Top Veterinary Practice Brokers to Guide Your Clinic Sale
Selling a vet practice is often the right thing to do for someone wanting to move on to new ventures, free up their time, or get enough finances in the bank for retirement. However, many owners aren’t extremely familiar with the whole idea of selling a veterinary practice.
They tend to know how to run a business, but selling one? A whole different animal, no pun intended. That is why they take the assistance of a veterinary practice broker who can help them get the best possible deal.
In this guide, we’ll break down when and why to hire a broker, how to choose the right one, and spotlight some of the most trusted veterinary practice brokers in the industry.
Why You Might Need a Veterinary Practice Broker
The sale and purchase of a vet practice requires expertise. The financial stakes are high, and so is the risk. There are legal aspects to take care of, and human emotions undeniably play a role.
Moreover, there are managing staff contracts, patient records, long-term leases, goodwill, and your clinic’s reputation. Doing all this alone can be extremely difficult. That is where a veterinary practice broker joins the picture and lends a helping hand. Here are the areas where they’ll help:
- Knowing True Valuation: Most owners underestimate or overestimate the value of their practice due to the human factor. It is their practice, so there is bound to be a bias leaning in one direction or the other. A broker brings objectivity to the formula used for valuation. They provide a data-driven valuation based on market comps, EBITDA, staffing structure, and buyer demand.
- Time Saving: You’re already busy running your practice, treating animals, as well as dealing with pet parents and running a business and all that goes with it. Time is a valuable resource. Brokers confidentially market your practice, screen serious buyers, and negotiate terms that protect your interests, so you stay focused on patient care and still get this work done.
- Avoiding Legal and Financial Pitfalls: Brokers coordinate with legal and tax advisors to structure deals properly, making sure you don’t end up with surprise liabilities or missed profits post-sale.
- Objective, Rational, and Supportive: You care about your legacy, and a good broker does too. They should help you choose buyers who align with your values, protect your team, and maintain the quality of care you built your name on, all the while staying objective and rational by understanding when a decision should not be made on emotions.
Pros and Cons of Using a Veterinary Practice Broker
Since hiring a veterinary practice broker is one of the most important decisions you’ll make during your clinic’s sale or ownership transition, it’s best to know what these professional services bring to the table. Here’s a table to help you weigh whether bringing one on board makes sense for you, as no two cases are alike:
| Pros | Cons |
| Brokers understand the market, and they know how to market your practice in a way that attracts competitive offers from serious buyers. | Some brokers push fast sales over cultural fit. This is primarily because they maximize and get an early commission. This is not true for practice sales advisors like Transitions Elite, who match based on your values. However, keep this factor in mind when interviewing your potential choice. |
| As you focus on growing your clinic, they will take care of marketing, buyer screening, negotiations, and documentation. | Many brokers aren’t truly vet-specific but lump clinics in with dental or medical practices. Besides, they might not be able to get you the right buyer always. The right buyer doesn’t always constitute someone who gives the most money. |
| Brokers are able to use objective and standard methods of evaluation to get the accurate value of your practice. These factors include, but aren’t limited to, EBITDA, location, growth trends, and buyer demand. | |
| It’s best to hold off on telling your clients and team about the selling of your practice too soon in order to avoid any chaos. Brokers maintain strict confidentiality during marketing and buyer outreach. |
What to Look for in a Good Vet Broker
A very high-stakes decision must be made with the utmost care. If you’re going to bring in help, like a good vet broker, you must do so with the utmost caution after a serious vetting process. A good broker can make things easy and stress-free, while another can result in an unsatisfactory outcome that leaves a bad aftertaste. So, here’s what to watch for:
- Specialization in Veterinary Practices
Many brokers use a cookie-cutter recipe without real expertise in the field. That isn’t who you want. You’d want a vet practice sales advisor who works exclusively or primarily with veterinary (or medical) practices, as they’ll understand industry-specific valuation drivers like EBITDA normalization, DVM productivity, and associate risk.
- Seller-Aligned Representation
A good broker works only for you. They don’t represent both the buyer and the seller because that creates a conflict of interest. You’d want one that molds the deal to be completely in your best interest.
- Proven Track Record of High-Value Sales
Don’t trust merely hearsay, and look for real results. When selecting a broker, ask them for specific examples of clinics they’ve sold. What was the size of the practice? What were the sale price, buyer type, and location?
Ideally, but not always necessarily, they should have experience with 7-figure-plus deals and both private equity and individual buyer transactions.
- Full-Service Process (Not Just a Listing)
The best brokers prepare your financials and marketing materials, handle buyer screening and negotiations, and coordinate legal, tax, and transition teams. They should offer you the complete package.
You don’t want a broker who will merely list your practice like it’s a car for sale and let things be. They should actively push to make a deal because you can make just a listing yourself.
- Transparent Fee Structure
A broker should be transparent about their fee structure from the get-go. They should make it clear what their fee is, what’s included with it, how they’re paid, and what happens in case the deal falls through. Generally, most brokers charge 6 to 10 percent of the sale price.
- Client Reviews and References
Every company markets itself well, but its reviews and references from real people truly showcase its strengths. When selecting a broker, ask to speak with their past clients, especially those with practices similar to yours. You’ll get a real idea about the feedback on communication the brokers show, the results they brought in, and the post-sale support they offered.
Top Veterinary Practice Brokers to Check Out
Here are 15 respected veterinary practice brokers to explore. These are all known for their industry knowledge, buyer networks, and ethical deal-making.
- Transitions Elite
Transitions Elite was founded by Dr. Warren with one goal: help veterinary and optometry practice owners sell for maximum value without losing what makes their business special.
What sets us apart?
- We only represent sellers (no split loyalties).
- We engineer competitive bidding wars to drive up offers.
- And we tailor our veterinary practice sales services to preserve your practice’s legacy and culture.
Our team is led by experts like Tom Civitano and Melanie Seymour, who bring a white-glove, hands-on approach from start to finish. This same approach has helped our clients land 7 to 8-figure sales without the stress or guesswork.
If you want to sell smart and leave behind a lasting legacy, Transitions Elite is built for you. Get a free evaluation of your practice today.
- Simmons Inc.
Simmons Inc. helps veterinary practice owners sell their clinics smoothly and for the best price. They’ve been doing this for over 40 years and know the industry inside out. They guide you through every step, such as figuring out your clinic’s value, finding buyers, and closing the deal, so you get the best outcome with less hassle.
- Ackerman Group
The Ackerman Group is a high-volume brokerage firm with expertise in selling practices to corporate consolidators and private equity firms. They specialize in structuring sophisticated deals for large or multi-location practices and are known for handling complex negotiations and due diligence.
- Total Practice Solutions Group (TPSG)
TPSG is a national network of veterinary brokers offering regional insight and support. They assist with valuations, sales, financing, and transitions. TPSG is a good option for those looking to work with someone local while still accessing national market resources.
- 1st Med Transitions
Having closed over $500 million in transactions and specializing in matching veterinary practices with both private buyers and corporate groups, 1st Med Transitions is a reputed name that brings together M&A expertise and healthcare industry knowledge. Their services include marketing, negotiation, and deal structuring.
- Veterinary Practice Advisors (VPA)
VPA offers support for vet practice sales, valuations, and internal transitions like associate buy-ins. They have an extremely hands-on approach, which makes them a solid option for practice owners who desire close guidance every step of the way.
- Practice Sales Advisors
Practice Sales Advisors helps practice owners prepare, list, and sell their clinics with confidence. They focus on transparency, simplicity, and owner comfort throughout the sale process. A plus point about them is that they support real estate transactions tied to the clinic, which might matter a lot or not at all for practice owners.
- Legacy Veterinary Advisors
Legacy Veterinary Advisors, as their name gives it away, specializes in matching vet sellers with buyers who align with their values and cultures and preserve them. Their emphasis is upon relationship building and supporting legacy-minded owners who want the protection of their team and reputation as the top priority.
- Praxis Veterinary Practice Sales
Praxis is a smaller, dedicated firm focused exclusively on veterinary practice sales and appraisals. Their process is built for transparency and seller education, making them a good fit for first-time sellers or small-to-mid-size clinics.
- Blue Heron Consulting
While not a broker themselves, Blue Heron Consulting partners with top brokers to help prepare practices for sale. They focus on improving leadership, profitability, and operations to increase value pre-sale. Excellent as a prep-stage partner before engaging a full-service broker.
Why Choosing the Right Veterinary Broker Matters
Something like selling a vet practice is deeply emotional. Your legacy, your team, and your clients, everything is affected by it. That is why choosing the right broker is necessary.
The wrong broker can bring the following harm:
- A lower sale price, leaving money on the table
- Prioritizing their commission and a quick sale over your priorities
- Finding a buyer who mismanages your legacy
- Bringing in legal or tax headaches
- Burned-out staff due to poor communication
- Regret from a rushed, under-supported process
So ask the hard questions. Do your research. And only sign with someone who feels like a true champion or advocate of your cause, not just a service provider looking to make a quick sale.
Closing Thoughts
A defining moment in a practice owner’s life is when they decide to sell it. A major decision that will impact, within all reason, the rest of their life and potentially the lives of their family, close ones, and employees. It all boils down to getting the maximum value of your practice while retaining your legacy, and a right broker by your side can achieve this.
Choose the broker that keeps your interest first, who understands and values all you have built, someone like Transitions Elite, and take their help to secure yourself a team that treats your exit with the same care you gave your patients.
FAQs
Why Should I Use a Veterinary Practice Broker Instead of Selling on My Own?
A broker brings market knowledge, negotiation skills, and access to qualified buyers that most clinic owners simply don’t have. They help you get the best price, maintain confidentiality, handle paperwork, and navigate legal and financial complexities. All of this saves you time, stress, and costly mistakes.
How is the Value of My Veterinary Practice Determined?
Brokers evaluate your clinic’s financial performance, client base, location, services, staff structure, and growth potential. They also consider industry benchmarks and recent sales data. The goal is to provide a realistic market valuation that attracts buyers while maximizing your return.
How Long Does it Take to Sell a Veterinary Practice?
On average, it can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months to sell a clinic, depending on market demand, your location, and how prepared you are. Working with an experienced advisor like Transitions Elite can speed up the process by ensuring all documents, valuations, and marketing materials are ready before going to market.
Melani Seymour is a force of nature in entrepreneurial boots – a veterinary thought leader with a relentless drive to help practice owners unlock what’s next.
As the co-founder of the Owner Exchange, Transitions Elite and DVM Elite, Melani has spent over 15 years helping thousands of veterinary owners find their next big idea and in every case reimagine what’s possible for them personally and professionally – one smart decision at a time. Melani blends a background in psychology with deep industry insights to bring clarity, empathy, and practical guidance to every conversation. With zero tolerance for fluff her mission is simple: to elevate the quality of life for veterinary practice owners – and reshape the future of independent veterinary medicine.
