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Gable Asset Finance specialises in practical, flexible finance solutions for the UK veterinary sector. From single-vet start-ups and independent local surgeries to multi-site corporate groups, referral centres and mobile practices, we arrange funding that helps practices buy equipment, refurbish premises, acquire or sell practices, manage cashflow and grow. Our team understands the unique commercial, regulatory and cashflow characteristics of veterinary businesses and works with a broad panel of specialist lenders to secure competitive terms.
Veterinary practices are professional service businesses with specific capital needs. Key drivers for funding include expensive clinical equipment (imaging, dental, surgical, laboratory), property and practice refurbishment, acquisition of existing practices, funding partner buy-ins or buy-outs, and working capital to manage uneven cashflows (for example the mix between routine appointments, emergency work and elective procedures).
Three features make veterinary finance different from many other small business sectors:
Given these realities, lenders and brokers providing veterinary finance need sector knowledge — from realistic valuations of practices and goodwill to understanding how equipment helps productivity and margins. That is where Gable Asset Finance adds value: we bridge clinical needs and commercial finance.
Below are the main funding solutions veterinary businesses use. Each product can be tailored — for example by term, repayment profile, deposit level or incorporating seasonal payment options.
Equipment finance helps practices acquire clinical assets without a large upfront cash outlay. Typical items funded include:
Hire Purchase (HP) spreads cost over a fixed term and transfers ownership at the end. Finance leases offer similar monthly repayments but the lender retains ownership during the term. Asset loans give the practice immediate ownership while repayments are secured against the equipment.
Buying an existing practice is a common growth route. Acquisition finance typically blends debt for goodwill and property loans if the premises are included. Structures often include:
Lenders will review practice accounts, cashflow and the experience of the purchaser(s). Goodwill calculations, client lists, repeat business and referral networks add to lender comfort.
Partner joins/buy-ins or partner exits (buy-outs) require tailored funding: loans or deferred payment mechanisms to fund equity transfers between partners. Options include:
Upgrading reception areas, building consulting rooms, adding operating theatres or creating isolation wards can require significant capital. Finance can be provided as:
Working capital facilities (overdrafts, short-term loans, invoice finance) smooth monthly cashflow, fund seasonal variations, cover payroll, or bridge gaps between large supplier payments and client receipts. Businesses with busy surgical caseloads or variable emergency income commonly use these solutions.
Established practices can release equity through re-mortgaging property or refinancing existing equipment to fund expansion, acquisitions, partner buy-outs or invest in new services.
Specialist referral centres, diagnostic hubs or hospitals investing in major new capacity (CT, MRI, ICU wards) may require project finance with staged drawdowns and longer tenors. These facilities are typically underwritten with detailed business plans and sensitivity analysis.
Below is a detailed list of common items and their typical funding approach:
Understanding lender underwriting helps you present the strongest application. Lenders typically look at:
Buying a veterinary practice involves two distinct value elements: the tangible assets (equipment, fittings, stock, property) and intangible goodwill (client lists, reputation, repeat revenue). Lenders will assess both and usually lend on a multiple of adjusted earnings (EBITDA or seller’s discretionary earnings) for goodwill, while property lending depends on valuation.
Succession and partner movement are common in the veterinary sector. Funding options include:
Succession planning should address tax, pension and long-term governance. Lenders favour clear plans showing how repayments will be serviced without weakening clinical operations.
Tax treatment influences the most appropriate finance product. Key considerations:
Always consult your accountant to ensure the chosen finance approach is tax-efficient for your situation.
Gathering the right documents speeds lender decisions. Typical requirements include:
Time to fund depends on product complexity:
Background: An experienced vet running a busy single-site practice wanted to acquire a nearby small surgery and refurbish both sites to improve referral capacity.
Finance solution: Gable Asset Finance structured a combined facility: a commercial mortgage for freehold purchase of the second site, and equipment HP for new digital X-ray and in-house lab analysers. An overdraft provided temporary working capital for integration.
Outcome: Acquisition completed, new diagnostic services launched, and combined revenues increased, allowing comfortable servicing of the new debt.
Background: A regional referral hospital required a CT scanner to extend diagnostic services and reduce delays for complex cases. CT scanners have high capital cost and require specialist installation.
Finance solution: A bespoke equipment finance package with a longer-term amortisation and a staged repayment profile was arranged. The package included an extended warranty and maintenance contract bundled into repayments.
Outcome: CT installed, referrals increased, and new revenue lines (advanced imaging) improved the hospital’s margins and reputation.
Background: Two partners in a six-doctor practice negotiated a buy-out where one partner wished to retire.
Finance solution: The practice took a medium-term loan to acquire the exiting partner’s share, with the loan repayable from practice profits and a deferred element funded by the seller over 24 months.
Outcome: Smooth transition, retained staff continuity, and an agreed succession plan supported by manageable repayments.
Yes. Start-ups can access equipment finance, small business loans and sometimes partner schemes. Lenders will assess the strength of the business plan, clinical experience and projections. Where collateral is limited, personal guarantees or the Enterprise Finance Guarantee (or successor schemes) can help.
Yes. Many funders will finance quality second-hand equipment (digital X-ray, dental units). Expect shorter terms and possibly a larger deposit, depending on age and condition.
Deposits vary by lender, asset type and borrower strength. Equipment HP may require 0–20% deposit; property-based lending often requires a higher deposit depending on valuation and LTV. We negotiate deposit levels with lenders where possible to suit your needs.
Yes — lenders commonly lend against a proportion of goodwill based on earnings multiples, with the balance secured by property or personal guarantees. Goodwill lending criteria are sector-specific and require robust accounts and client metrics.
Refinancing can release equity to fund growth, refurbishment or acquisitions. It should be balanced against increased debt service and potential tax implications. Our advisers will run scenarios to ensure refinancing supports strategic goals without undue risk.
Contact Gable Asset Finance — Veterinary Finance Specialists
Gable Asset Finance Veterinary finance specialists can arrange business finance and leasing options on new and used medical equipment to veterinary hospitals, clinics, university programs, zoos, and a host of other animal specialists. Whether you are in the planning stages, in need of new equipment, or looking for previously owned items, our business finance and leasing specialists can meet your needs.
Gable Asset Finance can finance one off pieces of equipment to compete surgery fitouts widest vets including new and refurbished patient monitors, anesthesia systems, surgery tables, surgery lights and ventilators.
Veterinary Surgery Practice Fit Out Finance
Gable Asset Finance can arrange business finance and leasing solutions to turn your dream practice environment into reality. We can be involved from concept to reality arranging the finance for a surgery construction project management, from assessing project feasibility through to development approval and on site management.
Services within each veterinary surgery are the most critical aspect of any veterinary practice refurbishment or installation. We work closely with your veterinary equipment supplier, to make the service and installation process go as smooth as possible for items such as:-
Gable Asset Finance has prides itself on the premier quality of its service to the veterinary sector . We have a great deal of experience arranging business finance and leasing a wide range of monitors, anesthesia machines, defibrillators, electrosurgical equipment, surgical lights to complete surgery fitouts.