Federal action follows deposition testimony obtained during pending USPTO proceedings and VETR’s previous attempt to resolve the dispute through a no-payment coexistence agreement
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — VETR, a veterinary support and animal-health platform headquartered in Grants Pass, Oregon, has filed a federal trademark infringement lawsuit to protect its name, brand identity and position within the expanding veterinary technology and animal-health industries.
The complaint was filed on September 17, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan and is identified as Vetr, LLC v. Vetr Health, LLC et al., Case No. 1:2026cv02611. The action names Vetr Health, LLC, Vetr Health, Inc., and Vetr Health Veterinary Service of Michigan, P.C. as defendants.
According to the complaint, VETR alleges that the defendants’ use of a substantially similar name in connection with overlapping veterinary services and animal-health activities creates a likelihood of confusion among consumers, veterinarians, business partners and others encountering the brands.
Federal trademark infringement litigation may provide remedies including injunctive relief, monetary damages and, under circumstances provided by law, recovery of attorneys’ fees.
VETR has built its platform around increasing access to veterinary support and practical animal-health resources. Its services include virtual consultations with licensed veterinarians, prescription and refill management, veterinary and animal-health products, and educational resources for animal owners.
The company’s continued growth includes the development and distribution of products designed to address important needs within animal health. As VETR expands into additional areas of the veterinary market, the company considers a clear and protected brand identity essential to maintaining the trust it has established with customers, veterinary professionals and industry partners.
The federal court filing represents an escalation of a trademark dispute that was previously being litigated before the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, commonly known as the TTAB.
Before filing the federal action, VETR challenged two federal trademark applications through the TTAB. Those opposition proceedings concern applications seeking registration of a similar name for services that include digital, virtual and in-home veterinary care.
The TTAB matters, Opposition Nos. 91296146 and 91297151, were consolidated on June 5, 2025, with Opposition No. 91296146 designated as the parent proceeding. The consolidated matter remains pending.
VETR’s decision to pursue federal litigation followed discovery conducted during the TTAB proceedings, including deposition testimony concerning the defendants’ use of the VETR HEALTH name in connection with prescription and animal-health products. VETR contends that this testimony revealed uses of the disputed name extending beyond the services originally at issue in the administrative trademark proceedings.
Based on that testimony and other evidence developed during discovery, VETR determined that federal court action was necessary to address what it alleges to be ongoing trademark infringement and to protect its brand as the company continues expanding its veterinary services and animal-health product portfolio.
The federal lawsuit expands VETR’s effort to protect its brand beyond questions concerning federal trademark registration and places its infringement claims before a federal district court.
Before initiating the federal lawsuit, VETR attempted to resolve the dispute without further escalation, including through a proposed no-payment coexistence agreement that would have allowed both businesses to continue operating under their respective names while following agreed-upon measures intended to distinguish the brands and reduce potential customer confusion.
The proposal did not require either side to make a payment or concede that the other possessed superior trademark rights. VETR presented the agreement as a practical path toward resolving the conflict without further litigation, but the proposal was not accepted.
After the attempted resolution was unsuccessful and following the development of additional evidence during the TTAB proceedings, VETR determined that pursuing its claims in federal court was necessary to protect the name under which it has continued to build its technology, services and animal-health product offerings.
Vetr Health identifies Sadoc Paredes as its Chief Executive Officer, Rachel Berkal as its Chief Operating Officer, Ruby Paredes as its Chief Diagnostics Officer, and Brad Boike, DVM, as its Chief Medical Officer. The company identifies all four as founders.
VETR intends to continue serving its customers and advancing its broader business strategy while the case proceeds. The company’s ongoing expansion includes virtual veterinary support, prescription services, educational resources and a growing range of veterinary and animal-health products.
The filing does not change VETR’s day-to-day services or its commitment to supporting veterinarians and animal owners. Instead, the lawsuit reflects the company’s position that protecting its name is necessary to support its long-term growth and preserve clear differentiation in the marketplace.
The allegations contained in the complaint have not yet been decided by the court. The defendants will have an opportunity to respond and present their defenses as the case proceeds. Additional information will become available through the public court record.
About VETR
VETR is a veterinary support and animal-health platform headquartered in Grants Pass, Oregon. The company provides virtual veterinary consultations with licensed veterinarians, prescription and refill management, veterinary and animal-health products, and educational resources. VETR continues to expand its technology, services and product portfolio to meet evolving needs across the veterinary and animal-health markets.
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