Public companies are required to disclose risks that can affect the business and impact the stock. These disclosures are known as “Risk Factors”. Companies disclose these risks in their yearly (Form 10-K), quarterly earnings (Form 10-Q), or “foreign private issuer” reports (Form 20-F). Risk factors show the challenges a company faces. Investors can consider the worst-case scenarios before making an investment. TipRanks’ Risk Analysis categorizes risks based on proprietary classification algorithms and machine learning.

Inspire Veterinary Partners, Inc. Class A disclosed 48 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Inspire Veterinary Partners, Inc. Class A reported the most risks in the “Finance & Corporate” category.

Risk Overview Q4, 2023

Risk Distribution

56% Finance & Corporate

15% Legal & Regulatory

10% Production

8% Ability to Sell

6% Tech & Innovation

4% Macro & Political

Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy

This chart displays the stock's most recent risk distribution according to category. TipRanks has identified 6 major categories: Finance & corporate, legal & regulatory, macro & political, production, tech & innovation, and ability to sell.

Risk Change Over Time

S&P500 Average

Sector Average

Risks removed

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Inspire Veterinary Partners, Inc. Class A Risk Factors

New Risk (0)

Risk Changed (0)

Risk Removed (0)

No changes from previous report

The chart shows the number of risks a company has disclosed. You can compare this to the sector average or S&P 500 average.

The quarters shown in the chart are according to the calendar year (January to December). Businesses set their own financial calendar, known as a fiscal year. For example, Walmart ends their financial year at the end of January to accommodate the holiday season.

Risk Highlights Q4, 2023

Main Risk Category

Finance & Corporate

With 27 Risks

Finance & Corporate

With 27 Risks

Number of Disclosed Risks

S&P 500 Average: 31

Recent Changes

0Risks added

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Since Dec 2023

0Risks added

0Risks removed

0Risks changed

Since Dec 2023

Number of Risk Changed

S&P 500 Average: 3

See the risk highlights of Inspire Veterinary Partners, Inc. Class A in the last period.

Risk Word Cloud

The most common phrases about risk factors from the most recent report. Larger texts indicate more widely used phrases.

Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 48

Finance & Corporate

Total Risks: 27/48 (56%)Above Sector Average

Share Price & Shareholder Rights12 | 25.0%

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1

Sales of a significant number of shares of our Class A Common Stock in the public markets, or the perception that such sales could occur, could depress the market price of our Class A Common Stock.

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our Class A Common Stock in the public markets could depress the market price of our Class A Common Stock and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. We cannot predict the effect that future sales of our Class A Common Stock would have on the market price of our Class A Common Stock.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2

We may be deemed a "controlled company" within the meaning of the rules of Nasdaq and, as a result, may qualify for, but do not intend to rely on, exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements.

Charles Stith Keiser, our director and Vice-Chair and the holder of 2,150,000 shares of our Class B common stock and 24,528 shares of our Class A common stock, controls approximately 44% of the voting power of the Company as of the date of this prospectus. However, if Mr. Keiser were to control greater than 50% of the voting power of our Class A Common Stock, the Company may be deemed a "controlled company" within the meaning of the corporate governance standards of Nasdaq. Under the rules of Nasdaq, a company of which more than 50% of the outstanding voting power is held by an individual, group or another company is a "controlled company" and may elect not to comply with certain stock exchange corporate governance requirements, including the requirement that a majority of the board of directors consists of independent directors, have a nominating and governance committee and compensation committee that is composed entirely of independent directors and the requirement for an annual performance evaluation of the nominating and governance committee and compensation committee. We do not intend to rely on these exemptions and instead intend to comply with all of the corporate governance requirements imposed by state and federal law, the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and Nasdaq.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3

We are an "emerging growth company" and a "smaller reporting company" and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies and a smaller reporting companies will make our Class A Common Stock less attractive to investors.

We are an "emerging growth company," as defined in the JOBS Act, and we expect to take advantage of certain exemptions and relief from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. In particular, while we are an emerging growth company: we will not be required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; we will be exempt from any rules that could be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board requiring mandatory audit firm rotations or a supplement to the auditor's report on financial statements; we will be subject to reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements; and we will not be required to hold nonbinding advisory votes on executive compensation or stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. In addition, while we are an emerging growth company we can take advantage of an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards. This allows an emerging growth company to delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to take advantage of this extended transition period and, as a result, our operating results and financial statements may not be comparable to the operating results and financial statements of companies who have adopted the new or revised accounting standards. We may remain an emerging growth company until as late as December 31, 2026, though we may cease to be an emerging growth company earlier under certain circumstances, including if (i) we have more than $1.235 billion in annual revenue in any fiscal year, (ii) the market value of our Class A Common Stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of its most recently completed second fiscal quarter or (iii) we issue more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible debt over a three-year period. Even after we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, we may still qualify as a smaller reporting company, which would allow us to continue to take advantage of many of the same exemptions from disclosure requirements, including, among other things, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, presenting only the two most recent fiscal years of audited financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in this prospectus and our periodic reports and proxy statements. Investors may find our Class A Common Stock less attractive to the extent we rely on the exemptions and relief granted by the JOBS Act. If some investors find our Class A Common Stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our Class A Common Stock and our stock price may decline or become more volatile.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4

The sale or availability for sale of substantial amounts of our Class A common stock could adversely affect their market price.

Sales of substantial amounts of our Class A common stock in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our Class A common stock and could materially impair our ability to raise capital through equity offerings in the future. We are registering up to 7,869,182 shares of Class A Common Stock (including the Commitment Shares and the Warrant Shares, if any) issuable under the Purchase Agreement, which may be sold pursuant to this prospectus, which such shares may be sold at then prevailing market prices, at prices related to the prevailing market prices, at negotiated prices, or at fixed prices, which may be changed. The sale of a significant number of shares being offered could depress the market price of the Company's common stock. Such volatility, including any stock-run up, may be unrelated to our actual or expected operating performance and financial condition or prospects, making it difficult for prospective investors to assess the rapidly changing value of our stock. Furthermore, the stock market in general experiences price and volume fluctuations that are often unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of companies like us. Volatility or a lack of positive performance in the price of our shares of Class A common stock may also adversely affect our ability to retain key employees. In addition, the stock market, in general, or the market for stocks in our industry, in particular, may experience broad market fluctuations, which may adversely affect the market price or liquidity of our common shares. Any sudden decline in the market price of our common shares could trigger securities class-action lawsuits against us. If any of our shareholders were to bring such a lawsuit against us, we could incur substantial costs defending the lawsuit and the time and attention of our management would be diverted from our business and operations. We also could be subject to damages claims if we are found to be at fault in connection with a decline in our stock price.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 5

The trading price of our Class A common stock is volatile, which could result in substantial losses to investors.

The trading price of our Class A common stock is volatile and could fluctuate widely due to factors beyond our control. This may happen because of broad market and industry factors, including the performance and fluctuation of the market prices of other companies with business operations located outside of the United States. In addition to market and industry factors, the price and trading volume for our Class A common stock may be highly volatile for factors specific to our own operations, including the following: - the potential delisting of our common stock from The Nasdaq Capital Market (as more fully described below);- variations in our revenues, earnings and cash flow;- announcements of new investments, acquisitions, strategic partnerships or joint ventures by us or our competitors;- announcements of new offerings, solutions and expansions by us or our competitors;- changes in financial estimates by securities analysts;- detrimental adverse publicity about us, our brand, our services or our industry;- additions or departures of key personnel;- sales of additional equity securities; and - potential litigation or regulatory investigations. Any of these factors may result in large and sudden changes in the volume and price at which our Class A common stock will trade. In the past, shareholders of public companies have often brought securities class action suits against those companies following periods of instability in the market price of their securities. If we were involved in a class action suit, it could divert a significant amount of our management's attention and other resources from our business and operations and require us to incur significant expenses to defend the suit, which could harm our results of operations. Any such class action suit, whether or not successful, could harm our reputation and restrict our ability to raise capital in the future. In addition, if a claim is successfully made against us, we may be required to pay significant damages, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 6

Our board of directors may designate and issue shares of new classes of stock, including the issuance of up to 15,700,000 additional shares of Class B common stock, that could be superior to or adversely affect you as a holder of our Class A common stock. Although a majority of our board of directors are independent, our non-independent directors, officers, and their affiliates control approximately 38.4% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock.

Our board of directors has the power to designate and issue shares of classes of stock, including preferred stock that have voting powers, designations, preferences, limitations and special rights, including preferred distribution rights, conversion rights, redemption rights and liquidation rights without further shareholder approval which could adversely affect the rights of the holders of our Class A Common Stock. In addition, our board could authorize the issuance of a series of preferred stock that has greater voting power than our Class A Common Stock or that is convertible into our Class A Common Stock, which could decrease the relative voting power of our Class A Common Stock or result in dilution to our existing common stockholders. Although a majority of our board of directors are independent, our non-independent directors, officers, and their affiliates control approximately 38.4% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock. Our non-independent directors, officers and their affiliates may, through their control of over a significant portion of the voting power of our outstanding common stock, could influence the Company to take corporate actions or engage in transactions that may be at odds with the interests of other investors in our Class A common stock. Any of these actions could significantly adversely affect the investment made by holders of our Class A Common Stock. Holders of common stock could potentially not receive dividends that they might otherwise have received. In addition, holders of our Class A Common Stock could receive less proceeds in connection with any future sale of the Company, whether in liquidation or on any other basis. Our articles of incorporation authorize the issuance of one hundred million (100,000,000) shares of Class A common stock, twenty million (20,000,000) shares of Class B common stock, and fifty million (50,000,000) shares of preferred stock. We currently have 80,306,073, 3,891,500 and 53,793 shares of Class A common stock, Class B common stock and Series A preferred stock, respectively, issued and outstanding. The Class B common stock is identical to the Class A common stock, except that each share of Class B common stock entitles the holder of such share 25 votes per share and is convertible into one share of Class A common stock. If our board of directors determined to issue the remaining 15,700,000 unissued Class B shares, such shares would represent an additional 392,500,000 votes and non-affiliated investors in our Class A Common Stock would have voting power of less than 1%. Charles Stith Keiser, our director and Vice-Chair, the holder of 2,150,000 shares of our Class B common stock and 24,528 shares of our Class A common stock, controls approximately 27.3% of the voting power of the outstanding common stock of the Company. Our directors Messrs. Carr, Keiser, and Lau hold a combined 3,020,750 shares of our Class B common stock and 102,256 shares of our Class A common stock, control approximately 38.4% of the voting power of the outstanding common stock prior to the issuance of any additional shares. See "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management." Because we do not expect any single holder or entity to hold more than 50% of the outstanding voting power of the Company, we do not believe we will qualify as a "controlled company" under the Nasdaq listing rules. See "-We may be deemed a ‘controlled company' within the meaning of the rules of Nasdaq and, as a result, may qualify for, but do not intend to rely on, exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements." However, any future issuance of Class A common stock or Class B common stock will result in substantial dilution in the percentage of our Class A Common Stock held by our then existing shareholders. We may value any common stock issued in the future on an arbitrary basis. The issuance of common stock for future services or acquisitions or other corporate actions may have the effect of diluting the value of the shares held by our investors and might have an adverse effect on any trading market for our Class A Common Stock.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 7

Our shares will be subordinate to all of our debts and liabilities, which increases the risk that you could lose your entire investment.

Our shares are equity interests that will be subordinate to all of our current and future indebtedness with respect to claims on our assets. In any liquidation, all of our debts and liabilities must be paid before any payment is made to our shareholders. The amount of any debt financing we incur creates a substantial risk that in the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization, we may have no assets remaining for distribution to our shareholders after payment of our debts.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 8

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our company, or if they issue adverse or misleading opinions regarding us or our stock, our stock price and trading volume could decline.

We will have to be obtain research coverage by securities and industry analysts; if coverage is not maintained, the market price for our stock may be adversely affected. Our stock price also may decline if any analyst who covers us issues an adverse or erroneous opinion regarding us, our business model or our stock performance, or if our operating results fail to meet analysts' expectations. If one or more analysts cease coverage of us or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline and possibly adversely affect our ability to engage in future financings.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 9

Investors who buy shares at different times will likely pay different prices.

Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, we will have discretion, subject to market demand, to vary the timing, prices, and numbers of shares sold to Tumim. If and when we do elect to sell shares of our Class A Common Stock to Tumim under the Purchase Agreement, after Tumim has acquired such shares, Tumim may resell all or a portion of such shares from time to time in its discretion and at different prices. As a result, investors who purchase shares from Tumim at different times will likely pay different prices for those shares, and so may experience different levels of dilution and in some cases substantial dilution and different outcomes in their investment results. Investors may experience a decline in the value of the shares they purchase from Tumim as a result of future sales made by us to Tumim at prices lower than the prices such investors paid for their shares.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 10

It is not possible to predict the actual number of shares we will sell under the Purchase Agreement, or the actual gross proceeds resulting from those sales. We may not have access to the full amount available under the Purchase Agreement with Tumim.

On November 30, 2023, we entered into the Purchase Agreement with Tumim, pursuant to which Tumim committed to purchase up to $30.0 million in shares of our Class A Common Stock, at our direction from time to time after the date of this prospectus, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions in the Purchase Agreement. Sales of Class A Common Stock by us to Tumim, if any, will be subject to certain limitations, and may occur from time-to-time in our sole discretion, over the period commencing once certain customary conditions are satisfied, including securing effectiveness of the resale registration statement with the Commission and ending on the first day of the month following the 24-month anniversary of the date on which the resale registration statement is declared effective by the Commission. Sales of our Class A Common Stock to Tumim under the Purchase Agreement will depend upon market conditions and other factors to be determined by us. We may ultimately decide to sell to Tumim all or a portion of the shares of our Class A Common Stock that may be available pursuant to the Purchase Agreement or decide to not sell to Tumim any shares of our Class A Common Stock that may be available for us to sell to Tumim pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. Because the purchase price per share to be paid by Tumim for the shares of our Class A Common Stock that we may elect to sell to Tumim under the Purchase Agreements will fluctuate based on the market prices of our Class A Common Stock during the applicable purchase valuation period for each purchase, it is not possible for us to predict, the number of shares of our Class A Common Stock that we will sell to Tumim, the purchase price per share that Tumim will pay for shares purchased from us, or the aggregate gross proceeds that we will receive from those purchases by Tumim under the Purchase Agreement. Any issuance and sale by us under the Purchase Agreement of a substantial amount of shares of our Class A Common Stock that are being registered for resale by Tumim could cause additional substantial dilution to our stockholders. The number of shares of our Class A Common Stock ultimately offered for resale by Tumim is dependent upon the number of shares of our Class A Common Stock we ultimately sell to Tumim under the Purchase Agreement. Our inability to access a portion or the full amount available under the Purchase Agreement, in the absence of any other financing sources, could have a material adverse effect on our business. The extent to which we rely on Tumim as a source of funding will depend on a number of factors including the prevailing market price of our Class A Common Stock and the extent to which we are able to secure working capital from other sources. If obtaining sufficient funding from Tumim were to prove unavailable or prohibitively dilutive, we may need to secure another source of funding in order to satisfy our working capital needs. Even if we were to receive all $30.0 million in gross proceeds under the Purchase Agreement, we may still need additional capital to fully implement our business, operating and development plans. Should the financing we require to sustain our working capital needs be unavailable or prohibitively expensive when we require it, there could be a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial condition and prospects.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 11

If our Class A Common Stock becomes subject to the penny stock rules, it may be more difficult to sell our Class A Common Stock.

The Commission has adopted rules that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in penny stocks. Penny stocks are generally equity securities with a price of less than $5.00 (other than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or authorized for quotation on certain automated quotation systems, provided that current price and volume information with respect to transactions in such securities is provided by the exchange or system). The OTC Bulletin Board does not meet such requirements and if the price of our Class A Common Stock is less than $5.00 and our Class A Common Stock is no longer listed on a national securities exchange such as Nasdaq, our stock may be deemed a penny stock. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, at least two business days prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, to deliver to the customer a standardized risk disclosure document containing specified information and to obtain from the customer a signed and dated acknowledgment of receipt of that document. In addition, the penny stock rules require that prior to effecting any transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, a broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive: (i) the purchaser's written acknowledgment of the receipt of a risk disclosure statement; (ii) a written agreement to transactions involving penny stocks; and (iii) a signed and dated copy of a written suitability statement. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the trading activity in the secondary market for our Class A Common Stock, and therefore shareholders may have difficulty selling their shares.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 12

We have received a listing deficiency notice from Nasdaq regarding our Class A Common Stock.

Our Class A Common Stock currently trades on The Nasdaq Capital Market ("Nasdaq"). On March 8, 2024, we received a staff determination from Nasdaq to delist the Company's securities from the Nasdaq Capital Market. The Staff Determination was issued because, as of March 7, 2024, the Company's securities had a closing bid price of $0.10 or less for at least ten consecutive trading days. Accordingly, the Company is subject to the provisions contemplated under the Low Priced Stocks Rule. The Company may appeal the Staff Determination to a Hearings Panel by filing a hearing request with Nasdaq on or before March 15, 2024. Hearings are typically scheduled to occur approximately 30-45 days after the date of the hearing request. A hearing request will stay the delisting of the Company's securities pending the Panel's decision. Previously, on November 27, 2023, the Company received a deficiency letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of Nasdaq indicating that the Company's common stock is subject to potential delisting from the Nasdaq because, for a period of 30 consecutive business days, the bid price of the Company's common stock had closed below the required minimum of $1.00 per share under Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5550(a)(2). The Company intends to appeal the Staff Determination under the Low Priced Stock Rule and will file a hearing request with Nasdaq by March 15, 2024. Pending the hearing before the Panel, the Company's securities will continue to be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market. In the immediate future, the Company intends to implement an appropriate reverse split of its Class A Common Stock in order to regain compliance with both the Low Priced Stocks Rule and the Bid Price Rule. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company will be able to regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule and the Low Priced Stocks Rule or that it will otherwise be in compliance with other Nasdaq listing rules. If the Class A Common Stock is not continued to be listed on Nasdaq, we could face significant material adverse consequences, including: - a limited availability of market quotations for our securities;- reduced liquidity;- a determination that the common shares are a "penny stock" which will require brokers trading in our shares to adhere to more stringent rules, possibly resulting in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for the common shares;- a decrease in news about and analyst coverage for our Company; and - a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future. Upon delisting from Nasdaq, our Class A Common Stock may be traded, if at all in the over-the-counter inter-dealer quotation system, more commonly known as the OTC. OTC transactions involve risks in addition to those associated with transactions in securities traded on securities exchanges such as Nasdaq. Many OTC stocks trade less frequently and in smaller volumes than exchange-listed Stocks. Accordingly, our stock would be less liquid than it would be otherwise. Also, the values of OTC stocks are often more volatile than exchange-listed stocks. Additionally, institutional investors are often prohibited from investing in OTC stocks, and it might be more challenging to raise capital when needed. In addition, if our Class A Common Stock is delisted, your ability to transfer or sell your Class A Common Stock may be limited and the value of those securities will be materially adversely affected.

Accounting & Financial Operations6 | 12.5%

Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 1

We do not intend to pay cash dividends for the foreseeable future.

We currently intend to retain our future earnings, if any, to finance the further development and expansion of our business and do not intend to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. We intend to invest our future earnings, if any, to fund our growth and not to pay any cash dividends on our common shares. Since we do not intend to pay dividends, your ability to receive a return on your investment will depend on any future appreciation in the market price of our common shares. There is no assurance that our common shares will appreciate in price. Any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, restrictions contained in future agreements and financing instruments, business prospects and such other factors as our board of directors deems relevant.

Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 2

Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate due to the timing of expenses, veterinary facility acquisitions, veterinary facility closures, and other factors.

Our expansion plans, including the timing of new and remodeled veterinary facility acquisitions, and related pre-opening costs, the amount of net sales contributed by new and existing veterinary facilities, and the timing of and estimated costs associated with veterinary facility closings or relocations, may cause our quarterly results of operations to fluctuate. Quarterly operating results are not necessarily accurate predictors of performance. Quarterly operating results may also vary depending on a number of factors, many of which are outside our control, including: - changes in our pricing policies or those of our competitors;- our sales and channels mix and the relevant gross margins of the products and services sold;- the hiring and retention of key personnel;- wage and cost pressures;- changes in fuel prices or electrical rates;- costs related to acquisitions of businesses; and - general economic factors.

Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 3

Our estimate of the size of our addressable market may prove to be inaccurate.

Data for retail veterinary services to domestic pets is collected for most, but not all channels, and as a result, it is difficult to estimate the size of the market and predict the rate at which the market for our services will grow, if at all. While our market size estimates have been made in good faith and is based on assumptions and estimates we believe to be reasonable, this estimate may not be accurate. If our estimates of the size of our addressable market are not accurate, our potential for future growth may be less than we currently anticipate, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 4

Failure to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and stock price.

Effective internal control over financial reporting is necessary to increase the reliability of the Company's financial reports. The standards required for a public company under Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act are significantly more stringent than those of a privately held company. Management may not be able to effectively and timely implement controls and procedures that adequately respond to the increased regulatory compliance and reporting requirements. If the Company is not able to implement the additional requirements of Section 404(a) in a timely manner or with adequate compliance, it may not be able to assess whether its internal controls over financial reporting are effective, which may subject it to adverse regulatory consequences and could harm investor confidence and the market price of the common stock. The Company and its auditors were not required to perform an evaluation of internal control over financial reporting as of or for the years ended December 31, 2023 or 2022 in accordance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Company's independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to report on the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act until the Company's first annual report on Form 10-K following the date on which it ceases to qualify as an "emerging growth company," which may be up to five full fiscal years following the date of the first sale of common equity securities pursuant to an effective registration statement. If such evaluation were performed, control deficiencies could be identified by our management, and those control deficiencies could also represent one or more material weaknesses. In addition, the Company cannot, at this time, predict the outcome of this determination and whether the Company will need to implement remedial actions in order to implement effective control over financial reporting. If in subsequent years the Company is unable to assert that the Company's internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if the Company's auditors express an opinion that the Company's internal control over financial reporting is ineffective, the Company may fail to meet the future reporting obligations in a timely and reliable manner and its financial statements may contain material misstatements. Any such failure could also adversely cause our investors to have less confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which could have a material adverse effect on the price of the Company's common stock.

Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 5

We have generated net operating loss carryforwards for U.S. income tax purposes, but our ability to use these net operating losses may be limited by our inability to generate future taxable income.

Our U.S. businesses have generated consolidated net operating loss carryforwards ("U.S. NOLs") for U.S. federal and state income tax purposes of $14,792,886 as of December 31, 2023. These U.S. NOLs can be available to reduce income taxes that might otherwise be incurred on future U.S. taxable income. The utilization of these U.S. NOLs would have a positive effect on our cash flow. However, there can be no assurance that we will generate the taxable income in the future necessary to utilize these U.S. NOLs and realize the positive cash flow benefit. A portion of our U.S. NOLs have expiration dates. There can be no assurance that, if and when we generate taxable income in the future from operations or the sale of assets or businesses, we will generate such taxable income before such portion of our U.S. NOLs expire. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "TCJA"), federal NOLs generated in tax years ending after December 31, 2017 may be carried forward indefinitely. Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the "CARES Act"), federal NOL carryforwards arising in tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2021 may be carried back to each of the five tax years preceding the tax year of such loss. Due to our cumulative losses through December 31, 2023 we do not anticipate that such provision of the CARES Act will be relevant to us. The deductibility of federal NOLs may be limited. It is uncertain if and to what extent various states will conform to TCJA or the CARES Act. Our ability to utilize the U.S. NOLs after an "ownership change" is subject to the rules of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") Section 382. An ownership change occurs if, among other things, the shareholders (or specified groups of shareholders) who own or have owned, directly or indirectly, 5% percent or more of the value of our shares or are otherwise treated as 5% percent shareholders under Code Section 382 and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder increase their aggregate percentage ownership of the value of our shares by more than 50 percentage points over the lowest percentage of the value of the shares owned by these shareholders over a three-year rolling period. An ownership change could also be triggered by other activities, including the sale of our shares that are owned by our 5% shareholders. In the event of an ownership change, Section 382 would impose an annual limitation on the amount of taxable income we may offset with U.S. NOLs. This annual limitation is generally equal to the product of the value of our shares on the date of the ownership change multiplied by the long-term tax-exempt rate in effect on the date of the ownership change. The long-term tax-exempt rate is published monthly by the IRS. Any unused Section 382 annual limitation may be carried over to later years until the applicable expiration date for the respective U.S. NOLs (if any). In the event an ownership change as defined under Section 382 were to occur, our ability to utilize our U.S. NOLs would become substantially limited. The consequence of this limitation would be the potential loss of a significant future cash flow benefit because we would no longer be able to substantially offset future taxable income with U.S. NOLs. There can be no assurance that such ownership change will not occur in the future.

Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 6

We have a limited operating history, are not profitable and may never become profitable.

We have not generated any net profits to date, and we expect to continue to incur significant acquisition related costs and other expenses. Our net loss for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 was $14,792,886 and for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 was $(4,911,926) and $(1,331,062), respectively. Our accumulated deficit as of December 31, 2023 was $21,215,257. As of December 31, 2023, we had total stockholders' equity of approximately $788,259. We expect to continue to incur net losses for the foreseeable future, as we continue our development and acquisition of veterinary hospitals and related veterinary servicing activities. If we fail to achieve or maintain profitability, then we may be unable to continue our operations at planned levels and be forced to reduce or cease operations.

Debt & Financing2 | 4.2%

Debt & Financing - Risk 1

We may need to raise additional capital to achieve our goals.

We currently incur operate at a net loss and a comprehensive loss and anticipate incurring additional expenses as a public company. We are also seeking to identify potential complementary acquisition opportunities in the veterinary services and animal health sectors. Some of our anticipated future expenditures will include: costs of identifying additional potential acquisitions; costs of obtaining regulatory approvals; and costs associated with marketing and selling our services. We also may incur unanticipated costs. Because the outcome of our development activities and commercialization efforts is inherently uncertain, the actual amounts necessary to successfully complete the development and commercialization of our existing or future veterinary services s may be greater or less than we anticipate. As a result, we will need to obtain additional capital to fund the development of our business. We have no master agreements or arrangements with respect to any financings, and any such financings may result in dilution to our shareholders, the imposition of debt covenants and repayment obligations or other restrictions that may adversely affect our business or the value of our common shares. Additional funds may not be available when we need them on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all. If adequate funds are not available to us on a timely basis, we may be required to delay, limit, reduce or terminate one or more of our veterinary service programs or any future commercialization efforts.

Debt & Financing - Risk 2

We may seek to raise additional funds in the future through debt financing which may impose operational restrictions on our business and may result in dilution to existing or future holders of our common shares.

We expect that we will need to raise additional capital in the future to help fund our business operations. Debt financing, if available, may require restrictive covenants, which may limit our operating flexibility and may restrict or prohibit us from: - paying dividends or making certain distributions, investments and other restricted payments;- incurring additional indebtedness or issuing certain preferred shares;- selling some or all of our assets;- entering into transactions with affiliates;- creating certain liens or encumbrances;- merging, consolidating, selling or otherwise disposing of all or substantially all of our assets; and - designating our subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries. Debt financing may also involve debt instruments that are convertible into or exercisable for our common shares. The conversion of the debt-to-equity financing may dilute the equity position of our existing shareholders.

Corporate Activity and Growth7 | 14.6%

Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 1

We may seek to grow our business through acquisitions of, or investments in, new or complementary businesses, and facilities, or through strategic alliances, and the failure to manage these acquisitions or strategic alliances, or to integrate them with our existing business, could have a material adverse effect on us.

The pet care industry is highly fragmented. We have completed acquisitions in the past and may pursue expansion, acquisition, investment and other strategic alliance opportunities in the future. If we are unable to manage acquisitions, or strategic ventures, or integrate any acquired businesses effectively, we may not realize the expected benefits from the transaction relative to the consideration paid, and our business, financial condition, and results of operations may be adversely affected. Acquisitions, investments and other strategic alliances involve numerous risks, including: - problems integrating the acquired business, facilities or services, including issues maintaining uniform standards, procedures, controls and policies;- unanticipated costs associated with acquisitions or strategic alliances;- losses we may incur as a result of declines in the value of an investment or as a result of incorporating an investee's financial performance into our financial results;- diversion of management's attention from our existing business;- risks associated with entering new markets in which we may have limited or no experience;- potential loss of key employees of acquired businesses;- the risks associated with businesses we acquire or invest in, which may differ from or be more significant than the risks our other businesses face;- potential unknown liabilities associated with a business we acquire or in which we invest; and - increased legal and accounting compliance costs. Our ability to successfully grow through strategic transactions depends upon our ability to identify, negotiate, complete and integrate suitable target businesses, facilities and services and to obtain any necessary financing. These efforts could be expensive and time-consuming and may disrupt our ongoing business and prevent management from focusing on our operations. As a result of future strategic transactions, we might need to issue additional equity securities, spend our cash, or incur debt (which may only be available on unfavorable terms, if at all), contingent liabilities, or amortization expenses related to intangible assets, any of which could reduce our profitability and harm our business. If we are unable to identify suitable acquisitions, investments or strategic relationships, or if we are unable to integrate any acquired businesses, facilities and services effectively, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. Also, while we employ several different methodologies to assess potential business opportunities, the new businesses or investments may not meet or exceed our expectations or desired objectives.

Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 2

If we fail to manage our growth effectively, our brand, business and operating results could be harmed.

We have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, rapid growth in our headcount and operations, which places substantial demands on management and our operational infrastructure. We will need to significantly expand our organization and systems to support our future expected growth. If we fail to manage our growth effectively, we will not be successful, and our business could fail. To manage the expected growth of our operations and personnel, we will be required to improve existing, and implement new, transaction-processing, operational and financial systems, procedures and controls. We will also be required to expand our finance, administrative and operations staff. We intend to continue making substantial investments in our technology, sales and data infrastructure. As we continue to grow, we must effectively integrate, develop and motivate a significant number of new employees, while maintaining the beneficial aspects of our existing corporate culture, which we believe fosters innovation, teamwork and a passion for our veterinary services and clients. In addition, our revenue may not grow at the same rate as the expansion of our business. There can be no assurance that our current and planned personnel, systems, procedures and controls will be adequate to support our future operations or that management will be able to hire, train, retrain, motivate and manage required personnel. If we are unable to manage our growth effectively, the quality of our platform, efficiency of our operations, and management of our expenses could suffer, which could negatively impact our brand, business, operating results and profitability.

Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 3

The Company incurs significant increased expenses and administrative burdens as a public company, which could have an adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Company will face a significant increase in insurance, legal, accounting, administrative and other costs and expenses as a public company that none of the formerly corporate or company privately-held acquisition targets that we may attempt to purchase incur as a private company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended ("Sarbanes-Oxley Act"), including the requirements of Section 404, as well as rules and regulations subsequently implemented by the Commission, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the "Dodd-Frank Act") and the rules and regulations promulgated and to be promulgated thereunder, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Commission and the securities exchanges, impose additional reporting and other obligations on public companies. Compliance with public company requirements will increase costs and make certain activities more time-consuming. A number of those requirements will require the Company to carry out activities that it previously has not done. For example, the Company will adopt new internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures. In addition, additional expenses associated with the Commission's reporting requirements will be incurred. Furthermore, if any issues in complying with those requirements are identified (for example, if the auditors identify a material weakness or significant deficiency in the internal control over financial reporting), The Company could incur additional costs rectifying those issues, and the existence of those issues could adversely affect the Company's reputation or investor perceptions of it. Being a public company could make it more difficult or costly for the Company to obtain certain types of insurance, including director and officer liability insurance, and the Company may be forced to accept reduced policy limits and coverage with increased self-retention risk or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. Being a public company could also make it more difficult and expensive for the Company to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on the board, board committees or as executive officers. Furthermore, if the Company is unable to satisfy its obligations as a public company, it could be subject to fines, sanctions and other regulatory action and potentially civil litigation. The additional reporting and other obligations imposed by various rules and regulations applicable to public companies will increase legal and financial compliance costs and the costs of related legal, accounting and administrative activities. These increased costs will require the Company to divert a significant amount of money that could otherwise be used to expand the business and achieve strategic objectives. Advocacy efforts by shareholders and third parties may also prompt additional changes in governance and reporting requirements, which could further increase costs.

Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 4

We may acquire other businesses that may be unsuccessful and could adversely dilute your ownership of our company.

As part of our business strategy, we intend to pursue acquisitions of other complementary assets and businesses and may also pursue strategic alliances. We may not be able to successfully integrate any acquisitions into our existing business, and we could assume unknown or contingent liabilities or become subject to possible stockholder claims in connection with any related-party or third-party acquisitions or other transactions. We also could experience adverse effects on our reported results of operations from acquisition-related charges, amortization of acquired technology and other intangibles and impairment charges relating to write-offs of goodwill and other intangible assets from time to time following an acquisition. Integration of an acquired company requires management resources that otherwise would be available for ongoing development of our existing business. We may not realize the anticipated benefits of any acquisition, technology license or strategic alliance. To finance future acquisitions, we may choose to issue shares of our common stock as consideration, which would dilute your ownership interest in us. Alternatively, it may be necessary for us to raise additional funds through public or private financings. Additional funds may not be available on terms that are favorable to us and, in the case of equity financings, may result in dilution to our stockholders.

Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 5

We may be unable to execute our growth strategies successfully or manage and sustain our growth, and as a result, our business may be adversely affected.

Our strategies include expanding our veterinary service offerings and building out our digital and data capabilities, growing our market share in services like grooming and training, enhancing our owned brand portfolio, and introducing new offerings to better connect with our customers. However, we may not be able to execute on these strategies as effectively as anticipated. Our ability to execute on these strategies depends on a number of factors, including: - whether we have adequate capital resources to expand our offerings and build out our digital and data capabilities;- our ability to relocate our pet care centers and obtain favorable sites and negotiate acceptable lease terms;- our ability to hire, train and retain skilled managers and personnel, including veterinarians, information technology professionals, owned brand merchants, and groomers and trainers; and - our ability to continue to upgrade our information and other operating systems and to make use of the data that we collect through these systems to offer better products and services to our customers. Our existing locations may not maintain their current levels of sales and profitability, and our growth strategies may not generate sales levels necessary to achieve pet care center level profitability comparable to that of our existing locations. To the extent that we are unable to execute on our growth strategies in accordance with our expectations, our sales growth would come primarily from the organic growth of existing product and service offerings.

Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 6

If our business plan is not successful, we may not be able to continue operations as a going concern and our shareholders may lose their entire investment in us.

As discussed in the Notes to Financial Statements included in this Registration Statement, as of December 31, 2023, we had $378,961 cash and restricted cash. If we fail to raise sufficient capital pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, we will have to explore other financing activities to provide us with the liquidity and capital resources we need to meet our working capital requirements and to make capital investments in connection with ongoing operations. We cannot give assurance that we will be able to secure the necessary capital when needed. Consequently, we raise substantial doubt that we will be able to continue operations as a going concern, and our independent auditors included an explanatory paragraph regarding this uncertainty in their report on our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023. Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon our generating cash flow sufficient to fund operations and reducing operating expenses. Our business plans may not be successful in addressing the cash flow issues. If we cannot continue as a going concern, our shareholders may lose their entire investment in us. If we fail to raise sufficient capital, we will have to explore other financing activities to provide us with the liquidity and capital resources we need to meet our working capital requirements and to make capital investments in connection with ongoing operations. We cannot give assurance that we will be able to secure the necessary capital when needed. Consequently, we raise substantial doubt that we will be able to continue operations as a going concern, and our independent auditors included an explanatory paragraph regarding this uncertainty in their report on our financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon our generating cash flow sufficient to fund operations and reducing operating expenses. Our business plans may not be successful in addressing the cash flow issues. If we cannot continue as a going concern, our shareholders may lose their entire investment in us.

Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 7

Purchasing real estate with hospital acquisitions brings additional complexity and cost.

By purchasing buildings and land with many of the acquisitions that the Company completes, the financing, due diligence and regulatory requirements of these purchases are much more complex. Issues such as building inspections and related delays, zoning requirements and permitting variabilities across many states all have the potential to cause delays with the purchase of acquisitions and increase the costs of acquiring target locations.

Legal & Regulatory

Total Risks: 7/48 (15%)Below Sector Average

Regulation4 | 8.3%

Regulation - Risk 1

We may fail to comply with various state or federal regulations covering the dispensing of prescription pet medications, including controlled substances, through our veterinary services businesses, which may subject us to reprimands, sanctions, probations, fines, or suspensions.

The sale and delivery of prescription pet medications and controlled substances through our veterinary services businesses are governed by extensive regulation and oversight by federal and state governmental authorities. The laws and regulations governing our operations and interpretations of those laws and regulations are increasing in number and complexity, change frequently, and can be inconsistent or conflicting. In addition, the governmental authorities that regulate our business have broad latitude to make, interpret, and enforce the laws and regulations that govern our operations and continue to interpret and enforce those laws and regulations more strictly and more aggressively each year. In the future, we may be subject to routine administrative complaints incidental to the dispensing of prescription pet medications through our veterinary services businesses.

Regulation - Risk 2

Failure to comply with governmental regulations or the expansion of existing or the enactment of new laws or regulations applicable to our veterinary services could adversely affect our business and our financial condition or lead to fines, litigation, or our inability to offer veterinary products or services in certain states.

All of the states in which we operate impose various registration, permit, and/or licensing requirements relating to the provision of veterinary products and services. To fulfill these requirements, we believe that we have registered with appropriate governmental agencies and, where required, have appointed a licensed veterinarian to act on behalf of each facility. All veterinarians practicing in our veterinary service businesses are required to maintain valid state licenses to practice. In addition, certain states have laws, rules, and regulations which require that veterinary medical practices be owned by licensed veterinarians and that corporations which are not owned by licensed veterinarians refrain from providing, or holding themselves out as providers of, veterinary medical care, or directly employing or otherwise exercising control over veterinarians providing such care. We may experience difficulty in expanding our operations into other states or jurisdictions with similar laws, rules, and regulations. Our provision of veterinary services through tele-veterinarian offerings is also subject to an evolving set of state laws, rules, and regulations. Although we believe that we have structured our operations to comply with our understanding of the veterinary medicine laws of each state or jurisdiction in which we operate, interpretive legal precedent and regulatory guidance varies by jurisdiction and is often sparse and not fully developed. A determination that we are in violation of applicable restrictions on the practice of veterinary medicine in any jurisdiction in which we operate could have a material adverse effect on us, particularly if we are unable to restructure our operations to comply with the requirements of that jurisdiction. We strive to comply with all applicable laws, regulations and other legal obligations applicable to our veterinary services. It is possible, however, that these requirements may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent from one jurisdiction to another or may conflict with other rules or our practices. We cannot guarantee that our practices have complied, comply, or will comply fully with all such laws, regulations, requirements, and obligations. Any failure, or perceived failure, by us to comply with our filed permits and licenses with any applicable federal-, state-, or international-related laws, industry standards or codes of conduct, regulatory guidance, orders to which we may be subject, or other legal obligations relating to privacy or consumer protection could adversely affect our reputation, brand, and business, and may result in claims, proceedings or actions against us by governmental entities or others or other liabilities. Any such claim, proceeding, or action could hurt our reputation, brand and business, force us to incur significant expenses in defending such proceedings, distract our management, increase our costs of doing business, result in a loss of customers and vendors, and may result in the imposition of monetary liability. We may also be contractually liable to indemnify and hold harmless third parties from the costs or consequences of non-compliance with any laws or regulations applicable to our veterinary services. In addition, various federal, state, and foreign legislative and regulatory bodies may expand existing laws or regulations, enact new laws or regulations, or issue revised rules or guidance applicable to our veterinary services. Any such changes may force us to incur substantial costs or require us to change our business practices. This could compromise our ability to pursue our growth strategy effectively and may adversely affect our ability to acquire customers or otherwise harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Regulation - Risk 3

Changes in laws or regulations, or a failure to comply with any laws and regulations, may adversely affect our business, investments and results of operations.

We are subject to laws and regulations enacted by national, regional and local governments. In particular, we will be required to comply with certain Commission and other legal requirements. Compliance with, and monitoring of, applicable laws and regulations may be difficult, time consuming and costly. Those laws and regulations and their interpretation and application may also change from time to time and those changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, investments and results of operations. In addition, a failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations, as interpreted and applied, could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Regulation - Risk 4

Various government regulations could limit or delay our ability to develop and commercialize our services or otherwise negatively impact our business.

We are subject to a variety of federal, state and local laws and regulations that govern, among other things, our business practices in the U.S., such as anti-corruption and anti-competition laws. rules and regulations promulgated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ("OSHA"), state veterinary practice acts, state veterinary ownership regulations, and by various other federal, state and local authorities regarding the medical treatment of domestic animals. See "Our Business-Government Regulation." In addition, we are subject to additional regulatory requirements, including environmental, health and safety laws and regulations administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, state, local and foreign environmental, health and safety legislative and regulatory authorities and the National Labor Relations Board, covering such areas as discharges and emissions to air and water, the use, management, disposal and remediation of, and human exposure to, hazardous materials and wastes, and public and worker health and safety. These laws and regulations also govern our relationships with employees, including minimum wage requirements, overtime, terms and conditions of employment, working conditions and citizenship requirements. Violations of or liability under any of these laws and regulations may result in administrative, civil or criminal fines, penalties or sanctions against us, revocation or modification of applicable permits, licenses or authorizations, environmental, health and safety investigations or remedial activities, warning or untitled letters or cease and desist orders against operations that are not in compliance, among other things. Such laws and regulations generally have become more stringent over time and may become more so in the future, and we may incur (directly, or indirectly through our outsourced proprietary brand manufacturing partners) material costs to comply with current or future laws and regulations. Liabilities under, and/or costs of compliance, and the impacts on us of any non-compliance, with any such laws and regulations could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. These legal and regulatory requirements differ among jurisdictions across the country and are rapidly changing and increasingly complex. The costs associated with compliance with these legal and regulatory requirements are significant and likely to increase in the future. Any failure to comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements could result in fines, penalties and sanctions and damage to our reputation. These developments and others related to government regulation could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition, and results of operations. Additionally, some states require veterinary para-professional team members to be licensed before performing tasks and duties which are critical to the workflow of a veterinary clinic. These regulations require that we are selective in where we choose to purchase hospitals, or, allocate funds and resources to finding, training and paying for licensing for employees. As of the date of this filing, the Company has no clinics located in states where these restrictions are in place. Further risks to our business include certain states which prohibit non-veterinarians from owning or operating a veterinary clinic. These regulations are designed to limit corporate ownership in the veterinary space and, while there are feasible workarounds which our company and others have employed, these regulations represent additional cost and complexity. Currently, the Company operates in Texas, a state in which only doctors of veterinary medicine may own veterinary hospitals. Pursuant to a management agreement between the Company and a veterinarian-owned state entity, this location is owned via a structure which complies with state regulations and allows the Company to manage necessary aspects of daily operations and derive revenue. Similarly, although no such statute exists in Indiana, the Company operates one location there and has chosen to employ a similar structure out of an abundance of caution due to uncertainty in the regulatory climate.

Litigation & Legal Liabilities2 | 4.2%

Litigation & Legal Liabilities - Risk 1

We may incur successor liabilities due to conduct arising prior to the completion of the various acquisitions.

We may become subject to certain successor liabilities of recently acquired subsidiary businesses. We may also become subject to litigation claims in the operation of such businesses prior to the closing of such subsidiary acquisitions, including, but not limited to, with respect to tax, regulatory, employee or contract matters. Any litigation may be expensive and time-consuming and could divert the attention of management from its business and negatively affect its operating results or financial condition. Furthermore, the outcome of any litigation cannot be guaranteed, and adverse outcomes can affect our results of operations negatively.

Litigation & Legal Liabilities - Risk 2

We may be subject to litigation.

We may become party to litigation from time to time in the ordinary course of business, which could adversely affect our business. Should any litigation in which we become involved be determined against us, such a decision could adversely affect our ability to continue operating and the market price for our Class A Common Stock and could potentially use significant resources. Even if we are involved in litigation and win, litigation can redirect significant resources of management and the Company.

Environmental / Social1 | 2.1%

Environmental / Social - Risk 1

We are subject to environmental, health, and safety laws and regulations that could result in costs to us.

In connection with the ownership and operations of our pet care centers and distribution centers, we are subject to laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment and health and safety matters, including those governing the management and disposal of wastes and the cleanup of contaminated sites. We could incur costs, including fines and other sanctions, cleanup costs, and third-party claims, as a result of violations of or liabilities under environmental laws and regulations. Although we are not aware of any of our sites at which we currently have material remedial obligations, the imposition of remedial obligations as a result of the discovery of contaminants in the future could result in additional costs.

Production

Total Risks: 5/48 (10%)Below Sector Average

Employment / Personnel5 | 10.4%

Employment / Personnel - Risk 1

We may experience difficulties recruiting and retaining skilled veterinarians due to shortages that could disrupt our business.

The successful growth of our veterinary services business depends on our ability to recruit and retain skilled veterinarians and other veterinary technical staff. We face competition from other veterinary service providers in the labor market for veterinarians, and from time to time, we may experience shortages of skilled veterinarians in markets in which we operate our veterinary service businesses, which may require us or our affiliated veterinary practices to increase wages and enhance benefits to recruit and retain enough qualified veterinarians to adequately staff our veterinary services operations. If we are unable to recruit and retain qualified veterinarians, or to control our labor costs, our business, financial condition, and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

Employment / Personnel - Risk 2

Our management does not have experience as senior management of a public company or ensuring compliance with public company obligations, and fulfilling these obligations will be expensive and time consuming, which may divert management's attention from the day-to-day operation of its business.

Our senior management does not have experience as senior management a publicly traded company and have limited experience complying with the increasingly complex laws pertaining to public companies. In particular, the significant regulatory oversight and reporting obligations imposed on public companies will require substantial attention from senior management and may divert attention away from the day-to-day management of its business, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Similarly, corporate governance obligations, including with respect to the development and implementation of appropriate corporate governance policies will impose additional burdens on the Company's non-executive directors.

Employment / Personnel - Risk 3

We may be subject to personal injury, workers' compensation, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, wage and hour, and other claims in the ordinary course of business.

Our business involves a risk of personal injury, workers' compensation, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, wage and hour, and other claims in the ordinary course of business. We maintain general liability insurance with a self-insured retention and workers' compensation insurance with a deductible for each occurrence. We also maintain umbrella insurance above the primary general liability coverage. No assurance can be given that our insurance coverage will be available or sufficient in any claims brought against us. Additionally, we are subject to U.S. federal, state, and local employment laws that expose us to potential liability if we are determined to have violated such employment laws, including but not limited to, laws pertaining to minimum wage rates, overtime pay, discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination. Compliance with these laws, including the remediation of any alleged violation, may have a material adverse effect on our business or results of operations.

Employment / Personnel - Risk 4

Labor disputes may have an adverse effect on our operations.

We are not currently party to a collective bargaining agreement with any of our employees. If we were to experience a union organizing campaign, this activity could be disruptive to our operations, increase our labor costs and decrease our operational flexibility. We cannot assure you that some or all of our employees will not become covered by a collective bargaining agreement or that we will not encounter labor conflicts or strikes. In addition, organized labor may benefit from new legislation or legal interpretations by the current presidential administration, as well as current or future unionization efforts among other large employers. Particularly, in light of current support for changes to federal and state labor laws, we cannot provide any assurance that we will not experience additional and more successful union organization activity in the future. Any labor disruptions could have an adverse effect on our business or results of operations and could cause us to lose customers. Further, our responses to any union organizing efforts could negatively impact our reputation and have adverse effects on our business, including on our financial results.

Employment / Personnel - Risk 5

If we fail to attract and keep senior management, we may be unable to successfully integrate acquisitions, scale our offerings of veterinary services, and deliver enhanced customer services, which may impact our results of operations and financial results.

Our success depends in part on our continued ability to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified management and senior personnel. We are highly dependent upon our senior management, particularly Kimball Carr, our Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Richard Frank, our Chief Executive Officer. The loss of services of any of these individuals could negatively impact our ability to successfully integrate acquisitions, scale our employee roster, and deliver enhanced veterinary services, which may impact our results of operations and financial results. Although we have entered an employment agreement with Kimball Carr, our Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer, for one 3-year term (automatically extending for one-year terms thereafter) there can be no assurance that Mr. Carr or any other senior executive officer will extend their terms of service.

Ability to Sell

Total Risks: 4/48 (8%)Below Sector Average

Competition1 | 2.1%

Competition - Risk 1

The animal health industry is highly competitive.

The animal health industry is highly competitive. The Company is not currently engaged in product development and does not depend on product development for any of its revenue, however, the Company believes that it may face competition if the Company decides to engage in product development in future years. In such a case, the Company's competitors may include standalone animal health businesses, the animal health businesses of large pharmaceutical companies, specialty animal health businesses and companies that mainly produce generic products or offer generic services. We believe many of such competitors are conducting R&D activities in areas served by our products and or services. There are also several new start-up companies competing in the animal health industry. We may also face competition from manufacturers of drugs globally, as well as producers of nutritional health products and animal health service providers. These competitors may have access to greater financial, marketing, technical and other resources. As a result, they may be able to devote more resources to developing, manufacturing, marketing and selling their products, initiating or withstanding substantial price competition or more readily taking advantage of acquisitions or other opportunities.

Demand1 | 2.1%

Demand - Risk 1

A decline in consumer spending or a change in consumer preferences or demographics could reduce our sales or profitability and adversely affect our business.

Some of our product sales depend on consumer spending, which is influenced by factors beyond our control, including general economic conditions, disruption or volatility in global financial markets, changes in interest rates, the availability of discretionary income and credit, weather, consumer confidence, unemployment levels and government orders restricting freedom of movement. We may experience declines in sales or changes in the types of products and services sold during economic downturns. Our business could be harmed by any material decline in the amount of consumer spending, which could reduce our sales, or a decrease in the sales of higher-margin products, which could reduce our profitability and adversely affect our business. We have also benefited from increasing pet ownership, discretionary spending on pets and current trends in humanization and premiumization in the pet industry, as well as favorable pet ownership demographics. To the extent these trends slow or reverse, our sales and profitability would be adversely affected. In particular, COVID-19 has driven an increase in pet ownership and consumer demand for our products that may not be sustained or may reverse at any time. The success of our business depends in part on our ability to identify and respond to evolving trends in demographics and consumer preferences. Failure to timely identify or effectively respond to changing consumer tastes, preferences, spending patterns and pet care needs could adversely affect our relationship with our customers, the demand for our products and services, our market share and our profitability.

Brand / Reputation2 | 4.2%

Brand / Reputation - Risk 1

Our continued success is largely dependent on positive perceptions of our company.

Management believes our continued success is largely dependent on positive perceptions of our company as a high-quality employer and operator within the veterinary space. We may receive claims or complaints alleging that we do not properly care for some of the pets we handle or for companion animals we handle and sell, which may include dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, and other small animals. Deaths or injuries sometimes occur while animals are in our care. As a result, we may be subject to claims that our animal care services, including grooming, training, veterinary, and other services, or the related training of our associates or handling of animals by them, do not provide the proper level of care. Our efforts to establish our reputation as a "health and wellness" company increase the risk of claims or complaints regarding our practices. Any such claims or complaints, as well as any related news reports or reports on social media, even if inaccurate or untrue, could cause negative publicity, which in turn could harm our business and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. To be successful in the future, we must continue to preserve, grow, and leverage the value of our reputation and our brand. Reputational value is based in large part on perceptions of subjective qualities, and even isolated incidents may erode trust and confidence and have adverse effects on our business and financial results, particularly if they result in adverse publicity or widespread reaction on social media, governmental investigations, or litigation. Our brand could be adversely affected if our public image or reputation were to be tarnished by negative publicity. Failure to comply or accusations of failure to comply with ethical, social, labor, data privacy, and environmental standards could also jeopardize our reputation and potentially lead to various adverse consumer actions. Any of these events could adversely affect our business. As the Company grows, expanding the mergers and acquisitions team in order to select and properly integrate new locations will be necessary. We also will have to build our marketing, sales, managerial and other non-technical capabilities and make arrangements with third parties to perform certain of these other services, and we may not be successful in doing so. Building an internal sales organization is time consuming and expensive and will significantly increase our compensation expense. If we are unable to market and build proven client-acquisition processes at local level our future revenue could suffer.

Brand / Reputation - Risk 2

Negative publicity arising from claims that we do not properly care for animals we handle could adversely affect how we are perceived by the public and reduce our sales and profitability.

From time to time we receive claims or complaints alleging that we do not properly care for some of the pets we handle or for companion animals we handle, which mainly includes dogs and cats but may include other animals as we acquire additional facilities. Deaths or injuries may occur in the future while animals are in our care. As a result, we may be subject to claims that our animal care practices do not provide the proper level of care. Any such claims or complaints, as well as any related news reports or reports on social media, even if inaccurate or untrue, could cause negative publicity, which in turn could harm our business and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Tech & Innovation

Total Risks: 3/48 (6%)Below Sector Average

Trade Secrets1 | 2.1%

Trade Secrets - Risk 1

We may be unable to adequately protect our intellectual property rights.

We regard our brand, customer lists, trademarks, trade dress, domain names, trade secrets, proprietary technology and similar intellectual property as critical to our success. We rely on trademark law, trade secret protection, agreements and other methods with our employees and others to protect our proprietary rights. The protection of our intellectual property rights may require the expenditure of significant financial, managerial and operational resources. Moreover, the steps we take to protect our intellectual property may not adequately protect our rights or prevent third parties from infringing or misappropriating our proprietary rights, and we may be unable to broadly enforce all of our intellectual property rights. Any of our intellectual property rights may be challenged by others or invalidated through administrative process or litigation. Our trademark applications may never be granted. Furthermore, our confidentiality agreements may not effectively prevent disclosure of our proprietary information, technologies and processes and may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized disclosure of such information. We might be required to spend resources to monitor and protect our intellectual property rights. For example, we may initiate claims or litigation against others for infringement, misappropriation or violation of our intellectual property rights or other proprietary rights or to establish the validity of such rights. However, we may be unable to discover or determine the extent of any infringement, misappropriation or other violation of our intellectual property rights and other proprietary rights. Despite our efforts, we may be unable to prevent third parties from infringing upon, misappropriating or otherwise violating our intellectual property rights and other proprietary rights. Any litigation, whether or not it is resolved in our favor, could result in significant expense to us and divert the efforts of our technical and management personnel, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Cyber Security2 | 4.2%

Cyber Security - Risk 1

Our reputation and business may be harmed if our or our vendors' computer network security or any of the databases containing customer, employee, or other personal information maintained by us or our third-party providers is compromised, which could materially adversely affect our results of operations.

We collect, store, and transmit proprietary or confidential information regarding our customers, employees, job applicants, and others, including credit card information and personally identifiable information. We also collect, store, and transmit employees' health information in order to administer employee benefits; accommodate disabilities and injuries; to comply with public health requirements; and to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. The protection of customer, employee, and company data in the information technology systems we use (including those maintained by third-party providers) is critical. In the normal course of business, we are and have been the target of malicious cyber-attack attempts and have experienced other security incidents. Security could be compromised and confidential information, such as customer credit card numbers, employee information, or other personally identifiable information that we or our vendors collect, transmit, or store, could be misappropriated or system disruptions could occur. In addition, cyber-attacks such as ransomware attacks could lock us out of our information systems and disrupt our operations. We may not have the resources or technical sophistication to anticipate or prevent rapidly evolving types of cyber-attacks. Attacks may be targeted at us, our customers, our employees, or others who have entrusted us with information. Actual or anticipated attacks may cause us to incur increasing costs, including costs to deploy additional personnel and protection technologies, train employees, and engage third-party experts and consultants. Advances in computer capabilities, new technological discoveries, or other developments may result in the breach or compromise of the technology used by us to protect transactions or other sensitive data. In addition, data and security breaches could also occur as a result of non-technical issues, including intentional or inadvertent breach by our employees or by persons with whom we have commercial relationships, that result in the unauthorized release of personal or confidential information. Any compromise or breach of our or our vendors' computer network security could result in a violation of applicable privacy and other laws, costly investigations, litigation, including class actions, and notification, as well as potential regulatory or other actions by governmental agencies and harm to our brand, business, and results of operations. As a result of any of the foregoing, we could experience adverse publicity, loss of sales, the cost of remedial measures and significant expenditures to reimburse third parties for damages, which could adversely impact our results of operations. Any insurance we maintain against the risk of this type of loss may not be sufficient to cover actual losses or may not apply to the circumstances relating to any particular loss.

Cyber Security - Risk 2

Our business may be harmed if our computer network containing employee or other information is compromised, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

We occasionally collect or store proprietary or confidential information regarding our employees or customers, and others, including credit card information and potentially personally identifiable information. We may also collect, store, and transmit employees' health information in order to administer employee benefits; accommodate disabilities and injuries; and comply with public health requirements. We cannot assure you that future potential cyber-attacks will not expose us to material liability. Security could be compromised and confidential information, such as customer credit card numbers, employee information, or other personally identifiable information could be misappropriated, or system disruptions could occur. In addition, cyber-attacks such as ransomware attacks could lock us out of our information systems and disrupt our operations. If our information systems or infrastructure fail to perform as designed or are interrupted for a significant period of time, our business could be adversely affected. In addition, the Company plans to expand its service offering to include, among other services, tele-veterinarian services. The Company has not implemented such tele-veterinarian services as of the date of this prospectus. However, in order to implement such services, the Company will likely require significant investments in information technology and information technology training. There can be no assurance that such investments will generate commiserate increases in revenue or profitability. In implemented, cyber-attacks such as ransomware attacks against our tele-veterinarian infrastructure could interrupt our ability to provide such services and could adversely affect that line of business.

Macro & Political

Total Risks: 2/48 (4%)Below Sector Average

Natural and Human Disruptions2 | 4.2%

Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 1

The COVID-19 outbreak has previously disrupted our business, and any future outbreak of a health epidemic or other adverse public health developments could materially and adversely affect our business and operating results.

The COVID-19 outbreak previously disrupted our business and any future outbreak of a health epidemic or other adverse public health developments could materially and adversely affect our business and operating results. There is continuing uncertainty relating to the potential effect of COVID-19 on our business. Infections may become more widespread and should that cause supply disruptions it would have a negative impact on our business, financial condition and operating results. In addition, a significant health epidemic could adversely affect the economies and financial markets of many countries, resulting in an economic downturn that could affect the market for our veterinary services, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts our business will depend on future developments that are uncertain and unpredictable, including the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, its impact on capital and financial markets, the continued timing of widespread availability of COVID-19 vaccines, the willingness of individuals to become vaccinated, the efficacy of vaccinations, virus mutations and variants, the length of time COVID-19 related restrictions continue to stay in place or are reinstituted and for economic and operating conditions to return to prior levels, together with resulting consumer behaviors, and numerous other uncertainties, all of which remain uncertain. Any of these events could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to execute and capitalize on our strategies for a period of time that is currently unknown.

Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 2

Natural disasters and other events beyond our control could harm our business.

Natural disasters or other catastrophic events, such as earthquakes, flooding, wildfires, power shortages, pandemics such as COVID-19, terrorism, political unrest, telecommunications failure, vandalism, cyberattacks, geopolitical instability, war, drought, sea level rise and other events beyond our control may cause damage or disruption to our operations, the operations of our suppliers and service providers, international commerce and the global economy, and could seriously harm our revenue and financial condition and increase our costs and expenses. A natural disaster or other catastrophic event in any of our major markets could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. Also, in the event of damage or interruption, our insurance policies may not adequately compensate us for any losses that we may incur.

See a full breakdown of risk according to category and subcategory. The list starts with the category with the most risk. Click on subcategories to read relevant extracts from the most recent report.

FAQ

What are “Risk Factors”?

Risk factors are any situations or occurrences that could make investing in a company risky.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires that publicly traded companies disclose their most significant risk factors. This is so that potential investors can consider any risks before they make an investment.

They also offer companies protection, as a company can use risk factors as liability protection. This could happen if a company underperforms and investors take legal action as a result.

It is worth noting that smaller companies, that is those with a public float of under $75 million on the last business day, do not have to include risk factors in their 10-K and 10-Q forms, although some may choose to do so.

How do companies disclose their risk factors?

Publicly traded companies initially disclose their risk factors to the SEC through their S-1 filings as part of the IPO process.

Additionally, companies must provide a complete list of risk factors in their Annual Reports (Form 10-K) or (Form 20-F) for “foreign private issuers”.

Quarterly Reports also include a section on risk factors (Form 10-Q) where companies are only required to update any changes since the previous report.

According to the SEC, risk factors should be reported concisely, logically and in “plain English” so investors can understand them.

How can I use TipRanks risk factors in my stock research?

Use the Risk Factors tab to get data about the risk factors of any company in which you are considering investing.

You can easily see the most significant risks a company is facing. Additionally, you can find out which risk factors a company has added, removed or adjusted since its previous disclosure. You can also see how a company’s risk factors compare to others in its sector.

Without reading company reports or participating in conference calls, you would most likely not have access to this sort of information, which is usually not included in press releases or other public announcements.

A simplified analysis of risk factors is unique to TipRanks.

What are all the risk factor categories?

TipRanks has identified 6 major categories of risk factors and a number of subcategories for each. You can see how these categories are broken down in the list below.

1. Financial & Corporate

Accounting & Financial Operations - risks related to accounting loss, value of intangible assets, financial statements, value of intangible assets, financial reporting, estimates, guidance, company profitability, dividends, fluctuating results.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights – risks related to things that impact share prices and the rights of shareholders, including analyst ratings, major shareholder activity, trade volatility, liquidity of shares, anti-takeover provisions, international listing, dual listing.
Debt & Financing – risks related to debt, funding, financing and interest rates, financial investments.
Corporate Activity and Growth – risks related to restructuring, M&As, joint ventures, execution of corporate strategy, strategic alliances.

2. Legal & Regulatory

Litigation and Legal Liabilities – risks related to litigation/ lawsuits against the company.
Regulation – risks related to compliance, GDPR, and new legislation.
Environmental / Social – risks related to environmental regulation and to data privacy.
Taxation & Government Incentives – risks related to taxation and changes in government incentives.

3. Production

Costs – risks related to costs of production including commodity prices, future contracts, inventory.
Supply Chain – risks related to the company’s suppliers.
Manufacturing – risks related to the company’s manufacturing process including product quality and product recalls.
Human Capital – risks related to recruitment, training and retention of key employees, employee relationships & unions labor disputes, pension, and post retirement benefits, medical, health and welfare benefits, employee misconduct, employee litigation.

4. Technology & Innovation

Innovation / R&D – risks related to innovation and new product development.
Technology – risks related to the company’s reliance on technology.
Cyber Security – risks related to securing the company’s digital assets and from cyber attacks.
Trade Secrets & Patents – risks related to the company’s ability to protect its intellectual property and to infringement claims against the company as well as piracy and unlicensed copying.

5. Ability to Sell

Demand – risks related to the demand of the company’s goods and services including seasonality, reliance on key customers.
Competition – risks related to the company’s competition including substitutes.
Sales & Marketing – risks related to sales, marketing, and distribution channels, pricing, and market penetration.
Brand & Reputation – risks related to the company’s brand and reputation.

6. Macro & Political

Economy & Political Environment – risks related to changes in economic and political conditions.
Natural and Human Disruptions – risks related to catastrophes, floods, storms, terror, earthquakes, coronavirus pandemic/COVID-19.
International Operations – risks related to the global nature of the company.
Capital Markets – risks related to exchange rates and trade, cryptocurrency.

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