EP33 - Equity in Vet Care, COVID Chaos & Private Practice Reality w/ Dr. Ranetta Perkins

Hey friends! This week on the pod, we’re taking you inside one of the most inspiring and eye-opening veterinary journeys out there — and trust me, you’re going to walk away with a whole new appreciation for the heart, grit, and community behind vet med.

We’re joined by the incredible Dr. Ranetta Perkins, a Nashville veterinarian who has done it all — from lab animal medicine and exotics to building her own small-animal practice right in the heart of downtown. We dive into what it’s really like to run an independently owned clinic in a big city, care for pets from all walks of life, and support pet parents who may be struggling, including those experiencing homelessness.

Whether you're a pet parent, vet professional, or just someone who loves stories of resilience and purpose, this episode has something for you. Grab your tea, settle in, and get ready to fall in love with Little Urban Animal Hospital and the powerhouse leading it.

Do you have a question or inquiry for me? Send me a text from the link above, ask me on any social media platform, or email drmollysayspod@gmail.com!

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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
01:23 Dr. Ranetta Perkins Intro
04:15 Lab Animal Medicine
07:00 Exotic Animal Practice
10:27 Dr. Perkins’ Small Animal Practice
16:20 Operating during COVID
20:23 Dr. Perkins’ Staff
25:06 What’s It Like Being in Downtown Nashville
26:40 What Makes Little Urban Unique
28:23 Pet Care for the Unhoused
34:30 Private Practice Costs
39:50 Knowing When to Adjust Prices
41:08 Distributors Charging Fees On Products
44:00 Ordering Goods as a Small Clinic
46:00 People Getting Priced Out of Owning Pets
49:10 Feeling Judged For Pet Care Costs
50:30 Working in the Service Industry
52:41 Corporate Owned Vs. Private Practice
55:57 How To Compete as a Private Practice Owner
1:00:03 Message for Pet Owners
1:02:35 Increase in Women Practice Owners
1:06 01 Social Media
1:07:20 What Breed Would Dr. Perkins Be
1:09:20 Vet Student Mentality
1:12:03 Outro

Chapters

• 0:00 Dr. Ranetta Perkins Intro
• 0:00 Intro
• 1:24 Lab Animal Medicine
• 4:13 Exotic Animal Practice
• 7:00 Dr. Perkins’ Small Animal Practice
• 10:26 Operating during COVID
• 16:21 Dr. Perkins’ Staff
• 20:24 What’s It Like Being in Downtown Nashville
• 25:06 What Makes Little Urban Unique
• 26:41 Pet Care for the Unhoused
• 28:24 Private Practice Costs
• 34:33 Knowing When to Adjust Prices
• 39:51 Distributors Charging Fees On Products
• 41:08 Ordering Goods as a Small Clinic
• 44:00 People Getting Priced Out of Owning Pets
• 46:00 Feeling Judged For Pet Care Costs
• 49:09 Working in the Service Industry
• 50:30 Corporate Owned Vs. Private Practice
• 52:41 How To Compete as a Private Practice Owner
• 55:56 Message for Pet Owners
• 1:00:02 Increase in Women Practice Owners
• 1:02:34 Social Media
• 1:06:03 What Breed Would Dr. Perkins Be
• 1:07:20 Vet Student Mentality
• 1:09:21 Outro