BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Veterinary healthcare |
| Founded | 1996 in Tampa, Florida, United States |
| Founder | Dr. Neil Shaw and Darryl Shaw |
| Headquarters | Tampa , United States |
Area served | 29 U.S. states (as of 2022) |
Key people | Dr. Neil Shaw (Co-founder), Darryl Shaw (Co-founder) |
Number of employees | Approximately 7,030 (1,330 veterinarians + 1,600 veterinary technicians + 4,100 other staff) (2022) |
| Parent | Mars, Incorporated |
| Website | bluepearlvet |
BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital operates as a division of Mars, Incorporated, managing specialty and emergency veterinary facilities across 29 states in the U.S. as of early 2022. It ranks among the largest private entities worldwide offering accredited veterinary residency and internship programs, employing upwards of 1,330 veterinarians, 1,600 veterinary technicians, and 4,100 additional staff members.
History
Established in 1996 in Tampa, Florida, under the name Florida Veterinary Specialists by siblings Dr. Neil Shaw, a board-certified specialist in veterinary internal medicine, and Darryl Shaw, a certified public accountant, the company expanded through strategic mergers. In 2008, it merged with NYC Veterinary Specialists and Cancer Treatment Center (New York City) along with Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center (Kansas City), resulting in the formation of BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital. The company’s expansion continued with mergers involving Georgia Veterinary Specialists and Michigan Veterinary Specialists in 2010.
In October 2015, Mars Petcare acquired BluePearl, aligning it with Banfield Pet Hospital and pet nutrition brands such as Royal Canin and Pedigree. This acquisition established Mars Petcare as the leading global provider of pet nutrition and veterinary healthcare services.
Significant events
In February 2010, Dr. Michael Kimura, a veterinary neurologist at BluePearl, conducted an MRI scan on an anesthetized live shark from the Florida Aquarium after the animal ceased eating due to a suspected blockage in its esophagus. This procedure was among the earliest MRIs performed on a live shark under anesthesia.
In March 2013, Dr. Amy Zalcman in Manhattan utilized a non-invasive endoscopic technique to extract 111 pennies from a Jack Russell Terrier named Jack, showcasing advanced veterinary intervention methods.
On May 22, 2013, Dr. Mike Reems removed a four-pound hairball from a tiger located in Clearwater, Florida; this unusual case was subsequently featured by Ripley's Believe It or Not.
On October 21, 2013, veterinarians at BluePearl treated Eddie, a five-year-old Belgian Malinois working with the U.S. Air Force's 6th Security Forces Squadron at MacDill Air Force Base. Eddie, trained for improvised explosive device (IED) detection, was successfully treated for heatstroke and credited with saving multiple service members during deployment in Afghanistan.
In 2017, Chloe, a dog known for her popularity on Instagram, passed away while under care at BluePearl’s New York facility due to a medical error that attracted widespread media coverage.
BluePearl has encountered governmental penalties for workplace safety violations in Washington state as well as infractions related to the Family and Medical Leave Act in Virginia.
Partnerships
Beginning in 2011, BluePearl collaborated with the U.S. Army to provide veterinarians and technicians assigned to conflict zones with immersive emergency veterinary training at its hospitals. This nine-day course delivers practical experience managing veterinary emergencies to enhance the capabilities of military personnel working alongside service animals.
Awards and recognition
In 2009, Dr. Neil Shaw was recognized by People magazine as a hometown hero for his philanthropic contributions to veterinary medicine.
In 2010, CEO Darryl Shaw together with Chief Medical Officer Neil Shaw earned the Ernst & Young Florida Entrepreneur of the Year Award within the services category for their exemplary leadership.
By August 2012, BluePearl Veterinary Partners was ranked number 1,695 on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing U.S. companies and was identified as the 16th fastest-growing business in Tampa. Later that year in December 2012, Inc. Magazine's Hire Power Awards placed BluePearl at number 36 among top job creators nationwide, reflecting its robust expansion and market impact.
External links
- American businesses founded in 2008
- Companies headquartered in Tampa, Florida
- Privately owned firms in Florida
- Veterinary healthcare companies
- Healthcare organizations established in 2008
- Veterinary services in the United States
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment
- American companies established in 2008