658 $ — $ 1,854 $ 938,979 Intercompany revenue — 28,386 9,175 — (37,561 ) — Total revenue 738,364 184,489 51,833 — (35,707 ) 938,979 Direct costs 626,228 92,366 34,216 — (35,697 ) 717,113 Gross profit 112,136 92,123 17,617 — (10 ) 221,866 Selling, general and administrative expense 18,992 16,299 15,759 30,321 — 81,371 Operating income (loss) before charges 93,144 75,824 1,858 (30,321 ) (10 ) 140,495 Net loss (gain) on sale or disposal of assets 582 (78 ) (1,087 ) (60 ) — (643 ) Operating income (loss) $ 92,562 $ 75,902 $ 2,945 $ (30,261 ) $ (10 ) $ 141,138 Depreciation and amortization $ 29,852 $ 5,098 $ 4,140 $ 1,645 $ (938 ) $ 39,797 Property and equipment additions $ 21,187 $ 3,285 $ 1,678 $ 2,744 $ (915 ) $ 27,979 At June 30, 2015 Total assets $ 2,092,935 $ 304,685 $ 80,994 $ 340,002 $ (421,506 ) $ 2,397,110 At December 31, 2014 Total assets $ 2,021,725 $ 258,550 $ 89,596 $ 270,414 $ (308,265 ) $ 2,332,020

Noncontrolling Interests (Table

Noncontrolling Interests (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [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, 2013 $ 9,355 Noncontrolling interest expense $ 739 Redemption value change 237 976 Distribution to noncontrolling interests (679 ) Currency translation adjustment (30 ) Balance as of June 30, 2014 $ 9,622 Balance as of December 31, 2014 $ 9,405 Noncontrolling interest expense $ 749 Redemption value change (78 ) 671 Purchase of noncontrolling interests (803 ) Distribution to noncontrolling interests (728 ) Currency translation adjustment (136 ) Balance as of June 30, 2015 $ 8,409
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, 2013 $ 10,678 Noncontrolling interest expense $ 589 Redemption value change (172 ) 417 Formation of noncontrolling interests 855 Purchase of noncontrolling interests (356 ) Distribution to noncontrolling interests (610 ) Balance as of June 30, 2014 $ 10,984 Balance as of December 31, 2014 $ 11,077 Noncontrolling interest expense $ 681 Redemption value change 196 877 Distribution to noncontrolling interests (771 ) Balance as of June 30, 2015 $ 11,183

Nature of Operations (Details)

Nature of Operations (Details) - Jun. 30, 2015	day_care_locationprovinceLaboratorysegmentHospitalStatereportable_segment
Nature of Operations (Textuals) [Abstract]
Number of operating segments | segment	5
Number of reportable segments | reportable_segment	2
Number of hospitals operated | Hospital	657
Number of states in which hospitals are operated	41
Number Of Canadian Provinces | province	4
Number of states in which the company operate a full-service veterinary diagnostic laboratory network	50
Number of laboratories operated | Laboratory	59
Camp Bow Wow [Member]
Nature of Operations (Textuals) [Abstract]
Number of dog boarding and day care service locations operated (more than) | day_care_location	127
Number of states in which the entity operates	35
Number of Canadian Provinces in which entity operates | province	1

Goodwill and Other Long-Lived29

Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets (Details) $ in Thousands		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)Hospital	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 1,582,427	$ 1,545,918
Accumulated impairment losses		(130,057)	(130,057)
Subtotal		1,452,370	1,415,861
Goodwill acquired		46,695
Foreign translation adjustment		(7,878)
Other	[1]	$ (2,308)
Number of animal hospitals sold | Hospital		2
Animal Hospital [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 1,337,678	1,305,558
Accumulated impairment losses		0	0
Subtotal		1,337,678	1,305,558
Goodwill acquired		42,268
Foreign translation adjustment		(7,844)
Other	[1]	(2,304)
Laboratory [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill		101,669	97,535
Accumulated impairment losses		0	0
Subtotal		101,669	97,535
Goodwill acquired		4,172
Foreign translation adjustment		(34)
Other	[1]	(4)
All Other [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill		143,080	142,825
Accumulated impairment losses		(130,057)	(130,057)
Subtotal		13,023	$ 12,768
Goodwill acquired		255
Foreign translation adjustment		0
Other	[1]	$ 0
[1]	"Other" primarily includes write-offs related to the sale of two animal hospitals partially offset by measurement period adjustments.

Goodwill and Other Long-Lived30

Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 165,596	$ 147,685
Accumulated Amortization	(66,688)	(59,510)
Total intangible assets	98,908	88,175
Non-contractual customer relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	118,231	101,056
Accumulated Amortization	(50,879)	(45,295)
Total intangible assets	67,352	55,761
Covenants not-to-compete [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	11,772	10,093
Accumulated Amortization	(5,072)	(4,422)
Total intangible assets	6,700	5,671
Favorable lease asset [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	9,477	9,576
Accumulated Amortization	(5,191)	(4,962)
Total intangible assets	4,286	4,614
Contracts [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	100	100
Accumulated Amortization	(28)	(11)
Total intangible assets	72	89
Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	1,627	1,627
Accumulated Amortization	(584)	(414)
Total intangible assets	1,043	1,213
Franchise rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	11,730	11,730
Accumulated Amortization	(977)	(391)
Total intangible assets	10,753	11,339
Trademarks [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	12,659	13,503
Accumulated Amortization	(3,957)	(4,015)
Total intangible assets	$ 8,702	$ 9,488

Goodwill and Other Long-Lived31

Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Aggregate amortization expense	$ 5,858	$ 5,227	$ 11,384	$ 10,374
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Remainder of 2015	11,611		11,611
2,016	21,084		21,084
2,017	15,137		15,137
2,018	11,781		11,781
2,019	8,757		8,757
Thereafter	29,498		29,498
Total	97,868		97,868
Trademarks	1,040		1,040
Total intangible assets	$ 98,908		$ 98,908		$ 88,175

Acquisitions (Details)

Acquisitions (Details) $ in Thousands		Aug. 15, 2014USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)LaboratoryHospital	Jun. 30, 2014USD ($)LaboratoryHospital	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Consideration:
Cash, net of cash acquired			$ 66,529	$ 30,764
Earn-out contingent consideration			3,100		$ 3,200
Allocation of the Purchase Price:
Goodwill			1,452,370		$ 1,415,861
Animal Hospitals And Laboratory Acquisitions [Member]
Consideration:
Cash, net of cash acquired			66,229	30,764
Assumed debt			6,250	736
Holdbacks			2,522	750
Earn-out contingent consideration			0	374
Fair value of total consideration transferred			75,001	32,624
Allocation of the Purchase Price:
Tangible assets			5,064	2,688
Identifiable intangible assets	[1]		24,144	4,880
Goodwill	[2]		46,440	26,761
Other liabilities assumed			(647)	0
Fair value of assets acquired			75,001	34,329
Noncontrolling interest			0	(1,705)
Total			$ 75,001	32,624
Weighted average useful life (in years)			15 years
Goodwill recorded for acquisitions, fully deductible for income tax purposes			$ 35,800	$ 16,300
Animal Hospital [Member]
Business Acquisition Summary Of Acquired Properties [Line Items]
Acquisitions | Hospital			23	10
Acquisitions, merged | Hospital			(2)	(2)
Sold, closed or merged | Hospital			(7)	(5)
Net increase | Hospital			14	3
Laboratories Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition Summary Of Acquired Properties [Line Items]
Acquisitions | Laboratory			1	0
Acquisitions, merged | Laboratory			(1)	0
New facilities | Laboratory			0	3
Net increase | Laboratory			0	3
D.O.G. Enterprises, LLC [Member]
Consideration:
Cash, net of cash acquired		$ 15,174
Assumed debt		323
Holdbacks		1,500
Earn-out contingent consideration		760
Fair value of total consideration transferred		17,757
Allocation of the Purchase Price:
Tangible assets		637
Identifiable intangible assets	[3]	13,420
Goodwill	[4]	4,219
Other liabilities assumed		(519)
Total		$ 17,757
Weighted average useful life (in years)		10 years
Customer Relationships [Member] | Animal Hospitals And Laboratory Acquisitions [Member]
Allocation of the Purchase Price:
Weighted average useful life (in years)			16 years
Trademarks [Member] | Animal Hospitals And Laboratory Acquisitions [Member]
Allocation of the Purchase Price:
Weighted average useful life (in years)			8 years
Covenants [Member] | Animal Hospitals And Laboratory Acquisitions [Member]
Allocation of the Purchase Price:
Weighted average useful life (in years)			5 years
Covenants [Member] | D.O.G. Enterprises, LLC [Member]
Allocation of the Purchase Price:
Weighted average useful life (in years)		3 years
Franchise rights [Member] | D.O.G. Enterprises, LLC [Member]
Allocation of the Purchase Price:
Weighted average useful life (in years)		10 years
Existing Technology [Member] | D.O.G. Enterprises, LLC [Member]
Allocation of the Purchase Price:
Weighted average useful life (in years)		4 years
[1]	Identifiable intangible assets include customer relationships, trademarks and covenants-not-to-compete. The weighted-average amortization period for the total identifiable intangible assets is approximately fifteen years. The weighted-average amortization period for customer relationships, trademarks and covenants is approximately sixteen years, eight years and five years, respectively.
[2]	We expect that $35.8 million and $16.3 million of the goodwill recorded for these acquisitions, as of June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, will be fully deductible for income tax purposes.
[3]	Identifiable intangible assets primarily include franchise rights, trademarks, covenants-not-to-compete and existing technology. The weighted-average amortization period for the total identifiable intangible assets is approximately ten years. The weighted-average amortization periods for the franchise rights, covenants and existing technology is approximately ten years, three years and four years, respectively. The trademarks have an indefinite life and will be assessed annually for impairment.
[4]	As of June 30, 2015, we expect that the full amount of goodwill recorded for this acquisition will be deductible for income tax purposes.

Acquisitions (Details Textuals)

Acquisitions (Details Textuals) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2015USD ($)	Aug. 15, 2014USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)day_care_locationprovinceState
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Maximum additional consideration to be earned			$ 5,600
Abaxis Veterinary Reference Laboratory [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Consideration transferred	$ 21,000
Reclassification of consideration to intangible assets	$ 15,300
D.O.G. Enterprises, LLC [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Consideration transferred		$ 17,757
Weighted average useful life (in years)		10 years
Percentage of voting interests acquired		100.00%
Payments to acquire businesses, including holdbacks		$ 17,000
Maximum additional consideration to be earned		$ 3,000
Additional consideration earned, period		3 years
Camp Bow Wow [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of dog boarding and day care service locations operated (more than) | day_care_location			127
Number of states in which the entity operates | State			35
Number of Canadian Provinces in which entity operates | province			1
Customer Relationships [Member] | Abaxis Veterinary Reference Laboratory [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Weighted average useful life (in years)	20 years

Other Accrued Liabilities (Deta

Other Accrued Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Other accrued liabilities
Deferred revenue		$ 15,967	$ 14,304
Accrued health insurance		4,910	5,194
Deferred rent		4,648	4,535
Accrued other insurance		4,397	4,381
Miscellaneous accrued taxes	[1]	4,597	3,025
Accrued accounting and legal fees		2,609	2,900
Accrued workers' compensation		2,938	2,781
Holdbacks and earn-outs		9,247	7,878
Customer deposits		2,590	2,229
Accrued consulting fees		3,494	3,172
Accrued lease payments		1,496	1,657
Other		16,200	15,163
Other accrued liabilities		$ 73,093	$ 67,219
[1]	Includes property, sales and use taxes.

Long-Term Obligations (Details)

Long-Term Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt obligations	$ 796,230	$ 735,230
Capital lease obligations and other debt	57,031	59,538
Long-term debt including capital lease obligation	853,261	794,768
Less — current portion	(33,881)	(19,356)
Current potion of long-term debt	819,380	775,412
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt obligations	$ 600,000	$ 600,000
Stated interest rate (percentage)	1.68%	1.67%
Secured Seller Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt obligations	$ 230	$ 230
Stated interest rate (percentage)	10.00%	10.00%
Revolving line of credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt obligations	$ 196,000	$ 135,000
Effective interest rate (percentage)	1.68%	1.67%

Long-Term Obligations (Details

Long-Term Obligations (Details 2)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Tier One [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Schedule of Percentage Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Commitment Fee [Line Items]
Consolidated Leverage Ratio	4
Tier Two [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Schedule of Percentage Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Commitment Fee [Line Items]
Consolidated Leverage Ratio	3.25
Tier Two [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Schedule of Percentage Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Commitment Fee [Line Items]
Consolidated Leverage Ratio	4
Tier Three [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Schedule of Percentage Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Commitment Fee [Line Items]
Consolidated Leverage Ratio	2.50
Tier Three [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Schedule of Percentage Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Commitment Fee [Line Items]
Consolidated Leverage Ratio	3.25
Tier Four [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Schedule of Percentage Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Commitment Fee [Line Items]
Consolidated Leverage Ratio	1.75
Tier Four [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Schedule of Percentage Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Commitment Fee [Line Items]
Consolidated Leverage Ratio	2.5
Tier Five [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Schedule of Percentage Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Commitment Fee [Line Items]
Consolidated Leverage Ratio	1
Tier Five [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Schedule of Percentage Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Commitment Fee [Line Items]
Consolidated Leverage Ratio	1.75
Tier Six [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Schedule of Percentage Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Commitment Fee [Line Items]
Consolidated Leverage Ratio	1
Senior Notes [Member] | Federal funds rate [Member]
Schedule of Percentage Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Commitment Fee [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	0.50%
Senior Notes [Member] | Eurodollar [Member]
Schedule of Percentage Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Commitment Fee [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.00%
Credit Agreement [Member] | Tier One [Member]
Schedule of Percentage Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Commitment Fee [Line Items]
Commitment Fee (percentage)	0.45%
Credit Agreement [Member] | Tier Two [Member]
Schedule of Percentage Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Commitment Fee [Line Items]
Commitment Fee (percentage)	0.40%
Credit Agreement [Member] | Tier Three [Member]
Schedule of Percentage Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Commitment Fee [Line Items]
Commitment Fee (percentage)	0.35%
Credit Agreement [Member] | Tier Four [Member]
Schedule of Percentage Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Commitment Fee [Line Items]
Commitment Fee (percentage)	0.30%
Credit Agreement [Member] | Tier Five [Member]
Schedule of Percentage Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Commitment Fee [Line Items]
Commitment Fee (percentage)	0.25%
Credit Agreement [Member] | Tier Six [Member]
Schedule of Percentage Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Commitment Fee [Line Items]
Commitment Fee (percentage)	0.25%
Credit Agreement [Member] | Eurodollar [Member] | Tier One [Member]
Schedule of Percentage Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Commitment Fee [Line Items]
Applicable margin for borrowings (percentage)	2.25%
Credit Agreement [Member] | Eurodollar [Member] | Tier Two [Member]
Schedule of Percentage Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Commitment Fee [Line Items]
Applicable margin for borrowings (percentage)	2.00%
Credit Agreement [Member] | Eurodollar [Member] | Tier Three [Member]
Schedule of Percentage Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Commitment Fee [Line Items]
Applicable margin for borrowings (percentage)	1.75%
Credit Agreement [Member] | Eurodollar [Member] | Tier Four [Member]
Schedule of Percentage Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Commitment Fee [Line Items]
Applicable margin for borrowings (percentage)	1.50%
Credit Agreement [Member] | Eurodollar [Member] | Tier Five [Member]
Schedule of Percentage Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Commitment Fee [Line Items]
Applicable margin for borrowings (percentage)	1.25%
Credit Agreement [Member] | Eurodollar [Member] | Tier Six [Member]
Schedule of Percentage Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Commitment Fee [Line Items]
Applicable margin for borrowings (percentage)	1.00%
Credit Agreement [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Tier One [Member]
Schedule of Percentage Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Commitment Fee [Line Items]
Applicable margin for borrowings (percentage)	1.25%
Credit Agreement [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Tier Two [Member]
Schedule of Percentage Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Commitment Fee [Line Items]
Applicable margin for borrowings (percentage)	1.00%
Credit Agreement [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Tier Three [Member]
Schedule of Percentage Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Commitment Fee [Line Items]
Applicable margin for borrowings (percentage)	0.75%
Credit Agreement [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Tier Four [Member]
Schedule of Percentage Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Commitment Fee [Line Items]
Applicable margin for borrowings (percentage)	0.50%
Credit Agreement [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Tier Five [Member]
Schedule of Percentage Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Commitment Fee [Line Items]
Applicable margin for borrowings (percentage)	0.25%
Credit Agreement [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Tier Six [Member]
Schedule of Percentage Margin for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Commitment Fee [Line Items]
Applicable margin for borrowings (percentage)	0.00%

Long-Term Obligations (Detail37

Long-Term Obligations (Details 3) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2,015	$ 15,000
2,016	30,000
2,017	37,500
2,018	52,500
2,019	661,000
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2,015	15,000
2,016	30,000
2,017	37,500
2,018	52,500
2,019	465,000
Revolving loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2,015	0
2,016	0
2,017	0
2,018	0
2,019	$ 196,000

Long-Term Obligations (Detail38

Long-Term Obligations (Details Textual) - Pricing Tier [Domain] - Variable Rate [Domain] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		21 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt obligations	$ 796,230				$ 735,230
Voting equity guarantee on indebtedness, percentage	65.00%
Non-voting equity guarantee on indebtedness, percentage	100.00%
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt obligations	$ 600,000				600,000
Forecast [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal payment (quarterly)		$ 15,000	$ 11,300	$ 7,500
Revolving line of credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt obligations	$ 196,000				$ 135,000

Calculation of Earnings per S39

Calculation of Earnings per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share
Net income attributable to VCA Inc.	$ 54,299	$ 45,584	$ 92,600	$ 79,627
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	81,956,000	88,041,000	82,150,000	88,188,000
Effect of dilutive potential common shares:
Stock options (in shares)	334,000	265,000	337,000	260,000
Non-vested shares and units (in shares)	794,000	885,000	740,000	864,000
Diluted (in shares)	83,084,000	89,191,000	83,227,000	89,312,000
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.66	$ 0.52	$ 1.13	$ 0.90
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.65	$ 0.51	$ 1.11	$ 0.89
Calculation of Earnings per Share (Textuals) [Abstract]
Potential common shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share	0	0		0

Lines of Business (Details)

Lines of Business (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Lines of Business
External revenue	$ 548,785	$ 489,472	$ 1,048,238	$ 938,979
Intercompany revenue	0	0	0	0
Total revenue	548,785	489,472	1,048,238	938,979
Direct costs	407,938	369,057	793,529	717,113
Gross profit	140,847	120,415	254,709	221,866
Selling, general and administrative expense	44,485	39,931	88,883	81,371
Operating income (loss) before sale or disposal of assets	96,362	80,484	165,826	140,495
Net loss (gain) on sale or disposal of assets	(819)	578	(484)	(643)
Operating income (loss)	97,181	79,906	166,310	141,138
Depreciation and amortization	20,366	20,030	40,163	39,797
Property and equipment additions	17,995	11,360	34,521	27,979
Total assets	2,397,110		2,397,110		$ 2,332,020
Operating Segments [Member] | Animal Hospital [Member]
Lines of Business
External revenue	435,376	386,776	828,402	738,364
Intercompany revenue	0	0	0	0
Total revenue	435,376	386,776	828,402	738,364
Direct costs	361,991	323,440	699,533	626,228
Gross profit	73,385	63,336	128,869	112,136
Selling, general and administrative expense	10,453	9,864	21,674	18,992
Operating income (loss) before sale or disposal of assets	62,932	53,472	107,195	93,144
Net loss (gain) on sale or disposal of assets	(914)	414	(620)	582
Operating income (loss)	63,846	53,058	107,815	92,562
Depreciation and amortization	16,440	15,110	32,512	29,852
Property and equipment additions	13,995	8,119	26,077	21,187
Total assets	2,092,935		2,092,935		2,021,725
Operating Segments [Member] | Laboratory [Member]
Lines of Business
External revenue	89,707	81,320	168,516	156,103
Intercompany revenue	16,515	14,635	31,678	28,386
Total revenue	106,222	95,955	200,194	184,489
Direct costs	49,519	46,863	95,509	92,366
Gross profit	56,703	49,092	104,685	92,123
Selling, general and administrative expense	9,487	8,281	18,352	16,299
Operating income (loss) before sale or disposal of assets	47,216	40,811	86,333	75,824
Net loss (gain) on sale or disposal of assets	35	(7)	41	(78)
Operating income (loss)	47,181	40,818	86,292	75,902
Depreciation and amortization	2,705	2,563	5,209	5,098
Property and equipment additions	2,862	1,304	6,078	3,285
Total assets	304,685		304,685		258,550
Operating Segments [Member] | All Other [Member]
Lines of Business
External revenue	22,818	20,457	49,351	42,658
Intercompany revenue	5,851	3,255	13,545	9,175
Total revenue	28,669	23,712	62,896	51,833
Direct costs	17,280	16,064	40,083	34,216
Gross profit	11,389	7,648	22,813	17,617
Selling, general and administrative expense	7,741	7,411	16,428	15,759
Operating income (loss) before sale or disposal of assets	3,648	237	6,385	1,858
Net loss (gain) on sale or disposal of assets	11	97	20	(1,087)
Operating income (loss)	3,637	140	6,365	2,945
Depreciation and amortization	1,176	2,004	2,328	4,140
Property and equipment additions	500	920	1,300	1,678
Total assets	80,994		80,994		89,596
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	16,804	14,375	32,429	30,321
Operating income (loss) before sale or disposal of assets	(16,804)	(14,375)	(32,429)	(30,321)
Net loss (gain) on sale or disposal of assets	49	74	75	(60)
Operating income (loss)	(16,853)	(14,449)	(32,504)	(30,261)
Depreciation and amortization	575	826	1,167	1,645
Property and equipment additions	1,512	1,333	2,576	2,744
Total assets	340,002		340,002		270,414
Eliminations [Member]
Lines of Business
External revenue	884	919	1,969	1,854
Intercompany revenue	(22,366)	(17,890)	(45,223)	(37,561)
Total revenue	(21,482)	(16,971)	(43,254)	(35,707)
Direct costs	(20,852)	(17,310)	(41,596)	(35,697)
Gross profit	(630)	339	(1,658)	(10)
Selling, general and administrative expense	0	0	0	0
Operating income (loss) before sale or disposal of assets	(630)	339	(1,658)	(10)
Net loss (gain) on sale or disposal of assets	0	0	0	0
Operating income (loss)	(630)	339	(1,658)	(10)
Depreciation and amortization	(530)	(473)	(1,053)	(938)
Property and equipment additions	(874)	$ (316)	(1,510)	$ (915)
Total assets	$ (421,506)		$ (421,506)		$ (308,265)

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Details)	Jul. 16, 2014plaintiff	May. 07, 2014claim	Aug. 07, 2015USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 18, 2014USD ($)
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Potential earn-out payment				$ 5,600,000
Contingent consideration				3,100,000	$ 3,200,000
Number of claims dismissed | claim		4
California Wildfire [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Loss recorded in connection with event				$ 0
Jorge Duran vs. VCA Animal Hospitals [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Total number of claims | claim		8
Kimba Bradsbery and Cheri Brakensiek vs. Vicar Operating, Inc. [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Number of plaintiffs | plaintiff	2
Carlos Lopez versus Logistics Delivery Solutions, LLC [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Settlement agreement, maximum amount						$ 1,250,000
Accrued amount of settlement, percentage				50.00%
Subsequent Event [Member] | California Wildfire [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Insurance payment received			$ 6,000,000
Insurance settlement proceeds			$ 26,000,000

Noncontrolling Interests (Detai

Noncontrolling Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Summary of redeemable noncontrolling interests
Noncontrolling interest expense, Income Statement Impact	$ 749	$ 739
Noncontrolling Interests [Roll Forward]
Redeemable noncontrolling interests, beginning balance	11,077
Redemption value change	877	417
Purchase of noncontrolling interests	(690)	30
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	(1,118)	(970)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests, ending balance	11,183
Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Summary of redeemable noncontrolling interests
Noncontrolling interest expense, Income Statement Impact	749	739
Redemption value change, Income Statement Impact	(78)	237
Noncontrolling Interests [Roll Forward]
Redeemable noncontrolling interests, beginning balance	9,405	9,355
Redemption value change	671	976
Purchase of noncontrolling interests	(803)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	(728)	(679)
Currency translation adjustment	(136)	(30)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests, ending balance	8,409	9,622
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Summary of redeemable noncontrolling interests
Noncontrolling interest expense, Income Statement Impact	681	589
Redemption value change, Income Statement Impact	196	(172)
Noncontrolling Interests [Roll Forward]
Redeemable noncontrolling interests, beginning balance	11,077	10,678
Redemption value change	877	417
Formation of noncontrolling interests		855
Purchase of noncontrolling interests		(356)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	(771)	(610)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests, ending balance	$ 11,183	$ 10,984

Noncontrolling Interests (Det43

Noncontrolling Interests (Details Textuals)	Jun. 30, 2015
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Percentage of ownership interest in partnership	50.10%