JAB to Buy Animal Hospital Network NVA in Push Into Pet Care (1)

JAB agreed to buy National Veterinary Associates, a U.S. network of animal hospitals, as the investment firm looks to pet care as a new industry ripe for consolidation after its push into the coffee business.

JAB will buy a majority stake in NVA from a fund managed by Ares Management Corp. and Omers Private Equity for an undisclosed price, the companies said in a statement June 17. NVA runs an animal-health network linked to about 700 pet hospitals and 2,600 veterinarians.

This transaction marks JAB’s second foray in the pet-services market, having agreed to buy Compassion-First Pet Hospitals for $1.2 ...