Based on the aggregated intelligence of 160,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, veterinary services specialist VCA Antech (Nasdaq: WOOF) has earned a respected four-star ranking.

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at VCA Antech's business and see what CAPS investors are saying about the stock right now.

VCA Antech facts

Headquarters (Founded)

Los Angeles (1986)

Market Cap

$2.36 billion

Industry

Health-care facilities

Trailing-12-Month Revenue

$1.31 billion

Management

Co-Founder/CEO Robert Antin

Co-Founder/COO Arthur Antin

Return on Equity (Average, Past 3 Years)

20.5%

Cash/Debt

$145.2 million / $545.4 million

Competitors

IDEXX Labs (Nasdaq: IDXX)
Siemens (NYSE: SI)

Key Suppliers

General Electric (NYSE: GE)

Varian Medical Systems (NYSE: VAR)

Other Highly Rated Pet Stocks

PetMed Express (Nasdaq: PETS)

PetSmart (Nasdaq: PETM)

Sources: Capital IQ (a division of Standard & Poor's) and Motley Fool CAPS.

On CAPS, 95% of the 244 members who have rated VCA Antech believe the stock will outperform the S&P 500 going forward. These bulls include All-Star Jeffreyw, who is ranked in the top 3% of our community, and reeshau.

Just last week, Jeffreyw tapped VCA Antech as a defensive investor's best friend:

I guess even in a down economy people cling to their pets, looking for that comfort in their "unconditional love."

In an earlier pitch, reeshau also encouraged Fools:

[VCA Antech] is a large player in a fragmented market, which is a classic way for a grower in a boring business. By applying their operating efficiencies to businesses they purchase, they gain profit without investing in greenfield growth. ... Vet offices are largely small businesses, with single or a few owners who are looking to sell when they retire. Their options are either younger vets, or [VCA Antech]. With financing difficult in the next few years and deteriorating business conditions, I expect there will be more people looking to get out than to get in.

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