Our independent vet went VCA many years ago (actually the son who took over his father's practice did this after his father retired from clinic practice). It started going downhill almost immediately. And prices skyrocketed...they seem to be the highest in our area.
They have serious turnover of vets with the ones being brought in just out of school, seemingly. I haven't been impressed by a single one of the new ones (whom we've seen as necessary between annual visits to the older crew). The original vet staffed his office with vet techs and nursing students so they were all pretty savvy. Now? One or two have some related experience but most seem to have the interest of a "want fries with that?" job holder...you have to really pay attention to what's going on. High turnover here, too.
Hours have changed. At first they expanded (as did the building) and then they retreated. Another expand and now in retreat. We have an emergency vet really close by (and cheaper!) so that hasn't concerned me.
We've been lucky enough to have vets who'd work with us...or maybe that's just because I've been going there so long...but I've had friends say they seem coerced into doing things they're not interested in. The techs must get a commission on what they can sell you, though. They have pricing plans like nobody's business...stuff you don't want for the sake of getting what you do want.
All in all, I wish we were still with a private practice even if it meant not necessarily being able to get a fast appointment (fewer doctors)...there are times when few doctors are in the clinic, anyhow.
FWIW ~ The doctor we've been seeing most recently announced that he's going to be semi-retired. He will work one day a month. I sense a lack of interest in his career and figure he's just hanging on so that he can get benefits up until legitimate retirement (he's too young). Needless to say, we switched to another experienced vet.
The one thing I really like about this practice, though, is state of the art equipment and serious attention paid with things like anesthesia. I don't doubt the care our pets get there (with one exception with a vet who's no longer there...and I got that resolved with the clinic manager).
Good luck!
(sending you a PM)