With a nationwide clinical laboratory system and more than 365 animal hospitals, VCA Antech is the leading provider of pet health care services in the United States. The company was founded in 1986 under the name Veterinary Centers of America. Starting with the purchase of VCA West Los Angeles in 1987, the company began rapidly expanding and now operates hospitals in nearly 40 states, several in Los Angeles. After it merged with Antech Diagnostis, a clinical laboratory system that provides diagnostic services to more than 14,000 hospitals nationwide, the company changed its name to VCA Antech. In 2001 VCA had more than 3 million pet visits at VCA animal hospitals. Between its hospitals and laboratories, the company employs more than 1,100 doctors and 5,000 total employees. VCA Antech maintains its headquarters in West Los Angeles, Calif.