Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Unz.
Hi Erica, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I feel sure that every veterinarian will tell you their love of animals began at a young age, and of course, I am no different.
I have my parents to thank for that. They always entertained my pleas to bring in stray cats, injured birds, and the like. I remember so well my mom bottle-feeding kittens on multiple occasions, and my dad giving me my first cat, a tortoiseshell named Sheba.
I worked and volunteered in veterinary clinics all through high school, with big plans to attend college and then move on to vet school, but life is funny sometimes and things didn’t go according to “plan”.
I left high school a year early, earned my GED, followed by a technical degree as an emergency medical technician, and immediately began working. It was not until I was in my mid-twenties that I got re-acquainted with veterinary medicine, and was challenged with the task of completing my undergraduate degree and applying to vet school. Fast forward to 2017 when I graduated from Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
Since I began my career as a veterinarian, I’ve spent much of my time in animal welfare and sheltering, working at some of the largest non-profit organizations and municipal shelters in the country.
Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of learning from many industry leaders, who have all shaped me into the doctor I am today. I will always be grateful and have promised to carry on in private practice with the same love and compassion for animals and to continue giving back to my community.
The idea of Meows & Purrs Feline Hospital has been in the back of my mind since graduation, but it wasn’t until I came to Miami and saw the need for a feline-specific doctor. I’ve started on a personal crusade if you will, to remind everyone that cats are not dogs and that they require a different approach to their health and medical care.
Additionally, this clinic is the first step in an even larger project that we hope to launch in the next year or two. Fingers crossed!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My life, in general, has not been a smooth road, but staying positive, looking toward the future, and setting attainable goals has truly been the reason I’ve gotten so far.
A lot of people told me I wouldn’t be successful or the business would never work unless I also saw canines – but if there is one thing that all my friends and family know about me, it is my determination and willingness to take big risks.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am most known for fostering newborn/neonate kittens and taking in the sickest of cats and kittens.
I cannot even begin to count the number of sleepless nights tube-feeding kittens or waking up every 2-3 hours to care for healthy ones. I find it so incredibly rewarding to watch a foster successfully raise their first litter of kittens, or see little ones that I’ve fostered get adopted and have a life of comfort.
I specialize in feline medicine, particularly in the neonate and pediatric medicine. As a vet student, I was not taught anything about kittens outside of regular vaccination schedules, and in South Florida, 40-50% of my patients are neonates (meaning 4 weeks of age or less). I took it upon myself to continue learning and reached out to some of my amazing peers to guide me in this area.
I believe what sets me apart is my genuine love for this profession, for what I do, and for who I represent. I represent all felines, those that are loved and living in wonderful homes, community cats who are cared for by individuals monitoring their colonies, and those that are homeless or abandoned.
I also strive to empower pet owners and caretakers with knowledge, so they can continue the mission of representing cats with true and correct information.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
Meows & Purrs Feline Hospital is a full-service clinic that serves all of Miami Dade County and beyond, and we depend on our community supporting small, local businesses.
Pricing:
- Home Consult $150
Contact Info:
- Website: meowsandpurrs.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meowspurrsfeline/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meowspurrsfeline
Image Credits
Jorge Suarez and Jaffy Media
