Before she founded a brokerage and advisory firm for the pet care industry, Teija Heikkilä operated her own pet care facilities for 18 years.

Her first-hand knowledge of the challenges and rewards of operating a pet care business led to the realization there was a gap in the market for brokerage services for the pet care sector.

“Unlike the veterinary space, the pet care industry lacked specialty brokers, leaving sellers to rely on generic brokers or, even worse, residential real estate agents. This realization motivated me to obtain the proper licensing and education to continue serving the industry I was so passionate about,” said Heikkilä, founder, chief executive officer and principal broker of PET|VET M&A, Sales & Advisory.

Based in Grand Junction, PET|VET focuses on the selling and advising of pet resorts and veterinary practices. Over the years, PET|VET adapted to market conditions and now facilitates transactions primarily with private equity firms active in the pet care space. PET|VET has delivered a 96 percent closing rate on its deals, securing a 20 percent higher transaction value than those managed by generic brokers and for sale by owner deals.

Following an unprecedented year with more than $70 million in client business sales, PET|VET has maintained that momentum this year in increasing its total transactions to more than 200 with a combined sales volume exceeding $466 million.

PET|VET recently completed a three-asset sale in Savannah, Ga., with buyer group Best Friends Pet Care. The deal included Barks Dog Daycare and two locations of Hipster Hound.

“Building upon the momentum of an exceptional year in 2023, where PET|VET shattered records and surpassed existing multipliers, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our clients for their continued trust in us with the most important financial decision of their lives,” Heikkilä said.

Heikkilä is a licensed real estate broker in more than 20 states and holds designations as both a Certified Merger & Acquisition Professional (CM&AP) and Merger & Acquisition Master Intermediary.

In addition to Heikkilä, the PET|VET team includes Katrina Stein, transaction manager, and Katy Buckaloo, M&A transaction coordinator. Stein also holds CM&AP certification and handles  business valuation, financial analysis and managing transactions to closings. Buckaloo handles due diligence, issue resolution and  research. Four assistants support the team.

Clients praised the firm’s expertise and guidance throughout the sales process.

“Working with Teija and her team at PET|VET was the best experience I have ever had with consultants,” said Stephen Quisenberry, owner of Wagbnb in Texas. “They found the absolute best buyer for my business and orchestrated the entire process with constant communication, attention to detail and ease. I would never recommend attempting this process without them.”

Nick and Tonya Rintye, owners of the Hipster Hound, said, “Thankfully, Teija and her team walked us through everything and answered all of our questions. With that information and what we know about our business, we were able to identify an accurate range of the value of what we built.”

Grant and Marci Garl, owners of Fit N Furry in Petaluma, Calif., said, “Teija and her ace team, Katy and Katrina, helped us create a business portfolio of financial metrics, business operations description, staff profiles and photos to take our business to market. Within weeks, we had numerous offers, all beyond our expectations.”

The global pet care market is projected to grow to nearly $369 billion by 2030, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate of 5.92 percent during the forecast period, according to a recent report by Fortune Business Insights

Heikkilä said she’s confident about the potential for growth for 2024 and beyond. “As the pet care industry is attracting a growing influx of private equity firms, we anticipate sustained sales growth throughout the remainder of the year. For any business owner in the pet industry contemplating an exit in 2024 or 2025, we strongly encourage initiating that dialogue now by reaching out to us for a confidential consultation.”

PET|VET M&A, Sales & Advisory is also starting to reap the benefits from a targeted marketing mailer campaign to highlight client successes and services it offers companies in the pet care industry.

“Overall, it has been a positive experience. We have received contacts from multiple assets that we have been able to move forward with listing,” Heikkilä said.

For more information about PET|VET M&A, Sales & Advisory, visit www.petvetsales.com or call (970) 609-9220.