Exhibit 99.1

                 VCA Antech, Inc. Announces 2-for-1 Stock Split

     LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 27, 2004--VCA Antech, Inc.
(Nasdaq:WOOF), a leading animal health care company in the United States, today
announced that its Board of Directors has declared a 2-for-1 split of its common
stock, payable as a stock dividend, on August 25, 2004, to shareholders of
record as of the close of business on August 11, 2004. The stock dividend will
represent a tax-free distribution to stockholders.
     Bob Antin, Chairman and CEO, stated, "This stock dividend reflects our
continued improvement in earnings and other financial measures, as well as the
sustained double-digit growth in our two core businesses. We continually strive
to create shareholder value. We are strategically increasing the number of
available shares in the market thus increasing our shareholder base, which we
believe will reward our shareholders in the long term."
     Stockholders who have stock certificates should retain them. The transfer
agent for VCA Antech will mail stock certificates representing the additional
shares resulting from the dividend on August 25, 2004. Upon completion of the
stock dividend, the number of outstanding shares will be approximately 82
million.
     Statements contained in this release that are not based on historical
information are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.
Actual results may vary substantially as a result of a variety of factors. Among
the important factors that could cause actual results to differ are: the ability
to successfully integrate National PetCare Centers, Inc. into the Company's
existing operations and achieve expected operating synergies following the
merger; the level of direct costs and the ability of the Company to maintain
revenue at a level necessary to maintain expected operating margins; the level
of selling, general and administrative costs; the effects of competition; the
effects of the Company's recent acquisitions and its ability to effectively
manage its growth; the ability of the Company to service its debt; the continued
implementation of the Company's management information systems; pending
litigation and governmental investigations; general economic conditions; and the
results of the Company's acquisition program. These and other risk factors are
discussed in the Company's recent filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and the reader is directed to these
statements for a further discussion of important factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.

     VCA Antech owns, operates and manages the largest networks of freestanding
veterinary hospitals and veterinary-exclusive clinical laboratories in the
country.

     CONTACT: VCA Antech, Inc.
              Tom Fuller (CFO), 310-571-6505