UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                -----------------

                                    Form 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


       Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 26, 2004

                                VCA Antech, Inc.
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)


Delaware                           001-16783                    95-4097995
(State or Other Jurisdiction      (Commission                 (IRS Employer
of Incorporation)                 File Number)              Identification No.)


                          12401 West Olympic Boulevard
                       Los Angeles, California 90064-1022
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

                                 (310) 571-6500
                         (Registrant's Telephone Number)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:

|_|     Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the
        Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

|_|     Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange
        Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

|_|     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b)
        under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

|_|     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c)
        under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


                                       1


Item 2.02:  Results of Operations and Financial Condition

Reference is made to the press release of Registrant issued on October 26, 2004,
regarding earnings for the third quarter of fiscal 2004, which is incorporated
herein by reference. A copy of the press release is attached to this Form 8-K as
Exhibit 99.1.

Item 7.01:  Regulation FD Disclosure

Reference is made to the press release of Registrant issued on October 26, 2004,
regarding earnings guidance, which is incorporated herein by reference. A copy
of the press release is attached to this Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.2.


Item 9.01: Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits

(c)  Exhibits

     99.1 Press release dated October 26, 2004, regarding earnings for the third
          quarter of fiscal 2004

     99.2 Press release dated October 26, 2004, regarding earnings guidance.


                                       2


                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


October 26, 2004                        VCA Antech, Inc.


                                        /s/ Tomas W. Fuller
                                        -------------------
                                        By:  Tomas W. Fuller
                                        Its: Chief Financial Officer


                                       3


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibits

     99.1 Press release dated October 26, 2004, regarding earnings for the third
          quarter of fiscal 2004.

     99.2 Press release dated October 26, 2004, regarding earnings guidance.


                                       4