Some 24 of over 300 veterinary practices owned by investment company IVC Evidensia have been closed because staff left in their droves because of company policy.

According to the NRC, which spoke with over 20 staff members and had access to internal documents, vets and assistants were put under pressure to make as much money as possible.

Staff were told to prescribe more expensive versions of certain medications and charge more for writing prescriptions, the paper said. Managers also urged staff to insist on x-rays and to refer pet owners to Evidensia-owned animal clinics.

The closures come after years of unrest in the sector, with prices for pet health care skyrocketing.

An investigation by the agriculture ministry has shown that prices at commercial clinics are higher across the board. Emergency care in particular is up to 40% more expensive compared to an independent vet practice, with the difference running into hundreds and sometimes thousands of euros.

“No one is happy with the way things are going,” vet Paul Mandigers told the paper.

IVC Evidensia said in a reaction there is “room for improvement” and that the feedback from staff would prompt “far-reaching changes in the operational structure and management”.