A fun collection of the treating the pets of the rich in New York City. Light and fluffy with some medical warning for the squeamish.

Pets and the City is an interesting compilation of stories from a veterinarian whose practice goes to the patient's home. From regular visits to visits to the pets of the rich and famous, these are all sorts of fun, funny, and moving tales.

In my nonfiction reading, I tend to read about a lot of heavy topics. Pets and the City is not that and it was a perfect palate cleanser.

Amy Attas is a home vet in NYC, gosh I wish there was one where I lived. She serves the needs of pets of people on all sides of life. Dr. Attas goes through her background in veterinary medicine and how it led to her current position. Throughout that you can see her love of pets and wanting to help make them better. Although there are some sad stories with pets dying, as I expected, it's mostly full of stories about loved pets. As someone who treats their pets like their children, I would do anything for them just like those highlighted here. Dr. Attas also shows compassion to the owners as well showing that in some cases her home calls weren't just a necessity for the pets but also their owners.

I highly recommend this book if you're a pet lover. It was a really fast read. Honestly this is the kind of story I feel like a lot of us could use now.

Thank you to Putnam and Netgalley for a copy in exchange for review consideration.

As a pet owner and lover, this was a fascinating read. Dr. Amy Attas has encountered a myriad of issues with her various patients and it was interesting to read about each case and how they were handled. And occasionally, it wasn’t the pet that had to be handled but the owner, which she managed to do in a professional and courteous manner. There is quite a bit of namedropping but I enjoyed learning about the different stars’ pets and how she worked with the larger than life personalities.

Pets and the City took me by surprise in the BEST way. If you are a pet lover, this book will thoroughly entertain you. If you are a pet lover and enjoy stories about NYC or celebrities, you will love this book even more. Dr. Attas tells the story of how she came to her career in veterinarian medicine and how that occupation shifted overtime to become a house call vet. The stories Dr. Attas shared immediately drew me in with her wonderful writing and storytelling abilities, the pets she encountered were just icing on the cake for me. I am an animal lover and would have way too many dogs, if given the chance. The way she described relationships with pets really struck a chord with me. This is one of my favorite reads so far this year and I can see it as a book I recommend for years to come.

Pets and the City is out now and I think you should grab a copy for yourself!! Thank you Putnam Books and Netgalley for my e-arc, it was so wonderful!

This book gave great insight into what a veterinarian does on a day to day basis with the fun twist that the pet owners were often famous. The stories were well organized and I especially liked the chapter that was about pets ingesting toxic things because it was a good reminder for me to keep those items away from my pets.

What a great memoir! Reading this book was like sitting with a friend as they shared the joys, sorrows, humor and frustrations of their life as a veterinarian. Amy Atlas beautifully writes about her diverse, interesting and often quirky clients and their pet parents. The stories she shares are all from the heart. Thanks #NetGalley

This book was adorable. I just finished a book that was extremely dark and heavy and this book was exactly what I needed to lift my spirits!!

I can't say enough good things about this. First, I absolutely love that this is a female vet in the mid 1990s when being a stay-at-home mom was still pretty much the norm so to read the story of a woman who went to vet school, did the crappy, unpaid internships, had her share of setbacks and took all of it and built a high-end house call practice in one of the most expensive, exclusive communities on the planet is so inspiring!!!

I loved the way that Dr. Attas tells her stories. You get all of the necessary information and not a lot of fluff so they read very, very quickly. She throws in a tale or two of heartbreak (The human MD who gave her dog Tylenol had me sobbing) which I actually liked because to leave out how devestating it can be in this industry would be an absolute crime and do a disservice to people thinking about getting into it. I thought there was a good amount of celebrity involved which I expected from an NYC setting, and many of them were named so it seemed very legitimate while also never feeling braggy. I just though the whole thing was really well balanced, I sincerely enjoyed it!!

The book was beautifully and captivatingly written. As Amy describes many of her clients, I couldn't help but want to hear more or hear an update to many of them! Overall, the book was well written and I did really enjoy it.

Very good read!

As someone who at one time wanted to be a veterinarian, this book interested me. I have never given a thought to how the “rich and famous “ have their pets needs taken care of, so I found this fascinating.

So many stories, some sad, most happy and some unforgettable. I’m glad Dr. Attas took the time to capture some of her career highlights to share with the world.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

I think any animal lover would enjoy this book. Dr. Amy’s stories kept me captivated. It was interesting how she came to become a vet whose business is to do house calls and the clientele was fascinating from the rich and famous to the mouser in the basement. There were heartwarming stories and heartbreaking stories. It hadn’t occurred to me how the animals would feel about a vet coming into their territory. As the owner of a disabled cat, I found Dr. Amy’s stories about people doing our best to help disabled pets touching and it brought me to tears at times.

Thank you to the author, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

I’m a sucker for a book about animals, especially if it’s written by a veterinarian. This fit the bill. It’s written by a vet who makes house calls throughout Manhattan. I fell in love with all of the animals, and it was extra fun to read little snippets about their owners (some of whom are huge celebrities.)
The biggest compliment I can give a book is that I never want it to end. I adored this book, and Dr. Amy. I hope she writes more!
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for granting access to a digital ARC in response to my request.

Thank you Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for access to this arc.


I enjoy reading books about veterinarians. Some have worked better for me than others. This one is kind of half and half. Parts of it I really enjoyed while other things got more annoying the longer I read about them.

*Some* of her stories are about celebs? I’d say the majority are and if the names aren’t told to us then Attas gushes on about where the clients live, what their fabulous homes look like, and what the sources of their wealth are. For most clients, it’s definitely the lifestyles of the rich and famous pet owners here. Attas burbles on about how she never asks to take selfies with her famous clients – except when she meets them when she’s not on duty taking care of their pets – but she sure name drops all over the place. Really, name drops. A lot.

I will be honest and admit that one anecdote she told was very off putting. A famous celebrity’s dog needed immediate treatment and had been brought into the 24 hour office in which Attas worked at the time. Attas then did a happy-dance that she was going to meet this person after which she called her mom to whoop about the fact that she was about to meet this person. Only after all that does she go in and treat the poor dog. The dog was treated, was okay, and the person became a loyal client for decades and told lots of other famous people about Attas but … damn. This particular story was not a good look.

Yet it’s clear that Attas is a very good vet, devoted to the patients, and tries to do her best for them – sometimes in the face of clients who don’t or won’t listen to her professional advice and recommendations. Dr. Amy does dish out her thoughts a lot on what she thinks is best for the pets but for me, she’s preaching to the choir as I agree that once you take on a pet, you should take on their care for life or, if there’s no other option, see to it that they are placed in a good home that will take on this responsibility. Also rescues aren’t just throwaway animals but pets looking for someone to love. And don’t buy from puppy mills.

She pivoted from being fired by a shitty boss to running her successful business which is now over 30 years old. Attas doesn’t shy away from discussing the good, the bad, the sad, and the ugly aspects of her job. Cat owners be warned that you need to never have lilies in or around your house as even the pollen can kill felines. Also don’t let pets out on balconies in high-rises. And men who have “testes inferiority” complexes, don’t refuse to get your large male dogs neutered. I’ll give her props that she also helps some clients (a hoarder, a woman who basically breaks down after her cat is euthanized) and tries to place rescue animals with appropriate clients. Being a vet is not for everyone who ever thought or dreamed of being one (raises hand). Thank goodness there are some dedicated ones out there. C+

This was a wonderful, enjoyable read. I learned a lot that I will apply to my own pets to be a more responsible and well educated owner! The commentary about residents of certain NYC fame held both as a source of entertainment and as insight into their lives that made me appreciate them more as human beings. I was especially happy to hear of interaction with Mr. Wiesel, whose book “Night” impacted me deeply when I read it in middle school. Other stories of the lives of millionaires made me laugh, and others shocked me with their bad behavior. Dr. Amy’s description of her experience becoming a veterinarian encouraged me to keep pushing in my own career that includes grad school and hours of internships, and fueled me with more passion to remember the impact we can make with our career.
This book overflows with laughter, humanity, compassion, and respect for all creatures.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this as an ARC, and Dr. Amy for writing it!

The author Dr. Amy Attas a veterinarian who started out working a normal path for Doctor of Animals by working for a brick-and-mortar practice in New York City. One that it was not uncommon to have rich and famous clients. But after an unplanned separation from said practice, she came up with a Eunique business plan and one many did not think would last by becoming a Vet who made house calls. With retaining some of her previous clients and word of mouth she built a very successful practice that catered to the rich and famous that live in the city. This appears to give her an advantage as she is treating many of these pets in their environment where maybe they will not be as stressed and along the way she gets to see many beautiful living arrangements and how these people live along with getting to see the bond between the pets and their humans. She is dealing with many powerful people and ones who are used to getting their way, getting it now and not used to being told no. There are many great stories and stars you will definitely recognize unless you live in a cave. There are stories that maybe a little gross, some to bring a tear to your eye, and some that will make you laugh out loud.

A few stories that stood out for me were one ware she learned a trick from a Rabbi performing a bris she used to settle down a litter of puppies. A star who had a dog who had a furry shoe fetish, a family dog who loved women's lingerie, the steps one family has to go to when neutering a dog and how she seen Cher naked. But best of all is how she shows that with a little love, care and protection our pets give us unconditional love. A definite five star read.

I'm pretty easy. Give me a book with funny and/or heartfelt stories about animals and I'm all in. This book was great. I loved the honesty with which Doctor Attas told her stories, and how she didn't sugarcoat anything, even the not-so-great parts. I also loved how the reader could really get a sense of her clients' (both animal and human) personalities and how Attas consistently talked about her responsibility for the well-being of her human clients as well as their pets. Her stories about Gail are a perfect example of this. The format of the book was great as well, and allowed for easy reading and flow of the stories. I would readily read another compilation of stories by Attas, if she were to publish one.

Thank you NetGalley and penguin group Putnam

Scroll to the end of my review for my favorite quote from the book.

Dr. Amy Attas is Manhattan’s premier house call veterinarian. After being let go from her first practice, she decides to start seeing clients and pets where they are most comfortable-in their homes. Pets and the City follows Dr. Attas’ distinguished career treating the famous, wealthy, and average Joe residents of manhattan and their pets.

As a veterinary professional, I truly loved this book! It showed a small behind the scenes peek at what it’s like to be in veterinary medicine. Dr. Amy touched on all of the highs and lows-From the rude and noncompliant (or dare I say it…shitty #sorry ) owners, the sadness, the pure exhaustion and burnout, the joy of seeing a happy pet and seeing your hard work appreciated, the connections made with owners and coworkers and the chance to educate your community. Dr. Amy’s stories of the man who didn’t want to neuter his dogs, or the old man with the cat that had never seen a vet in her life and now desperately needed a dental to relieve her pain were some very familiar sounding cases that I’ve personally experienced. It’s good to know it happens to everyone.
But! Veterinary medicine isn’t all sad cases and poo poo owners! This book definitely shows us this through the ways that Dr. Amy always finds loving homes for rescues, advocates for wildlife, and how she sometimes gets to treat pets from birth until death and being there for all the great moments in between ❤️ the connections that a lot of people have with their pets is also so so special and Dr. Amy does an amazing job of honoring those connections.

If you are looking for a light read with fun stories about famous people and their pets, you’ll definitely want to pick this book up! Available on June 18, 2024.

“My first year in practice at AMC, as I put a pet to sleep…that tears streamed down my own face. A senior clinician witnessed this and said…”Don’t worry, Amy. Give it a little time and after doing enough of them, you won’t cry during a euthanasia.”…The day I stop crying during a euthanasia, I should no longer be doing this job. I have never stopped crying.”

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I really liked this book. I laughed, I cried, I frantically identified all the flowers in my house to make sure they weren’t toxic. May be best as a book you read a few chapters at a time. Not a binge all night book.

Pros
- Loved the stories
- Loved her backstory and seeing how her business grew

Cons
- Felt name-droppy at times

Veterinary memoirs are always a genre that I want to devour when they are available. This type of reading provides medical knowledge and animals in the typical office situation. Pets and the City, a new type of vet memoir, adds a more personalized approach given by author Amy Attas. Going back to a more James Herriot style practice, Dr. Attas provides services for pets in their own home in New York City. She goes wherever and usually whenever she is needed. This system assures the pets are most comfortable and the owners are conveniently visited. Who requests that a vet come to them instead of the “hassle” of going out in the city with their animal? Stars and well to do owners love this set up, as do shut ins and the elderly. This nonfiction starts with Dr. Attas’ training, continuing with the way her practice came to be. The anecdotes are sweet and one of a kind, with descriptions of the owners’ homes giving you a feeling of being there with the vet. This book would be ideal for a nightly short read as the chapters are brief. I would have enjoyed every bit of this book, even if twice the size. Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read the Earc in return for an honest review.

Dr. Amy Attas is one of those lucky people who always knew what she wanted to be when she grew up. Not only did Dr. Amy succeed in reaching her dream, she became one of the top veterinarians working in Manhattan, with a rather unique business model: making house calls to pets.

In Pets and the City, Attas shares stories of her life as a vet, from how she got started to how her career took off. Through talent and a lucky break (thanks to Joan Rivers) she became the vet to people from all kinds of backgrounds, but especially the rich and famous.

Told in a straightforward, funny, conversational style, there are plenty of details for readers interested in the day-to-day life of a vet. Many of the chapters contain vignettes that are connected by different themes, and some are difficult to read, although most are success stories, there are some very heartbreaking tales. And some hilarious as well. Attas describes how her personal life changed alongside her practice, and there are plenty of celebrity stories for anyone who would like a glimpse into that part of Manhattan.

This is the kind of book that I had to put down from time to time, in order to tell people about one or another of the unbelievable stories I had just read, and then I would end up going down a rabbit hole, looking up different facts, for example some breed of dog or looking up streets in New York. I truly learned so much about pets and the special place animals have in people’s lives. I found this memoir completely fascinating and I loved being able to experience two worlds unknown to me: that of being a vet and living and working in Manhattan.